Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
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 The six stages theory The concept of Heat
Key attributes
Chinese name: 少阴热化 Pinyin name: Shǎo Yīn Rè Huà
Pattern nature: Empty
Causes
Precursor patterns: Greater Yin stage
Common causes: External pathogenic factor
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Insomnia Dark Urine Irritability Night sweats Feeling of heat and one other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue description: Red tongue without coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney-Yin, clear Empty-Heat.
Common formulas: Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Pathology
This is one of the two patterns of the Lesser Yin stage, the second Yin stage of the Six Stages theory.
The Lesser Yin stage is where the disharmony mainly affects the Kidney Channel.
The Kidneys are considered the root of Yin and Yang in the body. As such, this stage has two patterns, called "Cold transformation" and "Heat transformation" that describe respectively a Kidney Yang Deficiency (with Empty-Cold symptoms) and a Kidney Yin Deficiency (with Empty-Heat symptoms).
This being the "Heat transformation" patterns, the pathology of this pattern is essentially Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty-Heat symptoms like a feeling of heat, nights sweats or dry mouth & throat during the night.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Lesser Yin Heat Transformation can derive from Greater Yin stage
External pathogenic factor: The main cause of this pattern is when an external pathogen, typically Wind-Cold, has invaded the body and had progressed in the Interior.
Diagnosing Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
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: Insomnia Dark Urine Irritability Night sweats Feeling of heat Dry mouth and throat at night
Treating Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
Treatment principle
Nourish Kidney-Yin, clear Empty-Heat.
Herbal formulas used to treat Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Causes Fire to descend. Eliminates irritability. Calms the spirit.
Formula summary
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind.
Besides Lesser Yin Heat Transformation, Huang Lian E Jiao Tang is also used to treat Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency.
Consequence patterns
If left untreated Lesser Yin Heat Transformation can lead to Terminal Yin