Chills in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different chills patterns according to TCM theory

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14
TCM Patterns
88
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 14 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each chills pattern
Classical remedies 88 herbal formulas documented

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), chills are seen as an indication of internal disharmony. TCM practitioners believe that chills can result from various imbalances within the body, such as Deficiencies or Stagnation in the flow of Qi and Blood. Unlike Western medicine, which might focus on infections or physiological causes, TCM emphasizes diagnosing the specific pattern of disharmony to create an effective treatment plan tailored to the individual's needs.

TCM Patterns for Chills

Cold

Causes: Chills, Feeling of cold, Chills with skin that is warm to the touch, Severe chills, Strong chills, Chills without sweating

21 variations documented
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Fever, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior-Cold
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Body pain, Stiff neck, Lack of sweating, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Lesser Yin Cold Transformation
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold, Chills

Along with: Diarrhea, Absence of thirst, Desire to lie down curled up, Apathy, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Cold
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache,

Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge,

Bladder Deficient and Cold
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Lower back pain, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Cold in the Uterus
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Thin vaginal discharge

Cold invading the Large Intestine
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Abdominal pain, Diarrhea, Chills, Abdominal cold sensation

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Cold invading the Stomach
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Severe upper abdominal pain, Chills, Cold extremities, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Vomiting clear liquid, Nausea,

Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Coughing, White and watery sputum, Chills, Cold hands, Sputum, Dizziness,

Damp-Cold
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Empty-Cold
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Chills, Cold extremities, Pale face, Absence of thirst, Apathy, Excessive sweating,

Greater Yin stage
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Loss of appetite, Vomit, Abdominal fullness, Chills, Diarrhea, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Testicular pain, Scrotal contraction, Vertical headaches, Chills, Cold extremities,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer
How it presents with chills

Chills with skin that is warm to the touch

Along with: Chills with warm skin, Lack of sweating, Heavy sensation in the head, Headaches, Abdominal pain, Vomit,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Severe chills

Along with: Low grade fever, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain,

Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it presents with chills

Strong chills

Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Abdominal pain, Constipation, Hypochondriac pain, Low grade fever, Cold extremities, Sweating that doesn't reduce fever,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Dry mouth,

Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
How it presents with chills

Chills without sweating

Along with: Swollen and painful joints worsening at night, Joint stiffness, Weight loss, Headaches, Dizziness, Shortness of breath,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
How it presents with chills

Chills without sweating

Along with: Headaches, Congested nose, Dry throat, Sputum, Dry cough, Common cold,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Feeling of cold, Chills, Severe chills

11 variations documented
Lesser Yin Cold Transformation
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold, Chills

Along with: Diarrhea, Absence of thirst, Desire to lie down curled up, Apathy, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Chills, Feeling of cold

Along with: Lower back pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Weak and cold knees, Lower back coldness, Weak legs,

Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold, Chills

Along with: Slight abdominal distension after eating, General weakness, Desire to lie down curled up, Pale face, Cold extremities, Undigested food in stools,

Greater Yin stage
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Loss of appetite, Vomit, Abdominal fullness, Chills, Diarrhea, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart Yang Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Palpitations, Exertional dyspnea, Generalized fatigue, Spontaneous sweat, Slight feeling of stuffiness in the heart, Chills,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Lower back pain, Weak and cold knees, Back cold sensation, Chills, Weak legs, Bright pale face,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Chills, General cold feeling, Pale urine, Undigested food in stools, General weakness, Abdominal pain relieved by pressure and warmth,

Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Severe chills

Along with: Low grade fever, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain,

Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Abdominal pain that worsens with cold, Urinary dysfunction, Deep pain and heaviness in limbs, Dizziness, Heavy sensation in the head, Edema,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: Chills, Slight chills, Severe chills, Strong chills, Chills without sweating

8 variations documented
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Fever, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Cold
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache,

Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge,

Wind-Heat
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness,

Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it presents with chills

Slight chills

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Severe chills

Along with: Low grade fever, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain,

Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it presents with chills

Strong chills

Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
How it presents with chills

Chills without sweating

Along with: Swollen and painful joints worsening at night, Joint stiffness, Weight loss, Headaches, Dizziness, Shortness of breath,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Heat

Causes: Chills, Slight chills, Strong chills, Shaking chills, Feeling of cold, Mild chills alternating with pronounced fever

7 variations documented
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Fever, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Heat
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness,

Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it presents with chills

Slight chills

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it presents with chills

Strong chills

Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
How it presents with chills

