Aversion To Coldaccording to TCM

Symptom family: Cold Sensations and Intolerance

Sub-symptom(s): Slight Aversion To Cold

Did you mean? Chills

What is Aversion to Cold?

Aversion to cold is a condition characterized by a heightened sensitivity or discomfort in response to cold temperatures. Individuals with this symptom often prefer warmer environments and may experience a persistent feeling of coldness that is difficult to alleviate. This sensation can be particularly pronounced in specific parts of the body, such as the back. Understanding the underlying causes of aversion to cold is crucial for effective treatment and management.

How Does TCM View Aversion to Cold?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), aversion to cold is seen as a manifestation of internal disharmony. TCM practitioners believe that this condition can arise from various imbalances within the body, such as Deficiencies or Stagnation in the flow of Qi and Blood. Unlike Western medicine, which might focus on physiological causes like hypothyroidism or poor circulation, TCM emphasizes the importance of diagnosing the specific pattern of disharmony to tailor an effective treatment plan.

Root Causes of Aversion To Cold in TCM

One common cause of aversion to cold in TCM is Wind, specifically patterns like Damp-Wind or Dry-Wind. Damp-Wind is characterized by symptoms such as aversion to cold, fever, neck gland swelling, nausea, and excessive sweating. Dry-Wind, on the other hand, presents with symptoms like aversion to cold, excessive sweating, skin dryness, dry nose and throat, and dry cough. These patterns highlight how external environmental factors combined with internal imbalances can lead to aversion to cold.

Another significant cause is Cold, with patterns such as Dry-Cold and Empty-Cold. Dry-Cold includes symptoms like aversion to cold, fever, headaches, skin dryness, and lack of sweating. Empty-Cold involves symptoms like chills, cold extremities, pale face, low energy, and clear urination.

Explore below more details about what might cause Aversion to cold according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Wind
  • Cold
  • Heat
Detailed description of the cause

Wind

In TCM "Wind" is a concept that represents a pattern of disharmony, often characterized by its sudden and unpredictable nature, much like a gusty wind changing direction without warning. This pattern is associated with symptoms that come and go quickly or move around the body, such as itching, tremors, or even certain types of pain. Wind is considered to be a primary cause of illnesses that have these rapidly changing characteristics. In TCM, external Wind often refers to illnesses that start suddenly, like the common cold, believed to be caused by external pathogenic factors like climatic changes. On the other hand, internal Wind can be linked to internal imbalances and can manifest in conditions like dizziness or spasms. ... see more

Wind Patterns That Can Lead to Aversion To Cold

Common Symptoms: Fever Sneezing Headaches Nasal Discharge Coughing Body Pain Sore Throat Itchy Throat

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Damp-Wind Aversion to cold, Fever, Neck gland swelling, Nausea, Excessive sweating, Occipital stiffness, Body pain, Muscle pain, Feeling of heaviness, Swollen joints... see more Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang | Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang | Cang Er Zi San | Xiao Feng San | Ku Shen Tang | Hai Tong Pi Tang
Dry-Wind Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Dry cough, Sore throat, Dry tongue... see more Sang Xing Tang
Exterior Wind Aversion to cold, Fever, Headaches, Anemophobia, Nasal discharge, Clear sputum, Itchy throat, Sneezing, Coughing, Muscle pain, Itchy skin... see more Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San
Greater Yang Accumulation of Water Aversion to cold, Fever, Urinary retention, Slight thirst, Vomiting after eating Wu Ling San
Wind-Cold Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital headache, Occipital stiffness, Congested nose, White and watery sputum... see more Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang | Ma Huang Tang | Jing Fang Bai Du San | Cong Chi Tang | Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang | Jia Wei Xiang Su San | Shi Shen Tang | Jin Fei Cao San | Wu Ji San
Wind-Cold invading the Lungs Aversion to cold, Fever, Itchy throat, Shortness of breath, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, White and watery sputum, Coughing and wheezing with copious sputum... see more Ma Huang Tang | Ge Gen Tang | Xin Yi San | Zhi Sou San
Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs Aversion to cold, Ocular swelling, Shiny complexion, Scanty clear urination, Fever, Coughing, Shortness of breath, Facial edema... see more Xiao Qing Long Tang
Wind-Heat Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness, Occipital headache, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Yellowish phlegm... see more Xiao Feng San | Yin Qiao San | Cong Chi Tang | Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang | Sang Ju Yin | Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang | Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang | Fang Feng Tong Sheng San | Bing Peng San | Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin | Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Wind-Heat invading the Lungs Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge, Copious thick yellow sputum, Sneezing, Headaches, Body pain, Thirst, Tonsil swelling... see more Yin Qiao San | Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan
Greater Yang Attack of Wind Slight aversion to cold, Anemophobia, Low grade fever, Mild sweating, Stiff neck, Sneezing, Occipital headache... see more Gui Zhi Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Aversion To Cold

TCM treatment for aversion to cold involves using specific herbal formulas tailored to the identified pattern of disharmony. For Damp-Wind, Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang is recommended, featuring Notopterygium Roots as a key herb to release the Exterior and dispel Dampness. For Dry-Wind, Sang Xing Tang with Mulberry leaves is used to clear Dryness and release the Exterior.

