Yin Qiao San is a powerful, time-tested formula in Chinese medicine that can help prevent colds and stop early symptoms in their tracks. The goal is to shorten the duration of symptoms, lessen their severity, and help you recover faster so you can return to full health more quickly. I recommend people to keep it in their medicine cabinet (or take with them during travel), especially if you're often in situations where colds and flus spread easily, or you are someone who catches colds easily. It is available over the counter online, but your Chinese herbalist or acupuncturist will have access to better quality and "extra-strength" versions, so be sure to ask them about it.
Here's how you can use it both to prevent illness and to fight early-stage colds and flus. Prevention and early action are key to staying healthy, and this formula is your trusted tool to do just that!
How to Use Yin Qiao San to Strengthen Your Immunity
1. To Fight Early Colds and Flus
Yin Qiao San is most famous for its immunity optimizing ability to stop early-stage colds and flu symptoms in their tracks. The key is to take it as soon as you notice the first signs of a cold. Follow directions on the box, or if you have an acupuncturist or herbalist, follow their recommendations.
When to take it:
At the first sign of a tickle in your throat or that subtle feeling of "Am I getting sick?" Start taking it!
If you wake up feeling a bit off—mild scratchiness in your throat, slight fatigue, or general malaise—these are signs it's time for Yin Qiao.
How it works:
This formula targets the Wei Qi (our “force field”) and helps your body eliminate the pathogens trying to invade, preventing the illness from progressing.
Start taking it immediately, and continue for a few days—generally 3-5 days—until symptoms disappear or you feel confident the cold is halted.
Important Note: Yin Qiao is NOT meant for later-stage colds. If your symptoms progress to sinus congestion, coughing, or chest involvement, you will need a different herbal formula tailored to those symptoms.
2. For Prevention
Yin Qiao San can help fortify your body's defenses (immunity) when you're at risk of exposure to colds or flus. Think of it as a protective shield when your environment increases your chance of catching something.
When to take it:
Before attending large gatherings, such as events, concerts, or crowded places.
Prior to air travel or any time you're spending long hours in enclosed spaces.
When someone close to you, like a family member or coworker, is starting to get sick.
How it works:
Yin Qiao strengthens your body's natural "force field" (your Wei Qi), making it harder for viruses or bacteria to invade and cause illness.
If you do end up catching a cold or flu, taking the herbs like this will help shorten the duration of symptoms, lessen their severity, and help you recover faster so you can return to full health more quickly.
Take 1-2 doses daily for short-term prevention when you're anticipating exposure, like before a flight or a big gathering.
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Dosage Note: Because this is a very over-the-counter, commonly used, safe, and time-tested herbal formula, there are quite a few brands that produce it. Follow the dosage instructions on the packaging of the one you buy, as each version is going to have slightly different dosage.
Dr. Kim Drolet DACM, LAc
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