Dispelling cold

Dispelling cold (Qu Han) is a fundamental therapeutic principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rather than a specific biological molecule, receptor, or protein (WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine). It refers to the pharmacological action of substances intended to treat 'Cold' syndromes, which in TCM theory are caused by the invasion of external cold or a deficiency in the internal Yang energy of the body (Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China). Clinically, these syndromes manifest through symptoms such as aversion to cold, cold limbs, and localized pain that is relieved by the application of heat. Modern pharmacological research suggests that herbs categorized under this principle often contain compounds that interact with Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels, such as TRPV1 and TRPM8, to modulate thermoregulation and peripheral blood flow (Journal of Ethnopharmacology). Because 'Dispelling cold' represents a broad clinical outcome or a category of herbal action rather than a discrete molecular entity, it does not function as a specific therapeutic target in the context of modern molecular biology or drug discovery.

Other names

Qu HanRemoving coldWarming the interiorExpelling cold

Traditional Chinese Medicine principle involving the use of 'warm' or 'hot' natured herbs to neutralize 'pathogenic cold' and restore metabolic and thermal balance.