Shaking chills

Along with: Heat and pain in the joints, Difficulty in moving, Fever, Chills, Scanty and dark urine, Dull yellow complexion,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Dry mouth,

Heat in Gall Bladder
How it presents with chills

Mild chills alternating with pronounced fever

Along with: Mild chills with high fever, Bitter taste in the mouth, Stifling sensation in the chest, Vomiting of sour fluids, Thirst, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Chills, Feeling of cold, Chills with skin that is warm to the touch, Shaking chills, Chills without sweating

6 variations documented
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Fever, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Cold
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Mouth ulcers, White and watery sputum, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Chills, Abdominal pain,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Edema of the lower extremities, Cold sensation in legs and back, Abdominal distention, Lumbar pain, Chills, Scanty clear urination,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer
How it presents with chills

Chills with skin that is warm to the touch

Along with: Chills with warm skin, Lack of sweating, Heavy sensation in the head, Headaches, Abdominal pain, Vomit,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
How it presents with chills

Shaking chills

Along with: Heat and pain in the joints, Difficulty in moving, Fever, Chills, Scanty and dark urine, Dull yellow complexion,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
How it presents with chills

Chills without sweating

Along with: Swollen and painful joints worsening at night, Joint stiffness, Weight loss, Headaches, Dizziness, Shortness of breath,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Deficiency

Causes: Feeling of cold

4 variations documented
Bladder Deficient and Cold
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Frequent urination, Pale and abudant urination, Urinary or fecal incontinence, Enuresis, Lower back pain, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney Qi not Firm
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Lower back pain, Lower back weakness, Polyuria, Weak urine stream, Enuresis, Nocturnal emission,

Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Early menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Lower back pain, Dizziness, Chills, Nocturia,

Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Dry mouth,

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Chills, Feeling of cold

3 variations documented
Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Menopausal symptoms, Hypertension, Irregular periods, Menopausal hot flashes, Excessive sweating, Irritability,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Kidney-Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Scanty menstruation, Pale menstrual flow, Back pain, Knee pain, Dizziness, Tinnitus,

Stomach Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Loss of appetite, Depression, Dry mouth,

Phlegm

Causes: Feeling of cold

2 variations documented
Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Coughing, White and watery sputum, Chills, Cold hands, Sputum, Dizziness,

Phlegm-Fluids in the Lungs
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Coughing, White and watery sputum, Shortness of breath, Gurgling noise in the chest, Stifling sensation in the chest, Feeling of heaviness,

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Feeling of cold

1 variation documented
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression,

Essence Deficiency

Causes: Feeling of cold

1 variation documented
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Primary amenorrhea, Lower back pain, Generalized fatigue, Knee pain, Dizziness, Depression,

Yang Collapse

Causes: Feeling of cold

1 variation documented
Collapse of Yang
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Apathy, Chills, Cold extremities, Bright pale face, Sweating on forehead, Absence of thirst,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yin Excess

Causes: Feeling of cold

1 variation documented
Yin Excess
How it presents with chills

Feeling of cold

Along with: Absence of thirst, Slow and forceful movement, Epigastric pain worsen by pressure, Polyuria, Feeling of chest oppression, Nausea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Summer Heat

Causes: Chills

1 variation documented
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with chills

Chills

Along with: Fever, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Thirst, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dryness

Causes: Chills without sweating

1 variation documented
Exterior Dry Cold invading the Lungs
How it presents with chills

Chills without sweating

Along with: Headaches, Congested nose, Dry throat, Sputum, Dry cough, Common cold,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Chills

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address chills

Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin

Addresses these chills patterns:

Cold Wind Heat Dampness Summer Heat

Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang

Addresses these chills patterns:

Cold Heat Qi Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Er Chen Tang

Addresses these chills patterns:

Cold Heat Qi Deficiency Yin Deficiency

Mai Men Dong Tang

Addresses these chills patterns:

Cold Heat Qi Deficiency Yin Deficiency

You Gui Wan

Addresses these chills patterns:

Yang Deficiency Yin Deficiency Qi Deficiency

Cong Chi Tang

Addresses these chills patterns:

Cold Wind Heat

He Che Da Zao Wan

Addresses these chills patterns:

Blood Deficiency Essence Deficiency Qi Deficiency

Wu Ling San

Addresses these chills patterns:

Yang Deficiency Dampness Yin Excess

Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang

Addresses these chills patterns:

Cold Wind Heat