The following is a discussion of common acute respiratory ailments and their treatment with traditional Chinese herbal medicine in my clinic. A short note on prevention is added at the end. Please call with any questions and/or to purchase the herbs. All herbs are processed individually in alcohol, and then combined in my clinic to make the formulas; they are very easy to take in a small amount of water, and remain viable for at least 5 years with no refrigeration necessary.
The Common Cold and Flu
The Chinese view these events as “wind” entering through the skin and sinus/throat, disrupting the harmonious flow of energy and ultimately leading into acute congestion if not headed off swiftly. The initial symptoms {slight chill, runny nose, a sudden sneeze, vague sense of malaise, mild headache, scratchy throat} are literally akin to wind and cold inhibiting the flow of respiration.
The key in dispelling that wind is generally to open the pores and sweat, to create counter pressure to the incoming wind/cold. It can get more involved than that, yet essentially this is the treatment goal. Hence the old time way of eating chicken soup with plenty of onion, garlic, and other warming spices, or drinking a tea made with fresh ginger.
I have composed a remedy that is exceptionally effective at “kicking out the wind” at its first signs. The main herbs are exactly those which promote sweat. The remaining herbs balance the formula in terms of generating a healthy mucous flow, and dispersing and neutralizing [heat] “toxin” (damage caused by viral, bacterial, environmental and even emotional/mental toxicity) in the mucous membranes of the sinuses and throat.
In more modern times herbs that disperse heat toxins have become more prevalent in common cold and flu remedies (not to mention in remedies that treat the vast array of internal illnesses), as a direct consequence of how our world includes increasing levels of noxious agents (as we “denature” it), and as it heats up; the more heat the greater and swifter the internal damage and mutation, and need for herbs that counter these things.
Note that the “common cold” may be associated with any number of viruses. The key is how it presents in the individual…the herbs address the presentation, rather than being specific to any one virus or bacteria.
Formula #1: Dispel Initial Wind
Catnip Leaf and Flower
Mint Leaf and Flower
Ginger Rhizome
Honeysuckle Bud
Forsythia Fruit Pod
Mulberry Leaf
Platycodon Root
Licorice Root
Schizandra Fruit
Instructions: This remedy treats the initial symptom picture of chills, runny nose and/or sneeze, slight cough and/or sore throat, and the peculiar feeling of getting “sick”, i.e., malaise, mild headache, disorientation.
Dosage: Take as soon as possible upon noticing any of the above symptoms. Adults take between 30-120 drops, in 1-3 oz hot water, as needed, sipped slowly and perhaps allowed to steam up into the sinuses (gently breathing with the cup to the lips will do the trick). Be not afraid to take as many doses or as much per dose as may be effective. The ‘right’ dose depends on your sensitivity/weight/severity of condition, etc; you’ll need to get a feel for the best dosage for you.
The wind (common cold symptoms) will lessen or fade completely within minutes of taking the herbs; if still there, repeat and/or increase the dose after 10-15 minutes repeatedly, until they do disappear. If and when any symptoms re-appear, take it again, and so on. Usually, only one or a few doses are required if caught in time. A successful outcome may be measured in two ways: the condition completely resolves within minutes to hours, or at worst remains low-level (i.e., non-congestive) for several days if exposure and other contributing stresses remain present.
Another way to use this formula (and the Dispel Flu below) is to take a smaller amount once (15-30 drops) if you suspect you may have been recently exposed yet don’t feel symptoms.
If the symptoms advance to steady sneezing and congestion, discontinue this formula in favor of one or more of the Congestion remedies below. If throat soreness continues or worsens, and/or the presentation is more of fever and body aches than congestion, see also Ease Sore Throat and Dispel Flu remedies below.
Special note for children…Adjust the dosage for little ones as a fraction of the adult dosage, and of course adjust the water temperature for the smaller ones (room temp is good): 6 months to 1 year: 1/7-1/5 of adult dose, 1 year to 2 years: 1/5-1/4, 2 years to 4 years: 1/4-1/3, 4 years to 8 years: 1/3-1/2, 8 years to 16 years: 1/2 – full.
