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Colds are minor ailments, so minor that one doesn’t even need to go to the hospital; just taking some medicine can lead to recovery.
However, there are times when even after taking medicine, the condition does not improve and may even worsen.
The reason for this phenomenon may be that you have confused the differences between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat colds.
Life Times invites authoritative experts to help you distinguish between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat with a simple table.
Consulted Experts
Tan Chao, Associate Chief Physician, Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
Wang Lu, Chief Physician, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Henan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine
A Table of Cold Types
Many people think that colds and coughs are minor issues and are too lazy to go to the hospital, opting instead to buy some traditional Chinese medicine. However, colds can be classified into Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat, and it is essential to treat them according to their symptoms; otherwise, it will only exacerbate the condition. How can one distinguish between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat?
Itching and pain in the throat are key points for differentiating between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat syndromes.
Generally, throat itching indicates Wind-Cold, while throat pain indicates Wind-Heat. However, one must also rule out coughs caused by dryness, as these can present with throat itching symptoms regardless of whether they are warm-dry (Wind-Heat Dry) or cool-dry (Wind-Cold Dry).
Tan Chao, Associate Chief Physician at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, has provided a table to clearly differentiate between Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat syndromes.
| Type | Wind-Cold | Wind-Heat |
| Common Symptoms | Fever with chills, nasal congestion with runny nose, headache and body aches | |
| Chills and Fever | Chills are predominant, fever is secondary | Fever is predominant, chills are secondary |
| Perspiration | No sweating | With sweating |
| Nasal Discharge | Clear nasal discharge | Thick nasal discharge |
| Throat | Throat itching | Throat pain |
|
Cough |
Heavy cough, shortness of breath, thin white phlegm | Frequent and severe cough, difficult phlegm, thick/yellow phlegm |
| Thirst | No thirst | Thirsty |
| Coating on Tongue | White coating | Yellow coating |
Treatment for Both Types of Colds
The treatment principles and medications for external Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat differ significantly. Not distinguishing between cold and heat and taking medication indiscriminately will not only waste energy and money but may also worsen your condition.
Wind-Cold Cold
Disperse Wind, Scatter Cold, and Clear the Lungs
Xiao Chai Hu Granules, Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San, and Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Water are common traditional Chinese medicines for treating Wind-Cold colds. Taking hot baths, foot baths, and acupoint massage can also provide supportive treatment.
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Acupoint Massage: Massage Feng Chi (Wind Pool) point (the depressions on both sides of the large muscle at the back of the neck) and Ying Xiang (Welcome Fragrance) point (the midpoint of the outer edge of the nostrils) until local warmth and soreness are felt.
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Dietary Considerations: During a Wind-Cold cold, it is advisable to consume warming foods such as ginger, scallions, and fermented soybeans, while avoiding sour foods like pickled vegetables, vinegar, hawthorn, and cold foods like melons and fruits.
Two Soups to Induce Sweating and Expel Cold
① Ginger Sugar Water: Boil ginger slices and scallions for 5 minutes, then add an appropriate amount of brown sugar.
② Cilantro and Scallion Soup: Chop cilantro, scallions, and a small amount of ginger, place them in a pot with an appropriate amount of water, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, then strain and drink the liquid.
Wind-Heat Cold
Disperse Wind, Clear Heat, and Soothe the Lungs
Yin Qiao San, Sang Ju Yin, Shuang Huang Lian Oral Liquid, and Ban Lan Gen Granules are common traditional Chinese medicines for treating Wind-Heat colds.
Patients with Wind-Heat colds should drink plenty of water and consume a light, cooling diet, including cooling foods such as cabbage, white radish, pears, and oranges, while avoiding hot foods like scallions, ginger, garlic, chili, leeks, jujubes, and apricots.
Two Dietary Remedies Suitable for Wind-Heat Colds
① Fritillaria and Codonopsis Steamed Pear: Take one pear, peel and core it, fill it with an appropriate amount of fritillaria, codonopsis, mint, and rock sugar, place it in a bowl with water, and steam until cooked. Eat in the morning and evening for several days.
This remedy moistens dryness, stops cough, and transforms phlegm, especially suitable for the elderly and children with Wind-Heat colds causing cough, throat dryness, and constipation.
② Sang Ju Mint Drink: Use equal amounts of mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum, mint, and bamboo leaves, boil with water, and sweeten with honey to quickly relieve symptoms like fever and headache.▲
This issue edited by: Liu Chang Article by: Special Correspondent Li Youjia of Life Times
Copyright Notice: This article is original to Life Times (WeChat ID: LT0385) and may not be reproduced without authorization.
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