Feeling of heat according to Chinese Medicine
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.
Feeling of heat can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like feeling of heat here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here feeling of heat is often associated with dizziness, irritability and fever in the pattern “Heat in the Blood”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause feeling of heat.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of heat we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat feeling of heat.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause feeling of heat
In Chinese Medicine feeling of heat is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include dizziness, irritability and fever.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Heat in the Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
The Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Fire blazing
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Full (Shi), Hasty (Cu)
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Heart Fire blazing include insomnia, bitter taste in the mouth and red face.
Heart Fire blazing is often treated with Xie Xin Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Xie Xin Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Drains Fire".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Stomach include feeling of heaviness, nausea and dull-yellow complexion.
Damp-Heat in the Stomach is often treated with Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Lian Po Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat".
The Gallbladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder include dizziness, irritability and fever.
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder is often treated with Yin Chen Hao Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Virgate Wormwood - Yin Chen - as a key herb). Yin Chen Hao Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears heat".
Five herbal formulas that might help with feeling of heat
Gu Jing Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin . Clears Heat. Stops bleeding. Stabilizes the menses.
Why might Gu Jing Wan help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Xie Xin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Drains Fire. Resolves Toxicity. Dries Dampness.
Why might Xie Xin Tang help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Fire blazing' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Lian Po Yin
Source date: 1862 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Why might Lian Po Yin help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Stomach' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat. Resolves dampness. Reduces jaundice.
Why might Yin Chen Hao Tang help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder' of which alternation of hot and cold feeling is a symptom.
Zi Xue Dan
Source date: 752 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Controls spasms and convulsions. Extinguishes Wind.
Why might Zi Xue Dan help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Fire blazing' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for feeling of heat
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat feeling of heat
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with feeling of heat?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat as a symptom, like Liu Yi San or Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with feeling of heat?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat as a symptom, like Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang or Gui Zhi Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with feeling of heat?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat as a symptom, like Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang or Qing Wei San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Goldthread Rhizome (Huang Lian) help with feeling of heat?
Because Goldthread Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat as a symptom, like Qing Wei San or Lian Po Yin for instance.
Goldthread Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with feeling of heat?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat as a symptom, like Er Chen Tang or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Other symptoms often associated with feeling of heat
Dizziness Irritability Fever Scanty periods Insomnia Bitter taste in the mouth Red face Palpitations Anxiety Dark Urine