According to Chinese medicine, cold is the main weather in winter. In winter, it is easy to get sick from the cold if you do not keep your body warm enough, such as being in a place that is too cold, wearing clothes that are too thin, getting wet in the rain, or staying in cold water for too long.
Properties of cold and disease occurrence
Cold tends to destroy Yang. Cold is Yin. Normally, Yin is controlled by Yang. Increased Yin causes Yang to become sick. This is because Yin increases and then suppresses Yang. Yang cannot generate warmth to drive the body’s functions, so cold syndrome occurs, such as:
If cold hits the outside of the body and pushes yang into the body, it will cause fear of cold, sweating, headache, body aches, and joint pain.
If the cold hits the stomach, it will cause cold pain in the stomach and watery stools.
If the cold hits the lungs, it will cause coughing, wheezing, and clear phlegm.
If the cold affects the kidneys, it will cause cold pain in the waist, excessive urination, and edema.
Cold causes stagnation and obstruction. When cold destroys yang, the blood does not circulate, causing obstruction and pain. If warmed, the blood will circulate better and the pain will be relieved.
Cold causes convulsions. When cold affects the outside of the body, the skin contracts, the pores close, the meridians become blocked, and the yang that protects the body does not circulate to the outside, causing fever, fear of cold, and inability to sweat. If cold forms inside the body, it will affect the heart, spleen, and kidneys, causing symptoms such as a pale face, cold limbs, excessive urination, and watery stools.
As mentioned, the cold in winter can cause many diseases, so you should always keep your body warm, both inside and outside. Outside, you can start by wearing long-sleeved and thicker clothes, or taking a warm bath to prevent the cold from outside from affecting you. Inside, you can start by not drinking cold water, eating cold foods, and eating hot foods to strengthen the body’s yang energy. This article will introduce herbs that have a warming effect, helping to strengthen the body’s yang energy.
Tangxian ( Tangxian)
Tang Xie has a sweet taste and neutral properties. It nourishes the spleen and lungs’ qi, nourishes the blood, and increases fluids. Chinese doctors believe that qi is the energy that drives/controls the functions of various parts of the body, which is related to the yang in the body. Use 9-30 grams and boil to drink.
Dou Dong (杜仲)
Dou Dong has a sweet taste and warm properties. Its properties are to nourish the yang of the liver and kidney, strengthen bones and tendons, and expel dampness. Use 3-9 grams and boil to drink.
Chinese cinnamon (肉桂)
Chinese cinnamon has a spicy and sweet taste, is hot in nature, and has the properties of reinforcing yang, nourishing the fire element in the kidney system, dissipating cold, relieving pain, and clearing the meridians. Use 1-5 grams and boil to drink.
Dried ginger ( Ginger)
Dried ginger has a spicy flavor and a hot effect. Its properties include increasing warmth, expelling cold, restoring the yang of the spleen and stomach, and relieving nausea and vomiting. Use 3-9 grams and boil to drink.
Long pepper ( Long pepper)
Long pepper has a spicy taste and a hot effect. Its properties are to expel cold from the spleen and stomach, relieve chest pain, cure vomiting and diarrhea caused by cold, relieve migraine pain, and use externally to relieve toothache. Use 1.5-3 grams, boil and drink.
Of the herbs introduced above, some can also be used in cooking. For example, Chinese cinnamon, which we are familiar with in five-spice powder, or ginger, which can be stir-fried with wood ear mushrooms, can be used in food to balance the body.
Finally, on this auspicious occasion of the New Year, may the sacred powers of all the worlds inspire you and your family to experience only happiness and prosperity and achieve all your desired results.