1. Source and History of Formulas

1. Birth Background of Sangju Decoction

Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction is from 'Treatise on Febrile Diseases' written by Wu Jutong in the Qing Dynasty. At that time, febrile diseases were prevalent, posing a serious threat to people's health. Based on summarizing the experiences of predecessors and combining his own years of clinical practice, Wu Jutong created a series of formulas for different stages of febrile diseases. Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction is the representative formula for treating the initial stage of wind-warmth with pathogenic factors invading the lung collaterals syndrome.

2. Evolution of Ancient Physicians' Understanding of Warm Diseases

- The theory of febrile diseases has gone through a long development process in ancient times. As early as in 'Huangdi Neijing', there were records about febrile diseases, but the descriptions were relatively brief.

- In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing mentioned some symptoms similar to febrile diseases in 'Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders' and put forward corresponding treatment principles.

- By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the theory of febrile diseases gradually matured. Ye Tianshi proposed the theory of syndrome differentiation of 'defense, qi, nutrient, and blood'. Wu Jutong further improved it on this basis and created the theory of syndrome differentiation of 'triple energizer', providing a systematic theoretical framework for the treatment of febrile diseases. Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction was born based on this theoretical system.

3. Application and Inheritance of Sangju Decoction in History

Since Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction came into being, due to its definite curative effect, it has been widely used clinically to treat the initial stage of wind-warmth and other diseases. Later generations of physicians continuously summarized experiences in the application process, carried out inheritance and development on it, making it one of the classic formulas for treating mild exterior wind-heat syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine and still in use today.

2. Introduction to Ingredients (Monarch, Minister, Assistant, and Guide)

1. Monarch Ingredients - Mori Folium and Chrysanthemi Flos

- Mulberry Leaf

- Nature, flavor, and meridian tropism: Sweet and bitter in flavor, cold in nature, attributing to the lung and liver meridians.

- Functions: Dispersing wind-heat, moistening the lung dryness, suppressing the hyperactive liver yang, and clearing the liver and improving eyesight.

- Mechanism of action: Mori Folium is light and dispersing, being good at dispersing wind-heat in the lung meridian. Its cold nature can also clear lung heat. It contains rich components such as flavonoids, and these components have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and other effects, which can effectively reduce the inflammatory reaction in the lungs and relieve symptoms such as fever and cough.

- Chrysanthemum

- Properties, tastes, and channels entered: Pungent, sweet, bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, entering the lung and liver channels.

- Functions: Dispersing wind and clearing heat, soothing the liver and improving eyesight, clearing heat and detoxifying.

- Mechanism of action: Chrysanthemum is pungent and dispersing, bitter and draining, slightly cold in nature and clearing heat. It can both disperse wind-heat in the lung meridian and clear heat in the liver meridian. The components it contains, such as volatile oils and flavonoids, have effects like antipyretic analgesia and anti-inflammation. Acting synergistically with mulberry leaf, it enhances the functions of dispersing wind-heat and clearing liver-fire, and has a good therapeutic effect on symptoms such as fever, headache, cough caused by the initial onset of wind-warm syndrome and the disturbance of wind-heat in the lung meridian.

2. Minister Ingredients - Armeniacae Semen Amarum and Forsythiae Fructus

- Almond

- Nature, flavor, and meridian tropism: Bitter in flavor, slightly warm in nature, attributing to the Lung and Large Intestine meridians.

- Function: Lowering qi to arrest cough and asthma, moistening the intestine and promoting defecation.

- Mechanism of action: Bitter almonds are warm and moist, and are good at descending the lung qi, relieving cough and asthma. In Sangju Decoction, it can assist the monarch drug in dispersing wind-heat in the lung meridian, and at the same time descend the lung qi to relieve cough, so that the lung qi can be properly dispersed and descended. The components such as amygdalin it contains can inhibit the cough center, reduce the cough reflex and relieve cough symptoms.

- Forsythia suspensa

- Nature, flavor, meridian tropism: Bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, belonging to the lung, heart and small intestine meridians.

- Efficacy: Clearing heat and detoxifying, dispersing wind-heat.

- Mechanism of action: Forsythia suspensa has a strong effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, and can clear the toxin of wind-heat in the upper jiao. It contains components such as phillyrin and forsythoside, which have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, can enhance the heat-clearing power of the formula, and has a good therapeutic effect on the initial stage of wind-warm with heat-toxin accumulating in the lung. Working synergistically with mulberry leaves, chrysanthemum, etc., it can disperse wind-heat in the lung meridian together.

