Recently, it is the season for frequent colds, and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has detailed and practical treatment plans for this.
TCM categorizes colds into five syndromes:
These are: Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, Summer-Dampness, Qi Deficiency, and Yin Deficiency colds (including Dry Cough due to Lung Dryness).
Below, each will be described in detail.
1. Wind-Cold Cold
1. Symptoms: Severe chills with mild fever, body aches, nasal congestion with a heavy voice, itchy nose with sneezing, clear nasal discharge, itchy throat with cough, thin and white phlegm, thin white tongue coating, and a floating or tight pulse.
2. Formulas:
Jing Fang Bai Du San:
Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Bai Zhi, Qiang Huo, Chai Hu, Zhi Ke, and Ju Pi combined.
Ginger and mint are decocted together, with warming properties that have remarkable effects in releasing the exterior.
Jing Fang Da Biao Yin:
Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Su Zi, and Ling, ginger, scallion, Shen Qu, and apricot kernel;
Warming and releasing the exterior, promoting lung and defensive Qi, effective for Wind-Cold colds.
3. Chinese Patent Medicines:
Examples of Chinese patent medicines for Wind-Cold colds:
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Name |
Ingredients |
Effects |
Indications |
Precautions |
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Wind-Cold Cold Granules |
Ma Huang, Ge Gen, Fang Feng, Gui Zhi, Bai Zhi, Chen Pi, Jie Geng, Gan Cao, Gan Jiang, Zi Su Ye, Ku Xing Ren |
Releases the exterior and induces sweating, disperses Wind and Cold |
Used for Wind-Cold colds, symptoms include chills, fever, headache, no sweating, cough, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge |
1. Most Chinese patent medicines for Wind-Cold colds have strong warming and sweating effects, used for treating exterior Wind-Cold excess syndrome, emphasizing chills, fever, headache, and no sweating. If the patient has sweating, it is not advisable to use, as it may lead to excessive sweating and damage the righteous Qi. Additionally, patients with weak constitutions should use with caution; 2. Gui Zhi Granules have the effect of harmonizing Ying and Wei, used for treating exterior Wind-Cold deficiency syndrome, with key symptoms of aversion to wind, fever, and sweating. Although Gui Zhi Granules can also induce sweating, they actually release the muscle layer and harmonize Ying and Wei, thus can treat existing sweating symptoms. 3. Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Granules not only have the effect of dispersing Wind and Cold but also can eliminate dampness and relieve pain, suitable for exterior Wind-Cold-Dampness syndrome, with key symptoms of chills, fever, no sweating, heavy headache, and body aches. |
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Gui Zhi Granules |
Gui Zhi, Bai Shao, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao |
Releases the muscle layer and induces sweating, harmonizes Ying and Wei |
Used for exterior Wind invasion, headache, fever, nasal congestion, dry retching, sweating, and aversion to wind |
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Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Granules |
Qiang Huo, Fang Feng, Cang Zhu, Xi Xin, Chuan Xiong, Bai Zhi, Huang Qi, Gan Cao, Di Huang |
Releases the exterior, disperses Cold, and clears internal heat |
Used for exterior Wind-Cold with dampness leading to chills, fever, no sweating, heavy headache, and body aches |
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Jing Fang Granules |
Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Qiang Huo, Du Huo, Chai Hu, Qian Hu, Chuan Xiong, Ji Ke, Fu Ling, Jie Geng, Gan Cao |
Induces sweating, releases the exterior, regulates lung, and transforms phlegm |
Used for colds with Wind-Cold, headache, body aches, chills, no sweating, nasal congestion, and runny nose, cough |
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Zheng Chai Hu Granules |
Chai Hu, Chen Pi, Fang Feng, Chi Shao, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang |
Disperses Wind-Cold, relieves heat, and alleviates pain |
Used for initial onset of exterior Wind-Cold, fever, chills, no sweating, headache, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy throat, cough, and body aches |
2. Wind-Heat Cold
1. Symptoms:
Severe fever with mild chills, slight aversion to wind, sweating not smooth, headache, cough with yellow phlegm, dry and painful throat, nasal congestion, yellow nasal discharge, thirst, thin yellow tongue coating, and floating pulse.
