Feeling of cold in the epigastrium 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.
Feeling of cold in the epigastrium 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 feeling of cold in the epigastrium 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 feeling of cold in the epigastrium is often associated with poor appetite, sweet taste in the mouth and loose stools in the pattern “Cold-Damp invading the Spleen”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of cold in the epigastrium we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Ping Wei San can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause feeling of cold in the epigastrium
In Chinese Medicine feeling of cold in the epigastrium is a symptom for the pattern "Cold-Damp invading the Spleen". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi)
In addition to feeling of cold in the epigastrium, other symptoms associated with Cold-Damp invading the Spleen include poor appetite, sweet taste in the mouth and loose stools.
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen is often treated with Ping Wei San, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Black Atractylodes Rhizomes - Cang Zhu - as a key herb). Ping Wei 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: "Dries Dampness".
A herbal formula that might help with feeling of cold in the epigastrium
Ping Wei San
Source date: 1051 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Dries Dampness. Improves the Spleen's transportive function. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Ping Wei San help with feeling of cold in the epigastrium?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Damp invading the Spleen' of which feeling of cold in the epigastrium is a symptom.
Black atractylodes rhizome might help with feeling of cold in the epigastrium
Why might Black Atractylodes Rhizome (Cang Zhu) help with feeling of cold in the epigastrium?
Because it is a key herb in Ping Wei San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Cold-Damp invading the Spleen' (a pattern with feeling of cold in the epigastrium as a symptom)
Black Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Dries Damp and tonifies the Spleen. Relieves the Exterior for invasion of Wind-Cold-Damp. Relieves Wind-Damp painful obstruction. Dries Damp for either Damp-Cold or Damp-Heat when combined with the correct herbs. Clears the eyes and improves sight.
Other symptoms often associated with feeling of cold in the epigastrium
Poor appetite Sweet taste in the mouth Loose stools Lassitude Tiredness Nausea Edema Dull-pale complexion White vaginal discharge Abdominal and epigastric fullness