🌿 Folk Prescriptions

After enduring the torment of summer heat, Beijing welcomes the crisp, refreshing autumn. Yet, just as people finally breathe easier, autumn-specific illnesses like colds, fever, and cardiovascular diseases quietly emerge, threatening health. Professor He Ming, chief physician at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine’s Dongfang Hospital, and Associate Director Liu Si-ren of Internal Medicine at Beijing No. 6 Hospital recently shared expert tips with reporters, offering citizens "health secrets" for a safe autumn transition from both Western and traditional Chinese medicine perspectives.
Colds Spread Widely and Are Hard to Avoid
Liu Si-ren pointed out that autumn brings falling temperatures, rapid seasonal shifts, and large morning-evening temperature differences—making upper respiratory infections like colds rampant. These can even trigger complications such as pneumonia and heart disease. Elderly and young children are particularly susceptible.
Symptoms: Typically begin with persistent sore throat and nasal congestion, possibly accompanied by hoarseness or nasal blockage—worsening over time. Additional symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and sometimes mild fever.
Strategies: First, dress appropriately according to temperature changes and stay warm. Increase outdoor activities to strengthen the body and boost immunity. Drink more water and eat more fruits. Ensure daily ventilation—open windows for 30 minutes to one hour. Minimize visits to crowded public places to reduce infection risk. Also, avoid contact with sick individuals. Wash hands after touching sick people or their belongings; avoid touching eyes and nose with fingers.
Professor He Ming noted that colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis can be prevented with Chinese herbs—for example, taking Yu Ping Feng San (Jade Screen Powder) granules for 1–3 months, twice daily, one packet each time. Alternatively, choose ginseng tea based on individual constitution.
★ Special Reminder: In past years, some elderly people self-medicated during early cold stages, resulting in worsening conditions and hospitalization due to complications like pneumonia. Thus, elderly individuals should seek medical attention promptly when suffering a cold.
Cardiovascular Diseases Exploit Weakness
Professor He Ming emphasized that autumn is a high-risk season for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Climate changes and cold stimuli activate the sympathetic nervous system, constrict capillaries, raise blood pressure, increase cardiac load, and reduce cerebral blood flow. Additionally, dry autumn air increases fluid loss, thickens blood, slows circulation—raising stroke risk.
Symptoms: Persistent fatigue, dizziness, irritability, chest discomfort, palpitations during activity, frequent or severe angina attacks.
Strategies: Maintain emotional stability—avoid stress and emotional excitement. Balance work and rest—engage in moderate physical activity, schedule regular breaks to prevent overfatigue.
Weight control is also crucial. Excess weight increases cardiac burden—limit total calorie intake, eat more fiber-rich foods, and maintain regular bowel movements to prevent constipation. Hypertensive patients must adhere to medication; hyperlipidemic patients should lower cholesterol. Quit smoking and limit alcohol—but moderate red wine is acceptable.
★ Special Reminder: Elderly individuals should carry nitroglycerin or Su Xiao Jiu Xin Wan (Quick-Relief Heart Pill) for immediate use during emergencies.
Childhood Diarrhea Peaks in Late Autumn
Every autumn, childhood autumn diarrhea is as common as colds and fevers. Professor He Ming explained from a TCM perspective: autumn’s cold and cool weather easily affects children’s spleen and stomach, making them prone to autumn diarrhea.
Symptoms: Autumn diarrhea is a common childhood illness, peaking from November to January next year. Children under two are most vulnerable, with severe symptoms. Children aged 4 months to 36 months are especially at risk. Before onset, there are usually one or two days of fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by explosive diarrhea—up to 10 times per day, sometimes reaching 30–40 times.
Strategies: Replenish fluids and electrolytes promptly. For mild cases, provide sufficient liquids orally—mix 500 ml rice gruel with 1.75 grams salt and feed in portions. Alternatively, boil 500 ml water with 10 grams sugar and 1.75 grams salt, then administer in portions. Hospital-prepared oral rehydration salts are ideal.
★ Special Reminder: Seek medical attention immediately if a child develops diarrhea. Parents should monitor for signs like rapid heartbeat. Also, ensure balanced diet to prevent malnutrition.
Autumn Dryness Attacks Health
Professor He Ming stated that autumn’s drying climate significantly impacts health and metabolism. From a TCM viewpoint, humans closely interact with environmental changes. Neglecting this can easily lead to illness. Autumn follows summer’s residual heat and precedes winter’s cold—combined with dryness and intense sun, dry pathogens easily invade. Early autumn’s combined heat and dryness attack the body—called "warm dryness." Late autumn, as cold winds intensify, dryness combines with cold—called "cool dryness." Both are collectively referred to as "autumn dryness."
Symptoms: Autumn dryness depletes body fluids, causing yin deficiency and internal fire—manifesting as dry mouth and nose, sore throat, hoarseness, dry stools, and short, dark urine. Dryness damaging the lungs leads to dry coughs—characterized by little phlegm, or blood-tinged sputum.
Strategies: Increase nutrition—protein, vegetables, and water. Engage in moderate outdoor activity. Use moistening herbs like saffron, ophiopogon, bamboo shoot, and lily in medicinal dishes (porridge or soup). Also consider decoctions like Ophiopogon and Lily Silver Ear Soup, Fresh Lotus Root and Silver Ear Soup, boiled pear with rock sugar, or chrysanthemum and ophiopogon tea—all effective for clearing heat and moistening lungs. Cancer patients may use Zhengqi Fuzheng Capsules or granules to enhance immunity.