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.
Possible causes and remedies:
Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Symptoms: Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness and three other symptoms
Recommended formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Recommended formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, influenza can be associated with four 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", as a matter of fact here influenza can be caused by four different patterns.
To understand whether someone's influenza might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from influenza alone. For instance when influenza is caused by the pattern Heat in Yang brightness Organs, patients also experience symptoms such as severe constipation, flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness. Similarly, patients with Heat in Yang brightness Organs typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a tongue with grey or black coating, yellow coating.
We've listed below a description of the four patterns associated with influenza so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities 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 twenty formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with influenza, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Heat in Yang brightness Organs
Pulse type(s): Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Grey or black coating, Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Symptoms: Flatulence Focal distention Abdominal fullness Severe constipation Tense and firm abdomen Abdominal pain that increases upon pressure
Influenza might be due to Heat in Yang brightness Organs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as severe constipation, flatulence, focal distention and abdominal fullness. Similarly, patients with Heat in Yang brightness Organs typically exhibit full (Shi) pulses as well as a tongue with grey or black coating, yellow coating.
Rhubarb (Da Huang) is the key herb for Da Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Yang Excess
Recommended herbal formula: Da Cheng Qi Tang
Influenza might be due to Yang Excess if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as .
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the key herb for Da Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu), Tight (Jin)
Recommended herbal formula: Da Qing Long Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Irritability Generalized body pain Severe fever and chills without sweating
Influenza might be due to Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as severe fever and chills without sweating, generalized body pain, thirst and irritability. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation typically exhibit floating (Fu) or tight (Jin) pulses.
Read more about Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation here
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the key herb for Da Qing Long Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Da Qing Long Tang
Symptoms: Thirst Irritability Absence of sweating Feeling of heaviness Generalized body pain Alternating fever and chills Superficial edema in the extremities
Influenza might be due to Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as feeling of heaviness, generalized body pain, superficial edema in the extremities and alternating fever and chills. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs typically exhibit tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with sticky coating, thick white coating.
The top herbs in Da Cheng Qi Tang are Rhubarb (Da Huang), Mirabilites (Mang Xiao) and Immature Bitter Oranges (Zhi Shi)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Purges Heat from the Stomach and Intestines. Relieves constipation.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Heat in Yang brightness Organs and Yang Excess which are sometimes associated with influenza. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Da Qing Long Tang are Ephedra (Ma Huang), Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Promotes sweating. Releases the Exterior. Clears Interior Heat.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation and Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs which are sometimes associated with influenza. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Ma Huang Tang are Ephedra (Ma Huang), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Apricot Seeds (Xing Ren)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Releases exterior cold. Treats wheezing.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Yin Qiao San are Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua), Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao) and Platycodon Roots (Jie Geng)
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Wind Heat. Clears Heat. Resolves Toxicity.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Dispels Wind and Dampness. Augments Qi.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Jing Fang Bai Du San are Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie), Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) and Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo)
Source date: 1550 AD
Number of ingredients: 13 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Dispels Wind and Dampness. Augments Qi.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Sang Ju Yin are Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), Chrysanthemum Flowers (Ju Hua) and Forsythia Fruits (Lian Qiao)
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Wind. Stops coughing by invigorating Lung Qi. Clears Heat.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Gui Zhi Tang are Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) and Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Releases pathogens from the muscle layer. Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Bai Hu Tang are Gypsum (Shi Gao), Anemarrhena Rhizomes (Zhi Mu) and Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Clears Qi-level Heat. Drains Stomach Fire. Generates fluids. Alleviates thirst.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang are Mulberry Leaves (Sang Ye), Gypsum (Shi Gao) and Dwarf Lilyturf Roots (Mai Dong)
Source date: 1658 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears dryness. Moistens the Lungs.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Cong Chi Tang are Scallions (Cong Bai) and Fermented Soybeans (Dan Dou Chi)
Source date: 3rd Centry
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior . Induces sweating .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang are Scallions (Cong Bai), Fermented Soybeans (Dan Dou Chi) and Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Source date: 1108 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Unblocks the Yang Qi (Defensive Qi) in the Exterior . Induces sweating .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Jia Wei Xiang Su San are Perilla Leaves (Zi Su Ye), Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) and Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng)
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Promote sweating . Releases the Exterior .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Shi Shen Tang are Perilla Leaves (Zi Su Ye), Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) and Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu)
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Releases pathogens from the Exterior . Regulates Qi . Descends the Lung Qi . Relieves coughing .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Jin Fei Cao San are Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua), Ephedra (Ma Huang) and Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie)
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Wind-Cold. Descends Lung Qi. Transform Phlegm . Stop cough and calms wheezing .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Chai Ge Jie Ji Tang are Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen) and Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo)
Source date: 1445 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Releases pathogenic evils from the muscle layer . Clears Interior Heat .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Da Yuan Yin are Tsaoko Fruits (Cao Guo), Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) and Areca Nuts (Bing Lang)
Source date: 1642 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Opens the membrane source by thrusting out pathogens. Clears away filth. Transforms turbidity.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Zhu Ye Shi Gao Tang are Gypsum (Shi Gao), Lophatherum Herbs (Dan Zhu Ye) and Ginseng (Ren Shen)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Generates Body Fluids. Strengthens and regulates Qi.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin are Vietnamese Balm (Xiang Ru), Hyacinth Bean Flowers (Bian Dou Hua) and Hyacinth Beans (Bai Bian Dou)
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Dispels Summerheat. Releases the Exterior. Clears Heat. Transforms Dampness .
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
The top herbs in Bu Fei Tang are Ginseng (Ren Shen), Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) and Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi)
Source date: 1331 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Stabilizes the Exterior.
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat , a pattern sometimes associated with influenza. If it looks like you might suffer from , this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).