Dry-Cold
Dry-Cold
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Diagnostic Signs
Dry tongue with a white thin dry coating
Tight (Jin), Floating (Fu)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Other Associated Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
The key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the fever, aversion to cold, headache, dry nose, mouth and throat as well as coughing without sputum.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
It happens more often in late autumn when the combination of Cold and Dryness is at its peak.
Pathological Mechanism
During late autumn, Dry-Cold can penetrate the Defensive Qi and disturb its circulation in the Channels. The fight between the Defensive Qi and the external Pernicious Influence causes fever. The aversion to cold is due to the weakened Defensive Qi failing to warm the skin and muscles. The Cold also constrains the skin pores, hence the symptom of no sweat.
The Dryness goes to the head and causes headache. It also disturbs the Lungs Qi circulation and its descending, thus the symptom of coughing but with scanty or no sputum. It dries Body Fluids and therefore nose, mouth, throat and lips are dry. Dryness make patients feel thirst, while they don't have the desire to drink due to Cold Evil.
The combined Pernicious Evils stay Exterior, hence the coating is white and the pulse is Floating.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Warm the Interior, clear Dryness, moisten the Lungs
Recommended Herbal Formulas
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