I’ve found that most children take the herbs best by teaspoon…simply place the drops into a teaspoon and add water to nearly fill the spoon. Otherwise you may look into purchasing a plastic dropper to squeeze into the mouth. Note that it is actually rare for small children to exhibit initial signs that are recognizable as wind, before the condition advances to congestion. Therefore, it may be advisable to pre-empt an illness if exposure is suspected; a single dose is often effective. Otherwise, the Disperse Initial Congestion Formula is more appropriate and/or may initially be combined with Dispel Wind if you already see symptoms in the child, i.e., mucous!
Note that no dose is given for infants under 6 months. If they are breastfed, they will have relatively high immunity, and if they do fall sick in any case, either they will recover quickly without intervention, or rarely will require emergency care. If considering anything, a tea of chamomile would be most appropriate as a gentle way to promote a mild sweat, yet also calm and cool the baby; it can be given either by spoon or placed around the nipple while breastfeeding.
Formula #2: Dispel Flu-Head, Throat, and Body Aches
Isatis Root and Leaf
Chrsanthemum Flower
Kuzu Root
Prunella Flower Spike
Olive Leaf
Mulberry Bark
Cinnamon Twig
Siler Root
Platycodon Root
Licorice Root
Instructions: This remedy was especially designed for the unique presentation of the flu, as opposed to the common cold. The key difference is in the extreme nature of fatigue, a throat that is far more sore or dry, body aches, and fever. Also notable is less running or congestion of the nose.
Dispel Wind handles most viral presentations, yet when the “flu” presentation threatens to take hold, it is best to use this formula. When in doubt, take both together, as they are well complementary to each other…the total dosage would be the same as either alone, divided however you feel is appropriate.
Dosages are the same as for Dispel Initial Wind, except that in the event the flu does settle in, this remedy can still be used to keep the illness within reasonable bounds for its duration. In that case, take between 60-90 drops every 2-3 hours until the condition breaks; it may also be combined with the congestion remedies below. The same combining principles apply.
Also, this remedy can be used along with Dispel Wind and/or Ease Sore Throat remedies in cases that present with an intense sore throat that doesn’t seem to respond to Dispel Wind alone. In the relatively rare case of strep throat (only a small percentage of sore throats are associated primarily with bacteria, and when they are they are mostly in children), see the Ease Sore Throat and Clear Congestion-Severe Swelling and Heat remedies below.
Formula #3: Ease Congestion-Head and Upper Chest
Angelica Dahurica Root
Echinacea Root and Flower
Scutellaria Root
Ligusticum Rhizome
Plantago Seed
Fenugreek Seed
Ophiopogon Root
Thyme Leaf
Licorice Root
Instructions: This remedy treats the congestion and associated pain of common cold and even milder bacterial illnesses of the sinus, ear, tooth/gum, throat, and upper lung. The typical symptom picture is swelling, heat, and pain, as well as perhaps pus (abscess). Alternatively, the Dispel Flu-Lung and Stomach Unease remedy may be used for simple common cold congestion.
Dosage is 30-90 drops as needed, up to every two hours, or the equivalent in smaller more frequent doses. An example would be, in case of suspected sinus infection (which may occur on its own absent of any common cold/flu symptoms or may accompany the cold/flu as a complication, usually after 5-10 days): use 60 drops every couple hours or 15 drops every 15 minutes, and hold in mouth for a minute to keep in close proximity to sinuses before swallowing. May be combined with other remedies as appropriate; as always reduce dosages accordingly.
Formula #4: Ease Congestion-Middle and Lower Chest
Perilla Seed
Houttunyia Herb
Elecampane Root
Polygonum Cuspidati Root
Trichosanthis Fruit
Forsythia Fruit Pod
Saw Palmetto Fruit
Pleurisy Root
Bitter Orange Fruit and Peel
Licorice Root
Instructions: This remedy is chosen when there is a deep seated cough, perhaps with a sense of chest stuffiness. The cough may be either dry or alternating between dry and slightly loose, the sputum either white or yellow. Common Western diagnoses are bronchitis and pneumonia. May be combined with the other Congestion remedies, as appropriate to the greater presentation. Also, may be used on its own after acute illness has passed, where there remains stubborn phlegm in the lungs. This formula is still appropriate if there is a bacterial infection (fever lasting more than 3-5 days, perhaps pus in sputum, worsening of condition)…if such bacterial signs are present, combine with Ease Congestion-Head and Upper Chest and/or the more potent Clear Congestion-Severe Swelling and Heat.
