Hot Palms And Soles in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different hot palms and soles patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Hot palms and soles, a condition marked by an incessant warmth or burning sensation in the hands and feet, stands as a perplexing symptom for many. This sensation, far from being a mere discomfort, can significantly affect an individual's daily life, signaling an imbalance within the body that transcends mere physical triggers. Synonyms such as heat sensation in the hands and feet and warm palms and soles allude to this bewildering condition, prompting those afflicted to seek both understanding and relief.
From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hot palms and soles are indicative of an underlying disharmony within the body's natural balance, often pointing towards a Yin Deficiency or an excess of Yang Heat.
TCM perceives the human body as a network of Qi (energy) flowing through meridians, connecting internal organs with external limbs. Thus, the Heat felt in the palms and soles is seen as a manifestation of internal conditions, such as Kidney Yin Deficiency or Heart Fire, requiring a nuanced approach to identify and address the root cause of the imbalance.
TCM Patterns for Hot Palms And Soles
Yin Deficiency
Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body
Causes: Hot palms and soles
Yin Deficiency represents a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's yin fluids - blood, essence, and body fluids - become depleted, losing their ability to cool, moisten, and anchor the yang energy, resulting in relative hyperactivity of yang and internal heat manifestations.
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Anxiety, Heat sensation in palms, Evening heat sensation, Flushed cheekbones, Menopausal hot flashes, Preference for sipping, Evening anxiety
Lung Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Dry stools, Scanty and dark urine, Flushed cheekbones
Liver Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Dry eyes, Night blindness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull pale complexion, Flushed cheekbones, Muscle weakness, Muscle cramps, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction, Night sweats, Vivid dreaming, Afternoon fever, Preference for sipping
Heart Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Stomach Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Loss of appetite, Preference for sipping, Slight abdominal distension after eating
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Withered and brittle nails, Vaginal dryness, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Late menstruation, Infertility, Melasma
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Coughing with blood streaked sputum, Wheezing, Dry throat, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis, Spontaneous pneumothorax, Cor pulmonale, Silicosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever, Red skin eruptions, Night sweats, Generalized fatigue, Irritability
Heat
Intense, ascending pathogenic force that consumes body fluids, disturbs the mind, and accelerates all physiological processes
Causes: Hot palms and soles
Heat is a major pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine that can arise from external invasion or internal generation. Heat has the characteristics of burning intensity, rising upward, consuming qi and fluids, and generating wind and disturbing blood. In TCM philosophy, normal physiological warmth is called "minor fire" (少火) which maintains life functions, while pathological heat is "major fire" (壮火) which damages the body.
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Dry stools, Scanty and dark urine, Flushed cheekbones
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Coughing with blood streaked sputum, Wheezing, Dry throat, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis, Spontaneous pneumothorax, Cor pulmonale, Silicosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Hot palms and soles
Along with: Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever, Red skin eruptions, Night sweats, Generalized fatigue, Irritability
Herbal Formulas for Hot Palms And Soles
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address hot palms and soles
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing with blood streaked sputum, Wheezing, Dry throat, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis...
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin
- Improves vision
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever...
Suan Zao Ren Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Blood
- Calms the Mind and eliminates irritability
- Clears Heat
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Mind
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yang
- Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Controls coughing
- Stops bleeding
- Tonifies the Lungs
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Bu Gan Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies and regulates the Blood
- Nourishes the Liver Yin
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin
- Regulates the menstrual cycle
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Drains Fire
- Stabilizes the Exterior
- Stops sweating
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Causes Fire to descend
- Eliminates irritability
- Calms the spirit
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation...
Jiu Xian San
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Secures the Lungs
- Stops coughing
- Augments Qi
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Mai Men Dong Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Stomach Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Preference for sipping, Slight abdominal distension after eating
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears dryness
- Moistens the Lungs
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Heart Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Stops diarrhea
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Stomach Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Preference for sipping, Slight abdominal distension after eating
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Improves throat
- Resolves toxicity
- Clears the Lungs
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Yi Guan Jian
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters...
Yi Wei Tang
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Strengthen the Stomach
- Creates Body Fluids
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Stomach Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Preference for sipping, Slight abdominal distension after eating
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yin
- Drains Fire
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Zuo Gui Yin
Addresses these hot palms and soles patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Tonifies the Kidneys
Addresses These Hot Palms And Soles Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Hot palms and soles
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...