Cold

Cold drinks

When interpret bloods in TICM, I do pick up on people who consume cold and raw foods and drinks which leads to stagnation and Yang deficiency. Always remember that that cold drinks do not cool you down. Even when the weather is very hot, I just want to remind you about the importance of avoiding iced beverages and water. Cold congeals and constricts. Even on injuries, nose bleeds etc, do not use cold or ice. Use warmth or heat to expand and allow the relevant blood cells to come to site of injury and do it’s healing.

In TICM, almost all diseases and symptoms can be traced back to the dysfunction of the Spleen and Stomach organ systems. In fact, there was a whole school devoted to learning this very saying "Internal injury of Spleen and Stomach causes all disease".

The temperature of the Stomach and Spleen is about 37 degrees Celsius, when cold water is ingested, the Stomach first needs to warm it up using heat from the lower body and Qi (energy). Immediately, there is a decrease in circulation which results in cold below the waist. This all takes place even before digestion. Liquids including water are digested just as food is.

The acupuncture channel associated with the Stomach starts in the bottom of the eye, traverses the face, sinuses and teeth. When we ingest cold drinks, the Stomach cools. Heat is then generated in an attempt to obtain equilibrium, leaving the Stomach too hot. Therefore, the heat in the Stomach rises up, causing oesophageal reflux, chronic sinusitis, headaches, eye disorders and problems with the teeth.

Women especially need to keep the digestive fire burning because it greatly affects the function and development of the reproductive system. Menstrual cramps, irregular periods, excessive discharge, ovarian cysts, tumours and fertility problems are all symptoms of a cold reproductive system.

All of these conditions have ties to dampness as well. This is because ingesting cold water creates moisture or dampness. Toxins, bacteria, parasites and candida thrive in damp areas, especially the Stomach and Uterus. As we know, dampness can turn into phlegm that can manifest into fatty tumours, bone spurs, Kidney and Gallbladder stones, plaques in the arteries, eyes, brain and other tissues.

Warm and hot drinks have a positive effect on your systemic cooling mechanisms and truly hydrate you. You will feel the difference. Do not forget ginger powder tea whatever the weather.