The common cold can be differentiated into Wind-Heat (Feng Re) and Wind-Cold (Feng Han), which can be difficult for non-professionals to distinguish. When using medications, the confusion between cold and heat can lead to some individuals feeling better while others may experience adverse effects.
Today, let’s explore how ordinary people can differentiate between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat common colds, and how to choose appropriate medications.
1. Symptom Differences Between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat Common Colds
| Wind-Cold (Feng Han) | Wind-Heat (Feng Re) |
| No sweating | Presence of sweating |
| Light fever, more sensitive to cold | Higher fever, slightly sensitive to wind |
| White tongue coating | Red and yellow tongue coating |
| Nasal congestion, clear nasal discharge | Nasal congestion, yellow nasal discharge |
| Cough with thin white phlegm | Cough with yellow phlegm |
| No thirst | Thirsty |
| Dry throat and throat pain | Significant throat pain |
2. Common Medications for Wind-Cold Common Cold
1. Ganmao Qingre Granules
【Ingredients】Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Bo He (Peppermint), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf), Ge Gen (Kudzu Root), Jie Geng (Platycodon), Ku Xing Ren (Bitter Apricot Seed), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica), Ku Di Ding (Lonicera), Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome).
【Functions and Indications】Disperse wind and cold, relieve exterior and clear heat. Used for Wind-Cold common cold, headache, fever, chills, body aches, clear nasal discharge, cough, and dry throat.
2. Jing Fang Granules
【Ingredients】Jing Jie, Fang Feng, Qiang Huo (Notopterygium), Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens), Chai Hu, Qian Hu (Peucedanum), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange), Fu Ling (Poria), Jie Geng, Gan Cao (Licorice).
【Functions and Indications】Induces sweating and relieves exterior, disperses wind and eliminates dampness. Used for Wind-Cold common cold, headache, body aches, chills without sweating, nasal congestion with clear discharge, cough with white phlegm.
3. Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules
【Ingredients】Ma Huang (Ephedra), Ge Gen, Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Fang Feng, Zi Su Ye, Bai Zhi, Jie Geng, Ku Xing Ren, Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Gan Cao.
【Functions and Indications】Relieves exterior and induces sweating, disperses wind and cold. Used for Wind-Cold common cold, fever, headache, chills, no sweating, cough, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge.
4. Ganmao Soft Capsules
【Ingredients】Ma Huang, Gui Zhi, Jing Jie, Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Ku Xing Ren, Qiang Huo, Chuan Xiong, Fang Feng, Bai Zhi, Shi Chang Pu (Acorus), Ge Gen, Bo He, Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Jie Geng.
【Functions and Indications】Disperse wind and relieve heat. Used for exterior Wind-Cold causing headache, fever, nasal congestion with discharge, chills without sweating, joint pain, and sore throat.
5. Ganmao Shufeng Granules
【Ingredients】Ma Huang, Ku Xing Ren, Gui Zhi, Bai Shao (White Peony, wine-fried), Zi Su Ye, Fang Feng, Jie Geng, Gu Ya (Barley Sprouts, roasted), Gan Cao, Da Zao (Jujube), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Du Huo.
【Functions and Indications】Warm and disperse the exterior, promote lung function and harmonize the middle. Used for Wind-Cold common cold, fever, cough, headache, sensitivity to cold, clear nasal discharge, joint pain, and fatigue in limbs.
6. Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Granules
【Ingredients】Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Bai Zhi, Qiang Huo, Xi Xin (Asarum), Fang Feng, Bo He, Jing Jie, Gan Cao.
【Functions and Indications】Disperse wind and relieve pain. Used for headache due to wind invasion, or with chills, fever, and nasal congestion.
3. Common Medications for Wind-Heat Common Cold1. Xiao Chai Hu Granules【Ingredients】Chai Hu, Jiang Ban Xia (Pinellia), Huang Qin, Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang, Da Zao.【Functions and Indications】Relieves exterior and disperses heat, soothes liver and stomach. Used for exterior pathogenic disease, Shao Yang syndrome, symptoms include alternating chills and fever, fullness in the chest and flanks, poor appetite, irritability, nausea, bitter mouth, and dry throat.2. Ban Lan Gen Granules【Ingredients】Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root).【Functions and Indications】Clears heat and detoxifies, cools blood and benefits the throat. Used for sore throat and dry mouth due to excess heat in the lung and stomach; effective for acute tonsillitis with the above symptoms.3. Compound Ganmao Ling Granules【Ingredients】Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle), Wu Zhi Gan (Five Finger Fruit), Ye Ju Hua (Wild Chrysanthemum), San Cha Ku (Three-Pronged Bitter), Nan Ban Lan Gen, Gang Mei (Citrus), Paracetamol, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, Caffeine.【Functions and Indications】Cool and disperse the exterior, clear heat and detoxify. Used for Wind-Heat common cold with fever, slight aversion to wind and cold, headache, body pain, dry mouth and thirst, nasal congestion with thick discharge, red and swollen sore throat, cough with thick yellow phlegm.4. Lianhua Qingwen Capsules【Ingredients】Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Jin Yin Hua, Zhi Ma Huang, Chao Ku Xing Ren, Shi Gao (Gypsum), Ban Lan Gen, Mian Ma Guan Zhong, Yu Xing Cao (Houttuynia), Guang Huo Xiang (Patchouli), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Hong Jing Tian (Rhodiola), Bo He.
【Functions and Indications】Clears epidemic toxins and detoxifies, promotes lung function and releases heat. Used for treating influenza with heat toxin attacking the lung syndrome, symptoms include fever or high fever, chills, muscle aches, nasal congestion with discharge, cough, headache, dry throat, red tongue, yellow or greasy coating.
5. Shuang Huang Lian Oral Liquid
【Ingredients】Jin Yin Hua, Huang Qin, Lian Qiao.
【Functions and Indications】Disperse wind and relieve exterior, clear heat and detoxify. Used for Wind-Heat common cold with symptoms of fever, cough, and sore throat.
Source: Mr. E Mu Public Awareness of Medicine
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Drafted by: Yang Jingning Reviewed by: Nie Zhenhua