Get Ready for Cold & Flu Season with Chinese Herbal Medicine

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Cold and flu season is upon us, and as the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, our bodies are more vulnerable to illness. But don’t worry—there’s a natural way to stay ahead of the game. At Best Chinese Medicines, we believe that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers one of the most powerful, effective, and natural approaches to boosting your immune system and keeping you healthy during this time of year.

Let’s explore some of the top Chinese herbal formulas that can help you defend against cold and flu, as well as tips on how to stay healthy from the inside out.

How to Stay Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

Cold and flu viruses thrive in cooler weather and closed environments, making it easier for germs to spread. While modern medicine has made significant strides in treating illness, prevention is key when it comes to staying healthy during the cold and flu season. By supporting your immune system before you get sick, you give your body the strength it needs to fend off illness.

Besides Chinese herbs, there are a few lifestyle choices you can make to boost your immune system naturally:

• Eat a Balanced Diet: A healthy immune system starts with a nutritious diet. This doesn’t mean completely overhauling your eating habits overnight—just try to limit processed foods, focus on whole ingredients, and avoid too much sugar or artificial sweeteners. Small, sustainable changes in your diet can go a long way toward keeping you strong and resilient.

As our herbalist, John Anthony Bright, advises, “The basis for staying free of colds and flu is a healthy diet. In my practice I advise clients to take an honest look at where they are now, and then we pick one or two things to change for the better. This is because it is important to experience a transition to healthier food choices as something that is fun and positive that you can experience success at (rather than get discouraged and fall completely off the wagon). 

“The only specific recommendations for boosting the immune system I make to clients are to attempt to limit processed food to the extent that it is possible, to try to only take in sugar when it occurs naturally (e.g. sprouted bread vs. white or wheat, whole fruit as opposed to fruit juice), and to avoid artificial sweeteners. 

“Otherwise just do your best—and monitor how you feel (physically and emotionally) as your food choices change… you might just be amazed at how just a few dietary adjustments can really alter your daily experience of life for the better.”

• Supplement Wisely: Vitamins C and D are important immune boosters, but they’re best taken consistently rather than in high doses when you’re already feeling run down. Aim to get these nutrients from foods like citrus fruits, red bell peppers, and leafy greens, and supplement if necessary, especially during the winter months when sunlight (and therefore natural vitamin D) is harder to come by.

Now that we’ve covered a few general tips, let’s dive into how Chinese herbal medicine can play an important role in your cold and flu prevention strategy.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Cold, Flu, and Covid-9 Prevention

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, colds, flus, Covid-9, and other viral infections are seen as “wind invasions” that disrupt the body’s natural balance. These are classified as either wind-cold or wind-heat, depending on your symptoms:

• Wind-Cold Invasion: Symptoms include chills, body aches, runny nose, and an aversion to wind or cold. In TCM, these symptoms are a sign of an external pathogen attacking the body’s surface.
  
• Wind-Heat Invasion: Symptoms include sore throat, fever, headache, and red eyes. Here, the body is reacting to an external heat pathogen. Covid-19 viral disease is typically seen as a “wind-heat” invasion. 

Chinese Herbal Formulas for Prevention & Mild Symptom Relief

Rather than only treating the symptoms of a cold or flu, TCM aims to address the underlying cause by restoring balance to the body and preventing illness before it takes hold. Herbs can either boost your immune system proactively or help expel pathogens at the first signs of illness. Let’s take a look at some of the top formulas that can help you stay strong and healthy throughout the season.

Jade Screen (Yu Ping Feng San): A Proactive Defense

If you tend to catch colds easily, Jade Screen might be your best ally. This classic formula is designed to strengthen the body’s defensive Qi, or immune energy, helping you build resilience over time. It’s especially helpful for those with an underlying deficiency or those who frequently fall ill during cold and flu season.

Jade Screen is not a quick fix—it’s meant to be taken consistently for 2-3 months to fortify your body and prevent future infections. Because it primarily focuses on boosting Qi, this formula works slowly to help build a strong immune defense. If you’re looking for preventative care, Jade Screen is your go-to choice.

