🌿 Folk Prescriptions

Influenza is a shortened term for epidemic influenza, an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by influenza virus and transmitted via droplets. Its incubation period is generally 1–3 days. Onset is abrupt, primarily presenting high fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, while respiratory symptoms may not be severe initially. After 2–3 days, systemic symptoms gradually subside, but nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, dry cough become prominent. A few patients may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as nosebleeds, poor appetite, nausea, constipation, or diarrhea.
Although it is already early spring now, sudden temperature fluctuations still require vigilance and prevention of influenza.
TCM regards influenza 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 aversion to cold without sweating, headache, body aches, nasal obstruction, cough, expectoration of thin white phlegm, thin white moist coating on the tongue, floating-tight pulse (easily felt upon light touch, with a taut sensation).
For this pattern, use pungent-warm exterior-releasing methods. Commonly used formula: Jingfang Baidu San:
Formula: 15g each of Jingjie, Fangfeng, Qianghuo, Duohuo, Chaihu, Qianhu, Chuanxiong, Zhiqiao, Fuling, Jiegeng; 5g Gancao.
Additions: Dosages may vary based on individual condition. If aversion to cold is severe, add Ma Huang and Gui Zhi to enhance diaphoresis.
Wind-Heat Pattern
Main symptoms include moderate fever, slight chills, minimal sweating, head distention, sticky yellow phlegm, yellow turbid nasal discharge, thin yellow tongue coating with red edges and tip, 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:
Formula: 15g each of Lianqiao, Yinhua; 6g each of Jiegeng, Bohe, Gancao, Niubangzi; 10g each of Zhu Ye, Jingjie, Douchi.
Additions: For sore throat, add Ma Bo and Xuan Shen; for nosebleeds, omit Jingjie and Douchi, add Bai Mao Gen and Ce Bai Tan; for cough, add Xingren.
Summer-Dampness Pattern
Main symptoms include fever, little sweating, body aches, heavy-headedness, eye pain, sticky mouth, chest tightness, nausea, short red urine, thin yellow greasy tongue coating, slippery-rapid pulse (rapid but sluggish pulse).
This pattern should be treated with clearing summer-heat, removing dampness, and releasing exterior. Commonly used formula: Xiangru Yin:
Formula: 9g each of Yinhua, Lianqiao, Bian Dou; 6g each of Xiangru, Houpu.
Additions: For severe heat, add Huanglian and Qinghao; for heavy body sensation, add Doujuan and Peilan to transform dampness and release exterior. For vomiting and nausea, add Cangzhu, Kouren, Banxia, Chenpi.
All three formulas should be decocted with water (if inconvenient, ready-made preparations are available at pharmacies). Decoct gently—do not over-boil. Drink warm after preparation. After taking, cover up and avoid wind to induce sweat, or eat hot congee or rice soup to assist the medicine’s effect. After sweating, remain cautious against wind and cold to prevent re-infection.
In addition, during seasons prone to influenza outbreaks, prevention is crucial. Readers may select the following formulas based on 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 into tea for drinking.
During widespread influenza outbreaks: 10g Guanzhong, 12g Banlangen, 3g Sheng Gancao. Decoct and take once daily.