Treatment of Common Cold Patients with the Shi-Cha Capsule: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Escalation Trial

Table 2

Standard formula of SCC.

Chinese name	Pharmaceutical name	The principle of prescription	Source	Pharmacological actions in TCM
Shi Jiaocao	Boenninghausenia  sessilicarpa	Primary ingredients in a prescription	The dried whole plant of Boenninghausenia  sessilicarpa  Levl	To dispel wind and dry dampness, to regulate Qi to relieve pain, and anti-inflammation caused by common cold
Xiao Shancha	Elsholtzia  bodinieri  Van	Minister herb	The dried whole plant of Elsholtzia  bodinieri  Van	To relieve exterior by diaphoresis, to clear away heat-dampness and promote diuresis, to regulate Qi to ease the stomach caused by common cold
Huang Qi	Astragalus  membranaceus	Minister herb	The dried root of Astragalus  membranaceus	To tonify Qi and relieve exterior, to supply Qi for strengthening exterior, to induce diuresis to remove edema, to promote pus discharge and tissue regeneration by strengthening Qi caused by common cold
Yu Xingcao	Houttuynia  cordata  Thunb	Adjuvant and messenger herb	The dried whole plant of Houttuynia  cordata  Thunb	To clear away heat-toxin caused by common cold
Qian Liguang	Climbing  groundsel  Herb	Adjuvant and messenger herb	The dried whole plant of Climbing  groundsel  Herb	To clear away heat-toxin caused by common cold
Qiang Huo	Forbes  Notopterygium	Adjuvant and messenger herb	The dried rhizome and root of Forbes  notopterygium	To remove dampness to relieve pain caused by common cold

SCC: Shi-Cha capsule; TCM: traditional Chinese medicine; Qi: vital energy.