2. Formulas:
Yin Qiao San:
Yin Qiao San is for upper jiao disorders, with bamboo leaves, Jing Jie, and Sang Bai Pi;
Gan Zhi and Lu Gen cool and relieve, effective for fever and sore throat.
Cong Chi Jie Geng Tang:
Cong Bai, Chi, Jie Geng, and mint, with Shan Zhi and bamboo leaves plus Gan Cao;
Heat evil binding the lung causing cough and sore throat, this formula is effective for initial Wind-Heat.
3. Chinese Patent Medicines:
|
Name |
Ingredients |
Effects |
Indications |
Precautions |
|
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan |
Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Bo He, Jing Jie, Dan Dou Chi, Niu Bang Zi (stir-fried), Jie Geng, Dan Zhu Ye, Gan Cao |
Spicy-cool release the exterior, clear heat and detoxify |
Used for Wind-Heat colds, fever, headache, cough, dry mouth, and sore throat |
1. Most Chinese patent medicines for Wind-Heat colds have spicy-cool release the exterior, clear heat and detoxify effects. 2. Qing Wen Jie Du Pian, Anti-Virus Oral Liquid, Ling Qiao Jie Du Granules, Chai Hu Qing Re Granules, etc., have strong heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, effective for Wind-Heat colds, acute tonsillitis, influenza, mumps, pneumonia, etc. 3. Sang Ju Gan Mao Pian has a milder spicy-cool nature but has the effect of promoting lung and stopping cough, suitable for mild Wind-Heat lung invasion, with cough, mild fever, and slight cough as key symptoms. |
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Sang Ju Gan Mao Pian |
Sang Ye, Ju Hua, Lian Qiao, Ku Xing Ren, Jie Geng, Lu Gen, Bo He Oil, Gan Cao |
Disperses Wind, clears heat, promotes lung, and stops cough |
Used for initial Wind-Heat colds, headache, cough, dry mouth, and sore throat |
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Qing Wen Jie Du Pian |
Da Qing Ye, Huang Qin, Niu Bang Zi, Xuan Shen, Tian Hua Fen, Dan Zhu Ye, Ge Gen, Lian Qiao, Jie Geng, Chai Hu, etc. (16 ingredients) |
Clears epidemic heat and detoxifies |
Used for epidemic colds, fever, aversion to cold, no sweating, headache, thirst, dry throat, body aches, and mumps pain |
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Anti-Virus Oral Liquid |
Ban Lan Gen, Huo Xiang, Lian Qiao, Lu Gen, Sheng Di, Yu Jin, Shi Gao, Shi Chang Pu, Zhi Mu |
Clears heat, dispels dampness, cools blood, and detoxifies |
Used for Wind-Heat colds and influenza |
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Ling Qiao Jie Du Granules |
Ling Yang Jiao, Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Bo He, Jing Jie Sui, Dan Dou Chi, Niu Bang Zi (stir-fried), Ku Geng, Dan Zhu Ye, Gan Cao |
Disperses Wind, clears heat, and detoxifies |
Used for Wind-Heat colds, chills, fever, dizziness, cough, and sore throat |
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Chai Hu Qing Re Granules |
Shi Gao, Chai Hu, Zhi Mu, Huang Qin, Da Qing Ye, Bo He, Lian Qiao, Niu Huang, Ban Lan Gen, Water Buffalo Horn Concentrate Powder, Lu Gen |
Disperses Wind, releases the exterior, clears heat, and detoxifies |
Used for exterior Wind-Heat or epidemic pestilence causing chills, high fever, headache, dizziness, body aches, sore throat, irritability, thirst, bitter mouth, and nausea |
3. Summer-Dampness Cold
1. Symptoms:
Severe body heat, slight aversion to cold, no sweating or little sweating, heavy or painful limbs, heavy and swollen headache, irritability and thirst, chest tightness and discomfort, short and red urine, thin yellow and greasy tongue coating.
