🌿 Folk Prescriptions

After enduring the torments of summer heat, Beijing welcomes the crisp, refreshing golden autumn. Yet, just as people finally breathe easy after the sweltering months, autumn-specific illnesses like colds, fevers, and cardiovascular diseases quietly emerge, threatening health. Professor He Ming, chief physician at Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Dongfang Hospital, and Dr. Liu Si-ren, deputy head of internal medicine at Beijing No. 6 Hospital, recently shared their insights with reporters, offering citizens “health secrets” from both Western and Eastern medical perspectives to navigate autumn safely.
Colds Spread Widespread and Hard to Prevent
Liu Si-ren pointed out that autumn sees rapid temperature drops and quick seasonal transitions, with large morning-evening temperature differences—making upper respiratory infections like colds rampant. These can even trigger complications such as pneumonia or heart disease. Elderly and children are most susceptible.
Symptoms: Typically begin with persistent sore throat and nasal congestion, possibly accompanied by hoarseness or worsening congestion. Other symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and sometimes mild fever.
Strategies: First, dress appropriately according to temperature changes—stay warm. Increase outdoor activities to boost physical strength and immunity. Drink more water, eat more fruits. Ensure daily ventilation—open windows for 30 minutes to an hour. Avoid crowded public places to reduce infection risk. Also, avoid contact with cold sufferers; wash hands after touching them or their belongings, and keep fingers away from eyes and nose.
He Ming noted that colds, pneumonia, and bronchitis can be prevented with traditional Chinese medicine—for example, taking Yu Ping Feng San granules (1–3 months), twice daily, one packet per dose. Alternatively, tailor remedies to individual constitution—like drinking American ginseng tea.
★ Special Reminder: From past cases, some elderly people self-medicate at the onset of colds, but improper medication worsens their condition, leading to pneumonia or other complications by the time they seek hospital care. Thus, elderly individuals should seek medical help promptly when suffering a cold.
Cardiovascular Diseases Take Advantage of Weakness
Dr. He Ming stated that autumn is a high-risk season for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Climate changes induce cold stimulation, exciting the sympathetic nervous system, constricting capillaries, raising blood pressure, increasing cardiac load, and causing cerebral ischemia. Additionally, dry autumn air leads to excessive fluid loss, thickened blood, slowed circulation—increasing 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. Practice work-rest balance—engage in moderate physical activity, rest regularly to prevent overfatigue.
Weight control is also crucial. Excess weight increases cardiac strain—limit total calorie intake, eat more fiber-rich foods to keep bowels moving and prevent constipation. Hypertensive patients must adhere to medication; hyperlipidemic patients should lower cholesterol. Quit smoking, limit alcohol—but moderate red wine is acceptable.
★ Special Reminder: Elderly individuals should carry nitroglycerin or Su Xiao Jiu Xin Wan for immediate use during emergencies.
Children’s Diarrhea Peaks in Late Autumn
Every autumn, childhood autumn diarrhea is as common as colds and fevers. Dr. He Ming explained from a TCM perspective: Children’s spleen and stomach are vulnerable to cold in autumn, making them prone to autumn diarrhea.
Symptoms: Autumn diarrhea is common in children. Peak incidence is from November to January of the following year. Infants under two years old are most affected, often experiencing severe symptoms. Children aged 4 to 36 months are most vulnerable. Before onset, there are usually one to two days of fever, cough, and runny nose, followed by explosive diarrhea—up to 10 times a day, sometimes as many as 30–40 times.
Strategies: Replenish fluids and electrolytes promptly. For mild cases, provide sufficient liquids orally—mix 500 ml rice gruel with 1.75 g salt, or boil 500 ml plain water with 10 g sugar and 1.75 g salt, then feed in divided doses. Hospital-prepared oral rehydration salts are even better.
★ Special Reminder: Seek medical attention immediately if a child develops diarrhea. Parents must monitor for increased heart rate and other signs. Also, ensure balanced diet to prevent malnutrition.
Autumn Dryness Attacks Health
Dr. He Ming noted that autumn’s transition to dryness significantly impacts health and metabolism. From a TCM standpoint, the human body closely interacts with climate and external environment—neglecting this can easily lead to illness. Autumn follows lingering summer heat and precedes winter cold, with dry air and intense sun—making dryness pathogenic. Early autumn combines heat and dryness, called “warm dryness”; late autumn near winter combines dryness with cold, termed “cool dryness.” Together, they are known as “autumn dryness.”
Symptoms: Dryness damages body fluids, causing yin deficiency and fire excess—manifesting as dry mouth and nose, thirst, hoarse voice, dry stool, and short, dark urine. Dryness invading the lungs leads to dry cough—dry, little phlegm, or blood-tinged sputum.
Strategies: Increase nutrition—proteins, vegetables—drink more water, and engage in moderate outdoor activity. Combat dryness with herbs like sand参 (adlay root), mai dong (Ophiopogon), yun zhu (Chinese goldthread), and bai he (lily). Prepare medicated dishes (porridge or soup)—e.g., Mai Dong Bai He Yin Er Tang, Yin Er Xian Ou Tang, Bing Tang Li Shui, or Ju Hua Mai Dong Cha—to clear heat and moisten lungs, providing health benefits. Cancer patients may consider Zhen Qi Fu Zheng Capsules or granules to enhance immunity.