Pericardium Fire
Pericardium Fire
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
red tongue with yellow coating. There is redder tip with swollen red points and midline crack until the tip.
Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Other Associated Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
The main characteristic symptoms of this pattern are palpitations, stifling feeling in the chest, bitter taste in the mouth and insomnia.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Emotional stress such as sadness, grief, worry, anger, frustration, resentment or guilt can cause some degree of Heart Qi Stagnation, which then accumulates to Fire or Heat if not treated for a while. Pericardium is the guard of the Heart and will also be affected by this Fire.
Over consumption of 'heavy food' such as red meat or alcohol can accumulate of Fire in the body.
Pathological Mechanism
The Mind resides in both the Heart and the Pericardium. It can be greatly disturbed by Fire in these two Organs and cause symptoms like insomnia, mental restlessness, agitation, and dream disturbed sleep. Comparing with Pericardium Blood Deficiency, the manifestations of above mental emotion are much more obvious and severe.
The Heart and Pericardium open to the mouth and tongue, thus Fire can cause mouth ulcers, bitter tastes and thirst.
The feeling of chest tightness, pain and heat happens because Pericardium channel pass through chest. It also connects to the Lungs and cause slightly rapid breath.
Finally, this pattern can also cause heavy menstruation because Pericardium Fire leads to Heat in the Blood and this Heat get passed to the Uterus through channels.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Remove Fire from the Heart and the Pericardium.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Explore More Patterns
Browse all TCM patterns of disharmony