Is Ganmao Qingre Granule effective for influenza?

Generally, Ganmao Qingre Granules can provide some relief for influenza symptoms, but their effectiveness is limited and they are not the first-line treatment. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Ganmao Qingre Granules are a traditional Chinese medicine preparation primarily composed of herbal ingredients such as Schizonepeta spike, mint, siler (Saposhnikovia root), perilla leaf, bitter apricot seed, platycodon, bupleurum, reed rhizome, and others. It has effects including dispersing wind and cold, eliminating phlegm and relieving cough, clearing heat and detoxifying, and alleviating pain. It can help relieve discomfort symptoms caused by cold-type common colds or influenza, such as fever, headache, and cough. Influenza is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the influenza virus, characterized by high transmissibility and strong pathogenicity. After entering the body, the influenza virus rapidly replicates and triggers a series of symptoms, including high fever, headache, cough, and body aches.

The components in Ganmao Qingre Granules may alleviate certain symptoms caused by influenza, such as fever, headache, and cough. However, they do not directly kill the influenza virus and therefore should not be used as the primary treatment for influenza. During influenza treatment, Ganmao Qingre Granules may serve as an adjunctive therapy to help relieve patient discomfort and improve quality of life. Since these granules are primarily designed for treating the common cold—and because the common cold and influenza are caused by different viruses—their therapeutic effect on influenza is relatively limited.

In daily life, drinking sufficient water helps prevent dehydration and supports the elimination of toxins from the body. Frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with others can reduce viral transmission. While Ganmao Qingre Granules may be used as a complementary therapy, they should not replace professional medical advice.