Wind: From Chinese Medicine to Colds to Itching to Bugs
Chinese medicine, with its holistic approach, views health and illness through a unique lens that intertwines the body’s elements with natural forces. Among these, Wind and Cold are crucial pathological factors, and their management involves intricate herbal formulas. This article delves into these concepts and explores several key formulas associated with Wind as a factor in health and illness.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concept of "Wind" (風, Feng) is fundamental and richly nuanced, representing more than just a physical breeze. It symbolizes a rapid and sudden change in symptoms, mirroring the unpredictable and swiftly changing nature of wind-like phenomena. This makes it one of the most potent and significant pathogenic factors in TCM, where it is regarded as the leader of all pathogens. Its ability to move quickly and penetrate the body’s defenses allows it to exacerbate existing conditions and introduce additional pathogenic factors.
Hence,
the wind is the chief [cause] of the one hundred diseases.
When it comes to changes and transformations, other diseases result.
It has no permanent cardinal point [where it comes from].
However, [whatever] sets in does so because of wind qi.
(1)
Wind and its Nature as Pathogen
Wind is unique among the pathogenic factors for its dynamic nature. Syndrome-patterns associated with Wind often involve movement, such as tremors, convulsions, and dizziness. Wind is also capable of combining with other pathogenic factors such as Cold, Heat, and Dampness, forming complex syndromes that reflect mixed symptoms and making resolution more challenging.
Qi Bo responded:
“When wind qi is stored in the skin,
it cannot penetrate into the interior and
it cannot flow away to the outside.
Wind tends to move and to undergo frequent changes.
When the interstice structures open, then [patients feel] cold as if [cold water]
had been poured over them.
When [the interstice structures] are closed, then [patients are] hot and [suffer
from] mental pressure.
When [patients are] cold, then this decreases [their intake of] food and beverages;
when [patients are] hot, then this dissolves muscles and flesh.
Hence, [this condition]
lets a person tremble and be unable to eat.
{It is named ‘cold [and] heat.’ }
(1)
Insights from the Shuowen Jiezi
The concept of Wind (風, Feng) carries significant implications for understanding the nature of and strategy for alleviating health concerns. Delving deeper into classical Chinese texts, such as the Shuowen Jiezi (one of the earliest Chinese character dictionaries), provides a rich context for grasping this pathogenic factor. The entry on wind in the Shuowen Jiezi characterizes it as the movement of air, an unseen force with the capability to penetrate and affect the human body profoundly.
Wind (風) and Chong (蟲)
The relationship between Wind (風) and Chong (蟲, often translated as insect or worm) is particularly fascinating. According to TCM, Wind is not only a carrier of sudden change but also a vehicle for various phenomena, much like how wind in nature can carry seeds, leaves, and indeed, small insects across distances.
In Shuowen Jiezi, chong (蟲) is depicted not only as insects but symbolizes any small, pervasive element which originates or transmits within wind. “When the wind blows, insects arrive.” This idea can be directly paralleled with modern understandings of infectious diseases, where pathogens are carried by air (aerosols) or through contact, entering the body unseen and causing illness (2).
Wang Bing: “When evil gathers in the partings of the flesh, the guard qi cannot
pass through. The yang qi causes internal drumming. Hence, the flesh has [a feeling
as if there was] a wriggling movement.” Zhang Jiebin: “This is an outside evil of the
spleen conduit. The spleen rules the muscles and the flesh. Hence, a slight evil that
has not entered deeply yet causes only a wriggling movement in the region of the
muscles and the flesh, resembling the slight movement of bugs. The spleen is soil and
fears the wind which is wood. The wind controls the movement. Hence, one speaks
of ‘slight wind.’
(1)
The Upright (正气) and the Pernicious (邪气)
Qi (气/gas/vapor/breath) originally connoted weather dynamics. Microscopic creatures which permeate the air and atmosphere influence the physical origin and formation of clouds and rain. This realm of tiny creatures within the upper atmosphere, called the aerobiome, plays a varied and vast role in earth’s weather. For example, the bacterial species Pseudomonas syringiae may act as ice-nucleating agents, influencing precipitation, and altering rain and snowfall patterns more broadly (3). This dynamic has effects on other micro- and macrobiotic processes ranging from bacterial and viral ecologies, both pathogenic and beneficial, to the development and life cycles of plant and animal life. Human exposure to a diverse aerobiome is implicated in overall health and avoidance of autoimmune complications later in life (4).
Clinical Implications
This deeper understanding influences how syndromes believed to be influenced or carried by Wind are addressed in TCM. Conditions that involve rapid onset of symptoms, akin to how quickly wind arises, abates, and changes direction, are often attributed to the pathogenic factor Wind. Symptoms such as rashes, itching, or infections that spread quickly across the body are seen through this lens, emphasizing strategies that expel Wind and clear the pathogen(s) it carries.
For example, in the case of an outbreak of an itchy rash or sudden flu-like symptoms, a TCM practitioner might diagnose a Wind invasion carrying Heat or Cold, depending on the specific symptoms like fever or chills. Clinical strategy would then focus on expelling Wind, using herbs known for their ability to clear Wind and other associated pathogenic factors.
Integrating Classical Wisdom and Modern Understanding
The insight from Shuowen Jiezi reinforces the idea that many traditional concepts in TCM, while formulated in ancient times, have parallels in contemporary medical understanding. The notion of Wind as a carrier aligns with modern ideas about the transmission of diseases through vectors and airborne particles. This integration of traditional knowledge with modern epidemiological concepts allows for a broader appreciation of TCM’s holistic approach to health and disease.
