Frequent Colds Or Flu in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different frequent colds or flu patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Frequent colds or flu, a common health concern, typically manifest as recurrent infections of the respiratory tract. While a single episode of a cold or flu is not unusual, frequent occurrences can indicate underlying health issues.
This condition encompasses a range of symptoms, including a propensity to catch colds, increased susceptibility to respiratory infections, and recurring bouts of cold or flu-like symptoms. These repeated episodes can be draining and affect one's overall health and well-being.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches frequent colds or flu from a holistic perspective, viewing them as a reflection of imbalances within the body's systems. TCM posits that these recurring illnesses stem from an underlying disharmony, often related to deficiencies in vital energy, or Qi.
The focus is on identifying and treating the specific pattern of disharmony causing the symptoms, whether it be a deficiency in Qi, an imbalance of Yin and Yang, or an invasion of external pathogenic factors.
TCM Patterns for Frequent Colds Or Flu
Qi Deficiency
Causes: Propensity to catch colds, Frequent Colds or Flu, Frequent colds or flu
Lung Qi Deficiency
Propensity to catch colds
Along with: Daytime sweating, Dislike of speaking
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
Frequent Colds or Flu
Along with: Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Generalized fatigue, Palpitations, Depression, Spontaneous sweat, Sighing
Qi Deficiency
Frequent colds or flu
Along with: General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Shortness of breath
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
Frequent Colds or Flu
Along with: Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs, Diarrhea, Obesity, Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Spontaneous sweat, Dislike of speaking, Aversion to cold
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Frequent Colds or Flu
Lung Yang Deficiency
Frequent Colds or Flu
Along with: Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Pale face, Generalized fatigue, Shortness of breath, Absence of thirst, Wheezing, Weak voice
Herbal Formulas for Frequent Colds Or Flu
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address frequent colds or flu
Si Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Propensity to catch colds
Accompanying symptoms:
Daytime sweating, Dislike of speaking
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent Colds or Flu
Accompanying symptoms:
Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Generalized fatigue...
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent Colds or Flu
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Pale face, Generalized fatigue, Shortness of breath...
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent colds or flu
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent Colds or Flu
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs...
Jiu Xian San
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Secures the Lungs
- Stops coughing
- Augments Qi
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Propensity to catch colds
Accompanying symptoms:
Daytime sweating, Dislike of speaking
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Lungs
- Strengthens the Stomach
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent Colds or Flu
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Pale face, Generalized fatigue, Shortness of breath...
Bu Fei Tang
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Stabilizes the Exterior
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Propensity to catch colds
Accompanying symptoms:
Daytime sweating, Dislike of speaking
Sheng Mai San
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments Qi
- Supplies the Yin
- Stops excessive sweating
- Generates Body Fluids
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Lung Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent Colds or Flu
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum, Cold extremities, Spontaneous sweat, Pale face, Generalized fatigue, Shortness of breath...
Ren Shen Ge Jie San
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi
- Augments the Kidneys
- Stops coughing
- Arrests wheezing
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Propensity to catch colds
Accompanying symptoms:
Daytime sweating, Dislike of speaking
Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Restores the pulse
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Propensity to catch colds
Accompanying symptoms:
Daytime sweating, Dislike of speaking
Bao Yuan Tang
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Qi and warms the Yang
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent Colds or Flu
Accompanying symptoms:
Shortness of breath, Coughing, Weak voice, Dislike of speaking, Pale face, Generalized fatigue...
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Clears Phlegm and mucus
- Promotes appetite
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent colds or flu
Accompanying symptoms:
General weakness, Weak voice, Generalized fatigue, Apathy, Dislike of speaking, Spontaneous sweat...
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent Colds or Flu
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs...
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Addresses these frequent colds or flu patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner)
- Raises the Yang
- Detoxifies
- Lifts what has sunken
Addresses These Frequent Colds Or Flu Pattern Variations
Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency
How it manifests:
Frequent Colds or Flu
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Pale face, Weak limbs...