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Tailoring Cold Remedies to the Climate

When comparing winter in California to winter here in Georgia, one discovers that not all colds are created equal. The California version is treated by Chinese herbalists using Yin Qiao San, with a main ingredient of honeysuckle (jin yin hua). This is an excellent herbal formula for the initial stage of cold symptoms in warm and dry weather, as it clears wind-heat and relieves toxicity. Yin Qiao San helps to alleviate sore throat, slight chills, dry cough, thirst and fever. Yet this wonderful remedy is not nearly as effective in Georgia’s cold, damp winter climate.

Initial stages of the Southern grown cold seem to include nose congestion with mucus, sinus headache, productive cough, stiffness of neck, chills and fever, and body aches. To remedy these symptoms, the modified Ren Shen Bai Du San formula works wonders. The herbs contained in it expel the pathogenic influences due to wind-cold-dampness. Radix et Rhizoma Notopterygii (qiang huo) and Radix Angelicae Pubescentis (du huo), the chief herbs, dispel wind-cold from the exterior, dispel dampness and alleviate pain.

Chinese herbalists typically check the pulse and the tongue to differentiate the symptoms. For a wind-heat condition, pulse is rapid and floating and the tongue is red at the tip with thin white or yellow coating. For wind-colddamp condition, pulse is tight and floating and the tongue has a thick white coating.

To find out more, contact Dr. Aaron Sui at the Acupuncture
Wellness Center of Atlanta at 678-899-6432 or visit www.acupunctureman.com.