We must remember that cold sensations in different parts of the body correspond to deficiencies in different organs — a cold back mostly indicates Heart Yang deficiency, a cold abdomen often indicates Spleen Yang deficiency, and cold waist and legs essentially indicate Kidney Yang deficiency. Let me break it down for you in detail.

Let's start with a cold back. If you often feel like a cold tile is stuck to your back, get easily flustered by slight disturbances, and toss and turn all night unable to sleep, this is most likely due to insufficient Heart Yang. Traditional Chinese Medicine states that "the heart is the sovereign organ." Heart Yang is like a small sun within the body, warming the blood vessels and promoting the circulation of Qi and blood. When Heart Yang is deficient, it's as if the sun is blocked by dark clouds, and the back — the "sea of Yang meridians" (where the Governor Vessel passes through) — naturally gets cold first. In this case, you can try Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan (Arborvitae Seed Heart-Nourishing Pill). In this formula, Arborvitae Seed and Codonopsis pilosula can tonify Heart Qi, while cinnamon bark and Schisandra chinensis can warm and unblock Heart Yang, just like adding fuel to the small stove in your heart.

Now, let's discuss feeling cold in the abdomen. Some people always feel chilly around the navel, experience bloating and diarrhea after consuming anything cold, and may even pass undigested food in their stool. These symptoms are mostly indicative of Spleen Yang deficiency. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the spleen governs transportation and transformation—it’s like the body’s "food processing plant." When Spleen Yang is insufficient, the plant experiences a "power outage" and shuts down. Ingested food and fluids cannot be transformed into Qi and Blood and instead turn into Dampness, which stagnates in the abdomen. In such cases, Fuzi Lizhong Wan (Aconite Pill for Regulating the Middle) is often useful. The primary herb, Aconite, is highly pungent and hot, effectively dispelling cold. Other ingredients like Codonopsis and Atractylodes strengthen the spleen and boost Qi. Together, they act like restoring power to the factory, allowing its operations to resume.

Lastly, let's talk about feeling cold in the lower back and legs. If you constantly feel your lower back as if it's soaking in cold water, need to get up three or four times a night to urinate, rush to the bathroom before dawn, or experience diarrhea after consuming even slightly cold foods, this is often due to Kidney Yang deficiency. In TCM, the kidneys are considered the "foundation of the pre-heaven," responsible for storing essence and generating marrow. The lower back is the "residence" of the kidneys. Kidney Yang is akin to a hot spring underground; when the spring water is insufficient, the "surface layer"—the lower back and legs—naturally cools down quickly. In Jinkui Shenqi Wan (Golden Book Pill for Replenishing Kidney Qi), herbs like Aconite and Cinnamon Twig warm and tonify Kidney Yang, while prepared Rehmannia and Chinese Yam enrich kidney essence. This is like replenishing the heat source for the underground hot spring, allowing Yang Qi to continuously generate.

However, it's important to remind everyone that TCM emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment selection based on the specific pattern. Different symptoms require different formulas to achieve a cure. If you experience symptoms similar to those described, the first step is to observe your tongue. Please take a photo of your tongue coating, describe your symptoms, and send them to me. I will provide a free pattern differentiation to determine the general direction for your treatment.