🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Influenza is a shortened term for epidemic influenza, an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus and transmitted via droplets. Its incubation period is generally 1–3 days. Onset is abrupt, primarily presenting with high fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and body aches; respiratory symptoms may not be severe initially. After 2–3 days, systemic symptoms gradually subside, while nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and dry cough become prominent. A few patients may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as nosebleeds, loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea.
Although it is now early spring, sudden temperature fluctuations still require vigilance against influenza.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, influenza is classified as "Shixing Ganmao" (epidemic cold), typically treated according to three patterns: wind-cold, wind-heat, and summer-dampness.
Wind-Cold Pattern
Main symptoms include severe chills without sweating, headache, body aches, nasal congestion, cough, clear white phlegm, thin white moist tongue coating, and floating-tight pulse (a sensation of tightness felt upon light touch).
For this pattern, use pungent-warm exterior-releasing methods. Commonly used formula: Jingfang Bai Du San:
Medicines: 15g each of Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Fangfeng (Siler), Qianghuo (Notopterygium), Duhuo (Angelica pubescens), Chaihu (Bupleurum), Qianhu (Peucedanum), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Zhike (Citrus aurantium), Fuling (Poria), Jiegeng (Platycodon); 5g Gancao (Licorice).
Additions: Dosages can be adjusted based on individual differences. If chills are severe, add Ma Huang (Ephedra) and Gui Zhi (Cinnamon twig) to enhance diaphoresis.
Wind-Heat Pattern
Main symptoms include moderate fever, slight aversion to cold, minimal sweating, head distension, sticky yellow phlegm, yellow turbid nasal discharge, thin yellow tongue coating with red edges and tip, and floating-rapid pulse (fast pulse easily felt with light touch).
This pattern should be treated with pungent-cool exterior-releasing methods. Commonly used formula: Yin Qiao San:
Medicines: 15g each of Lianqiao (Forsythia), Yinhua (Honeysuckle); 6g each of Jiegeng (Platycodon), Bohe (Mint), Gancao (Licorice), Niubangzi (Arctium); 10g each of Zhu Ye (Bamboo leaf), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Dou Chi (Fermented soybean).
Additions: For sore throat, add Ma Bo (Iris rhizome) and Xuan Shen (Scrophularia root). For nosebleeds, omit Jingjie and Dou Chi, add Bai Mao Gen (Imperata root) and Ce Bai Tan (Cypress charcoal). For cough, add Xingren (Apricot kernel).
Summer-Dampness Pattern
Main symptoms include fever, little sweating, body aches, heavy-headedness, eye pain, sticky mouth, chest tightness, nausea, short red urine, thin greasy yellow tongue coating, and slippery-rapid pulse (rapid but sluggish pulse).
This pattern should be treated with clearing summer-heat, removing dampness, and releasing the exterior. Commonly used formula: Xiangru Yin:
Medicines: 9g each of Yinhua (Honeysuckle), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Bian Dou (Hyacinth bean); 6g each of Xiangru (Perilla), Hou Po (Magnolia bark).
Additions: For severe heat, add Huanglian (Coptis) and Qinghao (Artemisia). For heavy body sensation, add Dou Juan (Job's tears) and Peilan (Agastache). For vomiting and nausea, add Cangzhu (Atractylodes), Kouren (Cardamom), Banxia (Pinellia), and Chenpi (Tangerine peel).
All three formulas should be decocted with water (if inconvenient, ready-made preparations are available at pharmacies). Decoct lightly, avoiding over-boiling. Drink warm after preparation. After taking, cover up and avoid wind to induce sweating, or eat hot congee or rice soup to enhance drug efficacy. After sweating, remain cautious about wind exposure and keep warm to prevent recurrence.
Additionally, during seasons prone to influenza outbreaks, prevention is crucial. Readers may select the following formulas according to the season:
Winter/Spring wind-cold prevalent season: 10g each of Guanzhong, Zisu, Jingjie; 3g Gancao. Decoct and drink in one dose, continue for 3 days.
Summer dampness dominant season: 5g each of Xiangru, Peilan; 2g Bohe. Boil and drink as tea.
During widespread influenza outbreaks: decoct 10g Guanzhong, 12g Banlangen, 3g Sheng Gancao, one dose daily.