Feeling of heat in the chest 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 in the chest 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 chest 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 chest is often associated with feeling of energy rising to the chest, cold limbs and diarrhea in the pattern “Terminal Yin stage”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of heat in the chest we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Wu Mei Wan can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Terminal Yin stage, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause feeling of heat in the chest
In Chinese Medicine feeling of heat in the chest is a symptom for the pattern "Terminal Yin stage". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Chinese Plums (Wu Mei) is the king ingredient for Wu Mei Wan, a formula used for Terminal Yin stage
Terminal Yin stage
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
In addition to feeling of heat in the chest, other symptoms associated with Terminal Yin stage include feeling of energy rising to the chest, cold limbs and diarrhea.
Terminal Yin stage is often treated with Wu Mei Wan, a herbal formula made of 9 herbs (including Chinese Plums - Wu Mei - as a key herb). Wu Mei Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that expel parasites", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms the Organs".
A herbal formula that might help with feeling of heat in the chest
Wu Mei Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Organs. Drains Heat. Calms roundworms. Drains the Liver. Calms the Stomach.
Why might Wu Mei Wan help with feeling of heat in the chest?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Terminal Yin stage' of which pain and heat sensation in heart region is a symptom.
Chinese plum might help with feeling of heat in the chest
Why might Chinese Plum (Wu Mei) help with feeling of heat in the chest?
Because it is a key herb in Wu Mei Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Terminal Yin stage' (a pattern with feeling of heat in the chest as a symptom)
Chinese Plums is a Neutral herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Large intestine, the Liver, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Stabilizes Lung Qi and stops cough. Stops diarrhea. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Expels parasites and relieves vomiting.
Other symptoms often associated with feeling of heat in the chest
Feeling of energy rising to the chest Cold limbs Diarrhea Vomiting Vomiting of roundworms