Thirst in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different thirst patterns according to TCM theory

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Condition Categories

12
TCM Patterns
98
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 12 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each thirst pattern
Classical remedies 98 herbal formulas documented

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), thirst is seen as a symptom indicating an imbalance within the body's systems. Unlike the Western view that often considers thirst a straightforward sign of dehydration, TCM explores a deeper underlying imbalance. Various patterns of disharmony, such as Heat, Dampness, Wind, and Yin Deficiency, can cause thirst. Identifying the specific pattern is crucial for effective treatment.

TCM Patterns for Thirst

Heat

Causes: Thirst

31 variations documented
Heat in the Blood
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria,

Toxic-Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Edema, Pus and discharge, Boils, Carbuncles, Pustule,

Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Constipation,

Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Abdominal pain, Abdominal fullness, Diarrhea, Hematochezia, Mucous in feces, Smelly stools,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry throat,

Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Exterior-Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Excessive sweating, Body pain, Stiff neck

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Gallbladder Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dry throat, Hypochondriac pain, Nausea, Upper abdominal fullness

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heart Fire blazing
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Restlessness, Anxiety, Feeling of heat,

Heat in Uterus Blood
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Flushed face, Anger,

Heat invading the Channels joints and muscles
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Arthralgia, Joints red and hot, Fever, Anxiety, Wind phobia, Swollen joints,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Fire Blazing
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness,

Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Shortness of breath, Asthma, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort, Cough with yellow or blood tinged sputum, Headaches, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache,

Lung Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Feeling of heat, High fever, Cough with thin yellow sputum, Shortness of breath, Excessive sweating, Acne

Damp-Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Pericardium Fire
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat,

Toxic-Heat Stagnation
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Pustule, Carbuncles, Fever, Red skin eruptions, Sore throat, Throat pain,

Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness,

Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Toothache, Headaches, Loose teeth, Bleeding gums, Irritability, Stomatitis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever without perspiration, Body pain, Irritability, Upper respiratory tract infections, Influenza, Purulent keratitis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat in Gall Bladder
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Mild chills with high fever, Bitter taste in the mouth, Stifling sensation in the chest, Vomiting of sour fluids, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort, Nausea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Excess-Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Flushed face, Red skin eruptions, Mottled skin, Irritability, Arthritis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Lower abdominal pain, Nighttime fever, Incoherent or confused speech, Irritability, Restlessness, Amenorrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes: Thirst

6 variations documented
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Constipation,

Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache,

Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind-Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Sneezing, Coughing, Nasal discharge, Occipital stiffness,

Wind-Heat invading the Lungs
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Aversion to cold, Fever, Coughing, Sore throat, Congested nose, Nasal discharge,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dampness

Causes: Thirst

5 variations documented
Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Abdominal pain, Abdominal fullness, Diarrhea, Hematochezia, Mucous in feces, Smelly stools,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Lung Dryness
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Dry cough, Dry throat, Skin dryness, Hoarse voice

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Damp-Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Neck gland swelling, Headaches, Tight feeling in chest and stomach, Sticky taste in the mouth, Absence of thirst,

Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, Tight feeling in chest and stomach,

Phlegm

Causes: Thirst

4 variations documented
Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Feeling of heaviness, Muscle pain, Lack of sweating, Absence of thirst, Profuse white sputum, Swollen limbs,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Sputum, Feeling of heat,

Yin Deficiency

Causes: Thirst

4 variations documented
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation,

Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Dry throat, Fever, Scanty sputum, Dry cough, Red tongue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach Yin Deficiency
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Loss of appetite, Preference for sipping, Slight abdominal distension after eating

Yin Deficiency
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Heat sensation in palms, Emaciation, Sore throat at night, Anxiety, Jumpy, Scanty and dark urine,

Mind Disturbance

Causes: Thirst

4 variations documented
Heart Fire blazing
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers, Restlessness, Anxiety, Feeling of heat,

Pericardium Fire
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Stifling sensation in the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Insomnia, Mouth ulcers, Tongue ulcers,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Phlegm Fire harassing the Pericardium
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Phlegm-Fire harassing the Heart
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Palpitations, Flushed face, Bitter taste in the mouth, Noisy breathing, Restlessness, Insomnia,

Cold

Causes: Thirst

4 variations documented
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Afternoon fever, Excessive sweating, Sweating on limbs, Abdominal fullness, Abdominal pain, Constipation,

Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Wind Cold with Internal Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: High fever, Severe chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, General sensation of tightness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever without perspiration, Body pain, Irritability, Upper respiratory tract infections, Influenza, Purulent keratitis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Dryness

Causes: Thirst

4 variations documented
Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Excessive sweating, Sore throat, Skin dryness, Dry nose, Dry throat,

Lung Dryness
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Dry cough, Dry throat, Skin dryness, Hoarse voice

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Dry throat, Fever, Scanty sputum, Dry cough, Red tongue

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Dryness in Large Intestine
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Constipation, Dry stools, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Poor constitution, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Summer Heat

Causes: Thirst, Thirsting

4 variations documented
Early Stage Summerheat with Exterior Wind-Cold
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Chills, Lack of sweating, Headaches, Flushed face, Stifling sensation in the chest,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Summer-Heat
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, Upper abdominal discomfort,

Summer Heat with Dampness
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Fever, Aversion to cold, Excessive sweating, Headaches, Feeling of heaviness, Tight feeling in chest and stomach,

Summer-Heat entering the Lesser Yin and Terminal Yin warps
How it presents with thirst

Thirsting

Along with: Wasting, Thirst, Cardiac burning sensation, Irritability, Restlessness, Paralysis,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Stagnation

Causes: Thirst

1 variation documented
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression,

Blood Stasis

Causes: Thirst

1 variation documented
Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Lower abdominal pain, Nighttime fever, Incoherent or confused speech, Irritability, Restlessness, Amenorrhea,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Yang Excess

Causes: Thirst

1 variation documented
Yang Excess or Full Yang
How it presents with thirst

Thirst

Along with: Feeling of heat, Hyperactivity, Lack of sweating, Heat intolerance, Constipation

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Herbal Formulas for Thirst

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address thirst

Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin

Addresses these thirst patterns:

Heat Wind Dampness Cold Summer Heat

Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these thirst patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Xiao Cheng Qi Tang

Addresses these thirst patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Da Qing Long Tang

Addresses these thirst patterns:

Heat Cold Phlegm

Shi Gao Tang

Addresses these thirst patterns:

Heat Wind Cold

Zi Xue Dan

Addresses these thirst patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Wind

Wen Dan Tang

Addresses these thirst patterns:

Heat Phlegm Mind Disturbance

Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang

Addresses these thirst patterns:

Heat Phlegm Mind Disturbance

Zhi Bao Dan

Addresses these thirst patterns:

Heat Phlegm Mind Disturbance