Question
A 10-month-old baby has no runny nose but experiences coughing and hiccups, with slight indigestion and a body temperature of 37.5°C. The parents want to know how to distinguish between wind-cold and wind-heat coughs in their child and how to adjust the diet for nourishment.
Answer
The pediatrician diagnosed this as a wind-cold type of cold, suggesting the use of Sanao Decoction and modified treatment with Zhisou Powder. The traditional Chinese medicine formula includes Mahuang (Ephedra), Xingren (Bitter Almond), Gancao (Licorice), Jiegeng (Platycodon), Ziyuan (Inula), Jingjie (Schizonepeta), among a total of 16 herbs. Parents can bring this formula to a Chinese medicine shop to grind it into powder and administer 3 to 4 spoonfuls to the child each time.