In cases of Dry-Cold, Xing Su San is prescribed, leveraging the moistening properties of Apricot Seeds. For Empty-Cold, Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is beneficial, with Milkvetch Roots helping to warm the Middle and dispel Cold. These formulas and herbs work by addressing the root cause of the symptom, providing relief and restoring balance.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address aversion to cold, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Wind
  • Cold
  • Heat

All Formulas Recommended for Aversion To Cold Caused by Wind

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Ma Huang Tang Wind-Cold, Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
Yin Qiao San Wind-Heat, Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang Damp-Wind, Wind-Cold
Xiao Feng San Damp-Wind, Wind-Heat
Cong Chi Tang Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat
Huo Ren Cong Shi Tang Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat
Yin Qiao Jie Du Wan Wind-Heat, Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
Gui Zhi Tang Greater Yang Attack of Wind
Sang Xing Tang Dry-Wind
Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang Damp-Wind
Cang Er Zi San Damp-Wind
Ku Shen Tang Damp-Wind
Hai Tong Pi Tang Damp-Wind
Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao San Exterior Wind
Wu Ling San Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
Jing Fang Bai Du San Wind-Cold
Jia Wei Xiang Su San Wind-Cold
Shi Shen Tang Wind-Cold
Jin Fei Cao San Wind-Cold
Wu Ji San Wind-Cold
Ge Gen Tang Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
Xin Yi San Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
Zhi Sou San Wind-Cold invading the Lungs
Xiao Qing Long Tang Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs
Sang Ju Yin Wind-Heat
Jing Jie Lian Qiao Tang Wind-Heat
Zhu Ye Cheng Liu Tang Wind-Heat
Fang Feng Tong Sheng San Wind-Heat
Bing Peng San Wind-Heat
Pu Ji Xiao Du Yin Wind-Heat

Acupoints for Aversion To Cold

Acupuncture is also a key component of TCM treatment for aversion to cold. Specific acupoints are targeted to balance the body's internal energies and alleviate cold sensations. In the Bladder Channel, Dazhu BL-11 and Feishu BL-13 are effective points. Dazhu BL-11, located on the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra, helps nourish Blood and expel Wind.

Feishu BL-13, located 1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra, tonifies Lung Qi and clears Lung Heat. These acupoints, among others, help regulate the body's response to cold and improve overall energy flow, providing a comprehensive approach to managing aversion to cold. Through a combination of herbal formulas and acupuncture, TCM offers a holistic and effective treatment for this common symptom.

Explore below some acupoints used to address aversion to cold, organized by meridian.

  • By Meridian
  • Bladder Channel
  • Large Intestine Channel
  • Gall Bladder Channel
Jingming BL-1

Jingming BL-1

0.1 cun superior and medial to the inner canthus.

Yuzhen BL-9

Yuzhen BL-9

First identify Naohu DU-17 which is on the superior border of the external occipital protuberance. Yuzhen BL-9 is 1.3 cun lateral to Naohu DU-17.

Tianzhu BL-10

Tianzhu BL-10

1.3 cun lateral to Yamen DU-15 on the posterior midline, 0.5 cun above the posterior hairline, on the lateral side of trapezius muscle.

Dazhu BL-11

Dazhu BL-11

On the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra (T1), 1.5 cun (about 2 finger-breadths) lateral to the posterior midline.

Fengmen BL-12

Fengmen BL-12

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra (T2).

Feishu BL-13

Feishu BL-13

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 3rd thoracic vertebra (T3).

Weizhong BL-40

Weizhong BL-40

At the midpoint of the popliteal crease, between the tendons of biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscle.

Geguan BL-46

Geguan BL-46

3 cun (about 4 finger-breadths) lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra (T7).

Weicang BL-50

Weicang BL-50

3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12).

Shenmai BL-62

Shenmai BL-62

In the depression directly below the lateral malleolus tip.

Shugu BL-65

Shugu BL-65

On the lateral side of the foot dorsum, proximal to the head of the 5th metatarsal bone, at the border of the red and white skin.

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