The common cold is a frequently encountered external pathogenic disease throughout the four seasons, particularly prevalent in winter and spring. There are different types of colds, and each type requires different treatment methods. First, let us understand the causes of wind-cold common cold.
Wind-cold common cold is more likely to occur in winter and spring for two reasons:
Firstly, due to the cold weather and strong winds in winter, people are easily invaded by the external pathogenic factor of wind-cold. After the body is attacked by wind-cold, it leads to a weakened immune response, allowing viruses to proliferate.
Secondly, the common cold is primarily transmitted through the air. When an infected person coughs or speaks, tiny droplets containing numerous viruses are expelled into the air. Healthy individuals can easily inhale these viruses, leading to infection and the onset of cold symptoms. These viruses may temporarily reside in the nose or throat of healthy individuals, and when their immune response weakens, the viruses can become active, causing a series of cold symptoms. Additionally, during winter, people tend to stay indoors to avoid the cold, often closing doors and windows tightly to keep warm. This creates a favorable condition for the transmission of viruses among people due to poor ventilation.
Many families stock up on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating colds. Some individuals take various medications after catching a cold, but their symptoms do not improve. The key issue lies in the lack of differential diagnosis and treatment. TCM generally categorizes colds into two main types: wind-cold and wind-heat, which differ significantly in etiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, treatment principles, and medication.
The pathogenesis of wind-cold common cold is the invasion of the body by the wind-cold pathogen, which attacks the lung’s defensive Qi, leading to a weakened exterior and impaired lung function, resulting in a series of symptoms characterized by “cold”. Common symptoms include:
1. Severe chills with mild fever. The person feels cold all over, and wearing multiple layers of clothing does not help; the cold sensation feels as if it is emanating from the bones. At this time, there is generally no feeling of heat, and if there is, it is very mild, with the predominant sensation being cold.
2. Nasal congestion, heavy voice, sneezing, and clear nasal discharge. The nose is blocked and not clear, leading to a hoarse voice. Nasal congestion may be accompanied by clear, watery nasal discharge that is thin and not yellow or thick. Sneezing is common, and feeling cold can easily trigger symptoms.
3. Itchy throat, cough, and clear, thin white phlegm. Due to the invasion of cold pathogens, the throat does not become red or swollen but feels itchy. The phlegm coughed up is similar in nature to the nasal discharge, being clear and thin, white in color.
4. Mild thirst or preference for warm water. TCM believes that heat damages body fluids, and since the wind-cold condition is primarily due to cold invasion, it does not consume body fluids, hence there is no significant thirst; if drinking, individuals prefer warm water.
5. Headache and body aches. Individuals with a cold often feel pain throughout their body and general discomfort, feeling weak. This is due to the invasion of the wind-cold pathogen, leading to a lack of clear Yang Qi and disharmony in the meridians.
Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules
Standard Source: Ministry of Health Drug Standards, Volume 1 of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations
Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules
Pinyin Name: FenghanGanmaoChongji
Page Number: Z1-45
Standard Number: WS-B-0045-89
【Formula】Ephedra (Ma Huang) 100g, Kudzu Root (Ge Gen) 150g, Perilla Leaf (Zi Su Ye) 150g, Siler (Fang Feng) 150g, Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) 100g, Angelica Dahurica (Bai Zhi) 100g, Dried Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) 100g, Bitter Apricot Kernel (Ku Xing Ren) 150g, Platycodon Root (Jie Geng) 100g, Licorice (Gan Cao) 100g, Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang) 100g.
【Preparation Method】The above eleven ingredients, including Perilla Leaf, Siler, and Angelica Dahurica, are extracted for volatile oils. The remaining ingredients, including Platycodon Root and the other eight herbs, are boiled in water three times: the first time for 3 hours, the second time for 2 hours, and the third time for 1 hour. The combined decoction is filtered, and the filtrate is concentrated to a relative density of 1.40 to form a clear paste, which is then spray-dried. White sugar 444.5g and dextrin 150g are mixed, granulated with 70% ethanol, dried, and then mixed with the volatile oils to obtain the final product.
【Properties】This product is brown granules; it has a fragrant aroma and a slightly bitter taste.