2. Formulas:
Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin:
Xin Jia Xiang Ru, Pu Yin Qiao, fresh Hyacinth bean flowers decocted together,
Summer heat with thirst and no sweating, clears heat, transforms dampness, and releases the exterior.
3. Chinese Patent Medicines:
|
Name |
Ingredients |
Effects |
Indications |
Precautions |
|
Huo Xiang Qu Shu Soft Capsules |
Huo Xiang, Xiang Ru, Bai Zhi, Zi Su Ye, Cang Zhu, Ding Xiang, Chen Pi, Da Fu Pi, Fa Ban Xia, Fu Ling, Sheng Jiang, Gan Cao |
Transforms dampness, releases the exterior, and harmonizes the middle |
Used for internal dampness stagnation, summer heat causing chills and fever, headache with no sweating, heavy limbs, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea |
Chinese patent medicines for treating summer-dampness colds have the effect of transforming dampness and releasing the exterior, but focus more on transforming dampness and harmonizing the stomach, thus their dispersing Wind-Cold power is relatively weak. Therefore, when taking, pay attention to the following three points: 1. It is advisable to take with warm water or dissolve in warm water; 2. Avoid wind and cold after taking; 3. Avoid eating raw, cold, and greasy foods |
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Summer-Dampness Cold Granules |
Huo Xiang, Fang Feng, Zi Su Ye, Peilan, Bai Zhi, Ku Xing Ren, Da Fu Pi, Xiang Ru, Chen Pi, Ban Xia, Fu Ling |
Clears summer heat, dispels dampness, and aromatically transforms turbidity |
Used for internal dampness stagnation, summer heat causing chills and fever, headache with no sweating, heavy limbs, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea |
4. Qi Deficiency Cold
1. Symptoms:
Severe chills, mild fever, no sweating or spontaneous sweating, body aches, cough with white phlegm, fatigue, poor appetite, pale tongue, and white coating.
2. Formulas:
Shen Su Yin:
Shen Su Yin includes Chen Pi, Zhi Ke, Qian Hu, Ban Xia together;
Ge Gen, Mu Xiang, Gan Zhi, and Ling, Qi deficiency and cold are most suitable.
Yu Ping Feng San:
Yu Ping Feng San includes Bai Zhu, Huang Qi, and Fang Feng, strengthens Qi, secures the exterior, and stops sweating.
3. Chinese Patent Medicines:
|
Name |
Ingredients |
Effects |
Indications |
Precautions |
|
Ren Shen Bai Du Jiao Nang |
Du Huo, Qiang Huo, Chuan Xiong, Chai Hu, Zhi Ke, Jie Geng, Fu Ling, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, Bo He, Ren Shen |
Tonifies Qi, releases the exterior, disperses Cold, and eliminates dampness |
For Qi deficiency with external Wind-Cold-Dampness causing chills, fever, no sweating, no thirst, headache, heavy limbs, fatigue, cough, and clear nasal discharge. |
1. Ren Shen Bai Du Jiao Nang and Shen Su Wan can both be used for Qi deficiency colds, both tonifying Qi and releasing the exterior, but Ren Shen Bai Du Jiao Nang can also disperse Cold and eliminate dampness, suitable for Qi deficiency with external Wind-Cold-Dampness syndrome, while Shen Su Wan can eliminate phlegm and stop cough, suitable for Qi deficiency with external Wind-Cold and internal dampness syndrome. 2. Yu Ping Feng Granules can tonify Qi, secure the foundation, and stop sweating. Patients with poor immunity and frequent colds can take it regularly to improve immunity and reduce the frequency of colds. |
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Shen Su Wan |
Dang Shen, Zi Su Ye, Ge Gen, Qian Hu, Fu Ling, Ban Xia (prepared), Chen Pi, Zhi Ke (stir-fried), Ku Geng, Mu Xiang, Gan Cao, with ginger and jujube as auxiliary materials. |
Tonifies Qi, releases the exterior, disperses Cold, and eliminates phlegm and stops cough |
Used for weak body, catching Wind-Cold colds, symptoms include chills, fever, headache, nasal congestion, cough with much phlegm, chest tightness, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath. |
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Yu Ping Feng Granules |
Huang Qi, Bai Zhu (stir-fried), Fang Feng |
Tonifies Qi, secures the exterior, and stops sweating |
Used for exterior deficiency, spontaneous sweating, aversion to wind, pale complexion, or those with weak constitutions prone to Wind invasion |
5. Yin Deficiency Cold
1. Symptoms:
Body heat, slight aversion to wind and cold, little sweating, dizziness, irritability, dry mouth, dry cough with little phlegm, red tongue with little coating, and thin rapid pulse.
