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, insomnia and palpitations in the pattern “Heart Yin Deficiency”. 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 Heart is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Heart in Chinese Medicine
Heart Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
This pattern developed from Heart Blood Deficiency. It shares similar symptoms as the latter one, such as insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, easily to be scared, poor memory and anxiety, but it also has additional empty Heat symptoms. It can be caused by Kidney Yin Deficiency or other factors such as bad diet, overwork or long term exposure to stress or hot environment.
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Heart Yin Deficiency include dizziness, insomnia and palpitations.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heart Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation or Postpartum Depression.
Heart Yin Deficiency is often treated with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan, a herbal formula made of 14 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish the heart and calm the mind", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nutritive tonic: Nourishes Yin, Blood and Vital Essence of the Heart and Kidney".
The Gallbladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine
Gallbladder Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Gallbladder Heat include bitter taste in the mouth, epigastrium fullness and nausea.
Gallbladder Heat is often treated with Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Sweet Wormwood Herbs - Qing Hao - as a key herb). Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize lesser yang-warp disorders", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder".
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".
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Heat in Pericardium
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
In addition to feeling of heat, other symptoms associated with Heat in Pericardium include delirium, cold hands and feet and aphasia.
Heat in Pericardium is often treated with Qing Ying Tang, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Qing Ying 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: "Clears the Nutritive level Heat".
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".
Five herbal formulas that might help with feeling of heat
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Nourishes Yin.
Why might Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heart Yin Deficiency' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Heart Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Postpartum Depression.
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Source date: Qing Dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder. Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes. Resolves Phlegm. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Gallbladder Heat' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Gallbladder Heat include bitter taste in the mouth, epigastrium fullness and nausea.
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 feeling of heat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Heat In The Gallbladder include dizziness, irritability and fever.
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.
Why might Qing Ying Tang help with feeling of heat?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in Pericardium' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Heat In Pericardium include delirium, cold hands and feet and aphasia.
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' of which feeling of heat is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Heat include dizziness, fever and bitter taste in the mouth.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat feeling of heat
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 Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang or Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan 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 Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with feeling of heat?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat as a symptom, like Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San or Lian Po Yin for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with feeling of heat?
Because Cape Jasmine Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat as a symptom, like Yin Chen Hao Tang or Lian Po Yin for instance.
Cape Jasmine Fruits is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Lung and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory.
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 Lian Po Yin or Qing Ying Tang for instance.
Goldthread Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with feeling of heat?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat as a symptom, like Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang or Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Conditions associated with feeling of heat
Other symptoms often associated with feeling of heat
Dizziness Scanty periods Irritability Fever Bitter taste in the mouth Insomnia Red face Dark Urine Heavy periods Thin and watery periods