Influenza
Definition
Western
Influenza, commonly known as flu, is an infectious disease caused by the different strains of influenza viruses which attacks the respiratory system. Symptoms developed include sore throat, cough, runny nose, headache, malaise, joint or muscle pains and fever.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
In TCM, 时行感冒 is caused by invasion of prevalent pathogens against the Lung system, which result in the onset of symptoms including sore throat, fever, headaches, joint or muscle aches. As the onset of the illness is very rapid, our immunity system is usually not vigilant enough to combat the effects straightaway. Much effort has to be spent to fight off the flu viruses, thus inevitably weakening the immunity instantly, and this disease can be highly infectious.
Classifications & Accompanying Symptoms in TCM Context
Chilled Symptoms
Include severe aversion to coldness, increase in body temperature, absence of perspiration, headache, muscle aches, nasal congestion or sneezing, watery and clear nasal discharge, irritated throat or coughs with clear phlegm.
Inflammatory Symptoms
Include increase in body temperature, slight aversion to windy conditions, headache or dizziness, difficulty in sweating, cough with thick or yellowish phlegm or sore throat.
Causes
When circulation in the body is disrupted or hindered, the external prevalent pathogens enter the body, via the respiratory tract through the oral and nasal cavities to invade the human body, which in turn, upsets the balance in the body, thus leading to a range of discomforts.
Risk Factors
Immunity
The first line of defense in the body lies with the immune system. A weakened immune system means that the body is more susceptible to the viral invasion, and thus increase the risk of getting influenza.
Age
Immune system develops with age. Infants and children have immature immune system and thus are more susceptible to getting influenza, such as children who spend much time with their peers and frequently neglect the importance of hygiene in covering their coughs and sneezes.
Environment
Being in a crowded clinic or being in regular contact with unwell individuals means one is more likely to be exposed to these viruses. Residence in nursing homes also puts elderly persons at risk of getting influenza.
Treatments
Herbs commonly used in prescriptions:
1. Lian Qiao – 连翘
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English/ Common name
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Weeping Forsythia
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Latin species
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Fructus Forsythiae suspensa
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Park of plant used
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Fruit
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Action/s
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Found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Also helps to calm swelling and dissolve nodulation [1-3,19].
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Precaution/s
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Those with weak digestive system should avoid taking in excessive amounts.
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2. Chai Hu – 柴胡
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English/ Common name
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Chinese Thorowax Root
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Latin species
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Radix Bupleuri chinense DC, Radix Bupleurumscorzonerifolium Willd
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Park of plant used
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Roots
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Action/s
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Found to have anti-inflammatory effects and helps to relieve fever [4-5,20].
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Precaution/s
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Patients suffering from night perspiration, flushed cheeks, warm palms and soles or frequent hiccups should avoid taking this herb.
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3. Jin Yin Hua – 金银花
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English/ Common name
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Honeysuckle Flower
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Latin species
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Lonicera japonica
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Park of plant used
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Flowers
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Action/s
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Found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Also helps to relieve fever and to boost Lung functions [6-10].
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Precaution/s
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Those with weak digestive system should avoid taking in excessive amounts.
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4. Ban Lan Gen – 板蓝根
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English/ Common name
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Indigowoad Root
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Latin species
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Radix Isatidis
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Park of plant used
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Roots
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Action/s
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Found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Also helps to relieve fever and sore throat [11-13,21].
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Precaution/s
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Those with weak digestive system should avoid taking.
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5. Yu Xing Cao – 鱼腥草
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English/ Common name
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Chameleon
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Latin species
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Houttuynia cordata
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Park of plant used
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Whole organism, except roots
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Action/s
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Found to have anti-inflammatory effects. Also helps to remove pus and calms swelling [14-16,22].
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Precaution/s
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Avoid over-cooking; Not suitable for patients with chills and cold extremities. Avoid long term usage.
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6. Gui Zhi – 桂枝
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English/ Common name
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Cassia Twig
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Latin species
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Ramulus Cinnamomi
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Park of plant used
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Branches
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Action/s
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Found to have anti-inflammatory effects and able to induce perspiration in attempt to regulate body temperature [17-18,23].
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Precaution/s
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Patients with uncontrolled perspiration should avoid taking. Not suitable for pregnant women.
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Acupuncture and cupping treatments can help to relieve flu symptoms such as cough, sore throat and fever.
Lifestyle / Home Remedies
It is important that the body gets adequate rest during this period. Replenish fluids lost during fever by taking in lots of fluids.
Spring Onion + Ginger + Chicken + Rice
a) Put rice in a cooking pot and pour enough water to fill 2/3 the pot. Bring to boil.
b) Cut the chicken and ginger into slices. Dice the spring onion.
c) Add the chicken and ginger into the porridge.
d) Remove from heat. Add in the spring onion. Serve warm.
References
1. B.P. Bermejo, M.M.J. Abad, S.A.M. Silvan, G.A. Sanz, M.L. Fernandez, C.S. Sanchez and L.A.M. Diaz, In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of saikosaponins, Life Sci. 63 (1998), pp. 1147–1156.
