Author: Chen Chuxiong
Institution: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University
Source: Yixian Pharmacy
Recently, after infection with the COVID-19 virus, individuals exhibit varying symptoms due to their different constitutions. Some present with wind-cold syndrome, while others show wind-heat syndrome. If one cannot distinguish between wind-heat and wind-cold, choosing the wrong medication may lead to adverse effects.
How to distinguish between wind-heat cold and wind-cold cold?
Their symptoms are mostly opposite, for example:
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Patients with wind-heat cold experience high fever but do not fear the cold, have slight sweating, dry mouth and thirst, sore throat, yellow and thick nasal discharge, and a red tongue coating.
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In contrast, patients with wind-cold cold typically have a low fever but are very sensitive to cold, do not sweat, have no thirst, experience body aches, throat pain is not prominent, have clear and thin nasal discharge, and a thin white tongue coating.
By grasping these key points, it becomes easy to identify which type of cold one has.
So, how should one choose and use medication for wind-cold cold?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that wind-cold cold is caused by the invasion of wind-cold evil and the failure of lung qi to disperse. The treatment for wind-cold cold focuses on dispersing wind and warming the exterior, using ingredients such as Ma Huang (Ephedra), Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), and Su Ye (Perilla Leaf) as the main components. Below are six TCM formulas used for wind-cold cold.
1. Ganmao Qingre Granules
Composition: Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta Flower), Bo He (Mint), 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 (Bitter Herb), Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome).
Indications: Disperses wind and cold, clears heat. Used for wind-cold cold with symptoms of headache, fever, chills, body aches, clear nasal discharge, and cough with dry throat.
Formula Analysis: The formula includes Jing Jie Sui and Fang Feng to disperse wind and clear the exterior, serving as the monarch herbs; Zi Su Ye and Bai Zhi help to clear the exterior and disperse cold, while Chai Hu, Bo He, and Ge Gen promote sweating and clear hidden heat, together enhancing the monarch herbs’ ability to clear the exterior and reduce fever. Lu Gen clears heat from the lungs and stomach, Ku Di Ding clears heat and detoxifies, Jie Geng opens and disseminates lung qi, while Ku Xing Ren helps to descend qi, stop cough, and relieve wheezing. The combination of these eleven herbs effectively disperses wind, clears cold, and alleviates heat.
Characteristics: It can both disperse wind and cold, and alleviate symptoms such as fever, headache, and nasal congestion with clear nasal discharge.
2. Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Granules
Composition: Qiang Huo (Notopterygium), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Xi Xin (Asarum), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Bai Zhi (Angelica Dahurica), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Gan Cao (Licorice), Di Huang (Rehmannia).
Indications: Disperses wind, clears the exterior, dispels cold, and eliminates dampness. Used for colds caused by external wind-cold, with symptoms of chills, fever, no sweating, heavy and painful head, and fatigue in limbs.
Formula Analysis: The formula includes Qiang Huo to disperse wind, clear cold, and eliminate dampness as the monarch herb; Fang Feng drives away wind and eliminates dampness, while Cang Zhu dispels dampness with a warm nature, assisting Qiang Huo in promoting sweating and eliminating dampness as minister herbs; Xi Xin disperses cold and opens the channels, Bai Zhi dispels wind and cold, and Chuan Xiong also dispels cold and wind, serving as assistant herbs; Gan Cao harmonizes the other herbs. Together, these herbs promote sweating and clear internal heat.
Characteristics: It can drive away cold and clear internal heat, alleviating headache symptoms.
3. Jing Fang Granules
Composition: Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia), Qiang Huo (Notopterygium), Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Qian Hu (Peucedanum), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange), Fu Ling (Poria), Jie Geng (Platycodon), Gan Cao (Licorice).
Indications: Promotes sweating, clears the exterior, dispels wind, and eliminates dampness. Used for wind-cold cold with symptoms of headache, body aches, chills without sweating, nasal congestion, and cough.
Formula Analysis: The formula includes Jing Jie and Fang Feng to disperse wind and cold as the monarch herbs; Qiang Huo, Du Huo, and Chuan Xiong dispel wind and eliminate dampness; Chai Hu, Qian Hu, and Jie Geng clear the exterior and promote lung function, transforming phlegm and stopping cough, serving as minister herbs; Fu Ling strengthens the spleen and promotes dampness elimination, while Zhi Ke opens the chest and regulates qi, serving as assistant herbs; Gan Cao harmonizes the other herbs. Together, these herbs effectively clear the exterior, dispel cold, and eliminate dampness.
