As the temperatures begin to drop and cold & flu season starts to be in full swing, it’s time to start taking a proactive approach to protect the body and optimize the immune system for fast recovery. While there is no cure for the common cold or flu, there are holistic measures one can take to boost the immune system and help fight colds and flu, including Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). More specifically, Chinese Herbs for colds and flu are a widely used practice for treating and preventing various conditions.
Chinese herbal formulas can not only help treat the symptoms but can also help stimulate the body’s natural abilities to protect against and fight off the common cold and flu. Since TCM aims to treat the person as a whole and not just the symptoms, Chinese herbal medicine practitioners provide an individualized treatment approach for colds and flu that looks beyond the typical cold and flu symptoms. A practitioner will factor in the patient’s various conditions to determine whether the symptoms are predominantly presenting as heat, cold, or dampness and prescribe an herbal formula accordingly.
While prevention and immune system strengthening with herbs is the first line of defense against the common cold and flu, specific Chinese herbal formulas are designed to help treat the factors causing the cold or flu and support the body’s natural healing abilities.
The following herbal formulas may help ease or treat the common cold and flu.
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang is a bupleurum and cinnamon combination which helps balance ying and wei, both the interior and exterior. This is a commonly prescribed Chinese herbal formula for the common cold and flu. In addition to helping with the common cold and flu, it can also provide relief for fever, chills, headache, and mild nausea.
Yu Ping Feng San
Yu Ping Feng San, also known as Jade Windscreen, is a classic herbal formula made of three ingredients: astragalus root, atractylodes root, and siler root. This formula has been used in TCM for hundreds of years to fortify the body’s natural healing abilities, specifically against the common cold and respiratory ailments.
Ren Shen Bai Du San
Ren Shen Bai Du San is a formula that contains ginseng and mint. It’s typically used to treat the common cold and flu by focusing on wind cold dampness with an underlying qi deficiency. A TCM practitioner will typically prescribe this when symptoms of chills, sore throat, head stiffness, and fever are present.
Yin Qiao San
Yin Qiao San is a lonicera and forsythia formula that is traditionally used to treat early-stage wind-warm febrile diseases. It may also be prescribed for cold and flu patients presenting symptoms of headache, thirst, cough, and sore throat.
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Xiao Chai Hu Tang is often prescribed to patients with symptoms that include alternating chills and fever. It also can help with shaoyang stage conditions, including dry throat, dizziness, headaches, and nausea.
How to Find Quality Herbs to Treat Cold & Flu?
When it comes to using Chinese herbal remedies to treat the common cold and flu, it is essential to see a licensed TCM practitioner that will prescribe a customized formula with high-quality Chinese herbs. A practitioner is trained to assess each patient’s health condition, identify the root cause, and then tailor an herbal formula for maximum efficacy.
Additionally, it’s important to work with a licensed herbal practitioner that prioritizes safety and high standards to ensure the best care and patient’s health. These same requirements should also be applied to their herbal supplier. KPC is proud to provide over five generations of TCM and herbal manufacturing experience. Our commitment to quality, standards, and providing the best herbs to TCM practitioners in the industry is unmatched. Click here to find a quality distributor, or contact us today.
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*Please note: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This article is not intended to suggest specific treatments for patients or that any supplements mentioned prevent or cure diseases or problems. Before taking any herbs, all patients should discuss their options with a licensed practitioner, including any other medications the patient is currently taking, as there may be contraindications between pharmaceuticals and herbs.
