As the weather gradually turns colder, some people, especially women, feel that their hands and feet are particularly cold. So, what herbal teas and foot bath formulas can be used?Cold hands and feet generally correspond to what Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) refers to as “Kidney Yang Deficiency” (Shen Yang Xu), with a smaller portion caused by insufficient Qi and blood.Symptoms of Kidney Yang Deficiency:Fatigue, aversion to cold, cold limbs, soreness in the lower back and knees, clear and prolonged urination, dribbling after urination, reduced urination or frequent night urination, pale tongue with a white coating, and a weak and slow pulse. In men, it may manifest as impotence or premature ejaculation, while in women, it can lead to cold uterus and infertility.Insufficient Qi and Blood:This includes both Qi deficiency and blood deficiency. Qi deficiency leads to aversion to cold, cold limbs, fatigue, palpitations, and developmental delays. Blood deficiency can present as pale complexion, dry skin, brittle hair, and mental confusion. Insufficient Qi and blood results in fatigue, shortness of breath, pale or sallow complexion, and dizziness. Women may experience scanty menstruation, delayed periods, or amenorrhea, with a pale tongue and weak pulse.Herbal Tea Formula for Kidney Yang DeficiencyHerbal Tea 1: 3g of Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), 3g of Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta Seed), 3g of Du Zhong (Eucommia Bark), 6g of Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), 6g of Shan Yao (Chinese Yam).Method:Measure the ingredients of Shu Di Huang, Tu Si Zi, Du Zhong, Gou Qi Zi, and Shan Yao according to the specified amounts. For Du Zhong and Shan Yao, which are in larger pieces, they can be chopped appropriately. Crush the Tu Si Zi and place all ingredients in a thermos, adding an appropriate amount of boiling water. Let it steep for about 10 minutes, and drink when the temperature is suitable. This can be repeated throughout the day like brewing tea. A health pot can also be used for preparation.Effects:Tonifies Kidney Yang, strengthens the spleen, warms the middle, and nourishes essence.Suitable for:Those with cold hands and feet, insufficient Kidney Yang, and aversion to cold, particularly suitable for men.Herbal Tea 2: 3g of Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea Fruit), 3g of Dang Shen (Codonopsis), 6g of Long Yan Rou (Longan Flesh), 3g of Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), 3g of Dang Gui (Angelica), 6g of Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), 3 pieces of Da Zao (Jujube, split).Method:Similar to the above.Effects:Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang, nourishes Yin and blood, strengthens the spleen, and warms the middle.Suitable for:Those with cold hands and feet, and insufficient Kidney Yang and Qi and blood, particularly suitable for women.Note: Common methods for treating Kidney Yang Deficiency typically involve warming and tonifying Kidney Yang, with the main formula being Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan; for Kidney deficiency with diarrhea, the method is to warm the kidneys and stop diarrhea, with the main formula being Si Shen Wan; for Kidney deficiency with water retention, the method is to warm the kidneys and promote urination, with the main formula being Zhen Wu Tang.Commonly Used Chinese Herbs:Lu Rong (Deer Antler), Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Fu Ling (Poria), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Shan Zhi Rou (Cornus), Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Hai Long (Sea Dragon), Hai Ma (Sea Horse), etc.Herbal Tea Formula for Insufficient Qi and BloodPrescription: 3g of Hong Shen (Red Ginseng), 3g of Dang Gui (Angelica), 3g of Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), 3g of Bai Shao (White Peony), 3g of Long Yan Rou (Longan Flesh), 3g of Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), 3g of Fu Ling (Poria), 3g of Gan Cao (Licorice), 3 pieces of Da Zao (Jujube, split).Method:Similar to the first formula.Effects:Tonifies both Qi and blood, warms the middle, and disperses cold.Suitable for:Those with insufficient Qi and blood, and cold hands and feet.Foot Bath Formula for Cold Hands and FeetIngredients: 6g of Hong Hua (Safflower), 9g of Ai Ye (Mugwort), 3g of Dang Gui (Angelica), 6g of Shan Nai (Cardamom), 6g of Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), 6g of Rou Gui (Cinnamon), 9g of Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage), 6g of Niu Xi (Achyranthes), 6g of Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig), 9g of Huang Qi (Astragalus).Method: Place the above herbs in a foot bath basin and heat them to a suitable temperature for soaking. Maintain an appropriate temperature. You can use an old stocking to contain the herbs, placing it in the foot bath basin for heating, which is clean, hygienic, and economical.Effects: Warms Yang, tonifies the kidneys, nourishes both Qi and blood, and disperses cold.Suitable for:Those with cold hands and feet, insufficient Qi and blood, and weak Kidney Yang.Warm Reminder: The above content is provided as a method for pharmacies; specific herbal tea and foot bath formulas should be tailored under the guidance of a TCM practitioner.
