The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
In Chinese Medicine, common cold is sometimes associated with Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs, a so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's common cold might be caused by the pattern Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from common cold alone. Indeed if common cold is caused by Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs, patients also experience symptoms such as headaches, chills without sweating, stuffy nose and dry throat. Similarly, patients with Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs so that you can have a better understanding of where common cold might find its root according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below Xing Su San, a formula that can help treat Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs.
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with common cold
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Xing Su San
Symptoms: Phlegm Headaches Dry cough Dry throat Stuffy nose Chills without sweating
Common cold might be due to Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as headaches, chills without sweating, stuffy nose and dry throat. Similarly, patients with Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
Xing Su San, a herbal formula that might help with common cold
Xing Su San
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Clears Dry-Cold. Disseminates the Lung Qi and relieves cough. Transforms thin mucus.
Why might Xing Su San help with common cold?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs, a pattern sometimes associated with common cold. If it looks like you might suffer from Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to common cold
Headaches Chills without sweating Stuffy nose Dry throat Phlegm Dry cough
