Guidelines on common cold for Traditional Chinese Medicine based on pattern differentiation

Abstract

ObjectiveTo establish the guidelines on common cold treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in terms of pattern identification. MethodsThe guidelines were formulated by using the basic patterns of common cold in China Pharmacopeia integrated with findings from systematic literature review and the experts' consensus on the issue in question. ResultsCommon cold was divided into four patterns in the guidelines. The medications were recommended respectively: Ganmaoqingre granule for wind-cold exterior syndrome, Yinqiaojiedu granule for wind-heat exterior syndrome, Huoxiang Zhengqi Wan for summer-heat dampness exterior syndrome and Shensu Wan for wind-cold exterior syndrome accompanied with Qi deficiency. ConclusionThe guidelines were primarily derived from the practice experience of TCM and the experts' consensus. The process was not strictly evidence-based because of lacking enough clinical studies. Further refinement of the guidelines should be needed as more studies are available.