Blood Deficiency & Susceptibility to External Cold

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Protecive Qi Deficiency is the #1 reason for sensitivity to weather,

but Blood Deficiency also can cause this. (As can long-term Kidney

Yang Deficiency.)

 

In cases of Blood Deficiency, the person may be most sensitive to

Cold. Cold easily invades the body and damages Yang, the Kidneys,

and the Spleen. This is another snowballying scenario. Since the

Spleen pays a key role in both Qi and Blood formation, the person

becomes even more Blood Deficient (and Qi Deficient) which makes the

person even more susceptible to External Cold, and so on.

 

In addition, eventually the Kidneys will be damaged by the Cold, and

have trouble supplying enough Yang to the body (while the invading

Cold damages what Yang there is). The Kidneys are most vulnerable to

Cold, and the Spleen is most vulnerable to Dampness though the Spleen

also is vulnerable to Cold.

 

External Cold can invade the Uterus, Large Intestine, Small

Intestine, and Stomach directly.

 

In cases where both Blood and Qi Deficiency have been going on for

some time, both must be treated if the person is ever to be fully

restored to health. Herbs like astragalus (which increases

Protective Qi) are not going to be enough to stop the weather

sensitivity. It may decrease it somewhat, but won't stop it entirely

if the Blood Deficiency problem also is not being addressed. The

Blood Deficiency problem also will need to be addressed. Treatment

will vary according to the individual and what stage the individual

is is as well as how long s/he has been sick. Somtimes equal amounts

of Qi and Blood tonic herbs will be needed, sometimes the emphasis

will need to be on Qi tonic herbs and formulas for a while, and

sometimes the emphasis will need to be on the Blood tonic treatment.

 

As a general rule women tend to be more vulnerable to Blood

Deficiency than men are because of the monthly period and

childbirth. Also because of the tendency to engage in fad diets and

the desire to be unnaturally thin. But sometimes men's diets are not

too good, and they too can develop Blood Deficiency. In addition,

loss of blood fraom accidnets or surgery can trigger Blood Deficiency.

 

Most TCM students are aware of a condition called " Hot Blood " . But

Blood also can be Cold. This problem usually is seen after

childbirth when loss of blood triggers Blood Deficiency which in turn

allows External Cold to invade easily. When Blood is Cold, both Qi

and Blood movement is hindered. Herbs to move Qi and herbs to treat

Blood Stasis usually are not going to be very effective in treating

the Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis when the Root of the problems is

Cold Blood.

 

A note for those new to TCM: The TCM definition of Blood is NOT the

same as the Western anatomical definition of blood. Part of the TCM

definition is that Blood " nourishes and moistens " the tissues. It is

possible for people to have normal Western blood tests but still

suffer from Blood Deficiency. Even though the red blood cell, white

blood cell, and plalets counts as well as other things may be in the

normal range according to Western tests, the Blood is failing to

moisten and nourish tissues.