In this season with significant temperature differences between morning and evening,

many people inadvertently “catch a cold”.

Colds in autumn and winter differ from those in spring and summer.

Many people take random medications or sleep it off when they catch a cold,

thinking that sweating it out will solve the problem.

However, colds can be classified into types,

so don’t be confused.

Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat colds are both types of colds, and many people cannot distinguish whether their cold is Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat. Today, I will introduce the differences between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat colds to help everyone “treat the symptoms appropriately.”

Differences Between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat Colds

Difference 1: Different Causes　

Wind-Cold colds are caused by the invasion of Wind-Cold evil, leading to the failure of lung qi to disperse.

Wind-Heat colds are caused by the invasion of Wind-Heat evil, leading to the disharmony of lung qi.

Difference 2: Different Symptoms　

Symptoms of Wind-Cold colds: severe chills, mild fever, no sweating, headache and body aches, nasal congestion with clear discharge, cough with thin white phlegm, no thirst or preference for hot drinks, and a thin white tongue coating.

Symptoms of Wind-Heat colds: high fever, slight aversion to wind, headache with a feeling of fullness, sweating, red and swollen sore throat, cough with thick or yellow phlegm, nasal congestion with yellow discharge, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, red tongue edges, and a thin white tongue coating with slight yellow.

Difference 3: Different Fever Patterns　

Wind-Cold colds: Due to the invasion of Wind-Cold evil on the skin, and since Cold evil belongs to Yin, its nature is constricting, thus the body’s Yang qi is restrained, resulting in mild fever and a greater fear of cold; at the same time, due to the closure of pores, there is no sweating.

Wind-Heat colds: Due to the external invasion of Wind-Heat rather than Wind-Cold, they primarily present with fever, with a lesser degree of aversion to cold, or merely a fear of wind; since Wind-Heat is Yang evil, it steams the skin, leading to the loosening of the skin’s protective barrier, thus sweating occurs but does not alleviate the condition.

Difference 4: Different Phlegm and Nasal Discharge

Wind-Cold colds produce clear and thin phlegm, and the nasal discharge is also clear and not turbid.

Wind-Heat colds produce thick, sticky phlegm, and the nasal discharge is turbid and yellow.

Difference 5: Different Occurrence Seasons　

Wind-Cold colds often occur in cold seasons, such as winter, late autumn, and early spring, caused by the invasion of Cold evil.

Wind-Heat colds often occur in warmer seasons, such as spring, early summer, and early autumn, caused by the invasion of Wind-Heat evil.

Difference 6: Different Causes　

Wind-Cold colds are usually caused by fatigue, lack of rest, combined with exposure to wind or cold. If Wind-Cold colds are not treated promptly or appropriately, they can lead to internal evil causing constipation or diarrhea. In fact, diarrhea after a Wind-Cold cold is considered a transformation in TCM, as the disease enters from the outside, so do not casually use anti-diarrheal medications.

Wind-Heat colds are usually caused by constipation; typically, after two days of constipation, a sore throat develops for a day or two, followed by cold symptoms. This is Wind-Heat cold (it can also be due to external Heat evil first attacking the lungs). The lungs and large intestine are interrelated; if bowel movements are obstructed, the large intestine affects the lungs, leading to cold symptoms.

Methods to Alleviate Wind-Cold Colds

01Brown Sugar Ginger Tea

Ingredients: Ginger, brown sugar.

Method: Prepare the two ingredients and brew them with boiling water, then drink it instead of tea.

Effect: It has a good effect in dispelling Wind-Cold, making it very suitable for patients with Wind-Cold colds.

02Scallion White Porridge

Ingredients: Scallion whites, ginger, glutinous rice, vinegar.

Method: Mash the ginger, wash the glutinous rice, and cook it in a pot to make porridge; once the porridge is ready, add the mashed ginger, scallion whites, and rice vinegar, stir well, and it is ready to serve.

Effect: It effectively dispels Wind-Cold and helps patients recover quickly from illness, while also enhancing the resistance of healthy individuals.

03Scallion Vinegar Porridge

Ingredients: Whole scallion whites, rice, vinegar.

Method: Clean the scallion whites and cut them into sections; wash the rice; put the scallion whites in a pot with water to cook, and when it boils, add the rice to make porridge; once the porridge is cooked, add a small amount of vinegar, stir well, and the scallion vinegar porridge is ready.

Effect: This recipe is recommended to be taken every two days, once or twice a day, and continuing for two doses is sufficient. It has a good effect in inducing sweating and relieving the exterior, especially suitable for children with Wind-Cold colds.

04Perilla Porridge

Ingredients: Rice, perilla leaves.

Method: Wash the rice and cook it into porridge; once the porridge is ready, add the washed perilla leaves, stir well, and serve once it boils.

Effect: This recipe is very suitable for patients with Wind-Cold colds, effectively helping the body recover health. For the best effect, it is recommended to consume the perilla porridge while hot, which is beneficial for recovery.

Methods to Alleviate Wind-Heat Colds

01Peppermint Porridge

Boil peppermint to extract the juice and let it cool, then add japonica rice and water to cook porridge; when the porridge is nearly done, add the peppermint juice and an appropriate amount of rock sugar.

Consume slightly warm, as sweating is best. Peppermint is a key herb for dispersing Wind-Heat, and adding japonica rice and rock sugar to make porridge can promote sweating and also protect the stomach.

This soup is most suitable for those newly affected by Wind-Heat.

02Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Peppermint Drink

Mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum, peppermint, bitter bamboo leaves, and a little honey, add an appropriate amount of water, boil, and drink frequently instead of tea.

Mulberry leaves clear lung heat. Chrysanthemum disperses Wind-Heat, brightens the eyes, and calms the liver.

Peppermint is a key herb for dispersing Wind-Heat, quickly relieving symptoms such as fever and headache.

It is also suitable for patients with high blood pressure or those experiencing headaches and blurred vision.

03Fritillaria and Codonopsis Steamed Pear

Take one pear, peel and core it, fill it with fritillaria, codonopsis, peppermint, and rock sugar, then steam it in a bowl with water until cooked, and eat it in the morning and evening for several days.

This soup moistens dryness and stops cough, transforms phlegm, and clears the lungs, especially suitable for elderly and children with colds after heat illness causing dryness in the throat, cough with yellow phlegm, or thirst and constipation.

Source: Traditional Chinese Medicine Health Preservation

Note:This platform shares health-related graphic information for reference and learning purposes only and does not serve as a basis for medical diagnosis. If needed, please consult a physician for guidance. The article is sourced from the internet; if there are any copyright issues, please contact us for removal.

Official Account: zhw5243