Characteristics: It can disperse cold and eliminate dampness, especially suitable for those with significant nasal congestion and clear nasal discharge.
4. Zheng Chai Hu Drink Granules
Composition: Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia), Gan Cao (Licorice), Chi Shao (Red Peony), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger).
Indications: Disperses wind-cold, relieves heat, and alleviates pain. Used for initial onset of wind-cold and influenza, mild upper respiratory infections.
Formula Analysis: The formula includes Chai Hu to disperse wind-heat as the monarch herb; Fang Feng dispels wind and eliminates dampness, while Sheng Jiang promotes sweating and clears the exterior, warming the lungs and stopping cough, serving as minister herbs; Chi Shao clears heat and cools the blood, while Chen Pi regulates qi and strengthens the spleen, serving as assistant herbs; Gan Cao harmonizes the other herbs. Together, these herbs clear the exterior, transform phlegm, and relieve cough.
Characteristics: It can disperse cold and relieve pain, particularly effective for headaches and body aches.
5. Gui Zhi Granules
Composition: Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Bai Shao (White Peony), Gan Cao (Licorice), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Da Zao (Jujube).
Indications: Releases the exterior, disperses cold, and harmonizes the nutritive and defensive qi. Used for external wind invasion with symptoms of headache, fever, nasal congestion, dry retching, sweating, and aversion to wind.
Formula Analysis: The formula includes Gui Zhi to disperse cold and release the exterior as the monarch herb; Bai Shao nourishes the yin and harmonizes the nutritive qi as the minister herb; Sheng Jiang assists Gui Zhi in dispersing the exterior, while Da Zao assists Bai Shao in harmonizing the nutritive and defensive qi, serving as assistant herbs; Gan Cao harmonizes the other herbs. Together, these herbs release the exterior, disperse cold, and harmonize the nutritive and defensive qi.
Characteristics: It can release the exterior and disperse cold, alleviating symptoms such as headache, fever, nasal congestion, and dry retching.
6. Xiao Qing Long Granules
Composition: Ma Huang (Ephedra), Bai Shao (White Peony), Xi Xin (Asarum), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Gan Cao (Licorice), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Ban Xia (Pinellia).
Indications: Releases the exterior, transforms phlegm, stops cough, and relieves wheezing. Used for wind-cold with water retention, symptoms include chills, fever, no sweating, and cough with thin phlegm.
Formula Analysis: The formula includes Ma Huang and Gui Zhi to promote sweating and release the exterior, dispelling wind-cold as the monarch herbs. Gan Jiang and Xi Xin warm the lungs and transform phlegm, assisting Ma Huang and Gui Zhi in releasing the exterior as minister herbs. Wu Wei Zi restrains qi, Bai Shao nourishes blood, while Ban Xia transforms phlegm and harmonizes the stomach, serving as assistant herbs. Gan Cao benefits qi and harmonizes the other herbs. Together, these herbs release the exterior, transform phlegm, stop cough, and relieve wheezing, particularly for cough and wheezing due to external wind-cold and internal water retention.
Characteristics: It can relieve exterior cold and transform phlegm, primarily used for treating wind-cold with no sweating and cough due to internal water retention.
Warm Reminder
The above TCM formulas are all used for wind-cold cold, but their compositions differ, leading to slight variations in their indications. If chills are accompanied by fever, one may choose Ganmao Qingre Granules, Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Granules, or Zheng Chai Hu Drink Granules; if chills occur without fever, one may choose Jing Fang Granules; if chills are accompanied by sweating, one may select Gui Zhi Granules; if chills occur without sweating and with phlegm retention, one may choose Xiao Qing Long Granules.
There are many TCM formulas for wind-cold cold, in addition to those introduced above, including Wind-Cold Cold Granules, Ganmao Shufeng Capsules, Ganmao Soft Capsules, Wushi Tea and Granules, Four Seasons Cold Tablets, Ma Huang Zhi Sou Capsules, External Wind-Cold Granules, Children’s Treasure Pills, etc.
Source: Yixian Pharmacy
