Cold

Coldness is the opposite of heat and excitation in the tissues of the human body. It is present when there are deficient or inadequate levels of activity and metabolic function. It can indicate low vitality and over time may lead to damage and death in tissues.

Characteristics include being unusually physically cold, patients may also have low energy levels and suffer from fatigue, being prone to illness and infection and low metabolic rates. Warming herbs may be used to increase the circulation or stimulate tissue function depending on what is required.

However, not all warming herbs are suitable in all cases of coldness. For example, sometimes the issue is more associated with damage and fragility in the cardiovascular system. Hot stimulating herbs in this circumstance may be too intense before work has begun to address the structural integrity of the cardiovascular system. A herbalist will always select a combination of herbs based on the unique circumstances of the patient.

Examples of cold herbs include andrographis (Andrographis paniculata), barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and mint (Mentha x piperita).