How to regulate a cold constitution

Generally, the regulation of a cold constitution focuses on warming the yang and dispelling internal cold. This can be achieved through dietary adjustments, moderate exercise, staying warm, acupoint massage, and herbal remedies. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Dietary Adjustments

Incorporate more warming foods such as lamb, ginger, longan, red dates, and garlic chives. Lamb helps nourish qi and blood with warmth, while ginger effectively dispels cold and warms the body. Cooking these ingredients via stewing or boiling helps supply heat to the body, alleviating symptoms associated with a cold constitution—such as sensitivity to cold, cold hands and feet—and avoiding raw, cold, or cooling foods.

2. Moderate Exercise

Choose gentle exercises like tai chi, jogging, or skipping rope, and avoid intense workouts that lead to excessive sweating. Regular physical activity promotes blood and qi circulation, increases body heat production, and helps eliminate internal coldness. Long-term adherence can strengthen overall constitution and improve symptoms such as low energy and lack of vitality caused by a cold constitution.

3. Staying Warm and Preventing Cold Exposure

Pay attention to keeping key areas of the body warm, including the abdomen, waist, hands, and feet. Dress appropriately during winter, avoid prolonged stays in air-conditioned rooms during summer, and do not sit directly in the path of cold drafts. Cold exposure can easily aggravate internal cold; proper warmth reduces the invasion of cold pathogens.

4. Acupoint Massage

Frequently massage acupoints such as Guanyuan (CV4), Mingmen (GV4), Zusanli (ST36), and Yongquan (KI1). The Guanyuan point tonifies kidney yang, Mingmen warms the kidneys and strengthens the lower back, Zusanli regulates the spleen and stomach, and Yongquan guides fire back to its origin. Apply moderate pressure for 1–2 minutes per point to unblock meridians, warm yang, and dispel cold, thereby supporting improvement of a cold constitution.

5. Herbal Regulation

Under medical guidance, traditional Chinese patent medicines such as Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan, Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan, and Gui Fu Di Huang Wan may be used. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan warms and tonifies kidney yang, while Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan strengthens the spleen and warms the middle burner. These formulas specifically replenish deficient yang energy, expel cold, and relieve various discomforts caused by a cold constitution.

In addition, individuals with a cold constitution should avoid staying up late and ensure sufficient sleep, allowing the body adequate time to restore yang energy. Drinking ginger-red date tea regularly can also help continuously dispel cold and warm the body. The调理 process should be gradual and sustained over time to achieve noticeable results.