Banlangen: An Herbal Cold Medicine

What is Banlangen? Few people in the United States have probably heard about banlangen, but this herb has been used in China for centuries as a cold remedy and for immune support. It is a combination of Isatis root, Dandelion herb and Viola herb, and is a staple in many households in China. For ages, it has been to treat everything from influenza (the common flu) to typhoid fever, respiratory tract infections, and infections of all sorts. During the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic in Asia, many people resorted to banlangen for immune defense.

It is sold in most Asian supermarkets in the United States as small packets of tea. The herb itself has already been ground up into a fine powder, which is mixed with other ingredients such as sugar (to make it less bitter tasting), and then manufactured into small brown granules. These dissolve into an herbal tea once hot water is added.

Usually, one packet of banlangen is dissolved into an eight ounce mug of hot water, but if you want an extra strong dose of the herb, you can dissolve two packets of banlangen into one mug of water. This herbal tea is a little strong tasting at first, but isn't that bad once you get used to the special taste. Some people even like the taste.

For the best effect, banlangen should be taken as soon as you start feeling the first signs of a cold or illness, such as when you first start getting a sore throat. A lot of the time, taking banlangen right at the beginning, in conjunction with sufficient rest and other healthful practices, can stem the illness right there and prevent it from developing.

The common dose is one packet at a time, three times a day, but you should increase or decrease the dose based on your individual situation.

Banlangen is believed to support the immune system. Even if you do end up getting the illness in full force, banlangen will boost your immune system so your body can fight off the disease and recover quicker.

Quite a bit of research on the antibacterial and antiviral effects of the drug has been conducted. Research by one team, Xu Zhen Can, et al. showed banlangen having slightly better effects than penicillin in inhibiting the effect of hay bacilius. Another study by Cao Zhi Sheng, et al. has demonstrated the herb as having a strong antibacterial effect on pyloric helicobacterium.