Image Source: Authorized by Baotu Network
Today, the wind is strong and chilly, as if it is time to test our weight. When children go to school, they may be pushed along by a gust of cold wind, experiencing the “wind evil” and “cold evil” firsthand, making them susceptible to colds.
Generally, we classify wind-cold colds into four stages. If parents can promptly and correctly adjust treatment at different stages, the problem can usually be resolved quickly. Next, we will explain each stage. Given the amount of content today, it is recommended that everyone save this for future reference.
1
First Stage: Cold Exposure, Sneezing
In the first stage, children typically show signs of sudden coldness on the surface of their bodies, needing to wrap up tightly, and sneezing several times. According to the Cold Damage School, this indicates that cold evil has begun to invade the surface.
At this time, I do not recommend giving children Western medicine to suppress sneezing, as the main function of Western medicine is to block nerve transmission and reduce secretion from nasal glands.
In fact, sneezing is the lung’s way of “expelling evil”. The body can use sneezing to expel the sudden cold air. It is important to sneeze, and to sneeze more; otherwise, if the nerves become numb, the body will not know how to resist, ultimately leaving the external cold trapped inside.
Sneezing is caused by cold exposure, and we generally look for solutions in terms of releasing the exterior and dispersing cold. Formulas like Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) and Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) are warm and acrid exterior-releasing formulas that disperse wind-cold, which can stimulate yang energy, enter the lungs, and resolve the root of lung qi deficiency.
However, the above decoctions involve pattern differentiation. If parents are unsure, it is recommended to first try the following simple method to dispel cold:
Warm Back with Hair Dryer Method
Place a towel near the child’s Da Zhui (Great Vertebra) point. The Da Zhui point is located just below the most prominent bone at the back of the neck when we bow our heads.
The method is to turn on the hair dryer and let the warm air continuously blow on the towel. The hair dryer should be moved slowly up and down along the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), avoiding concentrating on one point to prevent burns. Soon, the child will feel warmth, yang energy will rise, and after a while, they may sweat slightly, thus expelling the cold evil.
This usually takes about 5-10 minutes. If necessary, under the guidance of a professional physician, low-alcohol Huo Xiang Zheng Qi (Agastache and Citrus Formula) oral liquid and other Chinese patent medicines can also be taken.
2
Second Stage: Clear Nasal Discharge, Foamy Sputum Followed by Sticky Sputum
If parents did not pay attention in the previous stage, the pathogenic factor may continue to deepen, quickly reaching the second stage—external cold with internal heat (cold trapping heat).
Cold hands and feet and clear nasal discharge are manifestations of external cold constraining the body. Symptoms such as foamy sputum turning into sticky white sputum, pale red tongue, throat discomfort, and yellow-white nasal discharge reflect internal heat accumulating and drying out the lungs.
To disperse external cold, herbs like Ma Huang (Ephedra), Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), and Fang Feng (Siler Root) are all warm and acrid dispersing herbs. The properties of Chinese herbs have directional qualities; to prevent the evil qi from lingering in the body, it is recommended to use herbs that move outward and upward.
For clearing internal heat, the following herbs can be used: Sheng Shi Gao (Gypsum), Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle), She Gan (Belamcanda), Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia), Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome), Di Ding (Dandelion), and Lian Qiao (Forsythia).
If the heat is caused by food stagnation, parents should also address the food stagnation. When making soup, a little Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome) and Dong Gua Ren (Winter Melon Seed) can be added. Alternatively, my traditional San Xing Tang (Three Star Decoction) can be modified by adding 5g of Mu Mian Hua (Cotton Rose Flower) to create Si Xing Tang (Four Star Decoction). If parents feel this is insufficient and have the means, they can try the following Du Jiao Jin (One-legged Gold) Lean Meat Soup:
XU YOU JIA Parenting Hall · Dietary Therapy Recipe
Du Jiao Jin Lean Meat Soup
Ingredients:3g Du Jiao Jin, 50g lean pork.
Method:Wash the Du Jiao Jin, blanch the lean pork; add about 3 bowls of water to the pot, bring to a boil, then add all ingredients, simmer for 1.5 hours, and season to taste before serving warm.
Effects:Clears heat and resolves food stagnation without harming righteous qi, suitable for children with food stagnation and poor appetite.
Applicable Age:For children over 2 years old with matching symptoms, to be taken in small doses multiple times. Suitable for those with favism, as Du Jiao Jin is cold in nature; do not take continuously for more than 3 days.
If there is a need for medication, I still recommend consulting a hospital for a diagnosis and prescription from a physician. The following medication suggestions are for reference only.
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San (Siler and Ephedra Powder) is a formula from the Jin-Yuan period specifically designed to dispel external cold and clear excess heat, addressing both exterior and interior. Generally, we often discuss formulas that clear heat and drain fire, such as Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction), where Chai Hu disperses wind evil and Huang Qin clears internal heat.
