Summer Heat with Dampness
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 Summer Heat The concept of Damp
Key attributes
Chinese name: 暑湿 Pinyin name: Shǔ Shī
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Common causes: External Heat and Dampness
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Fever Thirst Anxiety Sweating Headaches and five other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Soggy (Ru)
Tongue description: Red tongue with white sticky coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Drain Dampness and clear Summer Heat.
Common formulas: Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San Xiang Ru San Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Pathology
This pattern often happens during hot summer and in very humid environment. Therefore, the condition is mostly acute.
The combination of Summer Heat and Dampness can att
Causes
External Heat and Dampness : When the patients' Defensive Qi is weak, the Damp
Diagnosing Summer Heat with Dampness
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 soggy (Ru)
Tongue description: Red tongue with white sticky coating
Main symptoms: Fever Thirst Anxiety Sweating Headaches Poor appetite Chest fullness Aversion to cold Feeling of heaviness Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Diagnosis commentary: The key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are stiffness and distension in the chest and epigastrium, anxiety and hot body.
Treating Summer Heat with Dampness
Treatment principle
Drain Dampness and clear Summer Heat.
Herbal formulas used to treat Summer Heat with Dampness
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Formula summary
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that transform Dampness and harmonize Stomach.
Besides Summer Heat with Dampness, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San is also used to treat Cold invading the Stomach or Rebellious Stomach Qi.
Xiang Ru San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Scatters Cold. Transforms Dampness. Harmonizes the Middle Burner .
Formula summary
Xiang Ru San is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and resolve Exterior.
Besides Summer Heat with Dampness, Xiang Ru San is also used to treat Exterior Cold with Interior Dampness in Summer.
Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin
Source date: 1172 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Expels Summerheat. Clears Heat. Transforms Qi. Removes Dampness .
Formula summary
Gui Ling Gan Lu Yin is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1172 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of Dampness.
Diet recommendations
Try some vegetable or fruits that is good for clearing Summer Heat and Dampness such as water melon, cucumber or loofah.