What are the differences between Xiao Chaihu and Zheng Chaihu?

When I go to a pharmacy to buy medicine, I usually follow the recommendations of the pharmacy staff and know which medicine can cure which disease. Little is known about what symptoms this drug treats. Zheng Chaihuyin Granules and Xiao Chaihu Granules are both traditional Chinese medicines for treating colds. The names of the two medicines are the same, but their indications for colds are not exactly the same. Everyone knows that these two medicines are used to treat colds and fevers, but few people know that they are suitable for different colds. Let’s learn more about it below.

Zheng Chaihuyin Granules are suitable for taking in the early stages of a cold caused by wind and cold. The main ingredients of Zheng Chaihuyin Granules are bupleurum, tangerine peel, saposhnikovia divaricata, peony root, licorice and ginger. Bupleurum, licorice and ginger are three herbs that are very classic in TCM for nourishing the stomach and strengthening the spleen. Bupleurum soothes the liver and relieves depression, harmonizes the Shaoyang meridian, and is pungent and cool to relieve exterior symptoms. Licorice can regulate the spleen and stomach, and ginger can stop vomiting. Tangerine peel regulates Qi, Saposhnikovia divaricata is pungent and warm and relieves exterior symptoms, while Paeonia lactiflora nourishes Yin, relieves pain and resists convulsions. Therefore, Zheng Chaihu Yin Granules are suitable for colds caused by wind and cold. Patients will experience symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, nasal congestion, sneezing, and sore limbs. Zheng Chaihuyin Granules can dispel wind-cold, relieve fever and relieve pain.

Compared with Zheng Chaihu Granules, Xiao Chaihu Granules are more suitable for taking in the later stages of wind-heat cold. Its main ingredients are bupleurum, scutellaria, pinellia (processed with ginger), codonopsis, ginger, licorice, and jujube. This prescription comes from "Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases" by Zhang Zhongjing in the Eastern Han Dynasty. In addition to the same ingredients as Chaihuyin Granules, such as bupleurum, ginger and licorice, codonopsis and jujube are also added to strengthen the spleen and stomach. In addition, Scutellaria baicalensis clears away heat and dampness, while Pinellia ternata removes heat, resolves phlegm and stops vomiting. If the patient experiences recurrent low fever, chest tightness, irritability, nausea and vomiting, and dry and bitter mouth, he or she can take Xiao Chaihu Granules. Xiao Chaihu Granules can also be used for any type of cold that causes loss of appetite, dry and bitter mouth, and poor spirits in the later stages.

Zheng Chaihuyin Granules and Xiao Chaihu Granules are both relatively mild medicines. If they are misused when you have a cold, it will not cause any big problems, but the medicine will not have the desired effect and the cold will heal slowly. When choosing cold medicine, you should pay attention to identifying symptoms and use the medicine reasonably under the guidance of a doctor.

There is not much difference between these two medicines, both are used to treat colds. But don't take these two medicines casually. If you feel unwell, go to the hospital for a check-up, follow the doctor's advice, and don't take any medicine on your own. Some people think that minor illnesses are not a big deal and there is no need to go to the hospital. This idea is seriously wrong. If you are sick, you must seek treatment and don't think about delaying it.