【Functions and Indications】Releases the exterior and induces sweating, disperses wind and scatters cold. Used for common cold with fever, headache, cough, nasal congestion, and runny nose.
【Dosage and Administration】Oral administration, 3 times a day, 1 bag each time; dosage for children should be adjusted.
【Specifications】Each bag weighs 8g.
【Storage】Keep sealed and protect from moisture.
【Formula Explanation】
Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules are derived from the classic formula Ma Huang Tang. In this formula, Ephedra is pungent, bitter, and warm, promoting sweating and releasing the exterior to disperse wind-cold, and facilitating lung Qi to alleviate cough and wheezing. Cinnamon Twig is also pungent, sweet, and warm, releasing the muscle layer and promoting sweating, warming the meridians, and dispersing cold, serving as a monarch herb. Siler, Angelica Dahurica, and Perilla Leaf expel wind and scatter cold, warm the meridians, and relieve pain, enhancing the exterior-releasing effect of the monarch herbs, serving as ministerial herbs. Kudzu Root releases the muscle layer and promotes sweating; Dried Tangerine Peel and Dried Ginger regulate Qi and harmonize the stomach, disperse cold and descend rebellious Qi; Platycodon Root and Bitter Apricot Kernel facilitate lung Qi, stop cough, and alleviate wheezing; these five herbs serve as assistant herbs. Licorice harmonizes all the herbs, serving as a guiding herb. The combination of these herbs works together to promote sweating, release the exterior, and disperse wind-cold.
【Clinical Applications】
The common cold due to external wind-cold leads to stagnation of the defensive Yang, presenting symptoms of severe chills, mild fever, clear nasal discharge, headache, cough, pale tongue, white coating, and floating pulse; this formula is indicated for upper respiratory infections with the above symptoms.
Instructions
Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules
【Drug Name】Generic Name: Wind-Cold Common Cold Granules
【Ingredients】Ephedra, Kudzu Root, Perilla Leaf, Siler, Cinnamon Twig, Angelica Dahurica, Dried Tangerine Peel, Bitter Apricot Kernel, Platycodon Root, Licorice, Dried Ginger. Excipients: White sugar, dextrin.
【Properties】This product is brown granules; it has a fragrant aroma and a slightly bitter taste.
【Indications】Releases the exterior and induces sweating, disperses wind and scatters cold. Used for wind-cold common cold, fever, headache, severe chills, no sweating, cough, nasal congestion, and clear nasal discharge.
【Specifications】Each bag contains 8g.
【Dosage and Administration】Oral administration, 1 bag each time, 3 times a day.
【Adverse Reactions】Not clearly defined.
【Contraindications】Not clearly defined.
【Precautions】
1. Avoid smoking, alcohol, and spicy, raw, cold, and greasy foods.
2. Do not take nourishing TCM concurrently during the medication period.
3. Not suitable for wind-heat common cold, which presents with severe fever, slight aversion to wind, sweating, thirst, yellow nasal discharge, red and swollen sore throat, and cough with yellow phlegm.
4. Patients with diabetes, severe chronic diseases such as hypertension, heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, pregnant women, or those undergoing other treatments should take this under medical supervision.
5. If symptoms do not improve after three days of medication, or if fever and cough worsen with other severe symptoms such as chest tightness or palpitations, seek medical attention.
6. Follow the dosage instructions; children and the elderly should take it under medical supervision.
7. Those allergic to this product should avoid it; those with allergic tendencies should use it cautiously.
8. Do not use if the product’s properties change.
9. Children must use this product under adult supervision.
10. Keep this product out of reach of children.
11. If using other medications, consult a physician or pharmacist before using this product.
【Drug Interactions】Drug interactions may occur if used with other medications; for details, consult a physician or pharmacist.
【Storage】Keep sealed and protect from moisture.
【Packaging】Composite film packaging. 6 bags per box.
【Shelf Life】36 months
【Standards】Ministry of Health Standard for Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations, Volume 1 WS3-B-0045-89
【Approval Number】National Drug Approval Number Z53021576
【Manufacturer】Yunnan Baiyao Group Co., Ltd.
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