Treating the Common Cold and Flu With Traditional Chinese Medicine Part 2 of a 2 part series

In the last issue of the newsletter, I discussed how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the common cold and flu, and how this view differs from the perspective of Western medicine. I emphasized that the fundamental difference between these systems of medicine is that Western medicine treats on the basis of disease alone, while TCM treats on the basis of patterns of disharmony, which is the reflection of a patient's constitution and his or her idiosyncratic response to a particular disease. While TCM takes the typical course of a disease and its peculiar characteristics into account, by treating on the basis of patterns of disharmony the entire patient is accounted for and not simply the disease she is suffering from. By its very nature, this approach to treatment makes for healing that is deeper, more comprehensive, and longer lasting.

If you're interested in utilizing TCM for a particular condition, it's always advisable to consult with a licensed practitioner. However, if you become sick with a cold or flu, and circumstances don't permit you to get in to see someone, a wide selection of Chinese patent remedies is available at the Wedge. Patent remedies are herbal formulas made into prepared form (i.e. tablets, pills, granules, drinks), and are very popular in Asia as well as the United States. While they cannot be tailored to your condition the way a raw herb formula can, they are convenient and can be very effective if they are matched to the main pattern you are exhibiting.

There is a wide variety of patent remedies to treat the sore throat, chills and fever (with fever predominant), headache, and thirst which characterize Wind-Heat.

Sang Ju Yin Wan/Clear Wind-Heat Pills is an excellent formula for mild, early-stage common cold due to Wind-Heat with coughing as the predominant symptom.

Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian/Honeysuckle and Forsythia Clear Toxins Pills, while similar in formulation to Sang Ju Yin Wan, is designed for more severe Wind-Heat. It is less suitable for cough than the previous formula, but is a better choice when other symptoms, particularly sore throat, are more severe.

Zhong Gan Ling is used for very severe cold or flu symptoms due to Wind-Heat. In this case, symptoms tend to manifest quickly, and include chills, high fever, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, and head and body aches. It can also be used if Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian or Gan Mao Ling prove ineffective.

Bi Yan Pian is used to treat rhinitis or sinusitis associated with Wind-Heat patterns. It is indicated when there is viscous, yellow or green nasal discharge, and can be taken along with any of the above formulas.

Chuan Xin Lian is a remedy for severe sore throat due to Wind-Heat with potent antiviral and antibacterial properties. It can also be used to treat urinary tract infection and infectious diarrhea.

Ban Lan Gen Keli is the granulated form of Isatis root, a potent antiviral. It is taken dissolved in a little warm water. People report that it can stop the progression of cold and flu symptoms due to Wind-Heat if taken early enough.

Although Wind-Cold patterns are not as commonly seen these days, we do have several formulas which are effective for symptoms of chills and fever (with chills predominant), headache and general body aches, and clear or white nasal discharge.

Ma Huang Tang Wan/Ephedra Decoction Pills is the classic TCM formula for Wind-Cold attacking the exterior with the additional symptoms of wheezing, cough, and no sweating. It contains the herb ephedra, which has a stimulant effect but is very effective for relieving bronchial constriction and drying out mucous membranes. (Note: On December 30, 2003 the FDA announced that it was banning the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra. However, the FDA's own website states that "the rule does not pertain to traditional Chinese herbal remedies." It is unclear at this time whether sales at the retail level of Chinese patent remedies that contain ephedra are covered by this loophole, so the Wedge has decided to pull these products till this issue is clarified. That said, the popular use of weight loss and energy products containing the isolated alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, products which have contributed to the unfortunate deaths of several people in recent years, should not be confused with the traditional use of Chinese herbal remedies containing the herb ephedra. The total alkaloid concentration of the herb ephedra averages between one and three percent. Furthermore, ephedra is always combined with other herbs in Chinese remedies - never taken in isolation - and these herbs are then boiled in a decoction, all of which tend to mitigate ephedra's stimulant effects. When used for its traditional indications of cold, flu, and asthma at the dosages recommended by TCM while taking into account the patient's constitution and pattern diagnosis, ephedra is a reasonably safe herb. Anyone with a history of hypertension, heart disease, thyroid diseases, diabetes, seizures, or enlarged prostate, however, should avoid ephedra.

Gui Zhi Tang Wan/Cinnamon Twig Decoction is for Wind-Cold pattern with a slight underlying deficiency which is indicated by the presence of sweating which does not relieve symptoms.

Gan Mao Ling is composed of a combination of warming and cooling herbs. Because it is energetically balanced, it can be used for both Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold patterns of cold or flu.

Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan is for colds and flu where headache is the chief complaint along with upper body aches and pains. Since the energetic balance of this formula is also fairly neutral, it can be used for both Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat patterns with severe headache. It is not suitable however, for chronic headaches or headaches not accompanied by cold or flu symptoms.

Loquat and Fritillary Jelly is for dry cough with no phlegm or scanty phlegm that is viscous and difficult to expectorate.

It can be used to treat both acute and chronic cough. Lo Han Kuo Beverage is a pleasant tasting tea infusion that has similar indications and functions to Loquat and Fritillary Jelly.

Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan is used in situations where the lungs have become affected by copious, yellow or green, viscous sputum causing coughing, wheezing, and fullness in the chest. This formula treats a pattern of Hot Phlegm Stagnating in the Lungs, an indication that the illness is no longer on the surface of the body but has progressed into the interior.

Two final patent remedies for cold and flu deserve mention:

Curing Pills is a wonderful remedy for stomach flu with symptoms of chills, fever, headache, abdominal fullness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is an attack of Wind-Cold with Dampness accumulating in the interior. It is also an excellent remedy for food poisoning and traveler's diarrhea.

Yu Ping Feng Wan/Jade Wind Screen Pills has two primary indications. First, it can be taken long-term (3-6 months) by people who suffer from allergies or catch colds easily as a way to tonify their Wei Qi or protective energy. Other signs of Wei Qi deficiency include spontaneous sweating (not related to exertion), a pale complexion, and a pale tongue with white coating. If you have this pattern, it can also be taken at the very tail end of a cold or flu if you have trouble "throwing it off" and have a tendency to relapse and get sick again.

Yu Ping Feng Wan/Jade Wind Screen Pills should not be taken during the acute phase of cold, flu, or allergies; the chief herb in the formula is Astragalus root, a potent Qi tonic. Tonic herbs, which include Ginseng and Dong Quai, are contraindicated in TCM in cases of colds or flu unless the patient is very deficient or unless they serve a supportive role in the formula.

Note: The information provided in this series is not intended as a substitute for appropriate medical advice or treatment. With any upper respiratory infection where there is persistent high fever, persistent, severe sinus congestion, or lung congestion with chest pain, consultation with your primary care physician is advised. In addition, rapidly progressing symptoms which include fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck and back, and alterations in consciousness are signs of possible meningitis and should be treated as a medical emergency.

Martin Kidwell, M.S., L.Ac., works in the Health and Body Care at the Wedge. He is a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine.