After the start of winter, temperatures drop and the weather becomes cold, causing the human body to feel the chill, leading to an increase in internal coldness and various discomfort symptoms.Among these, individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold (脾胃虚寒) exhibit more pronounced symptoms. These individuals often experience dull stomach pain that persists, cold pain discomfort, a preference for warmth and gentle pressure, exacerbated pain on an empty stomach, relief upon eating, and pain that worsens with fatigue, cold food, or exposure to cold. Symptoms may include vomiting clear fluids, reduced appetite, pale complexion, pale lips, fatigue, cold hands and feet, loose stools, a pale tongue with white coating, and a deep pulse.For those with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, the focus of winter protection should be warming the middle and dispelling cold.Ten types of traditional Chinese medicines, such as Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan (附子理中丸), Xiao Jian Zhong Granules (小建中颗粒), and Liang Fu Wan (良附丸), are commonly sold in pharmacies and have the effect of warming the middle and dispelling cold. Each medicine has its unique characteristics, and specific applications should consider differential diagnosis.Fu Zi Li Zhong WanEffect: Warms the middle and strengthens the spleen. The main ingredients, Fu Zi (Aconite) and Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), warm the middle and dispel cold, while Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), and Gan Cao (Licorice) strengthen the spleen and benefit qi. It effectively alleviates symptoms such as cold abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold hands and feet caused by spleen-stomach deficiency and cold.Suitable for: Individuals with severe spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, who often feel cold pain in the abdomen, especially after consuming cold foods, and also experience cold hands and feet, loose stools, etc.Xiao Jian Zhong GranulesEffect: Warms the middle, replenishes deficiency, and alleviates pain. The main ingredient, Yi Tang (Maltose), benefits the spleen and qi, while Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) warms yang qi, and Bai Shao (White Peony), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), and Da Zao (Jujube) harmonize the spleen and stomach. It effectively relieves symptoms such as abdominal cramping, preference for warmth and gentle pressure, and noisy stomach with acid reflux caused by spleen-stomach deficiency and cold.Suitable for: Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, who experience dull abdominal pain that eases with warmth or pressure, and often feel discomfort in the stomach, acid reflux, etc.Huang Qi Jian Zhong WanEffect: Tonifies qi, dispels cold, and strengthens the stomach. Huang Qi (Astragalus) tonifies qi and raises yang, while the Jian Zhong part has effects similar to Xiao Jian Zhong Granules, warming the middle and replenishing deficiency. It improves spleen-stomach deficiency and cold while enhancing the body’s righteous qi and increasing resistance.Suitable for: Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold who are relatively weak, easily fatigued, have a sallow complexion, and experience cold abdominal pain and reduced appetite.Liang Fu WanEffect: Warms the stomach and regulates qi. The main ingredients, Gao Liang Jiang (Galangal) warm the stomach and dispel cold, while Xiang Fu (Cyperus) regulates qi and relieves depression. This medicine effectively dispels cold evil from the stomach and regulates qi, alleviating symptoms such as stomach pain and fullness due to spleen-stomach deficiency and cold.Suitable for: Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, who experience stomach pain due to qi stagnation, with pain worsening in cold and easing with warmth, and also have emotional distress and belching.Warm Stomach Comfort TabletsEffect: Warms the middle, replenishes deficiency, harmonizes liver and spleen, promotes qi and invigorates blood. Ingredients like Huang Qi (Astragalus) and Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) tonify qi and strengthen the spleen, while Bai Shao (White Peony) and Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis) alleviate pain and invigorate blood, and Ji Shi Teng (Cayratia) strengthens the spleen and aids digestion. It effectively improves symptoms such as abdominal pain, acid reflux, and belching caused by spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, and also regulates spleen-stomach function and emotions.Suitable for: Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, who also experience emotional depression or irritability, and have symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Wan)Effect: Tonifies the spleen and stomach, benefits lung qi. It mainly uses Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), and Fu Ling (Poria) to strengthen the spleen and benefit qi, while Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) and Lian Zi (Lotus Seed) tonify the spleen and astringe the intestines, and Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears) and Sha Ren (Amomum) transform dampness and promote qi. It has a good regulating effect on symptoms such as reduced appetite, loose stools, shortness of breath, cough, and fatigue caused by spleen-stomach deficiency and cold.Suitable for: Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, poor digestive function, reduced appetite, loose and unformed stools, and also experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and susceptibility to colds.Ren Shen Jian Pi WanEffect: Strengthens the spleen, benefits qi, and harmonizes the stomach to stop diarrhea. The main ingredients, Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), and Fu Ling (Poria) strengthen the spleen, while Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), and Mu Xiang (Aucklandia) regulate qi and harmonize the stomach, and Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed) and Yuan Zhi (Polygala) calm the spirit. It effectively improves symptoms such as poor digestion, stomach fullness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, and also regulates the spirit.Suitable for: Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, who experience indigestion, stomach distension, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and also have insomnia and irritability.Bu Pi Yi Chang WanEffect: Benefits qi and nourishes blood, warms yang, promotes qi, and astringes the intestines to stop diarrhea. It mainly consists of Huang Qi (Astragalus), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), and others to tonify qi, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes) and Sha Ren (Amomum) to strengthen the spleen and stomach, Rou Gui (Cinnamon) to warm yang, and Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea) to stop diarrhea. It has significant therapeutic effects on diarrhea and abdominal pain caused by spleen-stomach deficiency and cold.Suitable for: Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, who have chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain, especially after consuming greasy foods or exposure to cold, accompanied by abdominal fullness and increased bowel sounds.Warm Stomach Comfort CapsulesEffect: Warms the middle, nourishes the stomach, promotes qi, and alleviates pain. Ingredients such as Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Fu Zi (Aconite), and Huang Qi (Astragalus) warm the middle and tonify qi, while Rou Gui (Cinnamon) and Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) nourish the stomach, and Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche) tonifies kidney yang. It effectively improves symptoms such as cold stomach pain, abdominal distension, and belching caused by spleen-stomach deficiency and cold.Suitable for: Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, who feel cold pain in the stomach that worsens with cold, accompanied by abdominal distension, belching, and poor appetite.Si Shen WanEffect: Warms the kidneys, dispels cold, and astringes the intestines to stop diarrhea. The main ingredient, Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea), warms and tonifies kidney yang, while Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg) and Wu Zhu Yu (Evodia) warm the middle and dispel cold, and Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) astringes the intestines to stop diarrhea. Although primarily targeting kidney leakage, it also significantly improves symptoms of spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, such as early morning diarrhea, cold abdominal pain, and loss of appetite.Suitable for: Individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold, who experience early morning abdominal pain and diarrhea, loose stools, and also have cold sensitivity in the abdomen and weakness in the lower back and knees.
