健康指南 · Health Reference · 2026

中成药指南

Chinese Patent Medicines

A practical reference guide to common Chinese over-the-counter herbal remedies for cold, fever, and respiratory conditions — for foreign visitors who may encounter these at Chinese pharmacies.

⚠️ Informational purposes only. This guide does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication, especially for children. TCM diagnosis should be made by a licensed practitioner.

Common Cold: Adults

成人感冒药 · Chéngrén Gǎnmào Yào

🌿 About Chinese Patent Medicines

These are government-approved OTC (非处方药) herbal formulas sold at any Chinese pharmacy (药店 — yàodiàn). Look for the OTC label on the box. They are widely used and generally considered safe for adults when taken as directed. All are available without prescription.

999 Ganmao Ling Keli

999 感冒灵颗粒

999 Cold Relief Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Headache Fever Nasal Congestion Runny Nose Sore Throat

One of the most popular cold remedies in China. Dissolve sachet in hot water and drink. Widely available in all pharmacies and convenience stores.

Lianhua Qingwen Jiaonang

连花清瘟胶囊

Lianhua Qingwen Capsules

Capsules 胶囊

Treats

Fever Muscle Aches Nasal Congestion Cough Headache Sore Throat

Broad-spectrum cold formula. Became internationally known during COVID-19. Best for colds with heat signs (fever dominant).

Ganmao Qingre Keli

感冒清热颗粒

Ganmao Qingre Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Fever Body Aches Runny Nose Cough Headache Dry Throat

Tongrentang brand. Classic formula for wind-cold type colds. Granule form dissolves in hot water. Sugar-free version available (无蔗糖).

Jinhua Qinggan Keli

金花清感颗粒

Jinhua Qinggan Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Fever Headache Body Aches Sore Throat Cough Nasal Congestion

Developed from a classical Han Dynasty formula. Good for influenza-like illness with wind-heat signs.

Banlangen Keli

板蓝根颗粒

Isatis Root Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Sore Throat Dry Mouth Tonsillitis

Isatis root (板蓝根) is one of the most used herbs in TCM. Very mild, often taken as a preventive during cold season. Safe for most adults.

Yinqiao Jiedu Pian

银翘解毒片

Yinqiao Jiedu Tablets

Tablets 片

Treats

Fever Headache Cough Dry Mouth Sore Throat

One of the most classic TCM cold formulas. Wind-heat type cold — best when fever and sore throat are dominant symptoms. Coated tablets.

Xiaochaihu Keli

小柴胡颗粒

Minor Bupleurum Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Fever Headache Runny Nose

Based on a 1,800-year-old classical formula. Good for alternating fever and chills. Yunnan Baiyao brand widely available.

Shuanghuanglian Koufuye

双黄连口服液

Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid

Oral Liquid 口服液

Treats

Fever Cough Sore Throat

Ampoule vials. Strong heat-clearing and detoxifying formula. Wind-heat colds with fever dominant. One of China's best-selling cold liquids.

Pudilan Xiaoyan Pian

蒲地蓝消炎片

Pudilan Anti-inflammatory Tablets

Tablets 片

Treats

Sore Throat Tonsillitis Upper Respiratory Inflammation

Clears heat and relieves toxicity. Especially useful for throat inflammation and tonsillitis. Renhe brand widely stocked.

Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui

藿香正气水

Agastache Normalizing Water

Liquid 水

Treats

Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Headache Abdominal Pain

Summer cold with digestive symptoms caused by heat-dampness. Strong smell (contains alcohol). Very effective for stomach flu-type colds. Highly recognizable small glass vials.

Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa

京都念慈菴蜜炼川贝枇杷膏

Honey Loquat Syrup

Syrup 膏

Treats

Cough Sore Throat Hoarseness Excess Phlegm

Famous honey-loquat cough syrup. Made in Hong Kong. Sweet, mild, and pleasant to take. Excellent for dry cough and sore throat from cold or dryness. Often found in supermarkets.

Qingkailing Jiaonang

清开灵胶囊

Qingkailing Capsules

Capsules 胶囊

Treats

High Fever Sore Throat Acute Pharyngitis Acute Bronchitis

For viral colds with high fever. Stronger formula — meant for acute upper respiratory tract infections. Baishishan brand. Consult a pharmacist.

