Lung cold syndrome

Lung cold, commonly referred to as Lung Cold Syndrome (Fei Han), is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic concept rather than a specific molecular target such as a receptor or enzyme [5, 7]. It represents a pathological condition where the respiratory system is compromised by 'cold' pathogens or a deficiency of 'Yang' qi, typically presenting with symptoms such as a cough with clear, watery phlegm, aversion to cold, and a lack of thirst [6, 12, 15]. While not a biological molecule itself, researchers often study its physiological correlates, such as the activation of cold-sensitive pathways involving Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) and the release of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6 during cold environmental stress [2, 4, 9]. Treatment of 'Lung cold' involves the use of 'warming' herbal formulas, most notably Xiao Qing Long Tang and Jing Fang Bai Du San, which aim to expel cold and transform accumulated fluids [5, 12]. Because it represents a clinical disease state or syndrome rather than a discrete therapeutic target (like a transporter or ion channel), it is considered an incorrect entry for a molecular target database [14].

Other names

Lung-coldLung cold syndromeCold phlegm in the lungWind-cold invasion of the lungFei HanYang deficiency lung cold syndrome

Warming the lung to dissipate cold pathogens and resolving cold-fluid or phlegm-fluid accumulation [7, 15].