The first case of H7N9 avian influenza was confirmed in Taiwan Province Province, which caused considerable public panic. Chinese medicine says it is important to strengthen your own immunity. Houttuynia cordata, a herb, does have the effect of "clearing away heat and toxic materials" and can inhibit the growth of bacteria. If Atractylodes macrocephala and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch are added to relieve bitterness, it will have the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach and benefiting qi, but it is limited to the initial symptoms such as throat discomfort. Because it is a "cold" Chinese herbal medicine, it is recommended not to use it for a long time to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort.

Chinese medicine believes that Chinese herbal medicines for clearing away heat and toxic materials can alleviate the initial symptoms of influenza. (Photo/Huang Zhiwen) Houttuynia cordata Thunb. is a dicotyledonous perennial herb of Saururaceae, with knotted stems, heart-shaped leaves and special fishy smell. There are small white flowers, small and dense, spike-shaped, yellow-green, pungent and slightly bitter. Clinically, Houttuynia cordata Thunb. It can inhibit staphylococcus aureus, pneumococcus and other gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria, enhance immunity, and has the functions of clearing away heat and toxic materials. Dr. You Qinzhi, from the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, said that it can be used for the treatment of hypertension if it is used with drugs such as Dachaihutang, Uncaria rhynchophylla and Eucommia ulmoides. For chronic inflammation of throat, Houttuynia cordata can be combined with Xiaochaihu decoction, Huanglian Jiedu decoction and honeysuckle.

Houttuynia cordata anti-influenza tea

Prescription: 5 yuan Houttuynia, 4 yuan honeysuckle, 4 yuan Forsythia, 4 yuan Scutellariae Radix, 3 yuan Saposhnikovia, 8 Chinese dates, 4 yuan Platycodon grandiflorum, 3 yuan Lepidium, 3 yuan Coicis Semen, 3 apricot, 2 Ligusticum Chuanxiong, 2 Angelica dahurica and 2 licorice.

You Qin Zhi (pictured) think that adequate sleep is the best way to enhance immunity. (Photo courtesy of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital) Enhance immunity to avian influenza.

Basically, Chinese herbal medicines, including Radix Isatidis and Cao Xian, have the effects of "clearing away heat and toxic materials", have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, and can reduce the damage caused by inflammation, but only for short-term symptoms. And enhancing immunity is king. It is suggested to make tea with a small amount of traditional Chinese medicine at ordinary times, which can regulate physique, prevent colds and enhance immunity. Here are two pairs of tea drinks to provide health care for people:

H7N9 avian influenza is coming, and Chinese medicine has introduced medicinal tea to enhance immunity, which is favored by the public. (Photo courtesy of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital) Medicinal diet drinks enhance immunity;

Prescription 1: Pogostemon Pogostemonis 3g, Fructus Amomi 1-2g, Fructus Forsythiae 3g, Rhizoma Phragmitis 10g, 1 daily dosage, soaked in boiling water.

Object: Suitable for children aged 3 to 12.

Prescription 2: Pogostemon Pogostemonis 3g, Lalang Grass Rhizome 5g, Chrysanthemum 3g, Glehnia littoralis 5g, Honeysuckle 3g, 1 dose/day, soaked in boiling water. Yupingfeng powder can be added to the elderly and weak, and those with chronic diseases and qi deficiency.

Object: Suitable for adults.

Chinese medicine doctor is small:

Chinese medicine practitioners especially said that different constitutions give different prescriptions and doses, so the general public must ask qualified Chinese medicine practitioners to prescribe prescriptions instead of judging and choosing for themselves. If you feel unwell after taking the medicine, you should stop taking it immediately and consult a professional Chinese medicine doctor in time.

In the face of H7N9 avian influenza, it is suggested that the general public should wear masks and wash their hands frequently if they enter or leave public places. In addition to some basic knowledge of preventing cold diseases, it also includes avoiding cold and unclean food, spleen and stomach deficiency. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, "if you don't hide essence in winter, you will get sick in spring." Adequate sleep contributes to the recovery of body functions, and only by improving one's own immunity can we nip in the bud.