Toxic-Heat Stagnation
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 concept of Toxic-Heat
Key attributes
Chinese name: 热毒蕴结 Pinyin name: Rè Dú Yùn Jié
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Common causes: 1. External Pernicious Influence, 2. Diet
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Fever Eczema Pustule Carbuncles Sore throat and seven other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue description: Red tongue with yellow coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Clear Heat, resolve Toxin
Common formulas: Huang Lian Jie Du Tang Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin
Pathology
This pattern can be chronic and causes by accumulated Heat or Fire in the body, which become Toxin eventually. It can also be caused by external Pernicious Influences which combat with the Defensive Qi and it gives rise to symptoms like fever and redness. This Toxic-Heat also consumes Body Fluids and injures Yin, hence the symptoms of thirst and constipation.
If it settles on the skin, the harmony between the Nutritious Qi and Defensive Qi is greatly disturbed, which then impairs Qi and Blood circulation in the Channels. Qi Stagnation causes swelling, while Blood Stagnation causes pain, hence the red skin eruptions and pustules. For instance, acne during teenage time is mainly due to the Toxic-Heat Stagnation on the skin.
If it is on throat, symptoms like sore, swollen and painful throat occurs. It can be tonsillitis with swollen tonsils and exudate. It can also causes swelling and pain in perineum, prostate or testicle.
Causes
External Pernicious Influence : Any of the Six Pernicious Influence: Wind, Heat, Damp, Dryness, Fire, Cold can cause Toxin Heat if they manage to penetrate Defensive Qi and settle down in the body.
Diet: Overconsumption of hot and spicy foods can accumulate Heat and Fire in the body and develop to Toxin Heat.
Diagnosing Toxic-Heat Stagnation
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): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue description: Red tongue with yellow coating
Main symptoms: Fever Eczema Pustule Carbuncles Sore throat Throat pain Mouth ulcers Swollen tonsils Perineum swollen Prostate swollen Testicle swollen Red skin eruptions
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are pustule, red skin eruptions, sore and painful throat, red tongue and Rapid pulse.
Treating Toxic-Heat Stagnation
Treatment principle
Clear Heat, resolve Toxin
Herbal formulas used to treat Toxic-Heat Stagnation
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang
Formula summary
Huang Lian Jie Du Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 752 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity.
Besides Toxic-Heat Stagnation, Huang Lian Jie Du Tang is also used to treat Lung Heat or Toxic-Heat.
Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin
Source date: 1617
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Spreads Lung Qi. Clears Heat. Unblocks the orifices (specifically the nose) .
Formula summary
Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1617, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from the Organs.
Besides Toxic-Heat Stagnation, Xin Yi Qing Fei Yin is also used to treat Toxic-Heat.
Diet recommendations
Avoid hot and spicy foods and drinks. Avoid smoking and alcohols.