3. Assistant Ingredients - Menthae Haplocalycis Herba, Platycodonis Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma

- Mentha haplocalyx Briq.

- Nature, flavor, meridian tropism: Pungent in taste, cool in nature, belonging to the lung and liver meridians.

- Efficacy: Disperse wind-heat, clear and benefit the head and eyes, promote eruption through the throat and rash, soothe the liver and regulate qi.

- Mechanism of action: Mentha haplocalyx is pungent, cool and fragrant, with a strong ability to disperse wind-heat. It can assist Mori Folium and Chrysanthemi Flos in dispersing wind-heat in the lung meridian, enabling the pathogenic wind-heat to be resolved from the exterior. The volatile oils and other components it contains have the effect of clearing heat and relieving the exterior, and can relieve symptoms such as fever and headache. At the same time, Mentha haplocalyx can also clear the head and eyes, benefit the throat and relieve pain, and has a certain relieving effect on symptoms such as headache and sore throat in the initial stage of wind-warm syndrome.

- Platycodonis Radix

- Nature, flavor and meridian tropism: Bitter, pungent, neutral in nature, and belongs to the lung meridian.

- Efficacy: Promote the dispersing function of the lung, resolve phlegm, benefit the throat, and drain pus.

- Mechanism of action: Platycodonis Radix is pungent and dispersing, bitter and cathartic, and is good at promoting the dispersing function of the lung and benefiting the throat. In Sangju Decoction, it can assist Armeniacae Semen Amarum in promoting the descending and ascending of lung qi, making the lung qi smooth, and at the same time benefit the throat and relieve pain, alleviating the symptoms of sore throat. The components such as platycodin contained in it have the effects of resolving phlegm and relieving cough, etc., and can promote the discharge of phlegm and relieve the cough symptoms.

- Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma

- Nature, flavor and meridian tropism: Sweet in flavor, neutral in nature, and belongs to the heart, lung, spleen and stomach meridians.

- Efficacy: Tonify the spleen and benefit qi, moisten the lung and relieve cough, clear heat and detoxify, and harmonize all medicines.

- Mechanism of action: Licorice can moisten the lungs and relieve cough symptoms. At the same time, it harmonizes all the herbs in the prescription, making the properties of each herb in the formula coordinate with each other and better exerting the therapeutic effect. It contains components such as glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, can reduce the inflammatory response, and enhance the overall efficacy of the formula.

4. Assistant Drug - Reed Root

- Nature, flavor, and meridian tropism: Sweet in flavor, cold in nature, and attributive to the lung and stomach meridians.

- Functions: Clearing heat and purging fire, promoting the production of body fluid to relieve thirst, removing vexation, stopping vomiting, and inducing diuresis.

- Mechanism of action: Reed rhizome is sweet and cold, which can both clear heat and purge fire and promote the production of body fluid to relieve thirst. In Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction, it can clear away the heat of the lung and stomach, and relieve symptoms such as fever and thirst. The polysaccharides, amino acids and other components it contains have the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood, nourishing yin and moistening dryness, etc., can supplement body fluids, prevent the pathogenic heat from injuring body fluids, and at the same time make the formula clear heat without damaging healthy qi, playing the role of harmonizing the properties of herbs.

III. Pathogenesis, Efficacy and Principal Treatment

1. Pathogenesis Analysis

- At the initial stage of wind-warm syndrome, the pathogenic wind-heat attacks the lung and defensive qi. The lung is in charge of qi and respiration, opens into the nose, and is externally related to the skin and hair. The pathogenic wind-heat enters through the mouth and nose and first attacks the lung, resulting in disharmony of the lung and defensive qi. When the lung and defensive qi are invaded by the pathogen, the defensive qi is stagnated, so there is fever; when the lung qi fails to disperse, there is cough; when the wind-heat disturbs the clear orifices, there is headache; the throat is the gateway of the lung, and the pathogenic wind-heat attacks the throat along the meridian, so there is swelling and pain in the throat.

- At this time, the pathogenic factor is still superficial, only in the lung and defensive qi, and has not entered the qi aspect, nutrient aspect or blood aspect, and the condition is relatively mild.

