Cold is the main characteristic of winter. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes there is a certain distinction between internal cold and external cold. Internal cold is a syndrome caused by the decline of the body's functions and a deficiency of yang qi. External cold is the pathogenic cold from the outside that invades the body, causing disease. When it attacks the body surface, it is called "cold damage" (shang han), and when it directly strikes the zang-fu organs, it is called "cold striking" (zhong han). Although internal and external cold are different, they can influence each other. Cold is a yin pathogen that easily damages yang qi. For instance, a person with internal cold due to yang deficiency is susceptible to external cold. Conversely, the invasion of external cold can damage yang qi, leading to internal cold. When the defensive yang is damaged, aversion to cold occurs. If the cold pathogen penetrates to the interior, directly attacking the spleen and stomach or damaging the yang of the lungs and kidneys, symptoms such as aversion to cold, cold limbs, and watery diarrhea with undigested food may appear. Cold nature is congealing and stagnating, easily leading to qi stagnation and blood stasis, which obstructs the meridians. "Where there is obstruction, there is pain," resulting in systemic or epigastric and abdominal pain. Cold nature is also astringent and contracting. When the cold pathogen injures a person, it tends to cause the qi mechanism to contract and pull, leading to pain. When cold is in the muscles and meridians, it can cause stiffness and inability to stretch, cold limbs with numbness, and a floating and tense pulse.
Crucian Carp and Tofu Soup
It should be noted that cold can also trigger a common symptom—Bi syndrome. Bi syndrome is a term frequently encountered in TCM. What is Bi? In TCM clinical practice, it primarily refers to a syndrome characterized by joint and muscle pain, and limb stiffness, which can even affect flexion and extension. It is mostly caused by the invasion of wind, cold, and dampness pathogens into the meridians, skin, muscles, sinews, bones, and bones, leading to the obstruction of qi and blood. Bi syndrome is often a chronic, lingering illness, but it can also have an acute onset with a shorter course. In mild cases, joint movement is limited. In severe cases, joints become stiff and deformed, making daily life difficult.
To prevent cold and keep warm, you can eat more fish and meat. Among them, crucian carp tonifies the spleen deficiency, aids digestion, and can relieve loss of appetite. Silver carp tonifies the middle jiao, replenishes qi, warms the stomach, and moisturizes the skin. Sturgeon invigorates blood, unblocks the collaterals, and replenishes qi and deficiency. Lamb tonifies deficiency and exhaustion, and pacifies the liver, making it suitable for people with a weak spleen and stomach. Beef replenishes qi and nourishes blood; beef liver tonifies the liver, enriches blood, and improves vision; beef blood regulates qi and tonifies the middle jiao. Chicken is a warming tonic for the spleen and stomach, and nourishes blood and kidneys. Some dark-colored foods are also good choices. Seaweed contains large amounts of vitamins A, D, and iodine from kelp, which can activate physiological functions and enhance immunity. Black fungus can help reduce blood viscosity, delay arteriosclerosis, and prevent cardiovascular diseases. To prevent cold and keep warm, we also recommend eating more ginger and garlic. Ginger strengthens the stomach, aids digestion, enhances appetite, and promotes metabolism. Ginger contains gingerol, which has a stimulating effect on the cardiovascular system, increasing heart rate, dilating blood vessels, and promoting blood circulation. However, ginger is pungent and hot in nature, and excessive consumption can damage the stomach, so it should not be eaten in large amounts. Garlic warms the middle jiao, aids digestion, eliminates dampness, and kills bacteria. It is rich in vitamins A, B, and C, and serves as both a condiment and a health food.
In addition, keeping the feet warm is also very important. The feet are far from the heart, so blood circulation is easily affected. Moreover, the subcutaneous fat layer is thin, providing poor insulation, making them prone to cold. Before going to sleep at night, you can soak your feet in hot water and massage the center of your soles with your palms for about 10 minutes, which can have a health-preserving effect.
Tofu soup