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 vagina and vulva 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 vagina and vulva 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 vagina and vulva is often associated with insomnia, dry mouth and dry vagina in the pattern “Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva we’ve identified three 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 vagina and vulva.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva
In Chinese Medicine feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva 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 and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency include insomnia, dry mouth and dry vagina.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Vaginal Itching.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Zuo Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Zuo Gui 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: "Nourishes the Yin".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
In addition to feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva, other symptoms associated with Spleen Deficiency with Dampness include vulvar itching, insomnia and dark urine.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Spleen Deficiency with Dampness is associated with health issues such as Vaginal Itching.
Spleen Deficiency with Dampness is often treated with Wu Ling San, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Water Plantain - Ze Xie - as a key herb). Wu Ling San belongs to the category of "formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Promotes urination,".
Three herbal formulas that might help with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.
Why might Liu Jun Zi Tang help with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Deficiency with Dampness' of which feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Spleen Deficiency with Dampness can contribute to many health issues, including Vaginal Itching.
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Why might Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan help with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency' of which feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Vaginal Itching.
Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin
Source date: 1732 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Warms the Kidneys. Drains Dampness. Separates the clear from the turbid.
Why might Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin help with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Deficiency with Dampness' of which feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Spleen Deficiency with Dampness can contribute to many health issues, including Vaginal Itching.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva as a symptom, like Liu Jun Zi Tang or Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan 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.
Why might Anemarrhena Rhizome (Zhi Mu) help with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva?
Because it is a key herb in Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva as a symptom)
Anemarrhena Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and Fire from the Qi level. Clears Heat and Fire from the Lung and Stomach. Clears Heat and tonifies the Yin.
Why might Fish-Poison Yam (Bi Xie) help with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva?
Because it is a key herb in Bi Xie Fen Qing Yin, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva as a symptom)
Fish-Poison Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Bladder, the Stomach and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and eliminates cloudy urine. Eliminates Wind-Damp. Relieves Damp-Heat from the skin.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva?
Because it is a key herb in Liu Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva as a symptom)
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
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).
Why might Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bo) help with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva?
Because it is a key herb in Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva as a symptom)
Phellodendron Bark is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Bladder, the Kidney and the Large intestine.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat in the Lower Burner. Clears Kidney Yin Deficient Heat. Applied externally or toxic Fire, especially associated with Dampness.
Conditions associated with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva
Other symptoms often associated with feeling of heat in the vagina and vulva
Vulvar itching Insomnia Dark Urine Excessive vaginal discharge Smelly Vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Yellow vaginal discharge Painful intercourse Restlessness Irritability