Treating Common Colds and Flu with Chinese Medicine

Americans who suffer from change-of-season colds and flu and/or catch colds spread by others are often surprised to hear that Chinese medicine not only excels but, in many cases, rapidly reverses any symptoms associated with the common cold. 

At the very start of a sore throat, I have seen and experienced specific herbs knock out symptoms and restore health in a matter of minutes. 

Preventing disease and maintaining wellness are deeply rooted in the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine. The idea of taking care of one's body and of forestalling illness before it manifests has become part of Chinese culture. There, you will see people drinking ginseng herbal tea with their breakfast, having astragalus chicken soup in a restaurant for lunch, and cooking a shiitake mushroom stir-fry for their dinner. It is not unusual for Chinese people to get regular acupuncture treatments for the purpose of enhancing their immune systems. 

Frankly, herbal remedies are superior to vaccinations and remedial antibiotic or steroidal medications. Not only are they less likely to be vulnerable to widespread resistance that these drugs have managed to foster in the last half century or so, herbs afford much greater symptomatic relief once an illness takes hold. Please note that not just Oriental medical pharmacopeias can boast this. Most acute upper respiratory illness can be effectively managed with plant agents and dietary therapy found within close proximity to the homes of most Americans. In addition to our local herbal traditions, application of and reliance on medicinal plants by millions of Chinese people can reassure us in a culture dominated by a fear of lost productivity and secondary infections.

Diet and Nutrition
Shiitake mushroom is one of the leading foods recommended by Chinese medicine practitioners for enhancing immunity. It contains lentinan, an anti-viral substance which has a strong immuno-stimulating activity. These brown, beefy-tasting mushrooms are used as a substitute for meat in the Chinese diet. A mushroom and vegetable stir-fry makes the most delicious vegetarian dish. Besides shiitake mushrooms, other foods that are wonderful for our immune systems are garlic, sesame seeds, yogurt, and certain fruits and vegetables. The micro-nutrients beta carotene, zinc, and vitamins A, E, and C are also key elements in strengthening our immune system. A diet rich in these foods and nutrients and low in fat is very beneficial. 

Chinese Herbs and Herbal Formulas
Many Chinese herbs have strong immunity-enhancing effects. Astragalus is very well-known for its powerful "non-specific" immune system stimulating capacity, which works by increasing the numbers and activity of roving white blood cells. A study conducted at the University of Texas Medical Center in Houston showed that astragalus extracts were able to completely restore the function of immune cells in cancer patients. The immune system can certainly be tonified or even completely restored by using this herb. This sweet-tasting root is often sliced and simmered in chicken broth, or cooked with vegetable soup. As effective as astragalus is by itself, Chinese herbal formulas actually achieve a much stronger effect than single herbs. An herbal formula is not only more powerful than a single herb but can cover a wider range of symptoms. Chi Spleen Tonic (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang) is a formula that has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Astragalus is the chief herb in this formula.

Chi Spleen Tonic (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang)

• Astragalus (Huang Qi)

Ginseng is the most popular Chinese herb on the market today. It is widely used as an immune system enhancer and as a general tonic. Most people do not know, however, that there are several types of ginseng available, including Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng, American ginseng, and Siberian ginseng. Each of these varieties has a different property; therefore, it is wise to consult with a Chinese medicine practitioner to determine which type is best for you. Literally hundreds of studies have been done on ginseng, and it has been found to have the following properties: it protects the liver, stimulates the immune system, prevents radiation damage to nerve tissue, has antioxidant effects, and prevents cancer. There are a number of ginseng products on the market these days, but the best results can be obtained with a traditional formula, Immunenergy (Shi Quan Da Bu Tang), which has been used for a thousand years to treat immune deficiency and fatigue. Ginseng is the chief herb in this formula. Testing in many countries has proven the efficacy of Shi Quan Da Bu Tang. It is also popular with post-cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Immunenergy Formula (Shi Quan Da Bu Tang)

• Angelica (Dang Gui)

• Cnidium (Chuan Qiong)

• Peony (Bai Shao)

• Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang)

• Ginseng (Ren Shen)

We will cover some sample formulas that address several common lung pathologies. I urge you to visit a licensed herbalist (Dipl. C.H.) to experience the power of a formula customized to your exact diagnosis and constitution, especially if rapid relief is not experienced with an off-the-shelf patent medicine. You can also talk to a licensed herbalist about a therapeutic dosage for patent medicines, which are frequently under dosed. 
 
Wind-heat 
This is a common cold or flu. Traditionally wind-cold precedes this but is less common clinically. This situation is a window of opportunity: with the proper herbs and behavior including rest and guarding exposure to the wind, people can evade sickness. Herbs employed here open up the surface of the body (releasing the exterior) in order to expel wind and heat evils. Formulas like Yin qiao san do this, but also contain herbs to treat sore throat, headache, chest congestion, and prevent secondary infections. A timeless, elegant mixture! 
 
Phlegm-heat in the lungs 
Here is a situation that has penetrated the exterior protective layer or wei qi and taken hold as an interior condition. This is usually diagnosed in Western medicine as influenza, pneumonia or acute bronchitis. Heat and phlegm can morph together as dual evils and create a challenging opponent for herbs. An entire category of the pharmacopeia is devoted to alleviating hot phlegm. The signature formula here is Qing qi hua tan tang, which means clear the qi level (an acute stage of Classical Wen bing, or heat disease) and transform phlegm decoction. These herbs enter the lungs, clear and expectorate phlegm, reduce fevers and subdue rebellious lung qi, which is akin to stopping cough and wheezing. 
 
Lung Yin deficiency 
This condition can be caused by several things: most common is a sequelae of a wind-heat type of infection that has damaged lung qi and yin resulting in a nagging dry cough and throat, often with sticky and difficult to expectorate phlegm. It can also be equated with more chronic problems like a smoker�s cough, tuberculosis and even, I imagine, some forms of lung cancer. The formula Qing zao jiu fei tang contains a special group of herbs that lubricate, cool and transform phlegm. The idea here is to replace old, dry, sticky phlegm with soothing and beneficial moisture to relieve coughing. 
 

Damp-phlegm in the lungs 
A wet, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or some types of congestive heart failure are the Western interpretations of this syndrome. Of all the colorful Chinese descriptions of symptoms we learned in school, this is a favorite: Chicken singing in the throat.Presumably, windy, cold, damp phlegm can accumulate in one's throat and create a chicken-like wheezy, choking sound. I think that pretty much sums it up. Herbs used here not only expel wind and dampness but often have warming qualities which assist in drying and transforming cold phlegm. Er chen tang with modifications is the simple and trusty solution with its four-ingredient elegance. Aged tangerine peel warms and emulsifies phlegm with the rest of the ingredients, and treats spleen energy to prevent more phlegm from being created. 

Getting acquainted with the energetics of food, essential oils, and common herbal beverage teas can be a great way to assist these formulas. These measures can help in giving ease once you have an idea of the nature of your lung ailment. Do some research on the eight parameters and try to ask questions such as, do you have a hot or cold condition? Does your situation need to be lubricated, or dried out? What agents such as food or spices can you use to counter this evil? Of course, a qualified practitioner can take the guesswork out of this equation and make many helpful suggestions. Try to learn more gradually from these encounters, and you may gain confidence to help yourself through the challenges of the cold season, leaving more time to enjoy the beautiful and constantly changing cycles of nature. 
 
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another powerful tool to regulate the immune system. In China, people know how energetic they feel after having an acupuncture treatment, and they will use acupuncture as part of a plan for maintaining perfect health. In the United States, acupuncture was initially accepted as a valid treatment for pain-related issues, but it has the potential to treat a wide range of health problems, including immune deficiency. Research shows that acupuncture treatments can increase the body's T-cell count, as well as the number of cells that ingest and destroy bacteria, protozoa, and cell debris. A study shows that white blood cell counts and mobility have increased by 168 percent within three hours after treatment. Many people are beginning to realize that regular acupuncture treatments for their asthma, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, colds, or infections will relieve their symptoms. Actually, acupuncture can do much more than that: it can regulate immune function and treat the fundamental cause of disease.