What Traditional Chinese Medicines Should Be Prepared for Elderly People at Home
As we age, various health issues start to surface. For elderly people, it is important to have some traditional Chinese medicines readily available at home. But what medicines should be prepared and what should be taken into consideration? Let's find out. As we grow older, our bodily functions gradually decline and our immune system weakens. Therefore, it is advisable to have these commonly used medicines available at home if there are elderly people.
Traditional Chinese Medicines to be Prepared for Elderly People at Home
1. Medicines for Common Cold
Traditional Chinese medicine divides common cold into three types: wind-cold, wind-heat, and summer-dampness. Different types of medicines are used for different types of illnesses. For wind-cold type of cold, it is recommended to use medicines that warm the body and dispel cold from the lungs. Commonly prepared medicines include Ganmao Qingre Granules, Zheng Chaihu Drink Granules, and Ganmao Soft Capsules. For wind-heat type of cold, medicines that have cooling and clearing effects on the body and lungs are preferred. Commonly prepared medicines include Yinqiao Jiedu Granules, Xiasangju Cold Remedy, Lingqiao Jiedu Pills, Yinchai Mixture, Qingre Jiedu Granules, and Shuanghuanglian Oral Solution. For summer-dampness type of cold, medicines that dispel heat, dampness, and regulate the body are recommended. Huoxiang Zhengqi Water and Shidi Water are effective medicines, especially in the summer season.
2. Cough Suppressants and Expectorants
Coughing and excessive phlegm often accompany a cold. Traditional Chinese medicines such as Honey-processed Chuanbei Loquat Syrup and Gua Ling are effective in relieving these symptoms.
Honey-processed Chuanbei Loquat Syrup has the effects of clearing heat, moistening the lungs, suppressing cough, and relieving wheezing. It is suitable for wind-heat type, lung dryness type, and phlegm-heat type of cough. Compound Fresh Bamboo Liquid (Gua Ling) is mainly used for clearing heat, resolving phlegm, and suppressing cough. It is commonly used for phlegm-heat cough, but pregnant women should avoid using this medicine.
3. Digestive Medicines
Eating a variety of grains and mixed foods can sometimes cause gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, it is important to have digestive medicines such as Hawthorn Pills and Digestive Tablets at home. Although these medicines are relatively safe, it is advisable to consult a doctor for symptoms such as vomiting and abdominal pain.
4. Laxatives
There are many over-the-counter traditional Chinese medicines for treating constipation, such as Compound Aloe Vera Capsules and Mahua Runchang Pills. However, it is important to use these medicines based on individual conditions, so it is best for chronic constipation patients to use medicines recommended by a doctor.
5. Medicines for Clearing Heat and Detoxifying
Commonly used medicines include Liushen Pills and Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets. However, Liushen Pills contain toxic ingredients such as toad venom, so they should not be used indiscriminately. Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets are commonly used for pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, oral ulcers, gingivitis, and abscesses. In recent years, there have been cases of patients using this medicine for weight loss or acne treatment, resulting in toxic side effects. It is important to use this medicine properly and according to the symptoms.
In addition, it is important to have emergency medicines such as Quick-acting Heart-saving Pills for emergencies, medicines for gynecological issues such as Kunbao Pills, Wujibaifeng Pills, and Women's Health Pills for women, and medicines such as Children's Cough Syrup and Digestive Oral Solution for children. For patients with chronic diseases, it is important to timely replenish their commonly used medicines. It is also advisable to have some topical medicines for treating bruises and injuries, such as Honghua Oil and Zhenggu Water.
