Hot flushes 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.
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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".
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.
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.
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other symptoms often associated with hot flushes
Dizziness Night sweats Tinnitus Depression Irritability Dry throat Malar flush Constipation Back pain Insomnia