Hot Cold vs. Cold Cold

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In Chinese Medicine, colds, flu’s and other respiratory illnesses fall under a category that we call “exterior” or “wind” conditions. They are external pathogenic factors that invade the body in its superficial or exterior aspects. These are conditions that are associated with symptoms of chills, fever, headache, stiff neck and muscle aches. (Bensky) There are two main types of exterior conditions —Wind Heat and Wind Cold.

You can easily distinguish the two as Wind Heat comes with more prominent fever and sore throat. It can also be accompanied by redness in the eyes, itching, rash, swollen lymph nodes, tonsils. A Wind Cold will be featured by strong chills and a runny nose with a milder fever. Because the fever tends to be less prominent in this condition it is important monitor the body temperature as well as notice if there is fatigue, headache or body aches.

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In modern times, especially living the city life, we most often encounter Wind Heat (Or what social media calls a “hot cold”). Wind Cold’s do still occur, but they are usually easier to get over with rest, or they quickly convert to become Wind Heat condition. You might will see a mix of Wind Heat and Wind Cold but usually the Wind Heat symptoms are more prominent. This does not however, mean Wind Cold’s are benign. Some of the worst covid cases I’ve seen have presented as Wind Cold.

There are also mixed and more complicated conditions when the exterior condition has been going on for longer in which you can have Wind-Cold-Damp or Wind-Heat with phlegm.

An exterior condition usually occurs during the perfect opportunity of vulnerability in the body. Your body is under stress and your immune system is not working optimally and at the same time you are exposed to an external pathogen (usually a virus). A western doctor might tell you that exposure to the cold will not cause you to get sick —and this is only partially true! In Eastern medicine or from the words of a wise grandmother, this is NOT TRUE. Because cold exposure, when your immune system is weak, will further stress the body and cause you to be in a more vulnerable position. When you’re exposed to viruses sometimes you’re immunity or upright qi is strong and can easily defend you from this viral exposure. Sometimes you’re exposed and your immune system is not optimal — you’ve not slept well, you’ve been overworked and you just worked out in a gym that had the A/C blasting. Maybe you were exposed to too much virus and despite being at your strongest, healthiest time, it does not matter. Viruses are not visible to us, but they are airborne, so, most often this occurs at a time when we did not expect it. Additionally viral illnesses, like influenza and covid, are more easily passed during their asymptomatic phases.

This is all general information and meant for educational purposes only —not medical advice. It is important to be assessed by a trained Chinese Medicine provider as well as be seen at by your primary care providers. Some viral illnesses can be very serious!

When you are experiencing Wind Heat some of the best things to reach for are herbs that are cooling, such as:
Chrysanthemum, Japanese Honeysuckle, Forsythia, Ban Lan Gen

When you are experiencing Wind Cold reach for the warming herbs like Ginger and Cinnamon

Please refer to my Flu Season post for more information on what to do.

The Best Flu Prevention Hack

Masking is the best prevention because if you body’s immunity is compromised whether it be from a condition or from overwork and lack of rest, the mask will protect you from exposure to pathogens. It will also protect by practicing better hygiene - touching your face directly, less because the mask creates a barrier. The best treatment for an illness is to prevent catching the illness! Keep yourself healthy by eating what your body likes and digests easily, doing regular exercise without over doing it, staying up to date with vaccinations, getting enough sleep, rest and avoiding contact with people who are sick. Always monitor your condition by taking your temperature regularly while sick and seek medical attention if your fever becomes too high or has lasted for too many days.

Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM on 12/29/25, published on 1/19/26

Use the code ‘PREPARE’ for $20 off an already discounted acupuncture 3 pack

You might be interested in reading: Why Is Ginger So Good For You?, 5 Herbs For Coughing, POTS and Long Covid

Sources

Bensky, D., Clavey, A., Stoger, E. (2004). Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica (3rd ed.). Eastland Press. page 3