Chinese herbal medicine is becoming more widely used in American than ever before. Even the skeptics are reaching for the cold remedy Yin Qiao San and drinking ginger tea before digging out the decongestants.
Most Chinese herbal formulas are now available in pill forms as well as the powdered forms. While it's best to use a powdered formula (the amount of each herb can be specially formulated for the individual), the pill form of the herb is also effective. What matters most is which form the patient will actually take!
According to the website To Your Heath, the top five most prescribed formulas for basic health issues are:
Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)-Induces sweating to fight off a cold
Ping Wei San (Clear Stomach Formula)- To move the energy of the body and help with stomach problems
Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer)- Moves blood and energy in the body and often used for PMS symptoms and stress
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Tonify the Middle Decoction)- To support the energy of the body
Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction)- For lingering colds with alternating chills and fever, and helps with liver function
To see more on each formula, check out this article.