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.
cold feet, cold hands and feet and cold in the lower extremities redirect here
Cold extremities 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 cold extremities 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 cold extremities is often associated with night sweats, dizziness and hot flushes in the pattern “Kidney Yang Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause cold extremities.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of cold extremities 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 cold extremities.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause cold extremities
In Chinese Medicine cold extremities is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to cold extremities, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include night sweats, dizziness and hot flushes.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency 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".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Vessel obstructed
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Knotted (Jie), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to cold extremities, other symptoms associated with Heart Vessel obstructed include shortness of breath, palpitations and depression.
Heart Vessel obstructed is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a formula used for Qi And Blood Stagnation
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
In addition to cold extremities, other symptoms associated with Qi And Blood Stagnation include dizziness, hot flushes and irritability.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi And Blood Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Absence Of Menstruation or Menopausal Syndrome.
Qi And Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates the Blood".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to cold extremities, other symptoms associated with Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency include shortness of breath, frequent urination and pale complexion.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Lupus.
Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Wu Ling San, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wu Ling San belongs to the category of "formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination,".
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the king ingredient for Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Minute (Wei), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
In addition to cold extremities, other symptoms associated with Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp include generalized body pain and aching bones and joints.
Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp is often treated with Fu Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). Fu Zi 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 the Meridians".
Five herbal formulas that might help with cold extremities
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with cold extremities?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which cold extremities is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yang Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
Wu Ling San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Why might Wu Ling San help with cold extremities?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which cold extremities is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Lupus.
Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Meridians. Assists the Yang. Dispels Cold. Transforms Dampness.
Why might Fu Zi Tang help with cold extremities?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp' of which cold extremities is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Yang Deficiency With Cold-Damp include generalized body pain and aching bones and joints.
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Channels. Disperses Cold. Nourishes the Blood. Unblocks the Blood vessels.
Why might Dang Gui Si Ni Tang help with cold extremities?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Vessel obstructed' of which cold extremities is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heart Vessel Obstructed include shortness of breath, palpitations and depression.
Wen Jing Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Uterus and vessels. Nourishes Blood. Dispels Cold. Dispels Blood Stagnation.
Why might Wen Jing Tang help with cold extremities?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi And Blood Stagnation' of which cold extremities is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi And Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
Acupuncture points used for cold extremities
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat cold extremities
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with cold extremities?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold extremities as a symptom, like Wu Ling San or Wen Qi Hua Shi 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with cold extremities?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold extremities as a symptom, like Dang Gui Si Ni Tang or Wen Jing 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 Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) help with cold extremities?
Because Prepared Aconite is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold extremities as a symptom, like You Gui Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Prepared Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Raises the collapse of Yang. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold. Reduces Damp caused by Deficiency in Yang.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with cold extremities?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold extremities as a symptom, like Dang Gui Si Ni Tang or Chai Hu Shu Gan San 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with cold extremities?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold extremities as a symptom, like Dang Gui Si Ni Tang or Chai Hu Shu Gan San for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Conditions associated with cold extremities
Other symptoms often associated with cold extremities
Night sweats Dizziness Hot flushes Irritability Constipation Tinnitus Insomnia Shortness of breath Sore back Abdominal pain