We are pleased to offer a selection of Jade Screen formulas, including:

Yin Qiao San: Catch Colds Early

The best time to combat a cold is right at the onset—before it takes root in your lungs or deeper into your system. That’s where Yin Qiao San comes in. This herbal blend is designed to release the exterior, or in simpler terms, push out the invading virus while it’s still in the early stages.

Yin Qiao is most effective when taken at the first signs of wind-heat symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever, or body aches. The goal is to keep the virus from sinking deeper into the body, allowing you to bounce back more quickly. Think of Yin Qiao as your “first responder” when cold and flu symptoms begin to appear.

We are pleased to offer a selection of Yin Qiao formulas, including:

Sang Ju Yin Wan: Soothe a Dry Cough

If a dry, irritating cough is one of your first signs of illness, consider Sang Ju Yin Wan. Like Yin Qiao, this formula releases the exterior and vents the virus out of the body before it can progress. However, Sang Ju Yin Wan is particularly effective for coughs that accompany a cold or flu.

Pair this formula with one of the antiviral formulas below to catch your cold early and get back to health faster.

We offer a selection of Sang Ju Yin Wan formulas:

Antiviral Formulas for Complete Early Symptom Care

Once you’ve started taking either Yin Qiao or Sang Ju Yin Wan, you can pair them with an anti-viral formula for a more targeted approach and better relief. These formulas specifically target the virus and help reduce symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, and cough.

Gan Mao Ling: General Cold & Flu Relief

If you’re looking for a formula that covers a broad range of cold and flu symptoms, Gan Mao Ling is a great choice. It provides general symptom relief and can be taken alongside Yin Qiao or Sang Ju Yin Wan to bolster your defenses at the first sign of illness.

We offer a number of Gan Mao Ling formulas, from tincture to pills:

Chuan Xin Lian Pian: Combat a Sore Throat

For sore throats that feel like razor blades when you swallow, Chuan Xin Lian Pian is the go-to remedy. This formula, which contains andrographis, specifically targets sore throats and viral infections. It also supports lymphatic drainage, helping to clear dead viruses from your system and reducing fever.

Here’s a selection of our Chuah Xin Lian formulas, by different brands, all of the highest quality:

Ban Lan Gen Pian: Lower Fever & Cleanse the Lymph

If fever and swollen glands are your primary symptoms, Ban Lan Gen Pian offers broader relief throughout the body. This formula is particularly effective at lowering fever and cleansing the lymph system, making it a powerful tool for fighting off a stubborn cold or flu.

We carry a selection of Ban Len Gen Pian formulas:

Chinese Herbal Remedies for Nasal Congestion

Colds and flu often come with frustrating nasal symptoms. Whether you’re dealing with sinus pain, congestion, or allergies, TCM offers formulas to help clear the airways.

Pe Min Kan Wan: Relieve Sinus Pressure

If your cold has progressed to a sinus infection with yellow nasal discharge and pain, Pe Min Kan Wan can help. This formula addresses both sinus congestion and inflammation, giving much-needed relief from sinus pressure and helping to clear out mucus.

We carry a variety of Pe Min Kan Wan formulas:

Bi Yan Pian: Ease Allergies and Congestion

For those suffering from pollen allergies or hay fever, Bi Yan Pian is an excellent option. It targets nasal congestion caused by seasonal allergies, including symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and red, itchy eyes.

We carry a variety of Bi Yan Pian formulas:

Conquer Cold and Flu Season with the Chinese Medicine Cabinet

Taking care of your health during cold and flu season doesn’t have to be complicated. By making smart lifestyle choices and using the power of Chinese herbal medicine, you can strengthen your immune system and reduce the likelihood of falling ill. 

Whether you’re looking for preventative care with formulas like Jade Screen, or fast-acting relief with Yin Qiao San and anti-viral formulas, you’ll be well-prepared to face whatever this season throws your way.

Explore our selection of Chinese herbal formulas for cold, flu, and Covid to take charge of your health today!