Wind-Cold-Damp
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 Wind The concept of Cold evil The concept of Dampness
Key attributes
Chinese name: 风寒湿 Pinyin name: Fēng Hán Shī
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Common causes: 1. Cold and Damp environment, 2. Chronic diseases, 3. Diet, 4. Excessive sexual activity, 5. Physical over-exertion
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: No thirst Stiff body Dry stools
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu), Slowed-down (Huan)
Treatment
Treatment principle: Expel Wind-Cold-Damp, warm the Channels,
Common formulas: Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang
Pathology
This pattern is characterized by Yang Deficiency with a predominance of Dampness, leading to specific symptoms and signs. This pattern is not primarily due to a disorder in the Spleen, despite its association with Spleen, as indicated by the absence of nausea or diarrhea. Instead, the root lies in a Deficiency of Yang in the Kidneys, which fails to provide the necessary warmth for transportation processes in the body.
This Yang Deficiency leads to an excess of Dampness within the Spleen, the Yin aspect of the Middle Burner. This excess Dampness hinders the movement of Body Fluids in the Stomach and Intestines, the yang aspect of the Middle Burner, resulting in dry stools and an absence of thirst. The symptomatology of this pattern is dominated by stiffness and lack of movement, rather than pain, reflecting the obstructive nature of Wind-Cold-Dampness.
The pulse characteristics in this pattern are also telling: it is floating, indicating that the pathogenic factors are predominantly affecting the exterior of the body; Fine, suggesting insufficient Yang to move physiological body fluids effectively; and Slowed-down, reflecting the accumulation of Dampness in the channels and collaterals. These symptoms and pulse characteristics together confirm the diagnosis of a Wind-Cold-Damp pattern due to Yang Deficiency with Dampness as the predominant factor.
Causes
Cold and Damp environment :
Chronic diseases: A chronic diseases, especially these come with Spleen Yang Deficiency, can harm Kidney Yang if they are kept untreated for a very long time. This is a precondition for this pattern.
Diet: Excessive intake of cold and raw foods and drinks as well as juices, fruits, iced drinks and foods such as ice cream or frozen yogurt create Cold in the Kidneys and injure the Yang. There are other Kidney depleting substances such as alcohol, coffee, caffeinated drinks or foods, tobacco and sugar.
Excessive sexual activity: Excessive sexual activities can also cause this pattern, especially if one is exposed to cold immediately after intercourse. For woman patients, their Kidney Yang can be largely impaired if they happen to have too early, for example, during puberty.
Physical over-exertion: Excessive physical work depletes Kidney Yang.
Diagnosing Wind-Cold-Damp
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): Fine (Xi), floating (Fu) or slowed-down (Huan)
Main symptoms: No thirst Stiff body Dry stools
Diagnosis commentary: stiffness and a lack of movement, dry stools, an absence of thirst, and no nausea or diarrhea.
Treating Wind-Cold-Damp
Treatment principle
Expel Wind-Cold-Damp, warm the Channels,
Herbal formulas used to treat Wind-Cold-Damp
Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms the channels. Disperses Cold. Strenghtens the Middle Burner. Promotes the resolution of Dampness .
Formula summary
Bai Zhu Fu Zi Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold.