The common cold, also known as upper respiratory tract infection, is a prevalent illness. Many people tend to self-medicate upon experiencing symptoms. However, improper medication not only fails to achieve the desired therapeutic effect but may also delay the optimal treatment window.
Traditional Chinese medicine categorizes the common cold into four types: wind-cold, wind-heat, summer-dampness, and deficiency-cold, with wind-cold and wind-heat being the most common. Yu Huiyong explains that wind-cold colds are characterized by fever, a general feeling of cold, but no throat pain or thirst; in contrast, wind-heat colds feature fever, throat pain, and thirst.
If you catch a cold, determine its type based on your symptoms and treat accordingly. The treatment for wind-cold colds focuses on relieving the exterior with pungent-warm herbs and dispersing cold from the lungs. Common medications include Cold Relief Granules, Jingfang Granules, or Ge Gen Decoction, among others. For wind-heat colds, the treatment emphasizes relieving the exterior with pungent-cool herbs and dispelling wind-heat. Common medications include Yin Qiao San, Jin Hua Qing Gan Granules, or Lian Hua Qing Wen (for high fever) and other pungent-cool exterior-releasing drugs.
In the winter, when respiratory illnesses are rampant, understanding the differences between wind-cold and wind-heat colds and selecting appropriate medications can not only swiftly alleviate symptoms but also minimize the harm done to our bodies by the disease.
Planning: Zhan Zhao
Directors: Song Yajuan, Xiao Chunfang, Zhang Mengfan
Production: Xiao Chunfang