Understanding these classical interpretations helps bridge the gap between ancient medical theories and current medical practices, enhancing the credibility and applicability of TCM in contemporary health scenarios. This approach not only enriches the practice of TCM but also offers a unique perspective on the nature of health imbalances that transcends cultural and temporal boundaries, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing illness in a global context.
Wind manifests in various forms, each with distinct symptoms:
- Wind-Cold: Often results from exposure to cold weather, leading to symptoms like chills, sneezing, and runny nose with clear discharge.
- Wind-Heat: Presents with fever, sore throat, and yellow nasal discharge, indicating the invasion of heat alongside wind.
- Wind-Water: Shows signs like sudden swelling of the skin and edema, indicating fluid imbalance driven by Wind.
When one does something with resolve and taxes oneself to the extreme,
then sweat leaves from the kidneys.
When sweat leaves the kidneys and encounters wind,
internally it cannot enter the depots
and palaces and externally it cannot transgress beyond the skin.
It settles in the dark palaces
and
moves inside the skin.
Its transmission leads to fu-swelling.
This is based in the kidneys.
The name is wind water.
(1)
Interaction of Wind with Cold and Heat
In TCM, the interaction of Wind with Cold or Heat leads to specific syndromes:
- Wind-Cold: Combines the sharpness of Wind with the contracting nature of Cold, often employing warming and dispersing therapies.
- Wind-Heat: Fuses the rapid movement of Wind with the burning properties of Heat, requiring cooling and dispersing strategies.
Differentiating the Use of Four Key Formulas
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbal formulas are meticulously designed to target specific pathogenic factors and symptom patterns. The four formulas discussed—Bi Yan Pian, Gan Mao Ling, Jade Windscreen, and Antiphlogistic Formula—serve as exemplars for addressing various manifestations of Wind, including Wind-Water, Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, and viral infections associated with Wind. Here’s a closer look at how each formula is differentiated in clinical practice and their roles in these conditions.
Bi Yan Pian: Strategy for Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat
Bi Yan Pian is primarily used for nasal congestion and sinus issues, which are typical symptoms of Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat invasions. The formula combines herbs such as Cang Er Zi (Xanthium fruit) and Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia flower) to open nasal passages and expel Wind and Dampness. Additionally, ingredients like Lian Qiao (Forsythia) and Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) clear externally contracted Wind-Heat, making it effective for both Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat patterns, particularly when they manifest in the upper respiratory tract.
Gan Mao Ling: Intersection of Modern and Classical Knowledge
Gan Mao Ling is adept at addressing early-stage symptoms of Wind-Heat, such as fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes, which are common in viral infections. The formula includes herbs like Mao Dong Qing (Pubescent holly root) and Ban Lan Gen (Isatis root), which clear Heat and have antiviral properties, making it particularly useful in the context of viral infections that present with Wind-Heat symptoms. Gan Mao Ling is often used as both a preventative and acute strategy during flu seasons or when there is a high risk of catching colds, which are frequently caused by viral pathogens carried by Wind.
Jade Windscreen: Fortifying Against Wind-Cold
Jade Windscreen is quintessential for building the body’s defensive Qi to prevent Wind-Cold invasions and the sudden immune response which characterizes Wind-Water. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with weakened immune systems who are susceptible to frequent colds. The formula uses the chief herb Huang Qi (Astragalus root) to strengthen the Wei Qi, which acts as the first line of defense against pathogenic Wind. When Wind-Cold attacks, symptoms like chills, fatigue, and a runny nose with clear discharge are common. Jade Windscreen helps stabilize the body’s exterior and prevent these pathogens from initially penetrating, exemplifying its role in preventing Wind-Cold and Wind-Water patterns.
4. Antiphlogistic Formula: Combating Wind-Heat and Inflammatory Responses
Antiphlogistic Formula (Chuan Xin Lian Kang Yan Pian) is tailored for intense Heat conditions, often a result of an excess Wind-Heat invasion. Symptoms such as high fever, inflammation, and redness are indicators of Heat accumulating in the body, which this formula addresses by using cooling and detoxifying herbs like Chuan Xin Lian (Andrographis) and Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion). It is particularly effective in acute conditions where Heat manifests rapidly and intensely, making it a critical formula for severe Wind-Heat invasions and associated inflammatory conditions.
These four formulas exemplify the strategic application of herbal medicine in TCM to combat different manifestations of Wind. Bi Yan Pian and Gan Mao Ling are particularly useful for upper respiratory conditions, reflecting their efficacy in addressing Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat patterns. Jade Windscreen is indispensable for enhancing the body's defensive Qi, making it ideal for preventing Wind-Cold and Wind-Water disharmonies. Lastly, the Antiphlogistic Formula serves as a powerful remedy for conditions involving intense Heat, providing relief in scenarios where Wind-Heat induces significant inflammation.
References:
1. Unschuld, P. U., Tessenow, H., & Zheng, J. (2011). Huang Di nei jing su wen: An annotated translation of Huang Di’s Inner Classic – Basic Questions (Vol. I, Chapters 1–52). University of California Press.
2. Wieger, L. (1965). Chinese characters: Their origin, etymology, history, classification, and signification. Dover Publications.
3. de Araujo GG, Rodrigues F, Gonçalves FLT, Galante D. Survival and ice nucleation activity of Pseudomonas syringae strains exposed to simulated high-altitude atmospheric conditions. Sci Rep. 2019 May 23;9(1):7768. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44283-3. PMID: 31123327; PMCID: PMC6533367.
4. Robinson, J.M., Cando-Dumancela, C., Antwis, R.E. et al. Exposure to airborne bacteria depends upon vertical stratification and vegetation complexity. Sci Rep 11, 9516 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598...