2. Formulas:
Jia Jian Wei Rui Tang:
Jia Jian Wei Rui uses Bai Wei, Dou Chi, Gan Zao, and Jie Geng together;
Scallion white and mint combined, nourishing Yin and inducing sweating, this formula is the best.
3. Chinese Patent Medicines:
Yang Yin Qing Fei Wan, Ling Yang Gan Mao Pian, Sang Ju Gan Mao Granules, etc., can be selected based on syndrome differentiation.
Appendix: Dry Cough due to Lung Dryness
1. Symptoms:
Fever with chills, headache, dry nose and throat, cough with little phlegm, thin white tongue coating with little moisture,
wherein cool dryness may present as severe chills with no sweating, cough with little phlegm;
while warm dryness presents as fever with slight aversion to wind and cold, little sweating with thirst, cough with no phlegm, dry throat pain, and red tongue edges.
2. Formulas:
Sang Xing Tang (Warm Dryness)
Sang Xing Tang includes Zhe Bei, Sha Shen, and pear peel;
Dry cough, body heat, dry lips and nose, disperses Wind, clears the lungs, moistens, and stops cough.
Apricot and Suan Tang (Cool Dryness)
Apricot and Suan Tang includes Xia Chen, Qian Hu, Gan Zhi, and Ling, with ginger and jujube ground;
Lightly disperses and moistens to treat cool dryness, regulates the lungs, transforms phlegm, and allows for self-healing.
3. Chinese Patent Medicines:
|
Name |
Ingredients |
Effects |
Indications |
Precautions |
|
Qiu Zao Gan Mao Granules |
Sang Ye, Bei Sha Shen, Zhu Ye, Qian Hu, Yi Bei Mu, Ju Pi, Mai Dong, Ku Xing Ren (stir-fried), Gan Cao, Ju Hua, Shan Dou Gen |
Clears dryness, reduces fever, moistens the lungs, and stops cough |
Used for colds with autumn dryness syndrome, symptoms include chills, fever, dry nasal and oral mucosa, dry cough with little phlegm, red tongue edges, thin white or dry coating |
1. The nature of cool dryness colds is quite similar to Wind-Cold colds, thus Apricot and Suan Gan Mao Granules can treat both cool dryness colds and Wind-Cold colds, but their dispersing Wind-Cold power is slightly weaker compared to Wind-Cold cold granules and other medicines. 2. During medication, it is advisable to drink more water and avoid spicy and dry foods. |
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Apricot and Suan Gan Mao Granules |
Ku Xing Ren, Zi Su Ye, Chen Pi, Qian Hu, Jie Geng, Fu Ling, Ban Xia (prepared), roasted Gan Cao, and Zi Su Ye oil |
Disperses Wind, disperses Cold, transforms phlegm, and stops cough |
Used for external Wind-Cold, severe chills with no sweating, nasal congestion, dry throat, cough with much phlegm, chest tightness, used for dry cough, dry throat, and throat pain |
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Chuan Bei Qing Fei Syrup |
Pi Pa Ye, Ku Xing Ren, Chuan Bei Mu, Mai Dong, Di Huang, Gan Cao, Jie Geng, Bo He |
Clears the lungs, moistens dryness, and stops cough |
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