Back to School: Stay Healthy with Herbal Medicine (Part 2)

Last week we discussed Jade Windscreen Powder and how it can protect against catching a cold this fall season. Today, we're going to talk about what to do when you start to come down with something.

Let's say you're starting to notice some fever and chills, headache, stiff neck, nasal congestion, maybe the beginnings of an upset stomach, and sweating doesn't seem to relieve the symptoms. Well, your acupuncturist is likely to tell you that you have what we call externally-contracted wind-cold, or a wind-cold invasion. Basically, you caught the flu.


This happens when there is a disharmony between the nutritive qi and the protective qi. While normally these two regulate and support each other, during a wind-cold invasion, that mutual support is lost. We talked a bit before about the protective qi guarding the body from infection, working as the "Chinese medicine immune system" at the body's exterior. Nutritive qi nourishes and stabilizes the interior, regulating the function of protective qi as well as serving as a reservoir for it. These principles were all developed by this guy:

This is Zhang Zhong Jing, one of the early rockstars of Chinese medicine. He compiled a book of herbal formulas in the 3rd century specifically designed to treat colds and flus, along with other miscellaneous diseases plaguing Han Dynasty China. Arguably the most important formula written by Zhang is Gui Zhi Tang, or Cinnamon Twig Decoction, the first formula we look to in treating a wind-cold invastion. 

Cinnamon Twig Decoction

This formula contains 5 ingredients and is typically cooked for about 20 minutes and taken as a hot tea. The main ingredient is cinnamon, and man, does that make for a wonderfully fragrant and tasty formula! Here's the breakdown of herbs: Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Bai Shao Yao (White Peony Root), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger Root),  Da Zao (Jujube Fruit), and Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice Root).

Gui Zhi, the chief ingredient, is warm in nature and releases externally-contracted wind-cold from the muscle layer. Bai Shao acts as its deputy, meaning these two herbs have a synergistic function. Together they work to enhance the protective qi's ability to expel pathogens while strengthening the body's nutritive qi. This means that in addition to helping strengthen the immune response to infections, this formula simultaneously boosts the immune system from the inside out. (Imagine putting archers along the walls of a fort while also bolstering the walls from the inside!) 

Sheng Jiang helps Gui Zhi to kick out invading pathogens while settling the stomach, helping to treat nausea or vomiting. 

Da Zao works with Bai Shao to nourish and harmonize the qi and blood, further augmenting the effective strength of the protective qi. 

Zhi Gan Cao has a mild qi-nourishing action but is traditionally used in this formula and many others to harmonize the actions of all the ingredients.

Like Jade Windscreen Powder, this formula is very safe and effective, particularly if you begin treating the cold right at or before the onset of symptoms. Before symptoms? Yes! Even before you start to feel feverish or achy, your acupuncturist will notice changes in your pulse that indicate you'll be coming down with something within the next few days - so make sure you're coming in regularly to stay ahead of the flu curve!

What if you've been sick for a few days before calling your acupuncturist? Maybe the fever's worse, you've developed a sore throat or cough? That requires a different formula, so stay tuned for part 3!