Hello! I'm Shin Jeong Won, doctor at Tong-in Korean Medicine Clinic. 😊
As we entered winter, Korea has seen a sharp rise in cold and flu cases. According to reports, this year’s flu cases are about three times higher than last year’s and are projected to reach the highest level in the past decade. 😢
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people in Korea experienced how herbal medicines like Galgeun-tang and Eungyo-san helped relieve symptoms. Even after COVID ended, more people continue visiting Korean medicine clinics for cold symptoms or inquiring about herbal cold remedies.
Now, just as people say "Give me ibuprofen" at pharmacies, many patients naturally remember and request somewhat difficult herbal medicine names at Korean medicine clinics—"I'll take Galgeun-tang" or "Eungyo-san, please!"
As the weather got colder, I—a Korean medicine doctor myself—caught a cold last month. 🤧
So today, I'll share my personal experience with treating a cold and Korean medicine methods for overcoming a cold in 3 days! 😊
Top 3 Herbal Medicines: Korean Cold Essentials
The key to herbal medicine treatment is that prescriptions consider not just 'symptoms' but also your overall condition—stamina, digestion, sleep, and more.
This is the biggest difference from Western medicine, and the most effective herbal medicine can vary depending on each situation!
🍵 Galgeun-tang – Early-Stage Cold with Chills & Muscle Pain
One of the most beloved herbal medicines during COVID. About 2 hours after taking Galgeun-tang(갈근탕), you'll break a light sweat and feel that neck stiffness melt away.
Also, if you take it at the first sign of a cold, it can help prevent the symptoms from progressing into full-body aches. 😌
When to Take
- Within 0-24 hours of cold onset
- Initial stage with "chills + stiff shoulders/neck"
- When you feel cold, shivery, and body aches coming on
- When you have little to no sweat and feel beaten-up muscle soreness
Key Ingredients
- Kudzu root, ephedra, cinnamon twig, peony, licorice: Relax muscle tension and induce gentle sweating to release heat
Patients Who May Benefit
- People with naturally low body temperature and getting cold easily
- Those whose body aches hit first in early colds
- Patients complaining of shoulder/neck stiffness
- Not suitable for severe cold symptoms; brief use in early body-ache colds
Full Article: https://www.thepylonsquare.com/blogs/health-beauty/recovering-from-a-cold-in-3-days-a-korean-medicine-doctor-s-approach
