Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of Exterior The concept of Cold evil The concept of Interior The concept of Dampness
Key attributes
Chinese name: 夏日外寒内湿 Pinyin name: Xià Rì Wài Hán Nèi Shī
Pattern nature: Full combined pattern
Pattern(s) it combines from: Exterior-Cold
Causes
Common causes: 1. overconsumption of cold foods or drinks, 2. exposure to cool breezes in summer
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Headaches No sweating and five other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Flaccid
Treatment
Treatment principle: Release the Exterior Cold, transform Interior Dampness
Common formulas: Xiang Ru San
Pathology
This pattern is characterized by a unique interplay of symptoms due to simultaneous exposure to cool breezes and overconsumption of cold foods or drinks during summer.
This results in a heavy, painful head, chills accompanied by a warm skin sensation, abdominal pain, and a stifling chest sensation. The Spleen's function is disrupted, leading to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and limb fatigue.
Diagnostically, this pattern is indicated by a white, greasy tongue coating and a floating pulse, reflecting the combined effects of external cold and internal dampness.
Causes
overconsumption of cold foods or drinks:
exposure to cool breezes in summer: exposure to cool breezes in summer such as very cold air condition. It causes disruption of the body's natural balance between Exterior and Interior, Yang Qi, and fluid metabolism.
Diagnosing Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue shape: Flaccid
Main symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Headaches No sweating Abdominal pain Fatigued extremities Heavy sensation in the head Chills with skin that is warm to the touch Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Diagnosis commentary: heavy head pain, chills with warm skin sensation, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, and fatigue in the limbs.
Treating Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer
Treatment principle
Release the Exterior Cold, transform Interior Dampness
Herbal formulas used to treat Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer
Xiang Ru San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Scatters Cold. Transforms Dampness. Harmonizes the Middle Burner .
Formula summary
Xiang Ru San is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and resolve Exterior.
Besides Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer, Xiang Ru San is also used to treat Summer Heat with Dampness.