Traditional Chinese Medicine Prepared Cold and Flu Remedies

Traditional Chinese Medicine Remedies for Colds and Flu

Most people today are often unaware of the the very first symptoms of a cold (i.e., before the pathogen moves deeper into the body), TCM would traditionally use a formula like Ma Huang Tang at the very early stages of illness. However the main ingredient (Ma Huang - ephedra) is now essentially unavailable because of abuses of the substance by the general public who were uneducated about appropriate dosing and contraindications. Fortunately, TCM includes many other formulas, some used for centuries, others developed more recently based on laboratory analysis, that are quite effective for colds and flu.

YIN QIAO SAN (Honeysuckle - Forsythia Powder)

As a practical matter, people often present at clinic when the cold virus has progressed more deeply into the body, in which case Yin Qiao San is one of several excellent formulas. This formula was initially published in the Wen Bing Tiao Bian (文炳条鞭 - Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases) by Dr. Wu Ju Tong in the year 1798. Yin Qiao San disperses wind-heat, clears heat (treats fever), and relieves toxicity. It treats upper burner (chest / respiratory) disorders without injuring the stomach. It lessens sore throat, and relieves thirst.

Yin Qiao San can also be taken as a preventative. Most people are not so sensitive or alert to the very early signs of a cold when TCM might prescribe a formula called Ma Huang Tang.

As a preventative ...

Keep a dozen tablets in your car, purse, or pocket during cold and flu season. Take promptly.Begin taking tablets a half hour before entering airports, airplanes, terminals, or crowded public facilities.
For cold prevention, take three tablets every four hours when exposed to cold or flu.
Children: Use one tablet for each 25 lbs of body weight. Open capsule and mix with food (e.g., applesauce).

PU JI XIAO DU YIN WAN ( Universal Benefit Disperse Toxin Cool-Decoction Pills)

This formula (with the rather grand sounding name) is really a very effective remedy. It can be used for acute influenza and severe common cold symptoms, even tonsillitis and swollen lymph nodes. It is also excellent for pediatric conditions, including tonsillitis, otitis media (ear infections), measles, mumps, and chicken pox. It has both antiviral and antibacterial effects. Like Gan Mao Ling Wan (see below), Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin Wan contains some cold or cool herbs and should be used cautiously by individuals who are cold or shivering or who have a tendency toward loose stools.

ZONG GAN LING (Efficacious Cold Remedy)

This formula is of early twentieth century origin (yes, Chinese medicine does experience advances!) and is used for symptomatic relief of severe or advanced head cold or flu. With symptoms such as headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, fever and chills. It clears heat (antifebrile), drains dampness, eliminates cold, releases muscles, and moves blood to relieve pain. This is one of the better products for full-blown influenza.

GAN MAO LING WAN (Common Cold Effective Remedy Pills)

I once was meeting with a senior manager of a Twin Cities health plan who swore by Gan Mao Ling Wan (she had been introduced to it by a friend years ago). She could not speak too highly about this formula and how it cleared her symptoms during cold season.

Gan Mao Ling Wan clears heat, resolves toxins, dispels wind, relieves body aches, and cools lung heat to relieve cough. It can be used alone or combined with Yin Qiao at the onset of cold or flu. It may also be combined with Zong Gan Ling for stronger relief of cold or flu symptoms. Use when cough or sinus congestion is present at the onset of a cold or flu. Unlike Yin Qiao San, Gan Mao Ling Wan does not contain many herbs that boost immunity and, therefore, one does not benefit from long-term use once symptoms have resolved. Because Gan Mao contains several cold or cool herbs, it is not advised for very cold or shivering patients.

XIAO CHAI HU TANG HE SI WU TANG JIA JIAN (Cold Quell)

Cold Quell is based on a classical old formula (Xiao Chai Hu Tang), but with modifications and additions. It was formulated by one of our main suppliers and has been used nicely by many of our patients with great success.

Cold Quell is for common cold and epidemic influenza with possible bronchitis. While effective for either gender, it is particularly useful for postpartum fevers and flus, but also for recurrent fever (including peri-menstrual heat), sore throat and swollen glands.

Some TCM practitioners prefer to avoid the use of supplementing herbs (Cold Quell contains some) during pronounced cold symptoms, believing that doing so may push the pathogen deeper into the body. Others insist that the body's qi, which by definition was insufficient to ward off the microbial pathogen(s), must be supplemented in order to further resist the pathogen and to develop new resistance (immunity). Cold Quell addresses both needs. It is also a formula that can be used nicely as a preventative.

GUI ZHI TANG (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)

The classic formula to treat common cold symptoms that are not relieved by sweating. The patient will have nasal congestion with clear mucous and absence of thirst.

SANG JU YIN WAN (Mullberry Leaf / Chrysanthemum Pill)

For common cold with hacking cough or where cough predominates

YU PING FENG SAN (Jade Windscreen Powder)

This is an elegant little 3 - herb formula for individuals who are susceptible to frequent or repeated bouts of common cold, chronic mild bronchitis, rhinitis (hay-fever/allergies), etc. It contains herbs that release pathogens and also boost qi (immune function).

CHAI GE JIE JI TANG (Bupleurum and Kudzu Decoction to Release the Muscle Layer)

For unresolved externally contracted wind-cold transforming into heat where chills are giving way to increasing fever, including inflammation (interior heat) in the muscles, accompanied by headache, muscle aches, orbital and eye pain, stiffness of the extremities, dry nasal passages, irritability, and insomnia.

These are just a few of the TCM formulas that are useful for symptoms of common colds, flu, rhinitis, and allergy symptoms. We strongly advise that you work with a licensed acupuncturist when considering any of these or other TCM formulas for you or your family. For example, TCM distinguishes the common cold into various patterns on the basis of symptoms (clear, thin nasal discharge suggests a different type of microbial pathogen and bodily response than does thick, purulent discharge. Similarly, a cough with easily expectorated phlegm is quite a different illness than one where the patient has a barking cough with difficult-to-expectorate phlegm). Using a formula ill-suited to the presenting pattern fail to resolve symptoms and might even make them worse. We're always a phone call away (651-698-1404) and happy to help.