Gallbladder Heat
Gallbladder Heat
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
Red tongue with unilateral sticky yellow coating
Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
The main original cause of Gallbladder Heat is an Exterior Pathogenic Factor (typically Wind-Heat) that has invaded the Interior and progressed to this pattern.
Pathological Mechanism
This pattern is almost the same as the Lesser Yang pattern within the Six Stages theory. It is also one of the five patterns of the Qi level, the second level of the Four Levels theory.
The main difference between this pattern and the Lesser Yang pattern is that it is characterized by more Heat and also by some Dampness (hence the sticky tongue coating).
A key characteristic is that the pathogenic factor alternates between the Exterior (causing a feeling of cold or an aversion to cold) and the Interior (causing feeling of heat or a fever). It's important to not these hot and cold feeling alternate, they aren't simultaneous.
Other symptoms are typical of the Gallbladder channel: bitter taste, dry throat and hypochondrial fullness and distension.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Harmonize the Lesser Yang, clear Gallbladder-Heat.
Explore More Patterns
Browse all TCM patterns of disharmony