In Chinese herbal medicine we say there are ‘actions’ to every formula. The herbs that make up every formula work individually and synergistically to make these ‘actions’ happen.
For GAN MAO LING, the Action List goes like this… 
It ‘dispels pathogenic wind’ (that means the cold or flu virus that has been ‘blown in’ from outside of you). It clears heat (cools down the infection, inflammation or fever). Resolves toxins (clears out the virus or bacteria causing you to be sick). ‘Benefits’ the throat & eyes (soothes a sore throat; clears watery or itchy eyes). ‘Transforms’ phlegm (dissolves and gets rid of mucus). Diffuses Lung Qi (strengthens the ability of the energy of the lungs to push out the cold or flu).
Once you know how and why your Chinese herbal formula can cure you, you need to know how to take your medicine.
Chinese Teapills
Dosage: Take a full dose (read the label of your remedy bottle) up to a dose and a half, 3 times a day.
If I’m really sick and come down with a cold or the flu, I’ll be taking a dose and a half every three hours on the first and even the second day if I don’t clear it out quickly. By that third day I’m usually back to full or nearly-full function. Herbs are different from prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs both in their potency and in their time of availability in the body. Herbal formulas get to work and into our systems through digestion. In a sense, they are super-super-super foods, not chemically-derived target-activated ingredients. They are ‘used up’ when you are in an acute condition much more quickly than prescription medications BECAUSE they get digested. The body responds best when the herbs are constant and active. This is why we take them right away and more often at first. It is safe to increase an adult’s dose. But this method of dosing is only for acute and initial onset conditions. If I have been really quick with my remedy, my cold or flu ‘invasion’ might not develop or barely develop and quickly resolve by the next day. So if it is coming on strong, take herbs every few hours on the first day and second day. You will be glad you did.
In addition, GAN MAO LING can be taken or given to resolve ear infections and for viral pneumonia. What is really exceptional about GAN MAO LING is that it can be taken PREVENTATIVELY. It will strengthen your immune response if you may be or have been exposed to airborne pathogens when you are traveling or in any crowd environment. Take a dose once a day in the morning for prevention when needed.