讀後心得

Many women often feel cold hands and feet in cold weather, and this condition may be mistakenly identified as "deficiency and cold" or "anemia," leading to unnecessary supplementation. Traditional Chinese medicine physician Shao Yuhao points out that the causes of cold hands and feet are complex; blindly supplementing may be counterproductive and lead to greater discomfort. He mentioned that cold hands and feet are not solely due to "deficiency and cold"; poor circulation of qi and blood may also be one of the reasons. Especially if accompanied by symptoms such as dry mouth or a feeling of body heat, it could indicate a "heat-stagnation type" constitution. For such cases, Dr. Shao recommends increasing exercise, getting appropriate sunlight, reducing prolonged stays in air-conditioned environments, and limiting the intake of cold drinks to help promote the flow of qi and blood, thus effectively improving the issue.

Many women are troubled by cold hands and feet for a long time, especially in cold weather, where their hands and feet feel so cold that they cannot warm up, even affecting their daily lives. Many people believe this is caused by "deficiency" or "anemia," and thus continuously supplement themselves with items like ginseng, angelica, or ginger duck, hoping to improve their physical condition. However, experts warn that the causes of cold hands and feet are not simple, and mistakenly over-supplementing may lead to "bigger holes from excessive remedies," exacerbating the discomfort in the body.

● Cold hands and feet are not necessarily due to deficiency! The smooth flow of qi and blood is also key

Experts point out that the warmth of the limbs relies on the "warming function of qi and blood," and it is essential to ensure that the circulation pathways of qi and blood are unobstructed. Indeed, individuals with insufficient qi and blood or a yang deficiency constitution are more likely to feel cold in their hands and feet. However, if the discomfort is caused by qi stagnation, blood stasis, or phlegm dampness leading to poor circulation, this can also result in cold limbs, and even prevent the release of internal heat, forming a "heat stagnation type constitution." People of this type could worsen their condition if they use warm supplements to drive away the cold, possibly making the flow of qi and blood even more restricted and the internal heat more severe, leading to greater discomfort. Blindly supplementing may backfire.

● Are you of the "heat stagnation type constitution"? Be cautious of these symptoms

If your hands and feet are cold but you also easily feel dry mouth, body heat, and a hot head, you should be cautious that it may be "heat stagnation type" rather than "deficiency cold type"! People of this type usually have the following characteristics:

• Dislike exercise, sitting for long periods, or often staying at home.
• Spend a long time in air-conditioned rooms, leading to obstructions of yang qi in the body.
• Habitually drink cold beverages, affecting the flow of qi and blood.

● The real way to warm up the body

For those with "heat stagnation type" cold hands and feet, experts suggest that one should not merely supplement blindly, but instead engage the body in movement to promote the flow of yang qi to truly improve the issue. They offer the following advice:

• Exercise more: Moderate daily exercise, such as jogging, brisk walking, or stretching, helps promote the flow of qi and blood.
• Get more sun: Adequate sun exposure can help replenish yang qi, warming the body from the inside out.
• Avoid long stays in air-conditioned rooms: Over-reliance on air conditioning can easily lead to stagnation of yang qi, causing persistent coldness in the hands and feet.
• Reduce the intake of cold drinks: Drinking warm water or warm beverages can help avoid obstruction in the flow of qi and blood.