2. Efficacy

- Relieving exterior syndrome with pungent-cool herbs, dispersing wind-heat, and dispersing the lung qi to relieve cough.

- In the formula, herbs such as mulberry leaf, chrysanthemum, mint, and forsythia are pungent and cool in nature, which can disperse wind-heat and clear away the pathogens in the lung and defensive qi; apricot kernel and platycodon root disperse and descend the lung qi, relieve cough and asthma; licorice harmonizes all the herbs, and reed rhizome clears heat and promotes the production of body fluid, jointly playing the role of relieving exterior syndrome with pungent-cool herbs, dispersing wind-heat, and dispersing the lung qi to relieve cough, so that the pathogens in the lung and defensive qi can be removed, the lung qi is dispersed smoothly, and all symptoms will disappear automatically.

3. Indications

- At the initial stage of wind-warm disease, syndrome of pathogenic factors invading the lung collateral. Symptoms include fever, mild aversion to wind and cold, cough, slightly thirsty mouth, red tip and edges of the tongue, thin white or slightly yellowish tongue coating, and floating and rapid pulse.

- This syndrome is mainly manifested by fever, mild aversion to wind and cold, cough, and slightly thirsty mouth. It is a typical symptom of the initial stage of wind-warm disease when wind-heat pathogenic factors invade the lung and defensive qi. Sangju Yin (Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction) can effectively relieve the above symptoms and control the disease in time through functions such as dispersing wind-heat and relieving cough by diffusing the lung qi.

IV．Analysis of Formula Meaning

1. Using Diaphoresis and Clearing Heat Simultaneously

- Herba Mori (Mulberry Leaf), Flos Chrysanthemi (Chrysanthemum), Mentha haplocalyx (Wild Mint), Fructus Forsythiae (Weeping Forsythia), etc., which are exterior-resolving herbs, can disperse wind-heat and enable the pathogenic factors in the exterior to be resolved from the outside. At the same time, Fructus Forsythiae, Rhizoma Phragmitis (Common Reed Rhizome), etc., which are heat-clearing herbs, can clear away the heat in the lung and defensive qi and prevent the pathogenic heat from further invading the interior. The combination of exterior-resolving and heat-clearing herbs not only disperses the exterior pathogenic factors but also clears away the interior heat, completely removing the pathogenic factors in the lung and defensive qi, embodying the principle of 'it is advisable to induce sweating in the defensive phase' in the treatment of exogenous diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.

- This compatibility method, aiming at the pathogenesis characteristics of wind-heat pathogenic factors in the lung and defensive qi at the initial stage of wind-warm disease, can quickly relieve exterior syndromes such as fever and mild aversion to wind and cold, and prevent the development of the disease and cut off the transmission route.

2. Dispersing Lung Qi and Relieving Cough

- Semen Armeniacae Amarum (Bitter Apricot Seed) and Radix Platycodonis (Balloonflower Root) promote and descend the lung qi, one descending and one promoting, to adjust the ascending and descending of the lung qi. When the lung qi ascends and descends normally, the cough will stop on its own. Herba Mori, Flos Chrysanthemi, etc. disperse wind-heat, which helps to promote the smooth flow of the lung qi and indirectly plays a role in relieving cough. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (Licorice Root) moistens the lung and relieves cough, harmonizes all the herbs, and enhances the cough-relieving effect of the formula.

- The lung governs qi and controls respiration. At the initial stage of wind-warm disease, the lung qi fails to disperse, leading to cough. Sangju Yin restores the normal function of the lung through the synergistic effects of diffusing the lung qi and relieving cough, achieving the purpose of relieving cough and asthma, embodying the concept of treating diseases by seeking the root cause in traditional Chinese medicine, and treating the fundamental pathogenesis of cough - the failure of the lung qi to disperse.

Synergistic Effect of Drug Compatibility

- Herba Mori and Flos Chrysanthemi are used in combination to enhance the power of dispersing wind-heat and clearing the liver and improving eyesight. Fructus Forsythiae and Mentha haplocalyx work synergistically to strengthen the functions of dispersing wind-heat and clearing heat and detoxifying. Semen Armeniacae Amarum and Radix Platycodonis are combined to better promote and descend the lung qi, relieve cough and asthma. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. harmonizes all the herbs, enabling the herbs to synergize with each other and exert the best therapeutic effect.

- The synergistic effect of this drug compatibility enables Sangju Yin to comprehensively and effectively target the pathogenesis when treating the syndrome of pathogenic factors invading the lung collateral at the initial stage of wind-warm disease,发挥 the effects of dispersing wind-heat and relieving cough by diffusing the lung qi, etc., and提高 the clinical efficacy of the formula.

Comparison with Other Similar Prescriptions

Yinqiao Powder

- Composition: Flos Lonicerae, Fructus Forsythiae, Folium Bambusae, Spica Schizonepetae, Fructus Arctii, Herba Menthae, Radix Platycodonis, Semen Sojae Praeparatum, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Rhizoma Phragmitis.

- Function: Dispersing pathogenic factors on the exterior with pungent and cool herbs, clearing heat and detoxifying.

- Main indications: The initial stage of warm febrile disease. Fever, slightly aversion to wind-cold, no sweating or unsmooth sweating, headache and thirst, cough and sore throat, red tip and edges of the tongue, thin white or slightly yellowish tongue coating, floating and rapid pulse.

- and Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Drink Comparison: Yinqiao Powder It has a stronger effect of relieving exterior syndrome and clearing heat, and is applicable to the initial stage of warm diseases with relatively severe exterior heat and relatively strong heat-toxicity. It contains more exterior-relieving medicinal flavors, and there are heat-clearing and toxicity-detoxifying herbs such as Flos Lonicerae Japonicae and Fructus Forsythiae, focusing on clearing and purging heat-toxicity in the defensive and qi aspects. Sangju Decoction focuses on dispersing wind-heat in the lung meridian and has a better effect on relieving cough. It is applicable to the initial stage of wind-warm syndrome with cough as the main symptom and relatively mild exterior heat.

Maxing Shigan Decoction

- Composition: Ephedra, Apricot Seed, Gypsum Fibrosum, Licorice Root.

- Function: Dispersing pathogenic factors on the exterior with pungent and cool herbs, clearing the lung and relieving asthma.

- Main indications: Exogenous wind pathogen, syndrome of pathogenic heat congesting the lung. Unresolved fever, cough with dyspnea, even nasal flaring, thirst, with or without sweating.

- and Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Drink Comparison: Maxing Shigan Decoction Combined with Ephedrae Herba and Gypsum Fibrosum, it focuses on clearing the lung and relieving asthma, and is mainly used to treat cough and asthma caused by pathogenic heat congesting the lung. Sangju Decoction is mainly for the initial stage of wind-warmth with disharmony between the lung and defensive qi. It mainly disperses wind-heat and promotes the lung to arrest cough. The condition is relatively mild and there is no severe syndrome manifestation of pathogenic heat congesting the lung in Maxing Shigan Decoction.

Sangxing Decoction

- Composition: Mori Folium, Armeniacae Semen Amarum, Adenophorae Radix, Thladianthae Bulbus, Sojae Semen Preparatum, Gardeniae Cortex, Pyrifolia Cortex.

- Efficacy: Clearing and diffusing warm dryness, moistening the lung and relieving cough.

- Treatment principle: Exogenous warm dryness syndrome. The body heat is not severe, there is thirst, dry throat and nose, dry cough without sputum or scanty and sticky sputum, red tongue, thin white and dry tongue coating, floating and rapid pulse with the right pulse being larger.

- Comparison with Sangju Decoction: Sangxing Decoction is mainly used for treating exogenous warm dryness, with emphasis on dryness pathogen injuring the lung, and mainly functions to moisten the lung and relieve cough. Sangju Decoction is mainly used for the initial stage of wind-warm syndrome, with emphasis on wind-heat pathogen invading the lung defense, and mainly functions to disperse wind-heat and ventilate the lung to relieve cough. The etiological mechanisms and the focuses of medication of the two are slightly different.

Clinical Application and Indications

Upper Respiratory Tract Infection

- Upper respiratory tract infection of the initial stage of wind-warm syndrome, manifested as symptoms such as fever, slightly aversion to wind and cold, cough, sore throat, etc., which conforms to the main syndrome type treated by Sangju Decoction. In clinical application, Sangju Decoction can effectively disperse wind-heat, relieve symptoms such as fever and cough, and promote the recovery of the disease.

- For example, a patient has a fever of about 38°C, slightly aversion to wind and cold, cough, itchy throat, red tip and edges of the tongue, thin white and slightly yellow tongue coating, floating and rapid pulse. After taking Sangju Decoction, the fever gradually subsides, and the cough alleviates. Generally, taking 3 - 5 doses can basically achieve recovery.

Acute Bronchitis

- For the initial stage of acute bronchitis, for symptoms such as cough and expectoration caused by wind-heat invading the lung, Sangju Decoction has a good therapeutic effect. It can disperse wind-heat, ventilate the lung and relieve cough, making the lung qi smooth and the sputum discharge smooth.

- Such as a patient has cough, yellow and thick sputum, accompanied by fever and slightly aversion to wind and cold. After taking Sangju Decoction, the frequency of cough decreases, the sputum becomes thinner, and the fever symptom alleviates. Generally, taking 5 - 7 consecutive doses can significantly improve the symptoms.

3. Mild Influenza

- In the mild stage of influenza, if symptoms of wind-heat invading the defensive qi appear, such as fever, slightly aversion to wind and cold, headache, cough, etc., Sangju Decoction can be used as an adjuvant treatment formula. It can dispel wind and heat externally, soothe the liver and clear heat, relieve influenza symptoms and shorten the course of disease.

- For example, for influenza patients with body temperature of 37.5 - 38.5°C, headache, cough, runny nose, after taking Sangju Decoction, the body temperature gradually drops, and symptoms such as headache and cough are relieved. Generally, taking it for 3 - days can relieve discomfort.

VII. Modifications

1. High Fever

- Gypsum and Anemarrhena Rhizome can be added to enhance the effect of clearing heat and purging fire. Gypsum is pungent, sweet and extremely cold, capable of clearing heat and purging fire, removing vexation and quenching thirst; Anemarrhena Rhizome is bitter, cold and moist in nature, capable of clearing heat and purging fire, nourishing yin and moistening dryness. When combined with the original formula of Sangju Decoction, they can effectively reduce body temperature and relieve fever symptoms.

- For example, when the patient has a high fever with body temperature above 39°C, 30g of Gypsum and 15g of Anemarrhena Rhizome can be added to Sangju Decoction to enhance the heat-clearing effect.

2. Severe Cough

- Peucedanum Root and Stemona Root can be added to enhance the cough-relieving effect. Peucedanum Root can lower qi and resolve phlegm, relieve cough and asthma; Stemona Root moistens the lung, lowers qi and relieves cough, kills insects and lice. When added to Sangju Decoction, the cough symptoms can be more effectively relieved.

- If the patient coughs frequently and is affected by sleep, 12g of Peucedanum Root and 1Og of Stemona Root can be added to Sangju Decoction.

3. Obvious Sore Throat

- Scrophularia Root and Isatis Root can be added to clear heat and detoxify, relieve sore throat and swelling. Scrophularia Root clears heat and cools blood, nourishes yin and detoxifies; Isatis Root clears heat and detoxifies, cools blood and relieves sore throat. It can effectively relieve the symptoms of sore throat.

- When the patient has a sore throat and difficulty swallowing, 15g of Scrophularia Root and 15g of Isatis Root can be added to Sangju Decoction.

4. Extreme Thirst

- Add Trichosanthis Root and Radix Ophiopogonis to clear heat and promote the production of body fluid to relieve thirst. Trichosanthis Root clears heat and purges fire, promotes the production of body fluid to relieve thirst; Radix Ophiopogonis nourishes yin and moistens the lung, promotes the production of body fluid to benefit the stomach, clears the heart and removes vexation. It can relieve the symptom of thirst.

- If the patient has obvious thirst and drinks a lot of water, 15g of Trichosanthes Root and 12g of Ophiopogon japonicus can be added to the Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction.

VIII. Dosage (Traditional and Modern Concentrated Granules)

1. Traditional methods

- Decoct in water for oral administration. Generally, take 7.5 g of mulberry leaves, 3 g of chrysanthemums, 6 g of almonds, 5 g of forsythia, 2.5 g of mint, 6 g of platycodon roots, 2.5 g of licorice roots, and 6 g of reed rhizomes. Soak the above-mentioned herbs for about 30 minutes, and then decoct with water until it becomes 200 - 300 ml, take it warm. One dose per day, taken in two divided doses, once in the morning and once in the evening. The traditional decocting method can fully extract the effective components of the medicine and exert the best curative effect of the prescription. However, it requires the patient to decoct the medicine by himself/herself, which is relatively time-consuming and laborious.

