Chills 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.
Chills 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 chills 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 chills is often associated with aversion to cold, fever and loose stools in the pattern “Exterior-Cold”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause chills.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of chills 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 chills.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause chills
In Chinese Medicine chills is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
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 chills, other symptoms associated with Exterior-Cold include aversion to cold, fever and loose stools.
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".
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the king ingredient for Si Ni Tang, a formula used for Lesser Yin Cold Transformation
Lesser Yin Cold Transformation
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to chills, other symptoms associated with Lesser Yin Cold Transformation include cold limbs, feeling of cold and diarrhea.
Lesser Yin Cold Transformation is often treated with Si Ni Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). Si Ni Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that rescue devastated yang", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Rescues devastated Yang".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Spleen Yang Deficiency often develops from Spleen Qi Deficiency, but it is more extensive and severe with additional Cold symptoms, such as cold feeling and cold limbs. The causes are similar to these of Spleen Qi Deficiency, along with surplus consumption of cold, raw foods and drinks and overexposure to cold damp environments and climates.
In addition to chills, other symptoms associated with Spleen Yang Deficiency include cold limbs, poor appetite and loose stools.
Spleen Yang Deficiency is often treated with Zhen Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). Zhen Wu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm and transform water and dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys".
Five herbal formulas that might help with chills
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 chills?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Exterior-Cold' of which chills 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 chills?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Exterior-Cold' of which chills is a symptom.
Si Ni Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Rescues devastated Yang. Warms the Middle Burner. Stops diarrhea.
Why might Si Ni Tang help with chills?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lesser Yin Cold Transformation' of which chills is a symptom.
Zhen Wu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys. Eliminates Dampness.
Why might Zhen Wu Tang help with chills?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Yang Deficiency' of which chills is a symptom.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with chills?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Yang Deficiency' of which chills is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for chills
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat chills
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with chills?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat chills as a symptom, like Si Ni Tang or Ma Huang 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 Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with chills?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat chills 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.
Why might Japanese Catnip (Jing Jie) help with chills?
Because Japanese Catnip is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat chills as a symptom, like Jing Fang Bai Du San or Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang for instance.
Japanese Catnip is a Neutral herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold or Heat depending on the other herbs used. Releases the Exterior for measles. Stops bleeding. Abates swellings.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with chills?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat chills 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 Ephedra (Ma Huang) help with chills?
Because Ephedra is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat chills as a symptom, like Ma Huang Tang or Wu Ji San for instance.
Ephedra is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Bladder and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Releases the surface through sweating. Promotes the circulation of Lung Qi and stop wheezing. Promotes urination.
Other symptoms often associated with chills
Headaches Dizziness Night sweats Hot flushes Aversion to cold Fever Tinnitus Dry throat Sneezing Runny nose