Many people face the issue of cold hands and feet, and this problem worsens in winter! Even when continuously drinking hot water and wearing thick clothing, some individuals still struggle with cold extremities. Some people may find that even when lying under the covers until midnight, their hands and feet remain cold. So, what’s causing this condition?
1. Root Causes of “Cold”
01 Yang Deficiency: As per the “Huangdi Neijing” (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon), “Yang is responsible for protecting the body from external pathogenic factors.” This means that the body’s ability to defend against external invasions is related to its Yang Qi. Yang Qi has a warming and nourishing function, and if it’s deficient, the body cannot maintain warmth, especially in the extremities like hands and feet.
02 Stagnation of Qi and Poor Circulation: Qi stagnation essentially means that the body has enough energy but its pathways are blocked, preventing efficient energy distribution. This leads to a state where warmth is relatively lacking in the limbs. In traditional Chinese medical terms, this is referred to as “Yang Qi stagnates internally and cannot reach the extremities.” If cold hands and feet result from Qi stagnation, it is necessary to rectify this.
03 Qi and Blood Deficiency: The temperature of the hands and feet directly reflects the body’s Qi and blood. When a person’s Qi and blood are sufficient, their hands and feet should be warm throughout the year. If the palms and soles of the feet are hot, sweaty, or cold, it may be due to Qi and blood deficiency.
2. Traditional Chinese Medicine Solutions for “Cold”
In traditional Chinese medicine, the coldness of the hands and feet is categorized as either due to deficiency or excess. Deficiency usually involves Yang deficiency and blood deficiency, which result in a lack of warmth in the limbs. Excess conditions are often related to issues like liver depression, cold and dampness, damp-heat, and blood stasis. These factors block the circulation of Yang Qi, preventing it from reaching the peripheral limbs.
How can traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulations be used to treat cold hands and feet?
01 For Yang deficiency, you can use Si Ni Tang (Fuzi, Ganjiang, Zhigancao).
02 For blood deficiency, you can use Danggui Sini Tang (Danggui, Guizhi, Baishao, Xixin, Zhigancao, Tongcao, Hongzao).
03 For liver depression, you can use Sini San (Chaihu, Zhishi, Shaoyao, Gancao).
04 For cold and dampness, you can use Wutou Tang (Mahuang, Shaoyao, Huangqi, Gancao, Chuanwu).
05 For blood stasis, you can use Xuefu Zhuyu Tang (Taoren, Honghua, Danggui, Shengdihuang, Chuanxiong, Chishao, Niuxi, Jiegen, Chaihu, Zhike, Gancao).
When using traditional Chinese medicine decoctions, it’s important to have a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner tailor the treatment based on a person’s individual condition. Self-administration of herbal formulations is not advisable.
3. How to Improve Cold Hands and Feet
01 Keep Warm: Adjust clothing according to the temperature and avoid exposing the body to extreme cold to prevent stress reactions. Avoid staying in cold and damp environments for extended periods. Get plenty of sunshine. “Neijing” repeatedly emphasizes the importance of keeping warm during cold weather to prevent the invasion of external cold, which depletes the body’s Yang Qi, leading to Yang deficiency.
02 Herbal Foot Soaks: Foot soaks have many benefits, including dispelling cold and promoting metabolism. You can add warming herbs like mugwort or ginger to the foot soak. While soaking, you can gently rub your feet, which enhances the effects. Pay attention to the water temperature; it should not be too hot to prevent scalding, especially for individuals with diabetes, varicose veins, or lower limb vascular diseases.
03 Adequate Sleep: Ensure a minimum of 7 hours of good-quality sleep each day. Avoid staying up late because late nights harm Yang Qi. A good sleep allows Yang Qi to be completely replenished, which is essential for the gradual restoration of warmth.
04 Exercise and Generate Yang: Actively absorb natural Yang Qi by exposing yourself to the morning sun, especially the back and the top of your head where Yang Qi gathers. According to traditional Chinese medicine analysis, exercise can generate Yang, stimulate Yang, and balance Yin and Yang. Exercise warms the extremities, promotes blood circulation, and is beneficial for resisting the cold and preventing diseases. However, it’s important not to overexert yourself and avoid excessive sweating.
05 Diet Therapy for Nourishing Yang: People with cold hands and feet should consume a diet with higher calories. Include lean meats, eggs, fish, dairy products, legumes, and foods rich in carbohydrates. Try a warming recipe for cold climates, such as the “Danggui Ginger Lamb Soup.”
06 Ingredients: 20g Danggui (Chinese Angelica), 30g fresh ginger, 500g lamb, rice wine, salt, and other seasoning to taste.
Instructions:
- Rinse the Danggui and ginger in clean water, soak until softened, then slice.
- Remove the tendons and fascia from the lamb, blanch briefly in boiling water to remove impurities, then slice.
- Combine Danggui, ginger, and lamb in a clay pot, add water and rice wine, bring to a boil, skim off any impurities, then simmer on low heat until the lamb is tender. Add salt and other seasonings to taste before serving.
Effect: This soup has the effect of warming the middle, nourishing the blood, and dispelling cold to relieve pain. It’s suitable for people with Qi and blood deficiency, spleen and kidney Yang deficiency, blood deficiency cold congealment leading to cold hands and feet, especially in the winter.
Note: Diabetic patients, those with varicose veins, and lower limb vascular diseases should not use very hot water for foot soaks to avoid scalding and delayed healing of the skin.
Remember, it is essential to consult with a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to receive personalized treatment tailored to your individual condition. Self-administering herbal decoctions is not advisable!