halted completely at the beginning stage in any case. Finally, we may not see the patient until the
pathogenic factor is already in the Interior.
Even if, for any of the above reasons, we cannot stop the invasion at the exterior stage, it is still
important to stop it at the Qi Level as at this level the condition can become chronic and lead to
the development of post-viral fatigue syndromes or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
Differentiation and Treatment
The treatment principle of common cold and influenza must be solidly based on the
differentiation between Defensive-Qi and Qi Levels. At the Defensive-Qi Level it is imperative
to release the Exterior and expel Wind. At the Qi Level, the treatment principle is to clear Qi. In
greater detail, the principles of treatment of the two levels are as follows:
- DEFENSIVE-QI LEVEL (or Greater Yang Stage): release the Exterior, expel
Wind and restore the dispersing and descending of Lung-Qi. This is achieved by
using pungent and floating herbs which release the Exterior. In addition to this:
(a)Wind-Cold: expel Wind-Cold with pungentwarm herbs. Examples: Ma
Huang Herba Ephedrae and Gui Zhi Ramulus Cinnamomi cassiae.
The representative formula is Ma Huang Tang Ephedra Decoction.
(b)Wind-Heat: expel Wind and clear Heat with pungent-cool herbs.
Examples: Sang Ye Folium Mori albae, Bo He Herba Menthae and Ju
Hua Flos Chrysanthemi morifolii. The representative formulae are Yin
Qiao San Lonicera-Forsythia Powder and Sang Ju Yin
Morus-Chrysanthemum Decoction.
(c)Wind-Damp-Heat: expel Wind, resolve Dampness, clear Heat and
harmonize the Centre with herbs which fragrantly resolve Dampness
and release the Exterior. Examples: Huo Xiang Herba Agastachis, Pei
Lan Herba Eupatorii fortunei, Cao Guo Fructus Amomi Tsaoko and Zi
Su Ye Folium Perillae frutescentis. The representative formula is Huo
Xiang Zheng Qi San Agastache Upright Qi Powder.
(d)Wind-Dry-Heat: expel Wind, nourish fluids and clear Heat with
pungent-cool and sweetcool herbs. Examples: Sang Ye Folium Mori
albae and Tian Hua Fen Radix Trichosanthis. The representative
formula is Sang Xing Tang Morus-Prunus Decoction.- QI LEVEL: clear Heat at the Qi Level. Inaddition to this:
(a)Lung-Heat: clear Lung-Heat, restore the descending of Lung-Qi and
stop cough and asthma with pungent-cold herbs and sinking herbs.
Examples: Shi Gao Gypsum fibrosum and Xing Ren Semen Pruni
armeniacae. The representative formula is Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang