Herbal Remedies for a Cold and Fatigue
IntermediateHealth
A traveler visits a traditional Chinese medicine shop and asks the practitioner for herbal remedies to treat a cold and tiredness.
L
LinZ
ZhangL
你好，我最近有点感冒，还老是觉得很累，你能帮我看看吗？
nǐ hǎo, wǒ zuìjìn yǒudiǎn gǎnmào, hái lǎoshì juéde hěn lèi, nǐ néng bāng wǒ kànkan ma?
Hello, I've had a bit of a cold lately, and I always feel very tired. Could you take a look for me?
Z
当然可以。除了感冒和累以外，你还有别的症状吗？比如头疼或者嗓子疼？
dāngrán kěyǐ. chúle gǎnmào hé lèi yǐwài, nǐ háiyǒu bié de zhèngzhuàng ma? bǐrú tóuténg huòzhě sǎngzi téng?
Of course. Besides the cold and tiredness, do you have any other symptoms? Like a headache or a sore throat?
L
有一点头疼，晚上也睡不好，白天总是没什么精神。
yǒu yìdiǎn tóuténg, wǎnshang yě shuì bù hǎo, báitiān zǒngshì méi shénme jīngshen.
I have a slight headache, I don't sleep well at night, and during the day I never have any energy.
Z
我明白了。我先给你把把脉，看看你的身体到底是什么情况。
wǒ míngbai le. wǒ xiān gěi nǐ bǎ ba mài, kànkan nǐ de shēntǐ dàodǐ shì shénme qíngkuàng.
I see. Let me take your pulse first and see what's really going on with your body.
L
好的。那我这情况严重吗？需不需要吃药？
hǎo de. nà wǒ zhè qíngkuàng yánzhòng ma? xū bù xūyào chī yào?
Okay. So is my condition serious? Do I need to take medicine?
Z
不太严重，主要是有点着凉，再加上气血有点虚，所以你才这么容易累。
bú tài yánzhòng, zhǔyào shì yǒudiǎn zháoliáng, zài jiāshàng qìxuè yǒudiǎn xū, suǒyǐ nǐ cái zhème róngyì lèi.
Not too serious. Mainly you've caught a bit of a chill, plus your qi and blood are a little weak, which is why you tire so easily.
L
那你推荐我吃什么中药呢？我想尽快好起来。
nà nǐ tuījiàn wǒ chī shénme zhōngyào ne? wǒ xiǎng jǐnkuài hǎo qǐlái.
So what Chinese medicine do you recommend I take? I want to get better as soon as possible.
Z
我给你配一副驱寒的药，里面有生姜和红枣，可以帮你发汗、把寒气逼出来。
wǒ gěi nǐ pèi yí fù qū hán de yào, lǐmiàn yǒu shēngjiāng hé hóngzǎo, kěyǐ bāng nǐ fāhàn, bǎ hánqì bī chūlái.
I'll make you a batch of medicine to dispel the cold. It contains ginger and red dates, which can help you sweat and drive the chill out.
L
那我这么累怎么办呢？有没有能补补身体的东西？
nà wǒ zhème lèi zěnme bàn ne? yǒu méiyǒu néng bǔ bu shēntǐ de dōngxi?
And what about being so tired? Is there anything that can nourish and strengthen my body?
Z
有啊。你可以用黄芪和枸杞泡茶喝，坚持一段时间，对补气很有好处。
yǒu a. nǐ kěyǐ yòng huángqí hé gǒuqǐ pào chá hē, jiānchí yíduàn shíjiān, duì bǔ qì hěn yǒu hǎochù.
Yes there is. You can brew tea with astragalus and goji berries. Keep it up for a while — it's very good for boosting your qi.
L
太好了。那药一天喝几次？喝茶方面有什么要注意的吗？
tài hǎo le. nà yào yì tiān hē jǐ cì? hē chá fāngmiàn yǒu shénme yào zhùyì de ma?
Great. So how many times a day do I take the medicine? Is there anything I should pay attention to when drinking the tea?
Z
药一天两次，饭后温着喝。茶白天喝就行，别喝太晚。另外这几天记得多休息、少熬夜。
yào yì tiān liǎng cì, fàn hòu wēn zhe hē. chá báitiān hē jiù xíng, bié hē tài wǎn. lìngwài zhè jǐ tiān jìde duō xiūxi, shǎo áoyè.
Take the medicine twice a day, warm, after meals. It's fine to drink the tea during the day — just don't drink it too late. Also, these few days remember to rest more and stay up late less.