2. K. Takagi, M. Kimura, M. Harada and Y. Otsuka, Pharmacology of Medicinal Herbs in East Asia, Nanzando, Tokyo (1982) pp. 187–188.
3. Y. Ozaki, J. Rui and Y.T. Tang, Antiinflammatory effect of Forsythia Suspensa VAHL and its active principle, Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 23 (2000), pp. 365–367.
4. B.P. Bermejo, M.M.J. Abad, S.A.M. Silvan, G.A. Sanz, M.L. Fernandez, C.S. Sanchez and L.A.M. Diaz, In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of saikosaponins, Life Sci. 63 (1998), pp. 1147–1156.
5. H. Hikino, Recent research on oriental medicinal plants. In: H. Wagner, H. Hikino and N.R. Farnsworth, Editors, Economic and Medicinal Plant Research, Academic Press, London (1985), pp. 53–58.
6. B.C.L. Chan, K.L.E. Hon, P.C. Leung, S.W. Sam, K.P. Fung and H.Y.A. Lau, Traditional Chinese medicine for atopic eczema: Pentaherbs formula suppresses inflammatory mediators release from mast cells, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 120 (2008), pp. 85-91.
7. T.C. Moon, J.O. Park, K.W. Chung, K.H. Son, H.P. Kim and S.S. Kang et al., Anti-inflammatory activity of the flavonoid components of Lonicera japonica, Yakhak Hoeji (Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea) 43 (1999), pp. 117-123.
8. W.-C. Chang and F.-L. Hsu, Inhibition of platelet activation and endothelial cell injury by polyphenolic compounds isolated from Lonicera japonica Thunb, Prostaglandins Leukotriens and Essential Fatty Acids 45 (1992), pp. 307–312.
9. H.-J. Yoo, H.-J. Kang, Y.S. Song, E.-H. Park and C.-J. Lim, Anti-angiogenic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Lonicera japonica extract, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 60 (2008), pp. 779-786.
10. W.J. Kwak, C.K. Han, H.W. Chang, H.P. Kim, S.S. Kang and K.H. Son, Loniceroside C, an antiinflammatory saponin from Lonicera japonica, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 51 (2003), pp. 333–335.
11. M Yang, S Tao, S Guan, X Wu, P Xu, D Guo, Chinese Traditional Medicine, In: Lew Mander and Hung-Wen (Ben) Liu, Editor(s)-in-Chief, Comprehensive Natural Products II, Elsevier, Oxford, 2010, Pages 383-477
12. Xu, L.H., Huang, F., Cheng, T., Wu, J.Antivirus constituents of radix of Isatis indigotica(2005) Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines, 3 (6), pp. 359-360.
13. J Zhao, The pharmacological action and clinical application of Radix Isatis, Lishizhen Medicine and Materia Medica Research 14 (4) (2003), p. 241.
14. H.M. Lu, Y.Z. Liang, L.Z. Yi and X.J. Wu, Anti-inflammatory effect of Houttuynia cordata injection, Journal of Ethnopharmacology 104 (2006), pp. 245-249.
15. E. Park, S. Kum, C. Wang, S.Y. Park, B.S. Kim and G. Schuller-Levis, Anti-inflammatory activity of herbal medicines: inhibition of nitric oxide production and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion in an activated macrophage-like cell line, American Journal of Chinese Medicine 33 (2005), pp. 415-424.
16. G.Z. Li, O.H. Chai, M.S. Lee, E.H. Han, H.T. Kim and C.H. Song, Inhibitory effects of Houttuynia cordata water extracts on anaphylactic reaction and mast cell activation, Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 28 (2005), pp. 1864-1868.
17. H.J. Park, J.S. Lee, J.D. Lee, N.J. Kim, J.H. Pyo, J.M. Kang, H. Choe, S.Y. Kim, B.S. Shim, J.H. Lee and S. Lim, The anti-inflammatory effect of Cinnamomi Ramulus, J. Korean Oriental Med. 26 (2005), pp. 140-151.
18. H.S. Lee, B.S. Kim and M.K. Kim, Suppression effect of Cinnamomum cassia bark-derived component on nitric oxide synthase, J. Agric. Food Chem. 50 (2002), pp. 7700-7703.
19. E.Q. Zhang, J.F. Qu, S.H. Zhang and R. Xie, The Chinese Materia Medica, Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai (1990) p. 124.
20. Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, Pharmacopoeia of People’s Republic of China vol. 1, Chemical Industry Press, Beijing (2005) (English Edition) p. 196.
21. Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, Pharmacopoeia of People’s Republic of China vol. 1, Chemical Industry Press, Beijing (2005) (English Edition) p. 142.
22. Pharmacopoeia Commission of People's Republic of China, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2005 ed vol. I, Chemical Industry Press, Beijing (2005), p. 155.
23. E.Q. Zhang, J.F. Qu, S.H. Zhang and R. Xie, The Chinese Materia Medica, Publishing House of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai (1990) p. 124.