Differentiation and Treatment of Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat Colds

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, the common cold is an external pathogenic disease caused by the invasion of external evils, primarily categorized into two types: Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat. The treatment for different types of colds must be approached differently.

1. Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat

In TCM etiology, there is the concept of Wind evil. When Wind evil invades the body together with Cold evil, it is termed Wind-Cold syndrome; when it invades with Heat evil, it is termed Wind-Heat syndrome. For example, during the autumn and winter seasons, the combination of Wind and Cold is common, hence Wind-Cold colds are more prevalent; during the spring and summer, the combination of Wind and Heat is more common, leading to a higher incidence of Wind-Heat colds.

However, it cannot be said that Wind-Cold colds only occur in winter and Wind-Heat colds only in summer. If there is a sudden change in climate during summer, with abnormal cold and heat, exposure to cold, excessive consumption of cold foods, or getting wet in the rain, symptoms of Wind-Cold colds can appear. If a person usually has a deficiency of Yin or a Yang constitution, they may also exhibit symptoms of Wind-Heat.

Therefore, the pathogenic nature of Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat is not only related to the seasons but also closely related to individual constitution and lifestyle factors.

2. Differentiation between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat

Both Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat can cause fever and head and body pain, and an elevated body temperature does not necessarily equate to a Heat syndrome; thus, when differentiating between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat, the presence and severity of fever and head and body pain are not the most important factors. The main differences between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat are:

1.Severity of Chills.One of the key characteristics of Wind-Cold colds is a strong aversion to wind and cold, while Wind-Heat colds may present with mild chills but will not have chills and shivering.

2.Sore Throat.The presence or absence of pain and swelling in the throat is an important indicator for judging Wind-Heat colds, but those with Wind-Cold colds may also have slight throat redness. However, if the throat is significantly red or congested, it is a typical manifestation of Wind-Heat.

3.Nasal Discharge.In Wind-Cold colds, the nasal discharge is clear, while patients with Wind-Heat colds have thicker, yellow nasal discharge.

4.Thirst.In the early stages of Wind-Cold colds, there are no symptoms of thirst because the body fluids are not damaged. In contrast, early symptoms of Wind-Heat colds include significant thirst due to the invasion of Heat evil affecting body fluids.

Symptoms and Signs of Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat Colds

Type	Symptoms	Signs
Wind-Cold Cold	Aversion to Wind and Cold	Pale face and cold limbs
Clear nasal discharge and nasal congestion	Light red tongue with thin white coating
White phlegm and light cough	Throat not red or slightly red
Throat itch	Tonsils not congested
No sweating and no thirst
Wind-Heat Cold	Heat without cold	Red face and eyes
Thick yellow nasal discharge	Red tongue with yellow coating
Sore throat and hoarseness	Congested and red throat
Constipation	Swollen tonsils
Sweating and thirst

3. Different Treatments for Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat

The basic treatment principle for Wind-Cold colds is to disperse Wind and warm the exterior, commonly used TCM formulas include Ganmao Qingre Granules, Ganmao Soft Capsules, and Ganmao Shufeng Tablets; the basic treatment principle for Wind-Heat colds is to disperse Wind and clear Heat, commonly used TCM formulas include Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, Yinqiao Jiedu Tablets, and Banlangen Granules.

It is important to note:

If there is no improvement after three days of medication, it may be due to improper medication or the progression of the illness. In this case, it is essential to visit a reputable hospital for a doctor’s assessment and appropriate medication to avoid delaying treatment.

TCM Formulas for Treating Wind-Cold Colds

TCM Formula	Ingredients	Indications
Ganmao Qingre Granules	Jingjue Sui, Mentha, Fangfeng, Chaihu, Zisu Ye, Gegen, Jiegeng, Kuxingren, Baizhi, Kudi Ding, Lugen	Disperse Wind and dispel Cold, clear Heat. Used for Wind-Cold colds with symptoms of headache, fever, aversion to cold, clear nasal discharge, and dry cough.
Ganmao Soft Capsules	Qianghuo, Mahuang, Guizhi, Jingjue Sui, Fangfeng, Baizhi, Chuanxiong, Shichangpu, Gegen, Mentha, Kuxingren, Danggui, Huangqin, Jiegeng.	Disperse Wind and clear Heat. Used for headache and fever caused by external Wind-Cold, nasal congestion, clear nasal discharge, aversion to cold without sweating, joint pain, and sore throat.
Wind-Cold Cold Granules	Mahuang, Gegen, Zisu Ye, Fangfeng, Guizhi, Baizhi, Chenpi, Kuxingren, Jiegeng, Gancao, Ganjiang.	Release the exterior and induce sweating, disperse Wind and dispel Cold. Used for Wind-Cold colds with symptoms of fever, headache, aversion to cold, no sweating, cough, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge.
Chuanxiong Tea Granules	Chuanxiong, Baizhi, Qianghuo, Xixin, Fangfeng, Mentha, Jingjue, Gancao.	Disperse Wind and relieve pain. Used for headaches caused by Wind evil, with or without aversion to cold, fever, and nasal congestion.
Ganmao Shufeng Granules	Mahuang, Kuxingren, Guizhi, Baishao (wine-fried), Zisu Ye, Fangfeng, Duhuo, Jiegeng, Guya (fried), Gancao, Dazao, Shengjiang.	Disperse Cold and release the exterior, regulate the lungs and harmonize the middle. Used for fever and cough caused by Wind-Cold colds, headache, aversion to cold, clear nasal discharge, joint pain, and fatigue.
Formula Explanation	Commonly used herbs: Jingjue, Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Suye, Baizhi, Jiegeng, Baiqian, Guizhi, Congbai, Dandouzi, etc. Modifications: For significant headache, add Gegen; for aversion to cold without sweating, add Mahuang; for vomiting, add Banxia, Shengjiang; for external cold with internal heat, add Huangqin, Banlangen.
Precautions	Patients with hypertension and heart disease should use caution with formulas containing Mahuang.

TCM Formulas for Treating Wind-Heat Colds

TCM Formula	Ingredients	Indications
Banlangen Granules	Banlangen	Clear Heat and detoxify, cool the blood and benefit the throat. Used for sore throat and dry mouth caused by excess Heat in the lungs and stomach; acute tonsillitis with the above symptoms.
Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid	Jinyinhua, Huangqin, Lianqiao	Disperse Wind and clear the exterior, clear Heat and detoxify. Used for colds caused by external Wind-Heat, with symptoms of fever, cough, and sore throat.
Lanqun Oral Liquid	Banlangen, Huangqin, Zhizi, Huangbai, Panzhuhai	Clear Heat and detoxify, benefit the throat and reduce swelling. Used for acute pharyngitis and lung-stomach Heat syndrome causing sore throat, dry throat, and burning sensation in the throat.
Qingkailing Granules	Bile acid, mother-of-pearl, deoxycholic acid, Zhizi, water buffalo horn, Banlangen, Huangqin glycoside, Jinyinhua	Clear Heat and detoxify, calm the mind and soothe the spirit. Used for external Wind-Heat with internal Heat toxicity causing persistent high fever, restlessness, sore throat, red tongue, yellow coating, and rapid pulse; upper respiratory infections, viral colds, acute tonsillitis, acute pharyngitis, acute bronchitis, high fever, etc.
Wind-Heat Cold Granules	Banlangen, Lianqiao, Mentha, Jingjue Sui, Sangye, Lugen, Niubangzi, Chuhua, Kuxingren, Sangzhi, Liushenqu	Disperse Wind, clear Heat, benefit the throat, and detoxify. Used for Wind-Heat colds with symptoms of fever, sweating, nasal congestion, headache, sore throat, and cough with phlegm.
Formula Explanation	Commonly used herbs: Jinyinhua, Lianqiao, Mentha, Niubangzi, Dandouzi, Jingjue, Jiegeng, Gancao, Danzhuye, Sangye, Daqingye, etc. Modifications: For high fever, add Zhizi, Huangqin; for red and swollen sore throat, add Chan Tui, Dandelion, Xuan Shen; for constipation, add Zhi Shi, Da Huang.
Precautions	Not suitable for those with Wind-Cold colds. Use with caution in patients with chronic illness and diarrhea.

TCM Formulas for Treating Influenza

TCM Formula	Ingredients	Indications
Lianhua Qingwen Granules	Lianqiao, Jinyinhua, Mahuang (roasted), Kuxingren (fried), Shigao, Banlangen, Mianmaguanzhong, Yuxingcao, Guanghuoxiang, Dahuang, Hongjingtian, Menthol, Gancao	Clear epidemic toxins, detoxify, and relieve lung heat. Used for treating influenza with symptoms of fever or high fever, chills, muscle aches, nasal congestion, cough, headache, dry throat, sore throat, red tongue, yellow or greasy coating.
Lingyang Ganmao Soft Capsules	Lingyang horn, Jinyinhua, Jiegeng, Lianqiao, Jingjue Sui, Danzhuye, Gancao, Niubangzi, Dandouzi, Menthol, Peppermint oil.	Clear Heat and detoxify, disperse Wind and relieve the exterior: prevent influenza. Used for the initial onset of a cold, aversion to cold and fever, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, and runny nose.

Common TCM Formulas for Treating Colds

Wind-Cold Cold Medicines	Wind-Heat Cold Medicines	Qi Deficiency and Other Types of Cold Medicines
Ganmao Qingre Granules, Ganmao Soft Capsules, Ganmao Shufeng Tablets, Wind-Cold Cold Granules, Jingfang Granules, Jiedu Cold Tablets, Tiaowei Xiaoshi Pills, Jiangzao Quhan Powder, Pugan Tablets, External Wind-Cold Granules, Sweating Powder, Heat Pills, Sufeng Lungs Pills, Zhengqi Tablets.	Wind-Heat Cold Granules, Lingqiao Jiedu Pills, Sangju Cold Tablets, Yinqiao Jiedu Tablets, Yinchai Granules, Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, Chaihu Oral Liquid, Compound Jinyinhua Powder, Compound Sangju Cold Powder, Compound Sangju Cold Tablets, Compound Four Seasons Green Tablets, Compound Wild Chrysanthemum Cold Granules, Ganmao Shu Granules, Vitamin C Yinqiao Tablets, Ganmao Jiedu Powder, Refined Yinqiao Jiedu Tablets, Qingre Cold Powder, Children’s Cold Granules, Children’s Heat Speed Clear Oral Liquid, Children’s Wind-Heat Clear Oral Liquid, Children’s Disperse Exterior Granules, Children’s Clear Throat Powder.	Shensu Pills, Ganmao Jiedu Pills, Xiangju Cold Granules, Sangjiang Cold Tablets, Cold Relief Powder, Ganmao Jiedu Granules, Qingre Ling Granules, Compound Huoxiang Tablets, Jingfang Baidu Tablets, Additive Huoxiang Zhengqi Pills, Jingju Cold Tablets, Meisu Powder, Ganmao An Tablets, Ganmao Ling Powder, Ganmao Ling Capsules, Compound Gengying Tablets, Gan Te Ling Capsules, Cold Relief Capsules, Xiangshi Shuangjie Tea Bags, Ganmao Cough Powder.

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