If needed, I recommend choosing pediatric formulations, such as San Gong Zai’s Xiao Chai Hu Granules, with dosage references: for children under 1 year, 1/3 packet each time, 3 times a day; for ages 1-3, 1/2 to 1 packet each time, 3 times a day; for ages 3 and above, 1 packet each time, 3 times a day.
3
Third Stage of Cold: Fever, Heat
If the first and second stages are not promptly adjusted or treated, the condition may further deepen, engaging in a battle with righteous qi, leading to heat syndrome.
Children’s aversion to cold diminishes, often presenting as aversion to wind, and the body may exhibit fever, with a constant feeling that drinking cold water is the only way to quench thirst.
Sore throat, with sputum turning yellow and sticky, and coughing up thick chunks. During the stage of heat in both the exterior and interior, coughing can be very severe, as it originates deep within the respiratory tract, resulting in a deep sound.
Note: At this point, professional medical assistance should be sought; parents should not attempt to manage this on their own to avoid delaying treatment.
4
Fourth Stage of Cold: Nasal Congestion
This stage is the recovery phase of the illness. If the first and second stages are well managed, the child often will not enter the exacerbation phase of the third stage.
Now, although the child is no longer feverish, they may have heavy nasal sounds, speaking in a muffled tone, with thick nasal discharge that is difficult to expel, occasionally sneezing, and even snoring during sleep.
Over time, a hospital examination may reveal that the child has developed allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, or even adenoid hypertrophy.
At this point, it is the late stage of the cold, where righteous qi is deficient and evil qi lingers, with residual evil hidden in the nasal cavity and throat. We need to adopt methods to respond to the first stage—external cold stage, to warm the meridians. I generally recommend using the following nasal fumigation formula:
XU YOU JIA Parenting Hall · External Use Formula
Jing Fang Nasal Fumigation Formula
Ingredients:3g Fang Feng, 5g Jing Jie, 5g Bai Zhi, 5g Huo Xiang, 8g Zi Su Ye.
Method:Bai Zhi needs to be crushed first. Place the herbs in a pot, add 2 cups of water, cover the pot, and boil for 3 minutes before turning off the heat. Then pour the herbal decoction into a bowl, and the child should place their head about 20cm above the bowl to inhale the steam for about 10 minutes.
Effects:Disperses wind-cold, opens nasal passages, and expels external evil.
Indications:Suitable for children over 3 years old with wind-cold colds that seem to improve but do not fully resolve, during the recurrent phase, when the child has already defervesced, with heavy nasal sounds and nasal congestion with clear discharge.You can buy 3-5 doses, preparing 1 dose for the child each day, used according to symptoms.
During this period, if the herbal decoction cools down, it can be reheated on the stove. Even if the nose is blocked, it is fine; breathing through the mouth can still be effective.
Strengthening the Spleen is Key to Treating Most Diseases!
If dietary habits are irregular and nutrition is excessive, it leads to spleen dysfunction and stomach inability to receive. Over time, if the essence is insufficient, it cannot nourish the lungs and transform into defensive qi, thus showing signs of lung deficiency and weak defensive qi, where even slight exposure to cold can trigger the occurrence of external pathogenic diseases.
Such children often exhibit obvious signs of deficiency and cold. If during a cold they show symptoms of high fever, cold hands and feet, and a pale yellow complexion, it indicates insufficient body fluids and weak spleen and stomach. At this time, it is equally important to nourish the spleen and stomach to help generate fluids. You can try Wu Mei Bing Tang (Dried Plum and Rock Candy Drink).
XU YOU JIA Parenting Hall · Dietary Therapy Recipe
Wu Mei Bing Tang
Ingredients:10g Wu Mei, 5g rock candy, 8g Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), 3g roasted licorice.
Method:Boil 600ml of water with the ingredients, extracting a concentrated liquid of about 50-80ml.
Effects:Transforms sour and sweet into yin, reduces fever, and warms the spleen.
Applicable Age:Suitable for use when high fever occurs alongside cold hands and feet; it can help reduce fever. Stop using once hands and feet return to warmth. If fever does not subside after two doses, seek medical treatment.For children over 3 years old with matching symptoms, to be taken in small doses multiple times; suitable for those with favism.
By organizing this information, parents should have a clearer understanding, thus remaining calm in emergencies. Children with insufficient righteous qi may not always recover fully, so when a cold is just resolving, it is important to appropriately support the spleen.
It is recommended to regularly give children New San Xing Tang (New Three Star Decoction) + New Si Shen Tang (New Four Spirit Decoction) during times of good health to strengthen the spleen, as these formulas are gentle and can help restore the spleen and stomach, thereby restoring righteous qi and breaking the vicious cycle of frequent colds.
For food stagnation, drink New San Xing Tang!
Keep it at home, and no worries about your baby’s food stagnation!
Strengthen the Spleen and Stomach, drink New Si Shen Tang!
With a warm and smooth taste, it is also very suitable for autumn!
Warm Reminder
If you have any questions or wish to join the parent group for discussion, feel free to scan the code to add【XU YOU JIA Parenting Hall】assistant’s WeChat for consultation.
