Understanding the concept of “cold qi” mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine may seem somewhat mysterious to many people. In fact, when traditional Chinese medicine discusses the “entry of cold qi into the body,” it is more of a figurative expression rather than referring to an actual physical entity. This statement is used to describe the situation when the body encounters a cold environment, leading to a decrease in body temperature, and the body adopts a series of self-regulating responses to maintain body temperature. During this process, the body may accelerate the metabolism of carbohydrates to generate additional heat to resist the external low temperature. If the “by-products” of this regulatory process cannot be effectively utilized, they are considered as “cold qi” that needs to be expelled from the body. In traditional Chinese medicine understanding, this cold qi can manifest as liquid or solid clumps formed in certain parts of the body due to the accumulation of cold qi.
In summary, the concept of cold qi in traditional Chinese medicine essentially encompasses the body’s various defense and adjustment mechanisms after exposure to cold. It reminds us to keep warm and avoid body discomfort caused by external cold. Therefore, the next time you hear the term “cold qi,” you can have a clearer understanding of its underlying meaning and realize that it refers to a series of physiological reactions triggered by cold stimulation and the potential cold-related symptoms it may cause.
