Treating Colds and Flu*
What is the difference between and cold and the Flu?
Cold: Temperature less than 101.5: Headache less likely; Mild loss of appetite; Mild aches and pains: Slight fatigue; No exhaustion; Stuffy nose; Sneezing; Sore throat; mild cough; Lasts 2-3 days, Average one week, can last up to two weeks.
Flu: Fever can be high, 102-104 lasting 3-4 days; Prominent headache; Loss of appetite; Can have severe aches and pains; Can have severe fatigue and weakness lasting up to 3 weeks; Exhaustion. Can have stuffy nose, sneezing an sore throat; Can have severe cough, Can linger up to three weeks.
Treatment: for the beginning of a cold with slight fever, congestion, mild coughing, slight headache, mild sore throat Cold away; or Isatis Gold with Isatis, Echinacea and Golden Seal if there is more inflammation and fever.
Treatment of phase one of the Flu – Prevention.
Siler and Platycodon Formula to assist in the elimination of wind heat and toxin from the body; Jade Screen Formula boost the wei chi (bodies resistance to external invasion); Six Gentlemen Formula strengthens chi and the spleen, transforms phlegm and damp; Ling Zhi Lung Formula for allergic asthma with weakened immunity; Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) for adrenal exhaustion.
Treatment of phase two of the flu – Initial exposure. Dr. John Heuertz, DOM in his article “Effective Strategies for Treating Influenza” points out that during this phase the virus is traveling from its entry point (the eyes, nose, or mouth) down through the trachea and into the bronchia and lungs.
Cold Away; Astra Isatis; Andrographis Formula; Yin Chiao Formula especially if the first sign is a tickle in the throat.
Treatment of phase three the fully engaged phase. Symptoms have lasted for more than three days, exhaustion/ fatigue, loss of appetite, body aches, fever and cough. Mulberry and Lycium Formula is used when there are severe body aches and phlegm is not prominent. When fever is the most prominent sign Siler and Platycodon Formula. To stop cough rectify energy and resolve phlegm Ginseng and Scute combination is suggested.
*Golden Flower Chinese Herb Newsletter, article by Dr. John Heuertz, DOM “Effective Strategies for Treating Influenza.”