2. Modern concentrated granules

Modern concentrated granules are granule preparations made from traditional Chinese medicines through processes such as extraction and concentration, which are convenient to take. The concentrated granules of Sangju Decoction can be taken by冲服 with boiling water according to the recommended dosage in the instruction manual. Generally, take the granules equivalent to the dosage of the crude drug each time, twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Modern concentrated granules retain the effective components of traditional Chinese medicines, with accurate dosages, convenient to carry, suitable for the modern fast-paced lifestyle, and patients have good compliance. When using, attention should be paid to choosing products produced by regular manufacturers to ensure the quality of the drugs.

IX. Precautions and Taboos

1. Make an accurate syndrome differentiation and use corresponding treatment according to symptoms

Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Beverage is a pungent-cool exterior-resolving formula, mainly treating the initial stage of wind-warm disease and the syndrome of pathogenic factors invading the lung collaterals. If the patient has wind-cold cold, manifested as severe aversion to cold, mild fever, no sweating, nasal congestion with clear nasal discharge, floating and tense pulse and other wind-cold exterior syndrome, Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Beverage should not be used, otherwise the condition may be aggravated due to the relatively cold nature of the medicine. It is necessary to accurately differentiate syndromes. Only when it is indeed invaded by wind-heat pathogenic factors in the lung-defense aspect can this formula be used.

2. Precautions during medication

During the medication period, it is advisable to have a light diet, avoid eating spicy, greasy, raw and cold and other stimulating foods, so as not to increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and affect the absorption and efficacy of the medicine. Keep warm, avoid getting cold again, and ensure sufficient rest. After taking the medicine, you can appropriately drink warm boiled water, which helps the medicine to exert its efficacy and at the same time supplements the water lost due to fever. If the symptoms do not relieve or worsen continuously, seek medical attention in time and adjust the treatment plan.

3. Special population attention

Pregnant women should be cautious when using Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Beverage and need to be under the guidance of a doctor to avoid adverse effects of the medicine on the fetus. For children, the elderly and those with weak constitutions, the dosage should be appropriately reduced when using this formula, and the medication reaction should be closely observed. Those with a history of drug allergy should understand the composition of the formula before use to avoid adverse reactions caused by allergic components.

X. Modern Research Progress

1. Research on pharmacological effects

Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Beverage is a representative formula for treating wind-warm cough, with the functions of dispersing wind-heat in the upper jiao and clearing the lung and relieving cough. Clinically, it is decocted in water and taken warm, and has a good effect on cough at the initial stage of wind-warm disease.

Modern research shows that each drug in Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Beverage has important pharmacological activities. The flavonoids in mulberry leaves have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and other effects, and can effectively reduce the inflammatory reaction in the lungs. The volatile oil, flavonoids and other components contained in chrysanthemum have antipyretic analgesic, anti-inflammatory and other effects. The amygdalin in bitter platycodon and apricot kernels can inhibit the cough center and reduce the cough reflex. Forsythia contains forsythol, phillyrin and other components, with antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and other effects. The volatile oil of mint has the effect of clearing the exterior with a cool sensation. Platycodin saponins have the effects of resolving phlegm and relieving cough. Components such as glycyrrhizic acid and liquiritin have anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and other effects. The polysaccharides, amino acids and other components in reed rhizome have the effects of clearing heat and cooling blood, nourishing yin and moistening dryness. The combined action of these pharmacological components helps to explain the mechanism of Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Beverage in treating the initial stage of wind-warm disease.

2. Clinical efficacy research

A large number of clinical studies have confirmed the exact efficacy of Sangju Yin in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, acute bronchitis, mild cases of influenza, and cough. The research found that Sangju Yin can effectively relieve symptoms such as fever, cough, and sore throat, shorten the course of disease, and has good safety with few adverse reactions. Compared with simple Western medicine treatment, the combined treatment with Sangju Yin can further improve the efficacy, reduce the use of antibiotics, and lower the risk of drug resistance. It has a wide range of application prospects and is of great value in the prevention and treatment of respiratory infectious diseases, providing a good example for the modern development of traditional Chinese medicine.