🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza viruses, which can spread anytime and anywhere. Cold, dry weather in winter and spring provides favorable external conditions for the transmission of influenza viruses. Although seemingly ordinary, influenza has tremendous destructive power. On September 28 this year, Tianjin isolated the first strain of this year's influenza virus, confirmed by the National Influenza Center, identified as the H3N2 subtype, which easily causes large-scale outbreaks.
Influenza is caused by three types of influenza viruses: A, B, and C, among which type A is most common and is the main culprit behind influenza epidemics. In contrast, common colds are caused by different viral pathogens. Influenza starts abruptly with systemic symptoms such as high fever (typically over 39°C), headache, chills, generalized muscle pain, fatigue, lasting more than one week. The contagiousness of colds is weaker, and symptoms are milder.
Why do outbreaks still occur even with flu vaccines? This is mainly due to the influenza virus’s ability to mutate unpredictably. Among them, type A mutates most frequently. Additionally, type A influenza viruses can infect various animals, making them the primary pathogen in human influenza, often causing outbreaks or pandemics. Influenza itself is severe, but even more dangerous is its tendency to exacerbate pre-existing conditions or cause serious complications such as bronchitis, viral or bacterial pneumonia, myocarditis, and pericarditis. These complications are the leading causes of death in influenza patients. Currently, targeted antiviral treatments for influenza are still underdeveloped, so treatment remains largely symptomatic, yielding unsatisfactory results.
Influenza prevention is crucial. Prevention methods fall into three categories: controlling the source of infection, cutting off transmission routes, and protecting susceptible populations.
Traditional Chinese medicine and herbal remedies have a long history and proven efficacy in preventing influenza. In traditional Chinese medicine, influenza falls under the category of "Seasonal Common Cold." For example, Mingxing Qing Kai Ling Oral Liquid and Injection, an antiviral herb, is a new option for treating influenza. Qing Kai Ling, a modern formulation derived from the classic warm disease prescription An Gong Niu Huang Wan, contains eight professional antiviral ingredients including Isatis Root, Honeysuckle, and bile acids. These eight components work synergistically to enhance efficacy, showing significant results against influenza, viral colds, fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, and acute pneumonia. Taking this medication immediately upon onset of flu symptoms can shorten the course and alleviate severity.
Thus, the true benefit of TCM in preventing influenza lies in reducing complications arising from influenza. Of course, the most important preventive measure is regular physical exercise such as walking, running, hiking, playing sports, or practicing martial arts, which enhances the body’s resistance to cold. During outbreaks, ensure adequate sleep and proper diet. It is recommended to consume garlic, white radish, green onion, ginger, red chili, carrot, pumpkin, tomato, onion, hawthorn, etc., whose beta-carotene content helps prevent colds. Drinking yogurt and chicken soup daily can also effectively prevent the occurrence of influenza.