Herbal Medicine for Cold and Flu Season
Jade Windscreen Decoction
玉屏風汤 - Yu Ping Feng Tang
We’ve been making this formula for years and often gift it to our family members for the holidays. Not only does it benefit your health, it is also just a delicious tea and a lovely ritual to brew and share with family.
Regarded to be as valuable as Jade, this formula has been prized since 1481 in China to protect the body from invasion of external pathogens “carried on the wind”. It is the premier Chinese herbal formula for strengthening the immune system and prevention of the common cold and influenza. It can be taken preventatively, or at the first sign of a cold to boost the body’s wei (defensive) qi (energy) and expel the pathogens from the body before they find residence in your system.
Clinical Manifestation (when to take):
Spontaneous sweating, aversion to wind and cold, scratchy throat, tight shoulders, upper back and neck. Increased susceptibility to invasion of exterior pathogens, pale face, pale tongue, white tongue coating, and a floating, deficient pulse.
Herbs:
Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) [6g]
Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) [12g]
Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) [6g]
Da Zao (Jujube Fructus) [1 piece]
Preparation:
Add the contents of 1 baggie + 3 “silver-dollar-sized” slices of fresh ginger to 8 cups of water. Cover, bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 45 minutes. Strain, drink 1 cup 3x/day or 1.5 cups 2x/day. (1 baggie makes tea for 2 days). Reheat each dose before taking. Children under 10-years-old, or under 70 lbs. take half dosage.
Clinical Applications:
Prevention of respiratory tract infection, allergic rhinitis, abnormal perspiration, nephritis, and facial paralysis.
Explanation:
Yu Ping Feng San is commonly used to treat spontaneous sweating or increased susceptibility to invasion of exterior pathogens due to deficiency of wei (defensive) qi. Wei qi resides at the exterior of the body to regulate skin pores and protect the body from the invasion of exterior pathogenic factors. If wei qi becomes deficient, body fluids may leak out of the body through the open skin pores, resulting in spontaneous sweating. Deficiency of wei qi may lower the defensive function of the skin and mucous membranes, increasing the patient’s susceptibility to invasion of exterior pathogens. Pale face, pale tongue, and a deficient pulse all indicate qi deficiency
This formula uses a large dose of Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) to strengthen wei (defensive) qi at the exterior and increase the body’s defense against foreign pathogenic factors. Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) assists Huang Qi (Radix Astragali) in strengthening the exterior to stop spontaneous sweating. Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae) dispels any exterior pathogenic factors, especially wind-cold. This formula has a unique check and balance: the use of an exterior-releasing herb, Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), prevents retention of pathogenic factors trapped by a qi-tonifying herb, Huang Qi (Radix Astragali); and the use of a qi-tonifying herb prevents any damage to the body that may be induced by the use of an exterior-releasing herb. Thus, using an exterior-releasing herb in conjunction with a tonic herb prevents exterior pathogenic factors from being trapped in the interior and causing harm.
Yu Ping Feng San has functions to tonify wei (defensive) qi, protect the exterior, release exterior pathogenic factors, and stop perspiration. It is commonly used to treat individuals with spontaneous perspiration due to exterior deficiency, or individuals who frequently contract common colds and influenza.
Cautions / Contradictions:
This formula is inappropriate for individuals with night sweating caused by yin deficiency.
Individuals who take this formula should avoid exposure to cold and wind, and refrain from raw, cold, oily, sweet, sticky, and greasy foods. Avoiding dairy and gluten lessens the ability of viruses finding residence in the body.
Chinese Medicine Tips for Staying Healthy Through Cold and Flu Season
Adequate water, always room temperature or warm, at least 8 cups (64oz.) / day.
Adequate rest and sleep. (8 hours / night).
Adequate exercise. Deep breathing, stretching, heart rate up as appropriate at least 30 minutes / day.
Spend at least 30 minutes per day outdoors in fresh air.
Avoid excess sweets and cakes.
Be happy.
