The common cold can be generally divided into two types: the ordinary cold and the influenza.
The ordinary cold, commonly known as “shangfeng” (伤风), is a common respiratory illness caused by various viruses, characterized as a mild viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose and throat). Its main symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge, as well as cough, dry throat, and throat itchiness. It can occur in all seasons, with a higher incidence in winter. The pathogenic viruses causing colds vary by season.
Influenza, abbreviated as “liugan” (流感), is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Influenza is highly contagious, with the virus present in the respiratory tract of infected individuals, spreading through droplets when they cough or sneeze. Due to the virus’s tendency to mutate, influenza can easily lead to outbreaks. Its symptoms are generally more severe than those of a common cold, often accompanied by fever, chills, and muscle aches, with systemic symptoms being more pronounced. It typically has a higher incidence in winter and spring. In daily life, both ordinary colds and influenza can be managed with home remedies.
External Pathogenic Disease: Common Cold
The common cold, known as “shangfeng” (伤风), can occur in all seasons. It is often caused by abnormal temperature changes and the invasion of wind pathogens. This condition can be categorized into types such as wind-cold, wind-heat, and summer-dampness. Upper respiratory infections and influenza in modern medicine fall under this category.
Clinically, the main symptoms include headache, heavy nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat, chills, and fever.
Treatment for All Types of Colds
Formula: Wu Yao (Lindera aggregate), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia divaricata), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium incisum), Qian Hu (Peucedanum praeruptorum), Bai Zhi (Angelica dahurica), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Zhi Ban Xia (Pinellia ternata, ginger-fried), Chi Fu Ling (Poria cocos), Sha Ren (Amomum villosum, fried), Zhi Qiao (Bitter Orange, fried) 15g, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) 45g, Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom, fried) 60g, Cao Guo (Tsaoko Fruit, cleaned) 30g, Hou Po (Magnolia Bark, prepared with ginger juice), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia lappa), Zi Su (Perilla frutescens), Bo He (Mint), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes lancea), Xiang Fu (Cyperus rotundus, fried), Huo Xiang Ye (Agastache rugosa), Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel) each 90g.
Preparation: Grind all ingredients into a fine powder, mix with 700g of Shen Qu (a fermented grain product) to form pills weighing 3g each, and dry in the shade, coating with water and vermilion.
Dosage: Take 1-2 pills with ginger soup, three times a day. This is particularly effective for treating epidemics.
Treatment for Wind-Cold Cold
Formula: Fresh Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong, chopped), fresh Ginger (Zingiber officinale, sliced), Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel, sliced), fresh Zi Su (Perilla frutescens, chopped) in equal parts, with fine tea equal to the total amount of herbs.
Preparation: Mix the above herbs at noon on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, cover with a lid to allow air to circulate, and dry the next day in a porcelain bottle.
Dosage: Steep 10g in hot water, inhale the steam, and drink while hot; sweating will lead to recovery.
Lan Xiang Yang Cai Drink
Ingredients: Lan Xiang Cao (Lemon Balm) 25g, Ji Cai (Shepherd’s Purse) 15g.
Preparation: Boil Lan Xiang Cao and Ji Cai in water to extract the soup.
Dosage: Drink as a tea.
Effect: Dispels wind and releases the exterior. Suitable for colds caused by wind.
Ginger Fried Rice
Ingredients: Fried rice 50g, fresh Ginger 30g, brown sugar to taste.
Preparation: Wash and slice the ginger, cook with fried rice to make porridge, and mix in brown sugar.
Dosage: Take twice daily.
Effect: Releases the exterior and induces sweating, dispersing wind-cold. Suitable for external wind-cold with symptoms of nasal congestion, runny nose, cough with thin phlegm, and poor appetite.
Note: Fried rice refers to rice that has been roasted until brown, which aids digestion and nourishes the stomach.
Scallion and Cilantro Drink
Ingredients: Scallion white and cilantro each 15g.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water, strain, and take the juice.
Dosage: Drink while hot.
Effect: Releases the exterior and disperses cold. Suitable for external wind-cold.
Ma Huang Decoction
Ingredients: Fresh Ma Huang (Ephedra) 5g.
Preparation: Boil fresh Ma Huang in water.
Dosage: Take while hot.
Effect: Opens and disperses lung qi, releases the exterior, and disperses cold. Suitable for external wind-cold with symptoms of chills, fever, headache, nasal congestion, and absence of sweating.
White Radish Formula
Ingredients: White radish 150g, white sugar 5g.
Preparation: Wash and slice the white radish, add 900ml of water, and boil down to 600ml, then add white sugar.
Dosage: Take in two doses, with a 30-minute interval.
Effect: Antibacterial and disinfectant, preventing colds. Suitable for ordinary colds.
Da Qing Ye Decoction
Ingredients: Da Qing Ye (Isatis tinctoria) 50g.
Preparation: Boil Da Qing Ye in water.
Dosage: Drink as tea.
Effect: Clears heat, detoxifies, and cools the blood to stop bleeding. Suitable for wind-heat colds.
Snow Pear and Rock Candy Drink
Ingredients: Snow pear 1, rock candy to taste.
Preparation: Wash the snow pear, chop it with the skin, add rock candy, and steam until cooked.
Dosage: Eat the pear and drink the soup.
Effect: Clears heat, moistens the lungs, and generates fluids to stop cough. Suitable for colds and wind-heat cough.
Vinegar-Pickled Radish Formula
Ingredients: Fresh white radish 250g, rice vinegar to taste.
Preparation: Wash and slice the fresh white radish, soak in rice vinegar for several hours.
Dosage: Take 1 dose daily with meals.
Effect: Spicy and cool, releases the exterior, aids digestion, and detoxifies. Suitable for influenza, effective for high fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and mild respiratory symptoms.
Large Leaf Eucalyptus Fresh Leaf Formula
Ingredients: Large leaf eucalyptus fresh leaves 50g.
Preparation: Boil large leaf eucalyptus fresh leaves in water.
Dosage: Take once daily.
Effect: Dispels wind, releases the exterior, clears heat, and detoxifies. Suitable for preventing influenza.
