Damp-Heat in the Liver
Damp-Heat in the Liver
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
Red body with redder sides sticky yellow coating
Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Other Associated Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the fullness of hypochondrium, abdomen or hypogastrium, feeling of heaviness, nausea, bitter and sticky taste and sticky yellow tongue coating.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Poor diet harms the Spleen function of transforming and transporting, such as prolonged and excessive consumption of cold and raw foods, excessive intakes of dairy foods and greasy foods, refined sugar, coffee and alcohol.
Irregular diet and lifestyle habits can also be the cause.
Emotional stress such as anger also contribute since they cause Liver Qi Stagnation.
External Dampness is a frequent cause for the formation of Damp-Heat, especially in hot tropical countries.
The external Evils invades the Liver Channels though legs and eventually settle down in the Liver.
Pathological Mechanism
This pattern is caused by excessive Heat in the Liver and Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency. Dampness is created if the Spleen's transportation and transformation function is impaired. When Damp-Heat builds up, the flow of Qi is disturbed, resulting in Qi Stagnation symptoms. When lasting for a long period of time, Dampness can cause the formation of Phlegm. Therefore, patients often have a feeling of fullness in the hypochondrium, abdomen or hypogastrium. They also feel general heaviness of the body.
Since Dampness has a tendency to flow downwards, it often settles in the Lower Burner, causing urinary Bladder infections, a burning feeling and vaginal discharge, itching and infection. It often manifests in the genitals, resulting in sores or eczema in this area.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Clear the Liver, resolve Dampness, clear Heat
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Follow a balanced diet of grains, legumes, cooked vegetables, greens, winter squash and warm or room temperature drinks. Eat all cooked foods.
Avoid cold and raw foods and drinks, consumption of hot and greasy foods, dairy, nuts and nut butters, chips of all kinds, caffeinated foods and drinks, red meat, fruits, juices, iced drinks, ice cream and popsicles, salads, uncooked foods and the excessive use of sugar and other sweeteners. Avoid eating an irregular diet and at irregular times.
Try other therapies such as cupping over the back and breathing exercises.
Most importantly find a way to deal with negative emotions like anger, frustration, resentment, irritability, mood swings. It is better to express and release them instead of keeping them inside. Find a job or hobby that is enjoyable or fulfilling.
Avoid mental over-work, physical over-exertion or excessive sexual activity. Take proper rest after all these exercises or work. Try going to bed before 11 pm.
Try regular exercises such as Yoga, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong, swimming, dancing or walking in the nature.
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