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 limbs 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 limbs 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 limbs is often associated with poor appetite, frequent urination and fatigue in the pattern “Lung Yang Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause cold limbs.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of cold limbs 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 limbs.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause cold limbs
In Chinese Medicine cold limbs 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 Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Slow (Chi), Slowed-down (Huan), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to cold limbs, other symptoms associated with Lung Yang Deficiency include poor appetite, frequent urination and fatigue.
Lung Yang Deficiency is often treated with Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Dried Ginger - Gan Jiang - as a key herb). Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm interior cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Lungs".
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 cold limbs, other symptoms associated with Lesser Yin Cold Transformation include feeling of cold, listlessness 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".
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) is the king ingredient for Wu Ling San, a formula used for Yin Excess
Yin Excess
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Excess Yin is a Full Yin state pattern. Its symptoms are like those of the Cold and Damp Heat Pernicious Influences such as Edema. It is a result of over-exposure to cold environments and bad diet.
In addition to cold limbs, other symptoms associated with Yin Excess include feeling of cold, poor appetite and loose stools.
Yin Excess 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,".
Water Plantain (Ze Xie) is the king ingredient for Wu Ling San, a formula used for Oedema
Oedema
Pulse type(s): Slowed-down (Huan), Hidden (Fu)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Oedema manifests itself as swellings due to the retention of Body Fluids. Chinese Medicine believes that it originates from the leaking of Body Fluids from their normal pathways into the space between skin and muscles.
In addition to cold limbs, other symptoms associated with Oedema include poor appetite, loose stools and fatigue.
Oedema 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,".
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the king ingredient for Wen Jing Tang, a formula used for Cold in the Uterus
Cold in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Tight (Jin)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple, Pale
In addition to cold limbs, other symptoms associated with Cold in the Uterus include feeling of cold, frequent urination and scanty periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Cold in the Uterus is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Late Menstruation.
Cold in the Uterus is often treated with Wen Jing Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Cinnamon Twigs - Gui Zhi - as a key herb). Wen Jing 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: "Warms the Uterus and vessels".
Five herbal formulas that might help with cold limbs
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Lungs. Strengthens the Stomach.
Why might Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang help with cold limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yang Deficiency' of which cold limbs is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lung Yang Deficiency include poor appetite, frequent urination and fatigue.
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 cold limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lesser Yin Cold Transformation' of which cold limbs is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Lesser Yin Cold Transformation include feeling of cold, listlessness and diarrhea.
Wu Pi Yin
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Reduces edema, diuretic. Regulates and strengthens Spleen Qi.
Why might Wu Pi Yin help with cold limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yin Excess' of which cold limbs is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Yin Excess include feeling of cold, poor appetite and loose stools.
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Why might Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang help with cold limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Oedema' of which cold limbs is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Oedema include poor appetite, loose stools and fatigue.
Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang
Source date: 1827 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Supports Kidney Yang. Supplies Spleen Qi. Expels Cold and Dampness from the Uterus.
Why might Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang help with cold limbs?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold in the Uterus' of which cold limbs is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Cold in the Uterus can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Acupuncture points used for cold limbs
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat cold limbs
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with cold limbs?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold limbs as a symptom, like Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang or Si Ni Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 cold limbs?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold limbs as a symptom, like Wu Pi Yin or Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with cold limbs?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold limbs as a symptom, like Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang or Wan Dai Tang for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with cold limbs?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold limbs as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Shen Ling Bai Zhu San for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with cold limbs?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat cold limbs as a symptom, like Wen Jing Tang or Er Xian Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
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.
Conditions associated with cold limbs
Abnormal uterine bleeding Abnormal vaginal discharge Menstrual cramps
Other symptoms often associated with cold limbs
Feeling of cold Poor appetite Loose stools Dizziness Frequent urination Fatigue Scanty periods Sore back Pale face Tinnitus