Respitrol (Cold)™

TCM herbal formula for cold-type respiratory disorders — bronchodilating; antiasthmatic; antitussive; expectorant; antibiotic; dispels cold; warms the interior; eliminates phlegm; regulates qi circulation to relieve wheezing and dyspnea

⚠️ Contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing. Contraindicated for long-term use — discontinue when desired effects are achieved; for long-term treatment use Respitrol (Deficient) or Cordyceps 3. Patients with severe or acute asthma attacks may need additional herbal or drug treatment. Patients with heat- or deficient-type respiratory disorders should use Respitrol (Heat) or Respitrol (Deficient) respectively. Cang Er Zi (Fructus Xanthii) in this formula has been carefully dry fried at high temperature until dark brown or slightly charred — this simultaneously increases the effect (enhancing extraction of active compounds) and decreases side effects (destroying undesired glycosides). Because Cang Er Zi is metabolized by the liver and eliminated by the kidneys, individuals with pre-existing liver or kidney disease should not take this formula. If wind-cold transforms into wind-heat or Lung heat, use Lonicera Complex or Respitrol (Heat) instead. In an acute attack when medication or inhaler is not available, two cups of coffee, hot cocoa, or chocolate bars may help alleviate wheezing or dyspnea — caffeine has a similar effect to the asthma drug theophylline.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Respiratory disorders with cold manifestations: wheezing, dyspnea, shortness of breath, coughing

* Wind-cold or Lung cold with sinus congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, and watery or white nasal discharge, white sputum

* Wheezing and/or dyspnea with intolerance to cold (temperature, food, or drinks), grayish and cyanotic complexion, chills, and absence of perspiration

* Immediate relief for sneezing and clear nasal discharge in people exposed to cold weather (rain or snow) or cold water (swimmers or divers)

Background: Lung inflammation and infection often occur together. Lung inflammation refers to swelling of airways causing wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, cough, and phlegm. Lung infection refers to invasion of the respiratory tract by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. If not properly treated, these conditions adversely affect lung structure and function — causing mucus hypersecretion, mucus plugging, mucosal edema, loss of airway elasticity, peribronchial fibrosis, enlarged alveolar space, and loss of airway support. Chronic lung inflammation and infection with compromised function is described as Lung cold in TCM. Respitrol (Cold) treats cold-type respiratory disorders including chronic asthma, COPD, bronchitis, pneumonia, and respiratory tract inflammation and infection.

Clinical protocol: Use Respitrol (Heat) or Respitrol (Cold) for acute respiratory disorders with wheezing, dyspnea, and shortness of breath. When the condition stabilizes, use Respitrol (Deficient) and Cordyceps 3 during the remission stage to strengthen the underlying constitution. Respitrol (Deficient) should NOT be taken during the acute stage. Cordyceps 3 strengthens the Lung and Kidney — the two organs responsible for controlling respiration — and is extremely important for reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Ku Xing Ren (Semen Armeniacae Amarum / Bitter Apricot Kernel): eliminates phlegm; transforms congested fluids; reduces wheezing; antiasthmatic via inhibitory effect on the respiratory center in the brain; clinically: Xing Su San (Apricot Kernel and Perilla Leaf Powder) — effective for cough due to wind-cold in 50 patients; chronic tracheitis — 96.8% effective in 124 patients (23 complete recovery, 66 marked effectiveness, 31 some improvement, 4 no response); antifungal

— Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis / Magnolia Bark): eliminates phlegm; transforms congested fluids; reduces wheezing; stimulates the respiratory system to relieve wheezing and dyspnea; magnolol and honokiol — antiasthmatic via muscle spasm relief and smooth muscle contraction inhibition in the trachea; antibacterial against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Diplococcus pneumoniae, and Bacillus dysenteriae; piperitylmagnolol and honokiol — antibacterial against VRE and MRSA in time- and concentration-dependent manner

— Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis / Schisandra): protects the Lung by preventing leakage of qi; stimulates the lungs to increase depth of respiration; reverses respiratory depression associated with morphine; antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus dysenteriae, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; clinically: formula with Wu Wei Zi effectively treated 50 patients with asthma

— Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae): remarkable anti-inflammatory — reduces swelling and inflammation in the lungs via decreased vascular permeability, antihistamine functions, and decreased sensitivity to stimuli; glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid anti-inflammatory effect approximately 1/10th that of cortisone; antitussive and expectorant — relieves coughing and chest congestion

— Gui Zhi (Ramulus Cinnamomi / Cinnamon Twig): works synergistically with Bai Shao to tonify and harmonize qi in the wei (defense) and ying (nutritive) levels; antiallergic — inhibits serum IgE, histamine, and TNF-α; antiviral against influenza viruses; antifungal against Candida (oral candidiasis)

— Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba): works synergistically with Gui Zhi to harmonize wei and ying qi; relieves bronchial spasms; alleviates pain; harmonizes the formula; antibacterial against Bacillus dysenteriae, E. coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and Diplococcus pneumoniae

— Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis / Dried Ginger): warms the Lung; dispels cold; arrests wheezing; moves water by regulating Lung qi flow; treats sudden blockage of fluids in the upper jiao due to cold

— Jie Zi (Semen Sinapis / Mustard Seed): warms the Lung; dispels cold; arrests wheezing; expectorant — facilitates discharge of phlegm and sputum; antifungal; clinically: Zi Su Zi + Jie Zi + Lai Fu Zi — marked effect for chronic and stubborn coughs; 40 patients: 62.5% marked improvement, 37.5% moderate improvement

— Zi Su Zi (Fructus Perillae / Perilla Fruit): warms the Lung; dispels cold; arrests wheezing; regulates Lung qi flow

— Cang Er Zi (Fructus Xanthii / Cocklebur Fruit, dry fried): warms the Lung; dispels cold; arrests wheezing; antitussive

— Pi Pa Ye (Folium Eriobotryae / Loquat Leaf): antitussive; antiallergic and anti-inflammatory — inhibits mast cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines; treats chronic bronchitis by inhibiting inflammatory cytokine and mediator induction from alveolar macrophages; ursolic acid — especially effective for pulmonary inflammation, inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced cytokines and inducible enzyme production in lung epithelial cells

— Zi Wan (Radix et Rhizoma Asteris / Aster Root): expels wind; relieves dyspnea, chest discomfort, and wheezing; antibacterial against E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, Bacillus proteus, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus paratyphosus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio cholerae; antiviral against influenza viruses

— Zhi Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae Praeparata / Honey-Fried Licorice): relieves bronchial spasms; alleviates pain; harmonizes the formula

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Bronchodilating / antiasthmatic — Ku Xing Ren (respiratory center inhibition); Hou Po (magnolol, honokiol — tracheal smooth muscle relaxation); Wu Wei Zi (lung stimulation, depth of respiration↑); Gan Cao (anti-inflammatory, 1/10th cortisone potency)

* Antitussive — Ku Xing Ren; Pi Pa Ye; Cang Er Zi; Gan Cao

* Expectorant — Jie Zi (phlegm discharge); Gan Cao (chest congestion relief)

* Antiallergic / anti-inflammatory — Gui Zhi (IgE↓, histamine↓, TNF-α↓); Pi Pa Ye (mast cells↓, cytokines↓, alveolar macrophages); Gan Cao (vascular permeability↓, antihistamine)

* Antibacterial — Zi Wan, Hou Po (VRE, MRSA), Bai Shao, Gan Cao, Wu Wei Zi (7+ bacterial species each)

* Antiviral — Gui Zhi (influenza); Zi Wan (influenza)

* Antifungal — Ku Xing Ren; Jie Zi; Gui Zhi (Candida)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Dispels cold; warms the interior (Gan Jiang, Jie Zi, Zi Su Zi, Cang Er Zi, Gui Zhi)

* Eliminates phlegm; transforms congested fluids (Ku Xing Ren, Hou Po, Jie Zi, Zi Su Zi)

* Regulates qi circulation; relieves wheezing and dyspnea (Zi Wan, Hou Po, Ku Xing Ren)

* Tonifies and harmonizes wei and ying qi (Gui Zhi, Bai Shao)

* Protects Lung qi; prevents leakage (Wu Wei Zi)

* Relieves bronchial spasms; harmonizes formula (Zhi Gan Cao, Bai Shao)

DOSAGE

Standard: 4–6 capsules three times daily with warm water on an empty stomach. For maximum effectiveness, start taking Respitrol (Cold) with the first sign of respiratory discomfort.

Supplementary formulas: Allergies, sinus headache, nasal obstruction, and white watery nasal discharge — combine with Magnolia Clear Sinus. Allergies, sinus headache, nasal obstruction, and sticky yellow nasal discharge — combine with Pueraria Clear Sinus. Coughing — add Respitrol (CF). Ear, nose, and throat infection — add Herbal ENT. Enhance antibacterial function — add Herbal ABX. Enhance antiviral function — add Herbal AVR. Profuse thick yellow phlegm with chest congestion — combine with Pinellia XPT. Underlying damp and phlegm with Spleen qi deficiency — add Pinellia Complex. Thirst, dry mouth and throat — add Nourish (Fluids). Underlying Lung deficiency with weak immune system and recurrent colds/flu triggering asthma — use Immune + as maintenance. Tonify overall constitution — take Imperial Tonic daily. Maintenance and prevention of asthma attacks — use Cordyceps 3 and Respitrol (Deficient).

