Autumn in Beijing can be quite dry, windy, and sandy; this is a time when many people can catch a cold, cough, or fever. Parents often resort to you can prepare some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to prevent or cure these ailments such as diarrhea, coughing, dyspepsia etc. Here are some widely-used, barely any side-effect TCM.
1. Niúhuáng shàngqīng wán 牛黄上清丸
Fall, in the eyes of a TCM doctor, is the season where you can easily gain excessive internal heat. As the humidity in the air decreases, our bodies are suddenly exposed to less moisture. The lack of water results in excessive internal heat, which can manifest in the form of ulcers, styes, a sore throat, and other types of discomfort.
With niuhuang shangqing wan (literally “bovine bezoar upper body clearing pill”), this doesn’t have to be a problem. Take at most two pills a day (kids should take half a pill at most per day). Within three days, you will regain your internal balance. Note that taking this pill might result in mild diarrhea, as the medicine resolves excessive heat by dissolving your ahem.
2. Cǎoshān hú hánpiàn 草珊瑚含片
Sarcandra glabra (or caoshan hu) is a type of plant that is native to China. It can reduce inflammation, has anti-microbial properties, tastes like mint, and has a cooling effect on your throat.
There’s a strict dosage that that shouldn’t be exceeded, so read the instructions carefully before thinking to yourself: “Wow, this tastes better than candy!” (That’s what I did and felt woozy for an entire day.)
3. Bǎnlán gēn kēlì 板蓝根颗粒
Isatis (or banlan gen) is a household name in China. If you have a cold, feel one coming on, or have a soar throat, banlan gen is your go-to choice. It is mild, gradually helps balance the body, and gets rid of excessive internal cold.
There are a number of manufacturers for this product, including the famous and well-respected Tong Ren Tang (同仁堂) chain of pharmacies. The first shop was set up in 1669 – 344 years ago!
4. Chuānbèi pípa lù 川贝枇杷露
Fritillaria (or chuanbei) is commonly used for alleviating coughing and reducing phlegm. Many locals stew it with pear to drink at home. Loquat (or pipa) is a sweet, seedy fruit that can be found in a lot of markets. What many people don’t know is that it enjoyed a reputation among Chinese doctors in ancient times for its effectiveness in moistening the throat. With this win-win combination and its light, fragrant taste, your kids will feel better before you know it.
photos from image.baidu.com
