Full-Heat in the Small Intestine
Full-Heat in the Small Intestine
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Diagnostic Signs
Red with redder and swollen tip, yellow coating.
Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu)
Diagnostic Considerations
Abdominal pain, tongue ulcers and scanty, dark painful urination are enough in and of themselves to diagnose Full Heat in the Small Intestine.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
The excessive consumption of hot-natured foods (meat, spices, alcohol) can lead to this pattern. In this case, it is usually associated with Stomach Heat.
Prolonged and/or intense emotions of anger, frustration, resentment and worry (especially over life direction and pressures) can all lead to this pattern. If that is the cause, it is associated with Heat in the Heart.
Pathological Mechanism
This pattern is closely associated with Heart Fire Blazing since both Organs are associated at the channel level and they belong to the Fire element in the Five Phases theory.
Heart Fire is transmitted to the Small Intestine and this interferes with its function of receiving and transforming as well as separating the Fluids. The Heat burns the Fluids, causing scanty and dark urine and pain on urination.
In severe cases the Heat reaches the Blood causing it to extravasate and resulting in blood in the urine.
Heart Fire causes the symptoms of mental restlessness, tongue ulcers, pain in the throat and thirst.
Deafness is caused by obstruction of Fire in the Small Intestine channel, which enters the ear.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Drain Heart Fire and Small Intestine Fire.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Try to avoid hot-natured, spicy, fatty and greasy foods.
Do not overwork and try relaxing more as anxiety (especially over life direction and pressures) is a key cause for this pattern.
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