If you live in a city with a Chinatown, check out the herb stores sometime. There are a lot of interesting things there. There are also a few things that you can safely buy for home remedies. In this post I will talk about Chinese pills for acute digestive complaints and colds and flus. There are also many health food stores in North America that are selling these remedies now. And of course, you can find anything online.
All four of the following remedies are only for short term use. They do not boost the immune system or heal underlying digestive disorders.
Po Chai Pills: Used for any acute digestive complaint, such as diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, including “stomach flu”. Many people like to take it travelling, especially to third world countries. Be sure to consult a doctor if the symptoms do not clear up in a few days.
Yin Chiao Pills: These are best atken at the first sign of a cold or flu, especially with a sore throat. If taken soon enough, you can prevent the illness from coming on. In the first day or two, you can take up to double the dosage. In some people this may cause diarrhea, so you should cut back again. Take them for up to a week.
Gan Mao Ling: Similar to Yin Chiao pills, but more for colds with a cough. Can also double the dosage during the first day. The two can also be taken together for a stronger action, in which case do not double the dosage of either.
In my personal experience, these remedies are best for knocking the cold out before it gets a real hold on you. If they haven’t done that after two days, they are not so useful, though many people disagree with me on that. Remember the old saying: “Untreated, a cold lasts a week. Treat it and it only lasts 7 days.”
Huo Hsiang Cheng Chi Pien: Similar to Po Chai pills, but also indicated for catching a cold in the Summer, and symptoms of being out in the heat too long. People who get colds when it is very damp, with heavy head and a feeling of fullness also benefit from these pills.
