When the Flu Arrives, What Should You Do? — A TCM Guide for Patients

yacuinfo
Dec 11, 2025
2 min read

During flu season, many people experience fever, cough, body aches, fatigue, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Although the flu may resemble a common cold, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is viewed quite differently. The flu is considered a seasonal epidemic illness(疫病）, caused by strong and fast-spreading seasonal pathogens.

Let’s take a look at what the flu is from a TCM perspective, and how to manage it effectively.

How TCM Understands the Flu

In TCM, the flu falls under the categories of “seasonal epidemic cold” or “warm disease.” Unlike a regular cold—which usually presents with chills, mild aches, and nasal congestion—the flu tends to:

Come on suddenly
Progress quickly
Cause more intense symptoms

Common TCM-recognized flu symptoms include:

High fever
Pronounced muscle and body aches
Strong headache
Severe sore throat with dryness
Marked fatigue

Why TCM Management Differs From a Regular Cold

When treating the flu, TCM focuses on more than just “releasing the exterior.”Depending on the stage and presentation, treatment may also involve:

Clearing heat
Resolving toxicity
Nourishing Lung Yin to relieve dryness and protect the respiratory system

These therapeutic strategies help the body recover more effectively when facing a stronger pathogen like the flu.

My Own Recent Flu Experience

Unfortunately, I caught the flu a few days ago. It began with dryness in my throat and nasal discomfort, and quickly progressed to fatigue and a headache. My coworkers even noticed that my cheeks looked flushed and that my complexion appeared more yellow than usual — which likely meant I already had a mild fever at that time.

By the next day, the symptoms intensified: severe fatigue, a dry and painful throat, dizziness, loss of appetite, and body aches.Fortunately, I recovered quickly and was back at work on the third day. As a TCM practitioner, I was able to treat myself with herbs. Here is what I used over the three-day course:

Day 1 — Early Stage

Fang Feng Tong Sheng San

To release the exterior
Reduce body aches and headaches

Day 2 — Heat and Toxicity Increase

Yin Qiao San

To clear heat
Reduce toxic heat
Alleviate the worsening sore throat

Day 3 — Recovery Stage (Dryness)

Yang Yin Qing Wei Tang

To nourish Yin
Soothe throat dryness and discomfort

Throughout the three days, I also followed a light, warm, and easy-to-digest diet to support recovery.