Dosage: Between 30-120 drops per dose, up to 6x/day. Decrease appropriately when in combination with other formulas.
*See Special Note below.
Formula #5: Ease Congestion-Severe Swelling and Heat
Dandelion Root
Rehmannia Root
Phellodendron Bark
Coptis Rhizome
Andrographis Leaf
Angelica Sinensis Root
Platycodon Root
Figwort Leaf
Alisma Rhizome
Licorice Root
Instructions: This remedy addresses what is called true infectious inflammation, i.e., swelling, heat, and redness associated with a toxin, usually bacterial. It is more rare than viral presentations. As mentioned above, strep throat may occasionally accompany a viral head/chest cold or flu, but rarely, and mostly in kids. The same goes for secondary bacterial infections of the airways (bronchitis or pneumonia). This remedy has close parallels of indications to antibiotics, yet will not cause the damage to gut flora, and will more thoroughly clear the infection (prevent relapses). If in doubt, you may use this remedy (or any in this discussion) along with antibiotics, in which case the smaller dosage range is sufficient.
Bear in mind that all of the other remedies listed here can treat mild bacterial infections (as well as internal “non-infectious” metabolic, immune, or mental/emotional toxicity). The difference here is the nature of the symptoms and timeline: this remedy addresses the heat (fever, redness) and swelling (discolored mucous and pus) of later or recurrent stage infectious disorders. Typically, if secondary to viral disorders, they will appear a week or so into the illness. Occasionally, they can appear on their own apart from viral introduction.
Take 30-90 drops, up to 6x a day.
Formula # 6: Ease Sore Throat-Addition to Wind/Flu
Ilex Root
Burdock Seed
Figwort Root
Sage Leaf
Platycodon Root
Peppermint Leaf
Licorice Root
Instructions: this remedy can be used as an adjunct to either dispel wind and/or flu remedies (which also ease sore throats), if the condition of the throat is severe, i.e., sharply burning, raw, lasting more than several days, etc. It can also treat strep throat, especially when combined with the Clear Congestion-Severe Heat and Swelling remedy.
Dosage: Use 30-60 drops added to Dispel Wind/Flu and/or by itself…evaluate effect and repeat as often as every hour initially to attempt to swiftly clear the throat, or if set in then every 2-3 hours until relieved.
Formula #7: Dispel Flu-Lung and Stomach Unease
Poria Funghi
Elecampane Root
Ginger Rhizome
Citrus Peel
Perilla Leaf
Sweet Annie Herb
Kudzu Root
Magnolia Bark
Mint Leaf and Flower
Cardamom Fruit
The main indication for this formula is the infectious nausea that accompanies fever/chill, and possibly diarrhea, as in the common “Stomach Flu”. However, it has a wider application for the typical common cold congestion of the sinuses and/or lungs. In fact it may be used as the sole remedy in cases of uncomplicated common cold.
Of special note is the recent emergence of viral strains that are associated with both a respiratory and digestive unease, as in Covid (*See Special Note below). These strains tend to elicit a thick phlegm response, and give the impression in the Lungs of dryness, where in actuality the mucous membranes are being obstructed by this phlegm and FEEL dry. It is very important to transform this phlegm in order to dispel the pathogen and prevent its progression deeper into the Lungs and elsewhere…in fact these viruses are known to in some cases also affect the nervous and circulatory systems. If the condition advances, combine with the Ease Congestion: Middle and Deep Chest remedy.
Food poisoning and hangover can benefit from it too, though for serious cases of spoiled food, add either the Ease Congestion-Head and Chest or Clear Congestion-Severe Heat and Swelling remedy, to address the primary bacterial involvement.
Dosage: Adults 30-90 drops as needed, frequently if caught early enough to eradicate, or steadily every 2-3 hours otherwise. If vomiting occurs, take 15 drops repeatedly, or even a few drops held in mouth, until settled…such small doses will also help normalize mucous membranes and therefore lung and stomach function, especially after acute phase is past. Reduce dosage when in combination with other formulas.
