In excess/true cold, what is the status of yin and yang?

In the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the concept of excess or true cold is associated with a deficiency in yang. When true cold is present, it indicates that the body's warmth and vitality are diminished. In this scenario, yin, which represents coolness and moisture, can become predominant, leading to a state where it is considered high relative to yang.

When yin is high, it typically points to an overwhelming presence of coldness and a lack of warm energy (yang) to balance it. Therefore, in excess or true cold conditions, yang is often seen as low because it is insufficient to counteract the predominance of yin and the cold symptoms that manifest as a result—such as cold limbs, fatigue, and a preference for warmth.

Thus, the correct understanding is that in a state characterized by excess or true cold, yang is considered low and yin is considered high, as yang’s deficiency allows yin to dominate and create imbalances resulting in cold-related symptoms.