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 fever, dark urine and burning urination in the pattern “Damp-Heat in the Bladder”. As you will see below, we have in record five 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 five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause feeling of heat
In Chinese Medicine feeling of heat is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Bladder
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Bladder include fever, dark urine and burning urination.
Damp-Heat in the Bladder is often treated with Ba Zheng San, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Chinese Pink Herbs - Qu Mai - as a key herb). Ba Zheng San 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 and Fire".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Heat or Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red centre
Stomach Fire indicates a true Excess of Heat in the Stomach, creating symptoms such as mouth ulcers, bad breath, intense thirst and gum bleeding. Stomach Fire can be the result of excessive intake of hot, spicy, greasy and deep fried foods or other factors such as alcohol, tobacco and sugar.
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Stomach Heat or Fire include irritability, constipation and dry stools.
Stomach Heat or Fire is often treated with Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 3 herbs (including Rhubarb - Da Huang - as a key herb). Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that purge heat accumulation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner".
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Damp-Heat
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat include dizziness, fever and bitter taste in the mouth.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Heat is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Intermenstrual Bleeding or Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Damp-Heat is often treated with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Korean Mint - Huo Xiang - as a key herb). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the king ingredient for Ma Huang Tang, a formula used for Exterior-Cold
Exterior-Cold
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Floating (Fu)
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Exterior-Cold include fever, loose stools and aversion to cold.
Exterior-Cold is often treated with Ma Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ephedra - Ma Huang - as a key herb). Ma Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear wind-cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases exterior cold".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire include dizziness, irritability and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including White Peony Roots - Bai Shao - as a key herb). Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Pacifies the Liver".
Five herbal formulas that might help with feeling of heat
Liu Yi San
Source date: 1172 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Clears Summer-Heat. Drains Dampness. Supplements Qi.
Why might Liu Yi San help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Bladder' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Heat In The Bladder include fever, dark urine and burning urination.
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner. Removes constipation.
Why might Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Heat or Fire' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stomach Heat Or Fire include irritability, constipation and dry stools.
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Heat include dizziness, fever and bitter taste in the mouth.
Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Pacifies the Liver. Removes Stagnation. Drains Fire. Unblocks the Meridians.
Why might Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stagnant Liver-Qi Turning Into Fire include dizziness, irritability and insomnia.
Gui Zhi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Releases pathogens from the muscle layer. Regulates the Nutritive and Protective Qi.
Why might Gui Zhi Tang help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Exterior-Cold' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Exterior-Cold include fever, loose stools and aversion to cold.
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 Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Spleen and the Liver.
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 Xiao Yao San or Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
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 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 Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with feeling of heat?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat as a symptom, like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Conditions associated with feeling of heat
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