Feeling of heat in the afternoon 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.
Contents
- The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause feeling of heat in the afternoon
- Five herbal formulas that might help with feeling of heat in the afternoon
- Acupuncture points used for feeling of heat in the afternoon
- The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat feeling of heat in the afternoon
Feeling of heat in the afternoon 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 in the afternoon 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 in the afternoon is often associated with insomnia, dizziness and tinnitus in the pattern “Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause feeling of heat in the afternoon.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of heat in the afternoon 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 in the afternoon.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause feeling of heat in the afternoon
In Chinese Medicine feeling of heat in the afternoon is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
In addition to feeling of heat in the afternoon, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing include insomnia, dizziness and tinnitus.
Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
Read more about Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing here
Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) is the king ingredient for Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a formula used for Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
When Yin Deficiency lasts for a long it may lead to Interior Heat
In addition to feeling of heat in the afternoon, other symptoms associated with Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency include insomnia, dry mouth and hot palms and soles.
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency is often treated with Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Softshell Turtle Shells - Bie Jia - as a key herb). Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from deficiency", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
Read more about Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency here
Five herbal formulas that might help with feeling of heat in the afternoon
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing' of which feeling of heat in the afternoon is a symptom.
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
Why might Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' of which feeling of heat in the afternoon is a symptom.
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.
Why might Huang Lian E Jiao Tang help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' of which feeling of heat in the afternoon is a symptom.
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang
Source date: 1336 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Drains Fire. Stabilizes the Exterior. Stops sweating.
Why might Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency' of which feeling of heat in the afternoon is a symptom.
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Why might Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty-Heat Blazing' of which feeling of heat in the afternoon is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for feeling of heat in the afternoon
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat feeling of heat in the afternoon
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat in the afternoon as a symptom, like Shen Ling Bai Zhu San or Mai Men Dong 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 Donkey-Hide Gelatin (E Jiao) help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because Donkey-Hide Gelatin is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat in the afternoon as a symptom, like Bu Fei E Jiao Tang or Huang Lian E Jiao Tang for instance.
Donkey-Hide Gelatin is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies and nourishes Blood. Stops bleeding. Moistens and lubricates Yin.
Why might Dwarf Lilyturf Root (Mai Dong) help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because Dwarf Lilyturf Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat in the afternoon as a symptom, like Mai Men Dong Tang or Yi Wei Tang for instance.
Dwarf Lilyturf Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Replenishes Yin Essence and promotes secretions. Lubricates and nourishes the Stomach. Soothes the Lung. Nourishes the Heart.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat in the afternoon as a symptom, like Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang or Yi Wei Tang for instance.
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with feeling of heat in the afternoon?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat in the afternoon as a symptom, like Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan 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.
Other symptoms often associated with feeling of heat in the afternoon
Insomnia Dry mouth Hot palms and soles Dizziness Tinnitus Night sweats Dry stools Malar flush Dry throat Excessive sexual desire