Low Grade Fever in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different low grade fever patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Low grade fever refers to a mild elevation in body temperature, typically ranging from 99.5°F to 100.9°F (37.5°C to 38.3°C). Unlike higher fevers, which are often indicative of acute infections or illnesses, low grade fevers can persist over an extended period and might be less noticeable. This condition can present itself at various times of the day but is particularly noted when it occurs consistently in the afternoon.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), low grade fever is understood as a manifestation of underlying imbalances within the body's systems. TCM does not view fever merely as a symptom to be treated in isolation; instead, it sees it as a signal of various patterns of disharmony. These patterns need to be identified accurately before effective treatment can be administered.
TCM Patterns for Low Grade Fever
Yin Deficiency
Causes: Low-grade fever, Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Empty-Wind agitating in the Interior
Low-grade fever
Along with: Hand tremor, Weight loss, Flushed cheekbones, Apathy, Limb twitching
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
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
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Heat sensation in palms, Afternoon heat sensation, Evening heat sensation, Scanty and dark urine, Hematuria, Dry throat, Preference for sipping, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Nocturnal emission, Hypersexuality, Dry stools
Lung Yin Deficiency
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Along with: Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Yin Deficiency
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Along with: Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy, Scanty and dark urine, Dry stools, Dry mouth and throat at night, Nocturnal emission, Pain relieved by pressure and cold, Preference for sipping
Wind
Causes: Slight fever, Low-grade fever
Greater Yang Attack of Wind
Slight fever
Along with: Slight aversion to cold, Wind phobia, Low grade fever, Mild sweating, Stiff neck, Sneezing, Occipital headache
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
Slight fever
Along with: Low grade fever, Severe chills, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain, Lower back coldness, General cold feeling, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Weak voice
Empty-Wind agitating in the Interior
Low-grade fever
Along with: Hand tremor, Weight loss, Flushed cheekbones, Apathy, Limb twitching
Wind-Heat entering the Lungs
Slight fever
Along with: Cough with foul smelling sputum, Low grade fever, Mild chest pain, Dry and scaly skin, Bronchitis, Bronchiectasis, Pneumonia, Pertussis, Bronchial asthma
Cold
Causes: Slight fever, Low-grade fever
Greater Yang Attack of Cold
Slight fever
Along with: Occipital headache, Aversion to cold, Low grade fever, Lack of sweating, Stiff neck, Sneezing, Nasal discharge, Shortness of breath
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
Slight fever
Along with: Low grade fever, Severe chills, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain, Lower back coldness, General cold feeling, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Weak voice
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Low-grade fever
Along with: Abdominal pain, Constipation, Hypochondriac pain, Chills, Cold extremities, Sweating that doesn't reduce fever, Epigastric palpitations, Dizziness, Twitching, Unsteadiness
Heat
Causes: Low-grade fever, Low-grade fever in the afternoon, Slight fever
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
Low-grade fever
Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning, Feeling of heat, Scanty and dark urine, Dull headache, Dull yellow complexion, Yellow sclera, Oily sweat, Itchy rashes, Bitter taste in the mouth, Upper abdominal fullness, Upper abdominal pain
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Along with: Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Heat sensation in palms, Afternoon heat sensation, Evening heat sensation, Scanty and dark urine, Hematuria, Dry throat, Preference for sipping, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Nocturnal emission, Hypersexuality, Dry stools
Wind-Heat entering the Lungs
Slight fever
Along with: Cough with foul smelling sputum, Low grade fever, Mild chest pain, Dry and scaly skin, Bronchitis, Bronchiectasis, Pneumonia, Pertussis, Bronchial asthma
Yang Deficiency
Causes: Slight fever
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
Slight fever
Along with: Low grade fever, Severe chills, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain, Lower back pain, Lower back coldness, General cold feeling, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Weak voice
Yin Collapse
Causes: Low-grade fever
Collapse of Yin
Low-grade fever
Along with: Night sweats, Restlessness, Dry mouth with desire to sip liquids, Heat sensation in palms, Flushed cheekbones, Emaciation, Urinary retention, Constipation
Dampness
Causes: Low-grade fever
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
Low-grade fever
Along with: Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning, Feeling of heat, Scanty and dark urine, Dull headache, Dull yellow complexion, Yellow sclera, Oily sweat, Itchy rashes, Bitter taste in the mouth, Upper abdominal fullness, Upper abdominal pain
Herbal Formulas for Low Grade Fever
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address low grade fever
Ma Huang Xi Xin Fu Zi Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifes the Yang
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Slight fever
Accompanying symptoms:
Low grade fever, Severe chills, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain...
