Cold and Flu Remedies: A Guide to Safe and Effective Use


Cold and Flu Remedies: A Guide to Safe and Effective Use

Cold and Flu Remedies: A Guide to Safe and Effective Use

Cold and flu remedies are a group of medications used to treat colds and the flu, helping the body recover quickly. This article provides detailed information on how to use cold and flu remedies effectively and safely.

# Precautions when using cold and flu remedies:

  • Use only during the initial stage of illness: Cold and flu remedies are only effective when the illness is in its early stages and has not progressed to a severe stage.
  • Dosage varies with climate: The dosage of medication may vary depending on the weather, climate, and the individual’s health.
  • Considerations for seniors, children, and pregnant women: These medications can be used, but dosage adjustments are necessary. Seniors may experience increased nighttime urination, while children may find it difficult to take medication.
  • Avoid long-term use: Prolonged use of cold and flu remedies can lead to a loss of bodily fluids, affecting the body. Consult a doctor to adjust the dosage accordingly.
  • Drink warm medication to induce sweating: Drinking warm medication helps the body sweat, which can quickly alleviate the illness.
  • Brew the medication quickly to avoid losing essential oils: Brewing medication quickly helps preserve its medicinal properties and prevents the loss of valuable essential oils.

# Combining cold and flu remedies:

  • For phlegm: Combine with cough suppressants to reduce coughing and loosen phlegm.
  • For significant pain: Combine with sedatives to reduce pain and improve sleep.
  • For difficulty sleeping: Combine with sedatives to promote better sleep.
  • For weakened bodies: Combine with tonifying and invigorating medications, and yin-nourishing medications to boost immunity and help the body fight illness effectively.
  • For traditional Chinese medicine cold and flu remedies: Combine with heat-clearing and detoxifying medications to enhance treatment effectiveness.

# Differentiating between two types of wind-cold conditions:

  • Exterior Real: No sweating, tight and rapid pulse, use Ephedra and Cinnamon Twig.
  • Exterior Empty: Sweating, weak and rapid pulse, use Cinnamon Twig and Ginger.

# Contraindications when using cold and flu remedies:

  • Fever without symptoms: Malaria, fever caused by parasites, do not use cold and flu remedies.
  • Spontaneous sweating, nocturnal sweating: Excessive sweating, do not use cold and flu remedies as it can affect electrolytes in the body.
  • High blood pressure: Exercise caution when using cold and flu remedies, consult a doctor.
  • Blood deficiency, blood loss: Do not use cold and flu remedies.
  • Fever due to yin deficiency, recurring fever: Do not use cold and flu remedies.
  • Boils have ruptured, rashes have fully appeared/disappeared: Do not use cold and flu remedies as it is too late.

# Herbs used to disperse wind-cold:

  • Angelica dahurica: Relieves cold, removes wind, relieves pain, eliminates pus, promotes blood circulation, regulates menstruation, strengthens muscles and tendons.
  • Large Perilla: Relieves cold, dispels wind, reduces swelling, promotes blood circulation, disperses stagnation.
  • Patchouli: Relieves cold, detoxifies, disperses stagnation, stops bleeding, removes wind, stops menstruation, benefits urination.
  • Ephedra: Relieves cold, opens the channels, calms wheezing, benefits urination, reduces edema.
  • Cinnamon Twig: Relieves cold, opens Yang Qi, warms the channels, promotes blood circulation, relieves pain.
  • Ginger: Dispels wind-cold, warms the stomach, stops vomiting, transforms phlegm, relieves cough, detoxifies, disinfects, sterilizes.
  • Perilla: Dispels wind-cold, promotes Qi circulation, harmonizes the stomach, strengthens the stomach, stops vomiting, clears phlegm, relieves cough, promotes Qi circulation, calms the fetus, sterilizes, detoxifies.
  • Mint: Relieves cold, heat, dampness, strengthens the stomach, benefits urination, reduces edema, sterilizes, promotes hair growth.
  • Xanthium: Relieves cold, opens the orifices, regulates menstruation.
  • Cinnamon Twig: Dispels wind-cold, removes wind, relieves pain, disperses stagnation, relieves cough.
  • Saposhnikovia divaricata: Dispels wind-cold, disperses wind-dampness.
  • Radix Bupleuri: Relieves cold, removes wind, relieves pain, promotes blood circulation, regulates menstruation, strengthens muscles and tendons.
  • Pogostemon cablin: Relieves cold, removes dampness, relieves pain.
  • Piper betle: Relieves cold, promotes Qi circulation, disperses wind-cold, reduces swelling, relieves pain, transforms phlegm, anti-itch.
  • Platycodon grandiflorum: Relieves cold, promotes blood circulation, opens Yang Qi, strengthens the stomach, relieves pain, benefits urination, sterilizes, anti-inflammatory, detoxifies.

# Herbs used to disperse wind-heat:

  • Chrysanthemum indicum: Dispels wind-heat, stimulates digestion, relieves pain.
  • Mentha haplocalyx: Dispels wind-heat, removes wind, relieves pain, strengthens the stomach, stops diarrhea, relieves cough, detoxifies.
  • Mulberry leaf: Dispels wind-heat, clears heat, moistens dryness, clears the liver and brightens the eyes, strengthens the exterior, stops sweating.
  • Chrysanthemum: Dispels wind-cold, clears heat, detoxifies, clears the liver and brightens the eyes, calms the liver and lowers blood pressure.
  • Radix Platycodi: Dispels wind-heat, generates fluids, relieves thirst, clears the intestines and stops dysentery, clears heart heat, lowers blood pressure.
  • Bupleurum chinense: Dispels wind-heat, soothes the liver, ascends Yang Qi, calms the liver and relieves stagnation, strengthens the spleen, replenishes the middle, lowers fever.
  • Cimicifuga foetida: Dispels wind-heat, relieves fever.
  • Rhizoma Dioscoreae oppositae: Dispels wind-heat, stimulates digestion, relieves anxiety, relieves irritability.
  • Dwarf bamboo leaf: Dispels wind-heat, benefits urination, clears lung heat.
  • Echinops sphaerocephalus: Dispels wind-heat, penetrates rashes, detoxifies, relieves allergies, moistens the intestines.
  • Forsythia suspensa: Dispels wind-heat, clears the liver and brightens the eyes, removes wind, relieves pain, promotes blood circulation, benefits menstruation, benefits urination.
  • Salvia miltiorrhiza: Dispels wind-heat, penetrates rashes, ascends Yang Qi, clears stomach heat, detoxifies.
  • Achyranthes bidentata: Dispels wind-heat, penetrates rashes, ascends Yang Qi, clears stomach heat, detoxifies.
  • Poria cocos: Dispels wind-heat, penetrates rashes, benefits urination, reduces edema.
  • Glycyrrhiza uralensis: Dispels wind-heat, relieves stagnation.

# Note:

  • The information in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
  • Always consult a doctor before taking any medication.
  • Use cold and flu remedies correctly and according to your doctor’s instructions to achieve optimal treatment outcomes.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!



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