Connotation and Clinical Application of "The Nature of Cold and Heat Complex Syndrome is Cold"： from the Perspective of Zang-Fu （脏腑） Wind-Damp Theory
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2025.08.007
- VernacularTitle:从脏腑风湿论探析“寒热错杂本质是寒”的内涵和临床应用
- Author:
Tong LIN
1
;
Yingying YANG
2
;
Linhua ZHAO
1
;
Lili ZHANG
1
Author Information
1. Guang'anmen Hospital，China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences，Beijing，100053
2. China-Japan Friendship Hospital
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
complex of cold and heat;
zang-fu （脏腑） wind-damp theory;
dissipating cold and eliminating dampness
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;66(8):795-799
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
According to zang-fu （脏腑） wind-damp theory， it is believed that wind， cold， and dampness are internal pathogenic factors that， when stagnated， transform into heat and invade the zang-fu organs， leading to chronic conditions. Heat is seen as a manifestation， while cold is considered the root cause. When external factors trigger these latent pathogens， the disease of the zang-fu organs exacerbates or relapses， often presenting with a complex syndrome of cold and heat. Based on this theory， the viewpoint of "for complex syndrome of cold and heat， cold is the root" is proposed. It suggests that for diseases with a complex cold-heat syndrome， external invasion of wind， cold， and dampness are the initiating factors. During the acute phase， treatment should focus on dispelling and eliminating the pathogens to promote the expulsion of the latent wind， cold， and dampness. During the remission phase， the focus shifts to reinforcing the healthy qi and tonifying the root， allowing the cold and dampness to be cleared. Internal dampness originates from the spleen； therefore， regulating the spleen and stomach， and dispersing cold and removing dampness is the key to treating wind-damp disorders of zang-fu organs. Cold and dampness are both yin pathogens， which damage yang qi， and repeated invasions of wind， cold， and dampness obstruct the qi flow of the zang-fu organs， progressively weakening yang qi. Hence， it is necessary to protect yang qi， and thereafter dispelling cold and dampness by warming yang. The theory that "for complex syndrome of cold and heat， cold is the root" provides guidance for the clinical application and the treatment of complex and difficult diseases in traditional Chinese medicine.
