Aversion to cold according to Chinese Medicine
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.
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Aversion to cold can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like aversion to cold here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here aversion to cold is often associated with loose stools, impotence and fatigue in the pattern “Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause aversion to cold.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of aversion to cold we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat aversion to cold.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause aversion to cold
In Chinese Medicine aversion to cold is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a formula used for Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Empty (Xu), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Yang Deficiency is an Empty-Cold condition characterized by Coldness and Deficiency. It can cause a general hypoactivity of Organ functions and Oedema. Qi and Blood is more likely to stagnate. Yang Deficiency is mostly related to Spleen Yang, Kidney Yang, Heart Yang or Lung Qi. It is a result of lack of activity or exercise, excessive sex, over-exposure to cold environments and bad diet.
In addition to aversion to cold, other symptoms associated with Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang include loose stools, impotence and fatigue.
Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the king ingredient for Ma Huang Tang, a formula used for Exterior-Cold
Exterior-Cold
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Floating (Fu)
In addition to aversion to cold, other symptoms associated with Exterior-Cold include fever, loose stools and stiff neck.
Exterior-Cold is often treated with Ma Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ephedra - Ma Huang - as a key herb). Ma Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear wind-cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases exterior cold".
Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua) is the king ingredient for Yin Qiao San, a formula used for Exterior-Heat
Exterior-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Floating (Fu)
In addition to aversion to cold, other symptoms associated with Exterior-Heat include fever, headaches and body aches.
Exterior-Heat is often treated with Yin Qiao San, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Honeysuckle Flowers - Jin Yin Hua - as a key herb). Yin Qiao San belongs to the category of "external formulas for external disorders", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Disperses Wind Heat".
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Summer Heat with Dampness
Summer Heat with Dampness
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Soggy (Ru)
In addition to aversion to cold, other symptoms associated with Summer Heat with Dampness include fever, headaches and shortness of breath.
Summer Heat with Dampness is often treated with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Korean Mint - Huo Xiang - as a key herb). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Five herbal formulas that might help with aversion to cold
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with aversion to cold?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang' of which fear of cold is a symptom.
Ma Huang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Releases exterior cold. Treats wheezing.
Why might Ma Huang Tang help with aversion to cold?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Exterior-Cold' of which aversion to cold is a symptom.
Gui Zhi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Releases pathogens from the muscle layer. Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi.
Why might Gui Zhi Tang help with aversion to cold?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Exterior-Cold' of which aversion to cold is a symptom.
Yin Qiao San
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Wind Heat. Clears Heat. Resolves Toxicity.
Why might Yin Qiao San help with aversion to cold?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Exterior-Heat' of which aversion to cold is a symptom.
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Why might Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San help with aversion to cold?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Summer Heat with Dampness' of which aversion to cold is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for aversion to cold
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat aversion to cold
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with aversion to cold?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to cold as a symptom, like Liu Yi San or Si Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with aversion to cold?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to cold as a symptom, like Wu Ling San or Si Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with aversion to cold?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to cold as a symptom, like Jing Fang Bai Du San or Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with aversion to cold?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to cold as a symptom, like Er Xian Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with aversion to cold?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat aversion to cold as a symptom, like Gui Zhi Tang or Ge Gen Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Other symptoms often associated with aversion to cold
Fever Headaches Shortness of breath Body aches Sneezing Coughing Runny nose Loose stools Sore throat Impotence