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 and weak knees redirects here
Cold knee 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 knee 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 knee is often associated with lower back pain, feeling of cold and weak legs in the pattern “Kidney Yang Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of cold knee we’ve identified two 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 knee.
Kidney Yang Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause cold knee
In Chinese Medicine cold knee is a symptom for the pattern "Kidney Yang Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it 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 knee, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include lower back pain, feeling of cold and weak legs.
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".
Two herbal formulas that might help with cold knee
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 cold knee?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which cold knee is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Yang Deficiency include lower back pain, feeling of cold and weak legs.
Shen Qi Wan
Why might Shen Qi Wan help with cold knee?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which cold knee is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Kidney Yang Deficiency include lower back pain, feeling of cold and weak legs.
Acupuncture points used for cold knee
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat cold knee
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with cold knee?
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold knee as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi) help with cold knee?
Because Goji Berry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold knee as a symptom, like Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan or You Gui Wan for instance.
Goji Berries is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with cold knee?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold knee as a symptom, like Er Xian Tang or You Gui Wan 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with cold knee?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold knee as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi Wan 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 Yam (Shan Yao) help with cold knee?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold knee as a symptom, like Ba Wei Di Huang Wan or Shen Qi Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Other symptoms often associated with cold knee
Lower back pain Feeling of cold Weak legs Bright-white complexion Impotence Premature ejaculation Low sperm count Lassitude Oedema of legs Loose stools