Xuanmai Ganlang Tang does not have the effect of detoxifying the epidermis and dispersing cold (removing the cold from the muscle surface), and is generally not used for treating wind-cold flu. Xuanmai Ganlang Tang consists of Xuanshen (玄参), Maitong (麦冬), Platycodonopsis (桔梗) and Licorice. Xuan Shen has the functions of clearing heat and cooling blood (relieving blood heat by clearing heat), nourishing yin and lowering fire (nourishing yin essence and lowering fire), Mai Dong can nourish yin and promote the production of fluid, moistening the lungs and clearing the heart, together with Platycodon grandiflorus, which can promote the lungs, benefit the pharynx, and expel phlegm, as well as Glycyrrhiza glabra, which is used for clearing heat and removing toxins, removing phlegm and stopping coughs, and harmonizing the various medicines (harmonizing the properties of different Chinese medicines). The combination of these four herbs can nourish yin and clear heat (nourish yin essence, remove heat) and benefit the pharynx, relieving symptoms such as sore throat, dryness of the mouth and nose, itchy throat and dry cough caused by yin deficiency and exuberance (deficiency of yin essence in the body and hyperactivity of the deficiency fire) or the upward movement of the deficiency fire. Wind-cold flu is caused by external wind-cold, with the main manifestations of malignant cold (fear of cold), fever, no sweat, headache, limb soreness, which is different from the indications of Xuanmai Ganlang Tang. Therefore, Xuanmai Ganlang Tang cannot be used to treat wind-cold flu. Patients should be diagnosed by Chinese medicine practitioners and treated with Chinese medicines that relieve symptoms and disperse cold.