Hot flushes according to Chinese Medicine

menopausal hot flushes redirects here

Hot flushes 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 hot flushes 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 hot flushes is often associated with dizziness, night sweats and tinnitus in the pattern “Kidney Yin Deficiency”.

Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of hot flushes we’ve identified four 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 hot flushes.

Kidney Yin Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause hot flushes

In Chinese Medicine hot flushes is a symptom for the pattern "Kidney Yin Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.

The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine

Kidney Yin Deficiency

Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)

Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating

Tongue color: Red

Tongue shape: Cracked

Kidney Yin Deficiency causes false Heat symptoms, such as night sweats, thirst and five palm heat. These signs are from a depletion of Body Fluids and Essence. It can be caused by prolonged overwork, excessive sexual activity, chronic long term illnesses, consumption of Body Fluids by Heat, prolonged blood loss, overdosage of Kidney Yang tonics herbs, smoking and Kidney depleting foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, and fruit juices.

In addition to hot flushes, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yin Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and tinnitus.

From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Menopausal Syndrome, Prolonged Periods or Irregular Menstruation.

Kidney Yin Deficiency 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: "Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys".

Read more about Kidney Yin Deficiency here

Four herbal formulas that might help with hot flushes

Zuo Gui Wan

Source date: 1624 AD

Number of ingredients: 8 herbs

Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.

Why might Zuo Gui Wan help with hot flushes?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which menopausal hot flushes is a symptom.

Read more about Zuo Gui Wan here

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan

Source date: 1119 AD

Number of ingredients: 6 herbs

Key actions: Enriches the yin and nourishes the Kidneys.

Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with hot flushes?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which menopausal hot flushes is a symptom.

Read more about Liu Wei Di Huang Wan here

Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan

Source date: 1584 AD

Number of ingredients: 8 herbs

Key actions: Tonifies Yin. Drains Fire.

Why might Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan help with hot flushes?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which menopausal hot flushes is a symptom.

Read more about Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan here

Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang 2

Source date: 1549 AD

Number of ingredients: 9 herbs

Key actions: Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi. Calms the Mind. Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood. Tonifies the Kidney Yin.

Why might Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang 2 help with hot flushes?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which menopausal hot flushes is a symptom.

Read more about Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang 2 here

The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat hot flushes

Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with hot flushes?

Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot flushes as a symptom, like Gui Shao Di Huang Tang or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.

Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.

Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.

Read more about Yam here

Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with hot flushes?

Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot flushes as a symptom, like Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan or Zuo Gui Yin 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.

Read more about Poria-Cocos Mushrooms here

Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with hot flushes?

Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot flushes as a symptom, like Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan or Gui Shao Di Huang 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.

Read more about Mudan Peony Bark here

Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with hot flushes?

Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot flushes as a symptom, like Wen Jing Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.

Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.

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.

Read more about Dong Quai here

Why might Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi) help with hot flushes?

Because Goji Berry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot flushes as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Wan or Zuo Gui Yin for instance.

Goji Berries is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.

Its main actions are: Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs.

Read more about Goji Berries here