More than just a breeze
In traditional Chinese medicine, “wind” is a concept for change and movement that is out of balance. We distinguish between different types, each with its own characteristics.
External Wind (The Intruder)
This is the carrier of disease from outside.
Wind-Cold:Chills, stiff muscles, no sweat.
Wind-Heat:Sore throat, fever, sweating.
Wind-Moisture:Heavy feeling, swollen joints that become worse in rainy weather.
Internal Wind (The Storm Within)
This occurs in the body itself, often due to an imbalance in the liver.
Features:Things moving that shouldn’t be moving. Trembling hands, tics, dizziness (vertigo), spasms, or in severe cases, strokes. This is often caused by extreme heat that generates “wind” (like a forest fire creates whirlwinds) or by a deficiency of Blood/Yin, which causes a lack of anchorage.
Conclusion:Wind in TCM always means: unwanted movement or sudden change.