Bright Yang Stomach Heat
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Stomach in Chinese Medicine The concept of Heat
Key attributes
Chinese name: 阳明 胃热 Pinyin name: Yáng Míng Wèi Rè
Pattern nature: Full combined pattern
Pattern(s) it combines from: Stomach Heat
Causes
Precursor patterns: Wind-Heat Greater Yang Attack of Wind Greater Yang Accumulation of Water and two other possible precursors
Common causes: External pathogenic factor
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Red face Delirium High fever Irritability Intense thirst and two other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu)
Tongue description: Red tongue with yellow coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Clear Stomach-Heat
Common formulas: Bai Hu Tang
Pathology
Within the framework of the Six Stages theory, this is one of the two patterns of the Bright Yang stage (the second of the six stages). Within the Four Levels theory, this is one of the five patterns of the Qi level (the second of the four levels).
It corresponds to a penetration of an External Pathogen to the level of the Stomach channel. No matter the original nature of the pathogen, be it Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold, this pattern is now resolutely characterized by Heat. As such the main characteristic symptom is high fever without chills.
Other Heat-related symptoms include a preference for cold drinks and food, tendency to less clothing irrespective of weather conditions, extreme thirst and excessive perspiration.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Bright Yang Stomach Heat can derive from Wind-Heat Greater Yang Attack of Wind Greater Yang Accumulation of Water Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood Lesser Yang stage
External pathogenic factor: The main cause of this pattern is when an external pathogen, typically Wind-Cold, has invaded the Exterior
Diagnosing Bright Yang Stomach Heat
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong) or rapid (Shu)
Tongue description: Red tongue with yellow coating
Main symptoms: Red face Delirium High fever Irritability Intense thirst Feeling of heat Profuse sweating
Treating Bright Yang Stomach Heat
Treatment principle
Clear Stomach-Heat
Herbal formulas used to treat Bright Yang Stomach Heat
Bai Hu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Clears Qi-level Heat. Drains Stomach Fire. Generates fluids. Alleviates thirst.
Formula summary
Bai Hu Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Qi-level Heat.
Besides Bright Yang Stomach Heat, Bai Hu Tang is also used to treat Toxic-Heat.
Consequence patterns
If left untreated Bright Yang Stomach Heat can lead to Lesser Yang stage
If left untreated Bright Yang Stomach Heat can lead to Greater Yang Attack of Wind
If left untreated Bright Yang Stomach Heat can lead to Greater Yang Attack of Cold
Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
If left untreated Bright Yang Stomach Heat can lead to Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood
If left untreated Bright Yang Stomach Heat can lead to Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood
If left untreated Bright Yang Stomach Heat can lead to Heat in Nutritive Qi level
If left untreated Bright Yang Stomach Heat can lead to Heat in Pericardium