Cold Signoff^TM (Qiang Li Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian (Wan), Yin Chiao Chieh Tu Pien, Yinchiao Tablets, Yin Qiao San, 银翘解毒片) is a highly regarded Chinese herbal formula invented in 1798. Today, thanks to its efficacy and safety, it is a household Chinese medicine for cold and flu in China and is getting popular in USA.

What does it do?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), our body is vulnerable to attacks of pathogenic influences. The attacks first invade the peripheral and the body reacts with symptoms like fever, cough, and headache. If not halted they further invade the interior of the body and causes severe conditions. The pathogenic influences in modern medical terms belong to bacteria and viruses (e. g., cold viruses and flu viruses).

Cold Signoff^TM works to halt the invasion of pathogenic influences and relieves the associated symptoms. It is mainly used for the common cold and flu (influenza). It is most effective when taken at the first signs of cold or flu such as sore throat, runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, and headache.

Modern studies suggested a pharmacological action of Cold Signoff^TM that is consistent with its use for cold and flu relief¹. For example, it inhibits the growth of many strains of bacteria and viruses including influenza A virus; it reduces fever in animal models; it inhibits inflammation.

Cold Signoff^TM is indicated in China Pharmacopoeia² for relieving the exterior symptoms and clearing away toxins. The symptoms may include wind-heat type common cold, fever with headache, cough with dry mouth and sore throat.

Cold Signoff^TM is also used to prevent cold and flu. In a clinical study involving 1480 people, only 2.6% of people who took Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan for 6 weeks developed flu whereas 17.55% people in the control group developed flu ¹. We recommend to use Cold Signoff^TM for prevention of colds or flu when an outbreak occurs in the community, the family or the working places.
(For discussion on Cold, Flu, and Prevention, click here)

Have you heard of or used Airborne®, a popular cold supplement in USA? You may want to know that it is based on Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian and contains the same key ingredients as Cold Signoff^TM.

*Cold Signoff^TM is made of 100% pure authentic Chinese herbs of highest qualities. Traditional preparation procedures are combined with modern pharmaceutical processes to extract the active ingredients from the herbs and to further concentrate them into pills or tablets. It is produced in the certified GMP facilities of Shanghai TongHanChun Herbs Factory (Guang Ci Tang) or Lanzhou Foci Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Plum Flower) and is imported to USA in accordance with the FDA guidelines.

It contains no pharmaceuticals, no artificial colors, and no sugar. Heavy metals are within or well beyond the standards set by US Pharmacopoeia.

What is Available?
Guang Ci Tang (40 grams in 200 tablets (new format) or 200 pills per bottle).
Plum Flower (56 grams in 96 tablets packed in 12 vials).

How do I use it?
For Guang Ci Tang, 5 to 7 tablets or pills 2-3 times daily for adults at the onset of colds or flu.
For Plum Flower, 4 tablets 3 times daily.
For children, dose should be reduced accordingly to the weight.
For cold or flu prevention, the dose may be reduced to half.

Use Discrimination
Cold Signoff^TM is highly related to Ling Qiao Jie Du Pian in composition and function. Ling Qiao Jie Du Pian has a stronger fever reducing function.

Cold Signoff^TM also works similarly to Gan Mao Ling.

Yu Ping Feng Pian is used for cold and flu prevention as well but it is for immunity enhancement in the long term. (see Cold, Flu, and Prevention)

Side Effects
Cold Signoff^TM has been safely used with few adverse effects when used as directed.

Cautious Notes
1. Do not use it for cases in which the body feels cold.
2. Consult your herbalist or physician before use if you have chronic diseases of heart, liver, or kidney, of hypertension, of diabetes.
3. Consult your herbalist or physician before use if you are pregnant.
4. Consult your herbalist or physician before use if you are under other medical treatment.
5. If the symptoms are not improved in 3 days, it is not applicable for the case and discontinue use.
6. Not recommended to take herbal tonics like YinVive at the same time.
7. Not recommended to take liquor, cigarettes, spicy and oily food while taking the product.
8. Keep out of reach of children.

References
1. Chen Q. Renowned Patent Traditional Chinese Medicines: Pharmacology and Clinical Applications (1998).
2. China Pharmacopoeia 2000.