Tag: flu

Stop the Cold NOW formula

Carol Griesmeyer

Yin qiao san is a bigger formula than Yu ping feng san. I will discuss a bit about all of the herbs and  explain a little about how an herbal formula is created in Chinese medicine.

This formula is used to treat Wind/Heat as most of the herbs are cooling. But any formula will have a few herbs that also cool. You usually don’t want to take it too far. This is a great formula to take at the merest hint that a cold is starting – you wake achy, sore throat, headache, tired (different from your usual morning). In many instances it can stop a cold in it’s tracks if you start taking within 6-12 hours, don’t wait until the end of the day.  You can ‘slam’ this herb by taking a dose very often the first day and then start spreading it out over the next 2 – 3 days. If you don’t notice much difference by the end of the second day you need a different formula.

Traditionally there is (are) one or two chief or emperor herbs in a Chinese formula.
In this formula we have Jin yin hua (lonicera – honeysuckle flower) and Lian Qiao (forsythia)
These are both the chief herbs. They release the exterior (open the pores for mild sweat), clear heat (help relieve fever) and relieve toxicity (eliminate the pathogen).
These actions are the focus of the formula.
As discussed a bit yesterday when the defensive or Wei qi is weak it cannot defend against invasion through the exterior. The Wei qi is considered our immune system and lives in the exterior of our body between the skin and muscles. The skin pores may be open, which let in the pathogen and they may close up trapping the pathogen inside. A mild sweat is encouraged to open the pores to release the pathogen. It is also recommended to keep wrapped up to prevent more invasion when the pores are open. It is a delicate balancing act. What this really means it we need to take time to help our bodies heal itself and give it rest and protection from more exposure.

Imagine a fox in a hen house. If you reinforce the fences and gates before you get the fox out, you’ll have no chickens left. Get the fox out first, then reinforce your defense network.

When we create a formula we want to consider whether the condition is basically hot or cold – fevers or chills. Herbs have temperature characteristics that address this. Everything here is balance – where there is heat – cool it; where there is cold – warm it up. Basic concept for thousands of years. We don’t follow this enough in many situations and again we follow it often but don’t understand it’s history.

The assistant herbs:
Jie geng (platycodon) and Niu bang zi (arctium) move Lung qi and help soothe the throat. Lung qi needs to move to get rid of phlegm and ease breathing.
Bo he (mint) and Dan dou chi (Sojae) release heat. Note mint is often used for sore throats and to cool, in general. It will help start a mild sweat which is why it cools you off.
Jing jie (schizomepeta) helps release the exterior but moderates the dryness that can come from too much sweating
Dan zhu yu (lophatheri), Lu gen (phragmitis), Gan cao (glycyrrhiza, licorice) help create fluids and alleviate thirst. Often with fever you sweat too much, get dehydrated. These help to
prevent dehydration.
Note, these groups balance each other – generate fluids, prevent fluid loss, open pores, control sweating.
Additional note: gan cao or licorice is often added to many  formulas as the one that consolidates all the flavors, makes it easier to digest and absorb, balances it all out.

I highly recommend you get to know this formula and Yu ping feng san. Get them from a licensed acupuncturist so they can guide you in the best and safest use for you.

Disclaimer: This information is for your education only. It is always advised that you speak with an acupuncturist before you use any Chinese herbal formula.  Herbal use is never recommended with pregnancy. I know herbal use is part of everyone’s heritage but most of us have lost touch with their wise and safe use. I also believe that everyone needs an acupuncturist as all of us have energy meridians that need to be kept is good shape. If you every get a tune-up for your car, go to the dentist or have your eyes checked,  you need a tune-up for your energy meridians. A licensed acupuncturist is the best person for the job.

An herbal formula for Cold prevention

Carol Griesmeyer

Fall and Winter are the seasons in which people think about getting the cold or flu.

In Chinese medicine we call it a Wind/Cold or Wind/Heat invasion or EPI – external pathogen invasion.

This formula is one that we start a lot of our patients on as kids go back to school. This formula is for prevention and for early symptoms of a cold. You can start taking it before you have symptoms. It is especially good if you are planning air travel. I start this 2 weeks before, take during the trip and continue for a week after. Rarely do we get hit by the airport / conference bugs.

Yu Ping Feng San. Translation: Jade Windscreen. As a cold or flu is referred to Wind/cold or heat, as mentioned above, you need a good windscreen to help prevent it’s invasion into your body. If your defensive qi (Wei) is weak it can be easily invaded by wind, cold, heat, dampness and result in the symptoms of a cold or flu. If the are more chills we call it Wind/Cold or more fever Wind/Heat. It is not unusual for Wind/Cold to convert to Wind/Heat in a matter of a few hours or always feel as if it was a Wind/Heat invasion.

Historically jade is a very precious stone in China, as valued as gold in the West. Its culture and history stretches 9,000 years back into the ancient and enormous Chinese empire. Jade has always been a special stone, used not just for fine objects but also as material for grave goods for the imperial family. It is believed to be a link between both the physical and the spiritual worlds, and is the only material that completely encapsulates both the yin and yang qualities of Heaven and Earth, earning it the moniker ‘The Stone of Heaven’.  Jade was considered a guardian against illness and evil spirits, which is why even babies in China are given a tiny jade bangle to wear to ward off bad luck. In the Han dynasty, emperors were buried in jade gowns and jade cicadas were placed on dead kings’ tongues to prevent decomposition and safeguard chi or energy.

It only has 3 herbs in it. One chief, two assistants. Most Chinese formulas have 4 or more herbs.

Huang qi  (astragulus) – a major herb used to support the protective (Wei) qi. Nourishes the Lungs, stabilizes the exterior (that has been invaded)

Fang feng (ledebouriella) – assistant herb: this herb releases the exterior and expels the wind. When the protective qi is unstable,  the skin pores can contract trapping the cold inside. It also expels Wind / Damp. With this you feel the achiness.

Bai zhu (atractylodis) – assistant herb to help the huang qi support the Spleen which thus supports the Lungs. In 5 Elements the Earth (Spleen) nourishes the Metal (Lungs). It is not easy to directly support the Lung qi so we have to go through Earth to do it.

Stay tuned in. Tomorrow we will discuss Yin Qiao San – Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder.

Disclaimer: This information is for your education only. It is always advised that you speak with an acupuncturist before you use any Chinese herbal formula.  Herbal use is never recommended with pregnancy.