Palace cold is a difficult disease to treat for women. Menstrual pain is so severe that it feels like dying. The root cause of cold palace is the stagnation of Qi and blood, which leads to insufficient nutrient supply. So, what should be done for palace cold?
[TCM Dietary Therapy for Palace Cold]
TCM prescription for palace cold: Prepared Sichuan Lovage Rhizome and Prepared Black False Hellebore (5g each, first decoction), Asarum (3g, added after decoction), Salvia Miltiorrhiza and Leonurus Heterophyllus (20g each). Decoct in water and take it after the menstrual period is over, continuously for 3 doses. 3 menstrual cycles make up one course of treatment. This prescription can be used to dispel cold in the palace, treat palace cold infertility, relieve cold pain in the lower abdomen, thin and clear leukorrhea, pale complexion, and cold limbs.
Warm Palace Egg with Saffron: Take 1 egg, make a small hole, add 1.5g of saffron, stir and steam until cooked. Start eating on the second day of menstruation, eat one per day for 9 consecutive days, and then start taking it again on the second day of the next menstrual period, continue for 3 to 4 menstrual cycles, it can promote blood circulation and warm the uterus.
Bird's Nest Porridge: Bird's nest is nourishing and gentle, which can gently nourish the body. In "Dream of Red Mansions," Xue Baochai, because she didn't know how to take care of herself when she was young and became weak after a miscarriage, used bird's nest porridge and a light diet to slowly nourish her body. We can add some ingredients, soak the bird's nest in water, wash and drain, then put it in a stewing pot with lily and pear (with skin), cover the pot and stew for 45 minutes on low heat, add honey when eating.
Palace Warming Gruel: This dish can warm the Yang Qi of the lower body and was often consumed by concubines in the Qing Dynasty as a medicinal food every month. The ingredients are 0.5g of deer antler powder, 1 Cordyceps sinensis, 1 egg, and a little salt. Steam them together to make a steamed egg pudding. Long-term consumption can regulate the cold Qi of the uterus.
Red Ginger Tea: Take 50g of brown sugar (adjust according to personal taste), peel 4 slices of fresh ginger, simmer for four to five minutes. Drink it for several days during menstruation. Drink it once a week on regular days. Persisting in drinking it for a long time can alleviate the symptoms of palace cold.
[What are the Symptoms of Palace Cold?]
Palace cold does not refer to a low temperature inside the uterine cavity, but it indicates a severely low state of the uterus and its related functions. Many women have weak constitutions and are prone to cold limbs, particularly sensitive to changes in the temperature, and dislike cold in winter while enduring heat in summer. These are manifestations of palace cold.
Firstly, another manifestation of palace cold is overall weight gain, accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue, insomnia, scanty menstruation, and anovulation. Due to insufficient heat in the uterus, fat is used as a "protector of the uterus" to maintain its physiological functions. The colder the uterus, the more the body needs to accumulate fat, resulting in weight gain.
Secondly, women with palace cold have abnormal menstruation, a feeling of fullness and bloating in the lower abdomen, increased vaginal discharge, backache or pain, breast distension and pain, and a few may experience nausea and vomiting. Menstrual cramps, cold sensation in the lower abdomen, and dark menstrual blood with blood clots may also occur.
Lastly, weak constitution. Women with palace cold have poor mental state, frequent lower back pain, increased urination, scanty menstruation, decreased sexual desire, pale tongue with white coating, and deep pulse. Those with insufficient true Yang may experience back pain as if it is broken, dull complexion, feeling of coolness in the lower abdomen, cold and weak limbs, cold and soft feet, pale and tasteless mouth, preference for spicy food, frequent urination, or incontinence, pale and slippery tongue coating, and weak pulse.
[Prevention of Palace Cold]
1. Since some cases of palace cold are caused by overconsumption of cold food, diet can be adjusted accordingly. On one hand, consume more foods that warm the meridians and uterus, such as walnuts, dates, peanuts, onions, tomatoes, and drink a cup of ginger tea after lunch or dinner every day, which can actively resolve cold Qi in the body and be beneficial for the long-term regulation of palace cold; on the other hand, reduce the intake of cold foods, such as mung beans, bitter gourds, and winter melons.
2. Pay attention to keeping the uterus warm, especially the lower body should avoid excessive coldness. Keep the lower abdomen, waist, and feet warm. Pay particular attention to keeping the feet warm. Do not expose your legs too early in the spring and summer, and if wearing a skirt, it is best to wear thick woolen socks underneath to prevent coldness from the feet.
3. During menstruation, postpartum, and lactation, avoid excessive exposure to cold. Women during menstruation should avoid walking in the rain or wading through water and avoid sitting or lying in damp places.
4. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "movement generates Yang," exercise can improve the constitution. Ensure at least half an hour of walking every day to improve circulation. Soak your feet in hot water frequently to stimulate the meridians and acupoints on the soles, keeping the body in a warm state can also improve the condition of palace cold.
Palace cold has always troubled women and can lead to infertility when it becomes severe. Therefore, women with palace cold should pay attention to conditioning and treatment. However, prevention is better than treatment, so remember the methods to prevent palace cold!
