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.
Hot palms and soles 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 palms and soles 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 palms and soles is often associated with dizziness, night sweats and tinnitus in the pattern “Kidney Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause hot palms and soles.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of hot palms and soles 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 hot palms and soles.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause hot palms and soles
In Chinese Medicine hot palms and soles is a symptom for 5 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
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 palms and soles, 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: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Exterior Heat and Dryness invades the Lungs and exhausts the Body Fluids. It eventually leads to Lung Yin Deficiency, if not intervened for a long time.
In addition to hot palms and soles, other symptoms associated with Lung Yin Deficiency include night sweats, insomnia and depression.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Lung Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Lung Yin Deficiency is often treated with Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Unprepared Rehmannia - Di Huang - as a key herb). Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Stomach Yin Deficiency causes Dryness and Heat, which harms the Organ's ability of receiving and ripening foods and drinks. It is the result of prolonged unbalanced diet and irregular eating habits.
In addition to hot palms and soles, other symptoms associated with Stomach Yin Deficiency include dry mouth, dry throat and poor appetite.
Stomach Yin Deficiency is often treated with Mai Men Dong Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dwarf Lilyturf Roots - Mai Dong - as a key herb). Mai Men Dong Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that enrich yin and moisten dryness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Stomach".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to hot palms and soles, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and depression.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is often treated with Dang Gui Di Huang Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Dang Gui Di Huang Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Blood".
Read more about Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency here
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to hot palms and soles, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and insomnia.
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 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)".
Five herbal formulas that might help with hot palms and soles
Zuo Gui Yin
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Tonifies the Kidneys.
Why might Zuo Gui Yin help with hot palms and soles?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency' of which hot palms and soles is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with hot palms and soles?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which hot palms and soles is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menopausal Syndrome.
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 hot palms and soles?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which hot palms and soles is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang
Source date: the 18th century
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Improves throat. Resolves toxicity. Clears the Lungs.
Why might Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang help with hot palms and soles?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Yin Deficiency' of which hot palms and soles is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Lung Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Mai Men Dong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Stomach. Generates Body Fluids. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Why might Mai Men Dong Tang help with hot palms and soles?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Yin Deficiency' of which hot palms and soles is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stomach Yin Deficiency include dry mouth, dry throat and poor appetite.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat hot palms and soles
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with hot palms and soles?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot palms and soles as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Yin or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with hot palms and soles?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot palms and soles as a symptom, like Zuo Gui Yin or Qi Ju Di Huang Wan for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
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 palms and soles?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot palms and soles as a symptom, like Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San or Yang Yin Qing Fei 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 Yam (Shan Yao) help with hot palms and soles?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot palms and soles as a symptom, like Qi Ju Di Huang Wan or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Lung.
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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with hot palms and soles?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hot palms and soles as a symptom, like Mai Men Dong Tang or Zuo Gui Yin for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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.
Conditions associated with hot palms and soles
Postpartum depression Absence of menstruation Menopausal syndrome Irregular menstruation Abnormal vaginal discharge Lupus Vaginal itching
Other symptoms often associated with hot palms and soles
Dizziness Night sweats Insomnia Depression Tinnitus Irritability Dry mouth Dry throat Malar flush Sticky vaginal discharge