So today I’m going to take a closer look at some of the medicine I got during my trip to the hospital last week. China has a very strong tradition of herbal medicine, which is often used in conjunction with modern antibiotics and the like.
My first packet of pills was roxithromycin, an antibiotic often used for respiratory tract infections. No surprise there given my symptoms. I also got some paracetamol and an NSAID to help with my runny nose, headaches, muscle pains, etc. etc.
The last one was the most interesting in my opinion. It was the 抗感解毒颗粒, or according to my amateur translation, the combat-cold-relieve-fever-granules. The ingredients in this medicine included root of the kudzu vine, root of Dahurian angelica, honeysuckle, and a veritable garden-full of other roots and flowers.
The CCRFG (for short) was the most interesting not only in terms of its ingredients but also its preparation. Inside the box were small bags containing the root/flower granules which had to be stirred into hot water and drank like tea.
According to the description on the box the flavor was sweet, with a hint of bitter. If you ask me though, I’d say it’s more the opposite. Upon seeing the final product in my mug I thought: hm, this looks kind of like mud. And that’s about what it tastes like too!
But I’m getting better all the same. Now is that solely thanks to my antibiotics, or did the kudzu root concoction also play a significant factor in my healing? It certainly didn’t make me feel any worse (aside from the aftertaste), but I’m left wondering what did it actually do?
A quick glance at the information packet that came in the box told me it’s for clearing wind heat, but what the heck is that supposed to mean? I did notice that drinking it tended to induce sweating, and it seemed like the better my condition got the less I sweat.
Was my wind heat leaving my body via the sweat? Be sure to check back in the future for a more in depth look at some funky Traditional Chinese Medicine terms!
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