🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Recently, media reports indicate a 50% increase in sales of "clearing heat" patent medicines like Niuhuang Jiedu Pian. Spring is prone to internal heat, so many people immediately buy common TCM remedies upon experiencing sore throat or mouth sores. However, TCM doctors warn: "Clearing heat" patent medicines should not be taken casually—many individuals with deficient-cold constitutions suffer harm rather than benefit from "niuhuang"-type cooling drugs.
Dr. Lin Xiaolan from the Chinese Medicine Pharmacy at Xuanwu Hospital said: "If you feel overheated, you may take Niuhuang Jiedu Pian or Niuhuang Qingwei Wan, but these medicines shouldn't be taken without understanding their nature and your own constitution." Niuhuang-type heat-clearing medicines are cold in nature; those with deficient-cold constitutions or chronic gastritis should avoid them. Instead, they should drink more water and eat more vegetables and fruits.
Based on different "overheating" conditions, Associate Professor Ma Yuyi from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Jishuitan Hospital offers the following prescriptions for clearing heat:
1. Dry throat: Take Niuhuang Jiedu Pian; combining with Zhībò Dìhuáng Wan (a yin-nourishing formula) is better for the spleen and stomach.
2. Gum swelling and toothache: Take Niuhuang Shangqing Wan, but avoid if suffering diarrhea or abdominal pain, as the "heat-clearing" components may worsen diarrhea.
3. Excessive phlegm and cough: Lingyang Qingfei Wan or Huangyin Capsules have milder properties, suitable for those with deficient-cold constitution or spleen-stomach disharmony.