Nutrition: Eliminate all cold and raw foods and beverages — they constrict the bronchial tubes causing spasms. Since asthma may be allergy-related, eliminate common allergens: milk, eggs, shellfish, fish, and nuts. Sulfites (used in restaurants to preserve salads, french fries, and avocado dips) are also linked to asthma attacks. White radish remedy: cut 1 fist-sized white radish into thin slices, mix with 1 tablespoon maltose and 1 cup water, cook 20 minutes, serve when cooled — or mix slices with honey, wait 30 minutes, and drink the secreted fluids. Lemon juice with honey is also very effective to relieve cough. A diet low in spicy, raw, greasy, and sweet foods is recommended. Avoid cooling foods: tofu, tomato, celery, asparagus, bamboo, seaweed, kelp, cucumber, oranges, pear, banana, watermelon, eggplant, grapefruit, papaya, pineapple — add ~20 pieces of Gou Qi Zi when cooking these to neutralize their cold property.

Tao of Nutrition (Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease):

— Asthma: Apricot kernels, almonds, walnuts, basil, carrots, pumpkins, sunflower seeds, loofah, squash, figs, and daikon. Cut the top out of a small winter melon, remove seeds, fill with molasses, close with cheesecloth, steam — eat daily for 7 days. Take an unpeeled orange, pierce with a chopstick, roast until peel blackens, remove peel and eat the fruit — 1 orange daily for 7 days. Mix 1/2 cup fig juice with 1/2 cup lukewarm water and drink daily. Avoid mucus-producing foods, cold foods, fruits, salads, all shellfish, dairy, watermelon, bananas, mung beans, salty foods, cold weather, and especially ice cream.

— Common cold (wind-cold): Ginger, garlic, mustard greens and seeds, grapefruit peel, cilantro, parsnip, scallions, cinnamon, basil, soupy rice porridge — eat as little as possible to avoid burdening digestion. Lightly boil for 5 minutes: garlic, ginger, green onion, basil, mustard, or cinnamon — drink the tea, go to bed, and prepare to sweat. Drink cilantro and green tea. Drink scallion and basil tea. Make tea from dried grapefruit peel. Avoid shellfish, heavy proteins and fats, meats, and all vinegars.

Lifestyle: Avoid exposure to pollen, dust, and drastic changes in temperature — regular exercise with herbal therapy is the key to complete recovery. Vacuum and central heating filters should be changed frequently to minimize dust, mold, and dust mites. Install an air purifier for patients with family members with infectious respiratory disorders. Replace carpets with hard surface floors to prevent allergens from being trapped. Bleach (Clorox) can be used to clear mold and fungus. Avoid all contact (direct and indirect) with animal dander and other allergens. Stop smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke. Strengthen the immune system between asthma attacks — balance exercise and rest; alternation of hot and cold water in the shower desensitizes the body to temperature changes. Take immune-enhancing herbs such as Cordyceps 3 or Immune + on a regular basis. Use hypo-allergenic products and avoid those with artificial or chemical additives.

CASE STUDIES

— 28-year-old male (C.C.): Chronic asthma — chest tightness, loud wheezing, cough, yellowish phlegm; TCM diagnosis: wind-heat. Respitrol (Cold) 4 capsules 3x/day. Result: ongoing improvement — each asthma attack produces less cough, phlegm, and wheezing; also effective at the beginning of a cold.

— 55-year-old male (B.F.): Cough, thick nasal discharge, headache, fatigue; pale flabby slightly purple tongue, slow pulse; common cold, wind-cold invasion. Magnolia Clear Sinus + Respitrol (Cold) + Herbal ABX. Result: sinuses cleared in 3 days.

Related Reading

Also see: Respitrol (Heat) – for heat-type wheezing and dyspnea | Respitrol (Deficient) – for chronic Lung deficiency and remission maintenance | Respitrol (CF) – for cough | Cordyceps 3 – to strengthen Lung and Kidney and prevent asthma attacks | Lonicera Complex – when wind-cold transforms to wind-heat | Magnolia Clear Sinus – for sinus with white watery discharge | Pueraria Clear Sinus – for sinus with yellow discharge | Herbal ABX – to enhance antibacterial function | Herbal AVR – to enhance antiviral function | Herbal ENT – for ear, nose, and throat infection | Pinellia XPT – for profuse yellow phlegm | Pinellia Complex – for damp and phlegm with Spleen qi deficiency | Immune + – for Lung deficiency with weak immunity | Imperial Tonic – to tonify overall constitution | Nourish (Fluids) – for thirst and dry throat | Respiratory Health & Lung Support Collection.