Common Cold: Children

儿童感冒药 · Értóng Gǎnmào Yào

⚠️ Important — Children's Medicines

All children's medicines listed here require dosage adjustment by age and weight. Always consult a paediatrician or pharmacist. Show the medicine box to your doctor or use a photo translation app (Baidu Translate camera mode) to read the dosage instructions carefully.

Xiao'er Chaigui Tuire Keli

小儿柴桂退热颗粒

Children's Fever Relief Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Fever Headache Body Ache Runny Nose Sore Throat

Xiaojuhua brand. One of the most commonly prescribed children's cold granules. Promotes sweating to reduce fever. 5g per sachet.

Xiao'er Chiqiao Qingre Keli

小儿豉翘清热颗粒

Children's Chiqiao Qingre Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Fever Nasal Congestion Runny Nose Sore Throat

Tonpei brand. 2g sachet, 9 sachets per box. For children's wind-heat colds. Also addresses digestive upset alongside cold symptoms.

Xiao'er Ganmao Keli

小儿感冒颗粒

Pediatric Cold Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Headache Fever Cough with Mucus Sore Throat

Jucao brand. Broad children's cold formula. Clears heat and promotes lung function. Well tolerated by younger children.

Shuanghuanglian Koufuye (Pediatric)

双黄连口服液（儿童）

Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid — Pediatric

Oral Liquid 口服液

Treats

Fever Cough Sore Throat

Taihe brand. Pediatric dose: age 1–3 yrs: 10ml per dose; age 4–7 yrs: 20ml per dose. Consult doctor first. Only for children.

Xiao'er Resuqing Koufuye

小儿热速清口服液

Pediatric Rapid Fever Relief Oral Liquid

Oral Liquid 口服液

Treats

Fever Headache Sore Throat Nasal Congestion Cough

Yizheng brand. 6 vials per box. Specifically for rapid fever reduction in children. Clears heat and detoxifies. Well-known pediatric formula.

Xiao'er Jiebiao Keli

小儿解表颗粒

Children's Jiebiao Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Fever Headache Cough Runny Nose Throat Itch

Tongrentang brand. 8g per sachet, 10 sachets per box. Releases exterior wind-heat. Suitable for school-age children.

Xiao'er Feike Keli

小儿肺咳颗粒

Pediatric Lung Cough Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Pediatric Cough Phlegm Lung Weakness Recurrent Respiratory

Tiansheng Pharmaceutical. 2g sachet, 18 sachets per box. Strengthens lung qi and relieves chronic pediatric cough. Good for recurring respiratory problems.

Xiao'er Yanbian Keli — 999

999 小儿咽扁颗粒

999 Pediatric Throat Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Sore Throat Acute Pharyngitis Tonsillitis

999 brand. Clears heat and relieves throat pain. Specifically formulated for children's throat conditions. Also available in Tongrentang version (see below).

Xiao'er Yanbian Keli — Tongrentang

小儿咽扁颗粒（同仁堂）

Tongrentang Pediatric Throat Granules

Granules 颗粒

Treats

Sore Throat Mouth Ulcers Acute Pharyngitis Lung Heat

Tongrentang brand. Also addresses mouth ulcers. For throat conditions caused by lung heat in children. Well-trusted heritage brand.

Understanding TCM Cold Types

风寒与风热 · Fēnghán vs Fēngrè

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, colds are categorized into two main types. Choosing the correct medicine depends on identifying which type you have — they require different treatments.

❄️ Wind-Cold (风寒 Fēnghán)

Chills more than fever
No sweating or very little
Clear, watery runny nose
Body aches and stiffness
No or mild sore throat
Thin white tongue coating
Often triggered by cold/wind exposure

Best medicines: Ganmao Qingre Keli, Xiaochaihu Keli

🔥 Wind-Heat (风热 Fēngrè)

Fever more than chills
Sweating present
Yellow or thick nasal discharge
Significant sore throat
Thirst and dry mouth
Yellow tongue coating
Often seasonal, springtime

Best medicines: Lianhua Qingwen, Yinqiao Jiedu, Shuanghuanglian

ℹ️ Not Sure Which Type? Ask the Pharmacist

At any Chinese pharmacy (药店), show the pharmacist your symptoms or use Baidu Translate camera mode to show them this text: 我是风热还是风寒感冒？ (Wǒ shì fēngrè háishì fēnghán gǎnmào?) = "Do I have a wind-heat or wind-cold cold?" They will recommend the right medicine.

Quick Symptom Lookup

症状速查表 · Zhèngzhuàng Sùchá Biǎo

Find your dominant symptom and pick the recommended adult OTC medicine.

