When the cold closes the surface

Shivering at the slightest draught, a need to wrap up, a tense neck and shoulders, a cluttered feeling in the chest and throat, a heavy head, especially when the weather turns cold and damp… In TCM, these signs may be associated with Wind-Cold taking hold of the surface of the body and hindering the Lung Qi. According to tradition, the Lung spreads Qi towards the surface and makes it descend; when Cold closes the surface, these two movements work against each other, and Dampness thickens into Phlegm.

Tong Xuan Li Fei Wan is a formula from the Chinese pharmacopoeia, offered here in an adapted version. It brings together two families of herbs: those that open the surface and disperse Cold, led by perilla, and those that support the Lung Qi and transform Phlegm, such as tangerine peel and poria. Platycodon and apricot kernel, a classic pair of the tradition, link the two.

Opening the surface, restoring the descent

The formula works in two directions. Outwards, perilla, pungent and warm, opens the surface and disperses Wind-Cold. Downwards, apricot kernel and bitter orange make the Qi descend again, while platycodon makes it rise: the Lung Qi regains its back-and-forth movement. Skullcap, which is cool, tempers the heat that can arise from Cold that has stayed shut in.

Expels Wind: The most dosed herb, perilla disperses Wind and Cold at the surface of the body and also moves the Qi of the centre.

Harmonises the Lung Qi: Platycodon makes it rise, apricot kernel makes it descend: this pair helps the Lung Qi spread and then descend again, and bitter orange relaxes the chest.

Helps transform Phlegm: Tangerine peel dries Dampness and moves the Qi; poria supports the Spleen, which tradition calls the source of Phlegm.