Collection: Cold Invasion

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the invasion of cold into the body can cause various health problems and imbalances. According to TCM, cold is a type of stagnation that can lead to constriction, paralysis, and a feeling of coldness in the body. Cold can also slow the movement of water and fluids, potentially causing the accumulation of fluid in different parts of the body, such as in the form of edema.

Symptoms of internal cold in TCM include acute pain, constriction, paralysis, and a feeling of coldness. These symptoms may be more pronounced in cold environments and may improve when the person is warm. Common areas of the body affected by internal cold include the stomach, intestines, uterus, muscles, and sinews. In many cases, the cause of internal cold may be an invasion of external cold into these areas of the body.

Internal cold can also be caused by a diet high in cold or damp foods. In TCM, cold foods are those that are either cold in temperature (such as cold drinks) or cold in nature (such as salads and seafood). Damp foods are typically sweet, oily, or fried, such as sugar, dairy products, and snack foods.

Conditions that may be caused by internal cold in TCM include epigastric pain with vomiting, abdominal pain with diarrhea, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), and arthritis. These conditions may be treated with a combination of herbs and acupuncture, although a full diagnosis is necessary to determine the most appropriate course of treatment.