Heat in Nutritive Qi level
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of Heat The concept of The four levels theory
Key attributes
Chinese name: 热入营气 Pinyin name: Rè Rù Yíng Qì
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Precursor patterns: Lung Heat Bright Yang Stomach Heat Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines and two other possible precursors
Common causes: External pathogenic factor
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Aphasia Macules Insomnia Delirium Restlnessness and three other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue description: Red tongue without coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Clear Nutritive Qi Heat, promote Fluids.
Common formulas: Qing Ying Tang Bai He Di Huang Tang
Pathology
This is one of the two patterns of the Nutritive Qi level, the third level of the Four Levels theory.
At this level, the Heat is deeper within the body and has begun to injure the Yin and obstruct the Mind, causing delirium, incoherent speech or aphasia (the loss of ability to understand or express speech).
A sign the Yin is injured is the absence of coating on the tongue.
Although this is more pronounced at the next stage of the Four Levels, already at this stage Heat may affect the Blood and cause macules.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Heat in Nutritive Qi level can derive from Lung Heat Bright Yang Stomach Heat Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines Gallbladder Heat Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen
External pathogenic factor: The main original cause of Heat in Nutritive Qi level is an Exterior Pathogenic Factor (typically Wind-Heat) that has invaded the Interior and progressed to this level.
Diagnosing Heat in Nutritive Qi level
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu) or fine (Xi)
Tongue description: Red tongue without coating
Main symptoms: Aphasia Macules Insomnia Delirium Restlnessness Fever at night Incoherent speech Dry mouth with no desire to drink
Treating Heat in Nutritive Qi level
Treatment principle
Clear Nutritive Qi Heat, promote Fluids.
Herbal formulas used to treat Heat in Nutritive Qi level
Qing Ying Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears the Nutritive level Heat. Relieves Fire Toxin. Removes Heat. Nourishes Yin.
Formula summary
Qing Ying Tang is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1798 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat.
Besides Heat in Nutritive Qi level, Qing Ying Tang is also used to treat Heat in Pericardium or Heat in the Blood.
Bai He Di Huang Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Moistens the Lungs. Enriches the Body Fluids. Clears Heat and cools the Blood .
Formula summary
Bai He Di Huang Tang is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from Deficiency.
Besides Heat in Nutritive Qi level, Bai He Di Huang Tang is also used to treat Heat in the Blood.
Consequence patterns
Heat victorious agitating Blood
If left untreated Heat in Nutritive Qi level can lead to Heat victorious agitating Blood
If left untreated Heat in Nutritive Qi level can lead to Heat victorious stirring Wind
Empty-Wind agitating in the Interior
If left untreated Heat in Nutritive Qi level can lead to Empty-Wind agitating in the Interior
If left untreated Heat in Nutritive Qi level can lead to Collapse of Yang
If left untreated Heat in Nutritive Qi level can lead to Collapse of Yin