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Zhonghan (Cold Strike) presents with anhidrosis, limb stiffness, and sudden collapse.
Shanghan (Cold Damage) pathogens enter gradually along the meridians; whereas Zhonghan occurs regardless of season. Whether one exposes oneself to wind while cooling off or sits on cold ground, the austere cold qi suddenly invades the Zang-Fu organs from the skin. Patients may experience fainting, spasms, rigidity, and cold extremities of the limbs, resembling Fengzhong (Wind Stroke); however, it is distinguished by clenched teeth and immobility of the four limbs. Urgently apply a scallion cake to warm the navel area and moxa the Qihai (CV-6) acupoint. Survival is possible once the hands and feet become warm. If the condition is extremely severe, presenting with cyanotic lips, Jue-ni (cold reversal) without a pulse, curled tongue, and retracted testicles, death will occur shortly.

Urgently differentiate among the Three Yin meridians to warm the lower Yuan Qi;
In emergencies, it is difficult to distinguish specific meridians; urgently decoct Li Zhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) containing Ganjiang (Dried Ginger) and Fuzi (Prepared Aconite Root) for rescue. Subsequently, examine carefully: if pain is located at the Zhongwan (CV-12) point, indicating Taiyin Meridian involvement, use Lizhong Tang; if the pulse is deep and feet are cold, indicating Shaoyin Meridian involvement, use Sini Tang (Frigid Extremities Decoction) plus Wuzhuyu (Evodia Fruit); or if there is pain in the umbilical and abdominal region, use Wuji San (Five Accumulations Powder) plus Wuzhuyu; if there is pain in the lower abdomen, indicating Jueyin Meridian involvement, use Danggui Sini Tang (Angelica Decocture for Frigid Extremities) plus Wuzhuyu or Wuweizi (Schisandra Berry). If restlessness occurs due to excessive Yin-cold, administer hot medicines cooled down (reverse adjuvant method), or add a small amount of cool medicine as a guide, to warm the middle and dispel cold, tonify and warm the lower Yuan Qi, allowing Yang Qi to recover and cold to dissipate naturally. Emetic and purgative methods are strictly contraindicated. Formulas include blood-tonifying herbs because Cold causes Blood to stagnate.

Common colds require harmonizing the exterior and interior;
The northwest suffers from bitter cold, so many are injured by it; the southeast is mild, so few are injured. For common colds presenting with exterior syndromes, use Jiuwei Qianghuo Tang (Nine-Ingredient Notopterygium Decoction) or Xiong Zhi Xiang Su San (Ligusticum, Chrysanthemum, Perilla, and Sophora Powder); if cold enters the stomach and intestines causing Huoluan (Cholera-like disorder) with muscle cramps, profuse diarrhea, dry heaving, and vomiting, use Huoxiang Zhengqi San (Patchouli Powder to Rectify the Qi) or Wuji San; if accompanied by food retention and phlegm accumulation, use Renshen Yangwei Tang (Ginseng Decoction to Nourish the Stomach); if sudden cold in summer or autumn traps heat inside, use Tiaozhong Tang (Regulate the Middle Decoction) with mild purgation. All conditions such as leukorrhea, spermatorrhea, Nue (Malaria), Shanxia (Hernia and Masses), Hongjiao (Beriberi), coldness of waist and knees, Xu Lao (Deficiency Consumption), Yinwei (Impotence), and various pains are caused by Cold. If complicated by Wind, dizziness and numbness occur; if complicated by Dampness, swelling and pain of the four limbs occur.

Internal injuries require tonification supplemented with Acrid-Warm herbs.
For internal injury due to overwork, feeling cold and fatigued, use Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction to Supplement the Middle and Augment the Qi) plus Shengjiang (Fresh Ginger) and Fuzi. If internal injury results from consuming raw/cold foods, leading to cold-induced abdominal pain and absent pulse, use Fuzi Lizhong Tang (Aconite Regulate-the-Middle Decoction); if internal injury results from sexual excess, leading to cold-induced Jue-leng (cold extremities), use Sini Tang; if the pulse is absent, use Sanjian Tang (Three Jian Decoction) combined with Lianqi Fa (Navel Refining Method).