In this prescription, herbs from the Clear Heat, Resolve Toxin category are used to combat viruses that cause common cold. These include mao dong qing, lian qiao and jin yin hua, and comprise 37% of the formula. Herbal formulas that do not aggressively address the causative virus are mediocre in effect, and are the reason why Gan Mao Ling and Zhong Gan Ling are so effective against viruses that cause upper respiratory infections. Other herbs in the formula address specific symptoms. Ju hua, xin yi hua and man jing zi bring the formula to the nasal area, and are used to control drippy nose, sinus congestion and sneezing. Niu bang zi is specific for sore throat; sang ye addresses dry early cough; lu gen reduces fever and relieves sore throat; ge gen relaxes tightness in the neck and shoulders, and helps push trapped wind out; xuan shen is used for heat toxins in the lymphatics. Gan cao harmonizes the prescription, which means it gets herbs with different functions and directions to work together as a unified formula. It also helps to sweeten the formula. My herbal approach is to address the variety of symptoms that arise when a child first develops a cold, but before it has manifested into a cough. It is to be used from the earliest signs—glazed eyes, drippy nose, sneezing, slight fever—as well as expressed complaints such as sore throat and headache. If the cold is caught early enough, one or two doses should knock it out. If one starts late, even 24 hours later, the viral cold is more difficult to dislodge, but I would continue using it until cough starts, at which time you should move on to Children’s Clear Lung Formula.

source: Golden Flower Chinese herb’s new line of Pediatric MediCinal syrups                                                              by Jake Paul Fratkin, OMD, LAc