Zai Zao San
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonfies the Yang
- Augments the Qi
- Induces sweating
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Wind-Cold invading with Yang Deficiency
How it manifests:
Slight fever
Accompanying symptoms:
Low grade fever, Severe chills, Exhaustion, Hypersomnia, Cold extremities, Lumbar pain...
Wei Jing Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears heat from the Lungs
- Transforms Phlegm
- Drives out Blood-Stagnation
- Discharges pus
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Wind-Heat entering the Lungs
How it manifests:
Slight fever
Accompanying symptoms:
Cough with foul smelling sputum, Low grade fever, Mild chest pain, Dry and scaly skin, Bronchitis, Bronchiectasis...
Lian Po Yin
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Dampness
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever
Accompanying symptoms:
Loss of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Nausea or vomiting, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning...
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Extinguishes Wind
- Nourishes the Yin
- Anchors the Yang
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Empty-Wind agitating in the Interior
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever
Accompanying symptoms:
Hand tremor, Weight loss, Flushed cheekbones, Apathy, Limb twitching
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Heat sensation in palms, Afternoon heat sensation...
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy...
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Yin
- Drains Fire
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Flushed cheekbones, Restlessness, Insomnia, Night sweats, Heat sensation in palms, Afternoon heat sensation...
Ma Huang Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases exterior cold
- Treats wheezing
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Greater Yang Attack of Cold
How it manifests:
Slight fever
Accompanying symptoms:
Occipital headache, Aversion to cold, Low grade fever, Lack of sweating, Stiff neck, Sneezing...
Gui Zhi Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Releases pathogens from the muscle layer
- Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Greater Yang Attack of Wind
How it manifests:
Slight fever
Accompanying symptoms:
Slight aversion to cold, Wind phobia, Low grade fever, Mild sweating, Stiff neck, Sneezing...
Da Bu Yin Wan
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Directs fire downward
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Collapse of Yin
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever
Accompanying symptoms:
Night sweats, Restlessness, Dry mouth with desire to sip liquids, Heat sensation in palms, Flushed cheekbones, Emaciation...
Zuo Gui Wan
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Strengthens the Kidneys
- Fills the Essence
- Augments the marrow
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy...
Da Huang Fu Zi Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Interior
- Disperses Cold
- Unblocks the bowels
- Alleviates pain
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever
Accompanying symptoms:
Abdominal pain, Constipation, Hypochondriac pain, Chills, Cold extremities, Sweating that doesn't reduce fever...
Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi
- Calms the Mind
- Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Enriches the Kidney Yin and Essence
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Beautifies hair
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Kidney Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation...
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Improves throat
- Resolves toxicity
- Clears the Lungs
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears dryness
- Moistens the Lungs
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Yin
- Controls coughing
- Stops bleeding
- Tonifies the Lungs
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Jiu Xian San
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Secures the Lungs
- Stops coughing
- Augments Qi
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Kidney Yin
- Moistens the Lung
- Transfers Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Reliefs Cough
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Lung Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Dislike of speaking, Thin chest
Mu Li San
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Inhibits sweating
- Stabilizes the exterior
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy...
Zeng Ye Cheng Qi Tang
Addresses these low grade fever patterns:
Main Actions
- Generates Body Fluids
- Nourishes the Yin
- Unblocks the bowels
- Drains Heat
Addresses These Low Grade Fever Pattern Variations
Yin Deficiency
How it manifests:
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Accompanying symptoms:
Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Thirst, Anxiety, Jumpy...