Primary Symptom	Chinese	Recommended Medicine	Form	Notes
Fever + Sore Throat	发热 + 咽痛	Lianhua Qingwen / Yinqiao Jiedu Pian	Capsule / Tablet	Wind-heat type; heat dominant
Fever + Body Aches	发热 + 身痛	Jinhua Qinggan Keli / 999 Ganmao Ling	Granules	Broad cold formula
Sore Throat Only	仅咽痛	Banlangen Keli / Pudilan Xiaoyan Pian	Granules / Tablet	Very safe; good as preventive
Cough + Phlegm	咳嗽 + 痰	Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa / Shuanghuanglian	Syrup / Liquid	Honey syrup for dry cough; liquid for wet
Runny Nose + Headache	流鼻涕 + 头痛	Ganmao Qingre Keli / Xiaochaihu Keli	Granules	Wind-cold type; chills dominant
Summer Cold + Stomach	暑热感冒 + 胃	Huoxiang Zhengqi Shui	Liquid vials	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea with cold
High Fever + Viral	高热病毒感染	Qingkailing Jiaonang	Capsule	Stronger formula; consult pharmacist
Child: Fever + Sore Throat	儿童发热咽痛	Xiao'er Yanbian Keli (999 or Tongrentang)	Granules	Ask pharmacist for correct dosage
Child: General Cold	儿童普通感冒	Xiao'er Chaigui Tuire Keli	Granules	Most commonly prescribed for children

At the Pharmacy in China

在中国药店购药 · Zài Zhōngguó Yàodiàn Gòuyào

🔍

Find a Pharmacy

Open Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps and search 药店 (yàodiàn). Major chains: 大参林 (Dà Cānlín), 老百姓大药房 (Lǎobǎixìng), 海王星辰 (Hǎiwángxīngchén). All stock OTC patent medicines.

🏷️

Look for OTC Label

OTC medicines have a green or red oval OTC sticker on the box. Green = non-prescription (safer). Red OTC = still non-prescription but requires more care. No prescription needed for any medicine in this guide.

📱

Translate the Box

Use Baidu Translate camera mode to photograph the dosage instructions (用法用量) on the back of the box. This gives you the correct dose for adults vs children, and frequency of intake.

💊

Ask the Pharmacist

Chinese pharmacies have a licensed pharmacist on duty. Show them your symptoms — they will recommend the right medicine. Say: 我感冒了 (Wǒ gǎnmào le) = "I have a cold." They will guide you.

💳

Payment

Pharmacies universally accept Alipay and WeChat Pay QR. Most also accept cash. Prices are very affordable — most OTC medicines cost ¥10–50 per box.

🌡️

When to See a Doctor

If fever exceeds 39.5°C for more than 2 days, or if symptoms worsen after 3 days of OTC treatment, visit a hospital. Go to 发热门诊 (Fārè Ménzhěn) = Fever Clinic.

⚠️ Interaction Warning

Do not combine multiple cold medicines — especially those containing paracetamol/acetaminophen (对乙酰氨基酚). Some Chinese patent medicines contain Western active ingredients alongside herbal components. Ask your pharmacist if combining medicines.

Useful Phrases at the Pharmacy

药店常用语 · Yàodiàn Cháng Yòng Yǔ

我感冒了

Wǒ gǎnmào le

I have a cold.

我发烧了

Wǒ fāshāo le

I have a fever.

我嗓子疼

Wǒ sǎngzi téng

My throat hurts / I have a sore throat.

我头疼

Wǒ tóuténg

I have a headache.

我咳嗽

Wǒ késou

I have a cough.

流鼻涕

Liú bítì

Runny nose.

鼻塞

Bísāi

Nasal congestion / blocked nose.

有没有适合外国人的药？

Yǒu méiyǒu shìhé wàiguórén de yào?

Do you have medicine suitable for foreigners?

这个儿童可以吃吗？

Zhège értóng kěyǐ chī ma?

Can children take this?

怎么服用？

Zěnme fúyòng?

How do I take this? (dosage instructions)

一天吃几次？

Yī tiān chī jǐ cì?

How many times per day?

附近有医院吗？

Fùjìn yǒu yīyuàn ma?

Is there a hospital nearby?

✅ Pro Tip: Screenshot This Page

Take a screenshot of the phrase table above before heading to a pharmacy. Even without internet or VPN, you can show the pharmacist the Chinese text directly from your photo gallery.