Cold in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese Medicine cold is not our friend but the enemy! Causing sickness and pain, as well as slowing our digestion. Acupuncturists are anti-cold plunges, anti-cold foods (not just physically cold), keeping your neck covered and staying warm and wearing socks!

In Traditional Chinese Medicine the concept of "yang" and "qi" is crucial to maintaining good health. Yang represents warmth, activity, and energy, while qi is the vital life force or energy that flows through the body. It's believed that exposure to cold and insufficient protection against cold weather can disrupt the balance of yang and qi.

We have an ancient book in Chinese Medicine called the Shang Han Lun - “The Treatise on Diseases caused by Cold.” This book talks mostly about the damage done in the body by exposure to cold. We definitely don’t like cold plunges in Chinese Medicine!

Cold weather is thought to deplete the body's vital energy (qi). By keeping warm and well-covered, you help conserve your qi, ensuring that it remains strong and flows smoothly through the body's meridians.

Chinese Medicine emphasises the importance of unobstructed flow of qi and blood for overall health. Exposure to cold can constrict blood vessels and slow down circulation. Staying warm encourages better blood flow and ensures that nutrients and vital substances are distributed effectively.

Period pain and fertility

Cold is damaging and constricting to the uterus. Blood moves and circulates when there is heat and warmth. So when there is blood flow to the uterus this reduces period pain and more blood provides a healthier environment promoting fertility. Period pain often feels better with warmth.

Keep your neck covered!

A "wind-cold" is considered an external pathogenic factor that can cause illness. Wind-cold often enters the body through the neck and shoulders. So please keep these areas covered in the cold! Cold temperatures can weaken the body's immune system. Adequate warmth and protection help the body conserve energy, making it more resilient against external pathogens.

How does cold affect the digestion?

Warmth for digestion! Chinese Medicine believes that the digestive system functions optimally in a warm environment. Imagine your stomach as a boiling pot of soup over a fire. Adding in cold foods will cool down the pot of simmering soup! and you can’t cook vegetables in a soup when it’s cold :) Consuming warm, nourishing foods and staying warm supports a healthy digestion.

What are cold foods to avoid?

I love salads! But salads don’t love me, and whenever I eat one I become bloated. Salads, raw vegetables, ice cream, cold icy drinks, and cold smoothies are all foods we believe you should avoid if you can in Chinese medicine. If you live in a hot climate your digestion will be more forgiving, but generally they are hard to digest, and tax the digestion.

Acupuncture in Point Cook, Melbourne

If you are experiencing arthritis, poor digestion, period pain, or have a weak immune system, Chinese medicine and acupuncture may be able to help. Book an appointment online at our clinic in Point Cook.