The original formula of Yin Chio Chieh Tu Pien comes from the famous medical treatise Sang Han Lun (Discussion of fevers and colds), composed around 200 BCE by the celebrated physician Doctor Chang Chung-ching, who included 113 prescriptions based on 100 herbs in his classical medical text. His formulas are so reliable that they are still used today, precisely as he composed them.
This particular prescription is used for contagious colds and flu in patients with strong or average constitutions, but not for weak, infirm, or elderly patients. When applied to the following indications, this formula usually relieves symptoms of excess heat and bodily aches within one hour of ingestion.
This formula is indicated for contagious colds and influenza with fewer with slight or no chills, body heat without sweating, headache, aching shoulder and upper arm muscles, nervous discomfort, intense aversion to cold temperatures, stiffness in the neck and upper spine, thirst, cough, sore throat, acute bronchitis, measles, epidemic parotitis, acute endometritis and early stage of encephalitis or menengitis.
 It is to be noted that this a cooling formula with some mild nourishing properties.
Many practitioners favor its used along with or in place of antibiotic drugs when they are to be taken long term as in the treatment of certain venereal disease and Lymes disease.
When using the herbal formula, Yin Chiao Chieh Tu Pien, for colds and influenza, avoid eating oily and deep-fried foods, pungent seasonings such as chili and black pepper, seafoods, and hard, dry foods, such as toast, nuts, and dry cereals.
Instead, you should consume porridges, gruels, and hot soups, as well as fresh juices.
