Cold Hands in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different cold hands patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

Cold Sensations in Extremities Hand Issues
6
TCM Patterns
8
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 6 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each cold hands pattern
Classical remedies 8 herbal formulas documented

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets cold hands as a sign of imbalances within the body's energy system. TCM does not just view symptoms in isolation but sees them as indicators of deeper issues.

According to TCM, cold hands can be a manifestation of various patterns of disharmony, such as Blood Stasis, Yang Deficiency, or Qi stagnation. The treatment in TCM focuses on identifying the underlying cause and restoring balance through a combination of methods like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle modifications.

TCM Patterns for Cold Hands

Blood Stasis

Causes: Cold hands

2 variations documented
Heart Blood Stagnation
How it presents with cold hands

Cold hands

Along with: Stabbing chest pain, Chest constriction, Stifling sensation in the chest

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Pericardium Blood Stagnation
How it presents with cold hands

Cold hands

Along with: Palpitations, Chest pain, Chest distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Shortness of breath, Purple lips,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Deficiency

Causes: Cold hands

2 variations documented
Heart Yang Deficiency
How it presents with cold hands

Cold hands

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

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

Cold hands

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Phlegm

Causes: Cold hands

1 variation documented
Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with cold hands

Cold hands

Along with: Coughing, White and watery sputum, Chills, Sputum, Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Blood Deficiency

Causes: Cold hands

1 variation documented
Pericardium Blood Deficiency
How it presents with cold hands

Cold hands

Along with: Chest distension, Chest stiffness, Chest pain, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor memory

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Cold

Causes: Cold hands

1 variation documented
Cold-Phlegm in the Lungs
How it presents with cold hands

Cold hands

Along with: Coughing, White and watery sputum, Chills, Sputum, Dizziness, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Dampness

Causes: Cold hands

1 variation documented
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
How it presents with cold hands

Cold hands

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

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Cold Hands

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address cold hands

Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang

Addresses these cold hands patterns:

Phlegm Cold

Wu Ling San

Addresses these cold hands patterns:

Yang Deficiency Dampness

Ling Gan Wu Wei Jiang Xin Tang

Addresses these cold hands patterns:

Phlegm Cold

Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan

Addresses these cold hands patterns:

Yang Deficiency Dampness

San Zi Yang Qin Tang

Addresses these cold hands patterns:

Phlegm Cold

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these cold hands patterns:

Blood Stasis

Gui Zhi Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang

Addresses these cold hands patterns:

Yang Deficiency

Shen Qi Si Wu Tang

Addresses these cold hands patterns:

Blood Deficiency