4 Chinese Herbs for Colds

Catching a cold during the winter season is nearly inevitable, and more and more people are turning toward natural treatment methods to treat their bodies when sick. One of the most natural, time-tested methods of treating a cold is Chinese medicine.

Traditional Western medicine tends to focus on getting rid of the unwanted symptoms throughout a cold, while Chinese medicine focuses on reducing the severity of symptoms, shortening the duration of the cold, and even decreasing the chances of a secondary condition from popping up. All of this is accomplished with the anti-viral properties of Chinese herbs.

Types of Colds

Depending on the type(s) of cold you are suffering from, one or several Chinese herbs are recommended to treat the cold. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classifies colds into three types:

1. Wind Cold: Minor fever, strong aversion to cold, sore and itchy throat, runny nose, sneezing and pain in limbs.
2. Wind Heat: Severe headache, fever, runny and stuffy nose, aversion to the wind, sneezing, sweating, and coughing thick and yellow phlegm.
3. Damp Heat: Headache, feeling fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, and a heavy sensation in the chest.

4 Chinese Herbs for Colds

Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder (Yin Qiao San)

Best for a wind heat cold. Great for sore throat, fever, thirst, and headache. Should be taken during the duration of the cold.

Dispel Invasion (Jing Fang Bai Du San)

Best for damp heat cold. Great for fever, chills, headache, congestion, and stiff joints. Should be taken during the duration of the cold.

Gan Mao Ling

Best for cold and heat colds. Great for boosting the immune system and alleviating common cold symptoms. Should be taken at the first sign of illness and until acute symptoms disappear.

Jade Windscreen Powder (Yu Ping Feng San)

Best for cold and damp colds. Great for spontaneous sweating, recurrent colds, pale complexion, reducing stress, and boosting the immune system. Should be taken during the duration of the cold.

If you are interested in learning more about Chinese Medicine, we recommend meeting with an expert to see what herbal supplements will work best for you. If you are in the south Denver Metro Area, Arapahoe Chiropractic & Acupuncture Center would be happy to help. We provide herbal supplements as well as acupuncture and chiropractic care for colds, flus, and immunity support. Contact us online for request an appointment today!