Wind-cold common colds often occur during sudden temperature drops or in places with significant indoor-outdoor temperature differences. If clothing adjustments are not made in time, it is easy to catch a chill and induce a wind-cold common cold.
In the early stages of a wind-cold common cold, the cold syndrome predominates or begins with cold syndrome. Symptoms include predominant cold sensation, slight fever, sneezing, clear nasal discharge, occasional body aches, and sometimes stiffness and tightness in the back of the neck and back, no thirst, white phlegm cough, or bubbly phlegm.
Patients with this type of cold often need to wear many clothes, hold a hot water bottle, and drink plenty of hot water and soup to feel somewhat comfortable.
In the later stages of a wind-cold common cold, it may also transform into heat, presenting heat syndrome, such as fever, dry mouth, and sore throat.
Today, Huang Yaoshi discusses commonly used Chinese patent medicines for wind-cold common colds, which can also be referenced for diagnosing and treating influenza, COVID-19 infections, and mycoplasma pneumonia.
1. Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules – Typical Wind-Cold
Image for reference only; please use Chinese patent medicines under the guidance of a physician.
Ingredients: Mahuang (Ephedra), Gegen (Kudzu), Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Fangfeng (Siler), Zisuye (Perilla Leaf), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Kuxingren (Bitter Apricot Kernel), Chenpi (Dried Tangerine Peel), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), Gancao (Licorice)
Indicated for wind-cold common cold, fever, headache, chills, no sweating, cough, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge.
This medicine is suitable for the initial onset of wind-cold common cold,with very typical wind-cold symptoms and basically no heat syndrome.
Note: Patients with hypertension and heart disease should use with caution.
2. Cold Relief Granules – Wind-Cold Transforming into Heat
Image for reference only; please use Chinese patent medicines under the guidance of a physician.
Ingredients: Jingjiesui (Schizonepeta), Bohe (Mint), Fangfeng (Siler), Chaihu (Bupleurum), Zisuye (Perilla Leaf), Gegen (Kudzu), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Kuxingren (Bitter Apricot Kernel), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Kudi (Bitter Gentian), Lugen (Reed Rhizome)
Indicated for wind-cold common cold, headache, fever, chills, body aches, clear nasal discharge, cough, and dry throat.
The difference between this medicine and the wind-cold common cold granules is that it contains herbs for clearing heat and benefiting the throat, making it more suitable for the later stage of wind-cold common cold with signs of heat transformation, where in addition to chills and clear nasal discharge, fever, cough, dry mouth, and dry throat may also appear, but without particularly severe symptoms.
3. Jiuwei Qianghuo Wan – Wind-Cold with Dampness, Body Pain, Headache
Image for reference only; please use Chinese patent medicines under the guidance of a physician.
Ingredients: Qianghuo (Notopterygium), Fangfeng (Siler), Cangzhu (Atractylodes), Xixin (Asarum), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Baizhi (Angelica Dahurica), Dihuang (Rehmannia), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Gancao (Licorice)
Indicated for common cold caused by external wind-cold with dampness, presenting with chills, fever, no sweating, stiffness and pain in the back of the neck and back, body aches, and slight thirst.
The main feature of this medicine is that it not only dispels cold but also eliminates dampness, suitable for typical symptoms of wind-cold with dampness,with noticeable body aches and symptoms of headache with a heavy sensation and stiff neck.
4. Jingfang Granules – Wind-Cold with Dampness, Body Pain, Headache, Cough
Image for reference only; please use Chinese patent medicines under the guidance of a physician.
Ingredients: Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Fangfeng (Siler), Qianghuo (Notopterygium), Duhuo (Angelica Pubescens), Chaihu (Bupleurum), Qianhu (Peucedanum), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Zhike (Bitter Orange), Fuling (Poria), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Gancao (Licorice)
Indicated for wind-cold common cold, headache, body pain, chills, no sweating, nasal congestion with clear nasal discharge, and cough with white phlegm.
Jingfang granules can also be used forwind-cold with dampness, with noticeable headache and body aches,and also include symptoms for cough, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge,making it a more comprehensive remedy.
5. Fangfeng Tongsheng Wan/Granules – Cold with Internal Heat
Image for reference only; please use Chinese patent medicines under the guidance of a physician.
Ingredients: Fangfeng (Siler), Jingjiesui (Schizonepeta), Bohe (Mint), Mahuang (Ephedra), Dahuang (Rhubarb), Mangxiao (Glauber’s Salt), Zhizi (Gardenia), Huashi (Talc), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Shigao (Gypsum), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Danggui (Angelica Sinensis), Baishao (White Peony), Huangqin (Scutellaria), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Gancao (Licorice), Chao Baizhu (Fried Atractylodes)
Indicated for external cold with internal heat, with both exterior and interior being solid, presenting with chills, high fever, headache, dry throat, short and red urine, and constipation.
Whether sick or not, Fangfeng Tongsheng is versatile. Fangfeng Tongsheng Wan is suitable for colds with external cold and internal heat, characterized by “cold with heat”, presenting asboth cold and no sweating on the outside, and “internal heat” with severe fever, sore throat, dry stools, and dark, concentrated urine.
6. Xiao Qinglong Decoction/Granules
Image for reference only; please use Chinese patent medicines under the guidance of a physician.
Ingredients: Mahuang (Ephedra), Shaoyao (Peony), Xixin (Asarum), Ganjiang (Dried Ginger), Zhi Gancao (Honey-fried Licorice), Guizhi (Cinnamon Twig), Wuweizi (Schisandra)
Indicated for wind-cold with water retention, presenting with chills, fever, headache, body pain, chills, coughing with clear, thin, and abundant phlegm, chest tightness, or dry heaving, or phlegm retention with cough and wheezing, unable to lie flat, or body aches.
The typical symptoms suitable for Xiao Qinglong granules are coughing with clear, thin, and abundant phlegm, along with wheezing.
Huang Yaoshi’s Tips
1. The above medicines are not suitable when heat syndrome is obvious, which is characterized by severe fever, sore throat, sweating, dry mouth, yellow nasal discharge, swollen throat, and coughing up yellow phlegm; please switch to other medications.
2. The above medicines are generally taken for 3-5 days. If symptoms do not improve significantly after 3 days of medication, and there are other severe symptoms such as chest tightness or palpitations, one should seek medical attention.
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