Special Note: Covid has made the herb Ephedra Leaf a virtually essential part of prescriptions to deal with the type of lung congestion that leads to life threatening breathing disorders. It has been unfairly banned in the US for years due to improper association with the ephedrine (an isolated extraction from the whole herb or a synthetic reproduction of that isolate) in diet pills. The whole leaf is the strongest herb in Chinese Medicine to open the Lungs, and has been used absolutely safely for over 2000 years for this function. Recently (around October 2021) with pressure in response to Covid from Traditional Chinese Herbal Pharmacists in this country, the FDA granted one pharmacy in NYC the right to dispense Ephedra in traditional formulation for this specific use. I immediately started ordering these formulas to have on hand, and have prescribed dozens of the raw herb packets to date. In some cases, it was the only remedy that restored health (despite extreme hospital methods). The particular formulation I use is Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, composed of the four medicinals Ephedra Leaf, Apricot Seed, Gypsum Mineral, and Licorice Root. They are in raw form and must be simmered in water before use as a hot tea (this is the traditional way of taking herbs in China). This formula specifically opens the Lungs strongly, so that they may have a chance to clear the infectious agents; the other remedies mentioned above are combined with it accordingly. For example, for initial stage covid, let’s say with fever, body aches, and cough, I would use this remedy with the Dispel Flu-Head, Throat and Body Aches remedy. If there were nausea as well, I would include the Dispel Flu-Lung and Stomach Unease remedy. In the case of deeper Lung congestion, I would add in the Ease Congestion-Middle and Deep Lung remedy. The key point here is that Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang is the central pivot to both prevent and treat serious compromise to the Lungs.
A Note on Prevention
Immunity is a holistic concept. If we consider it broadly, it has three main parts: we move, we eat, and we sleep. Movement includes that of the body, mind, and emotions; typically we “work”, “play”, “workout”, “meditate”, etc…some actions are more showy and/or external, while others are more subtle and/or internal, yet all are motion. The key to good immunity is an adequate amount and balance of each. E.g., too much aerobic activity without much “relaxing activity” creates over-excitation/heat/dryness, while too little aerobic activity itself leads to metabolic coldness and swelling. Too little relaxing activity leads to tension of the body/mind, and so on. The Chinese concepts of yang and yin are helpful here: look to a balance of “fast//vigorous” motion, and “slow/calm” motion, respectively. You may also look to finding both in the same activity…long walks are a common example of this, as they offer both aerobic benefit and a clearing and calming to the mind as well.
Next up is rest/sleep. Are you resting well and long enough to balance your daily demands? If not, apply some of that calm you cultivate from your movement life to investigate why. Look to imbalances in movement and eating (see below)…are you too tense (in mind and/or body) from either lack of movement or too much movement without relaxation? Are you too soggy from lack of movement (this would tend to produce lots of sleep yet feeling heavy and unrefreshed)? Is your belly too full, tight, or disturbed from poor digestion? Begin to think in terms of what the medical field calls “differential diagnoses”, a systematic list of possibilities according to, in this case, movement and diet. Throw in there a dose of intuition if that’s in your medicine bag as well!
Last up is eating. Whoa! Another big topic. I preface that when, where, and how you eat is as important as what. Awareness of these things is in turn influenced by how our movement and sleeping life is going, and so you have a glimpse of how inter-connected (holistic) your immunity (and life) is. Anyway, that aside for now, the keys are balance and gearing your diet to your unique needs (as opposed to protocols common to fads). Herbal medicine fits in here, as do all things ingested…supplements, pharmaceuticals, etc.. For the purposes of this article, preventive remedies are truly ones that “fit” the unique you, and as such must be carefully composed; there is no one formula. For this reason, I do not list preventive remedies here. The way that Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners determine the best fit (for diet and herbs) includes a thorough history taking, observation of the way you hold yourself, speak, and move, palpation of the body, including the pulse quality, and looking at the tongue. Obviously some of these things can only be done in person, and the whole of it takes about an hour on average. Then there’s the expectation of change, and along with it a change in the formula, and so on. This approach relies on patience and awareness. If you cannot make it to see a Chinese herbalist, have faith: you can use your own patience and awareness, fueled by some courage, to witness your personal journey with movement, rest/sleep, and food, and refine your conclusions as you go. Bon appetit!