Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used for centuries to treat ailments and conditions. The application of TCM to treat excess heat in the body is under study. Having excess heat in the body raises the body temperature, causing an imbalance in the yin and yang energy found in one’s body. This can cause headaches, fever, dry mouth, and insomnia. TCM may be a viable solution for these symptoms as it emphasizes restoring and maintaining the body’s balance. Herbal supplements are often given to help restore balance. It also acts like Chinese medicine for detox. For example, you can use herbs like “baihu tang“（白虎湯） to reduce heat, while “shi gao” (石膏) can help cool down the body by clearing away toxins and restoring hydration levels. Experienced practitioners may also prescribe other herbal combinations depending on each individual’s condition.
Definition of Excess Heat in TCM
When there is too much heat in the body, a common ailment known as excess heat in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) develops. Environmental variables, emotional stress, and poor food choices can contribute to this condition’s many symptoms. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), high body temperature is related to the fire element, heart, small intestine, and triple burner meridians. Fever, thirst, irritability, restlessness, dry mouth and throat, red face, dark urine, constipation, and dry skin all indicate internal overheating.
Common Symptoms of Excess Heat in the Body
The body can experience a variety of symptoms when it is overheated. One of the most prominent symptoms is fever, which may accompany sweating, a headache, and fatigue. Individuals with excess heat may also experience irritability, restlessness, and a dry mouth and throat. Thirst is another common symptom of excess heat, as the body tries to regulate its temperature by increasing fluid intake. In addition, excess heat can cause a red face, dark urine, constipation, and dry skin. These symptoms can vary in intensity and duration depending on the individual and the underlying cause of the excess heat.
Causes of Excess Heat in Traditional Chinese Medicine
According to TCM, numerous conditions might lead to excess heat. As excess heat can lead to a wide variety of health problems if not addressed, it is important to understand its roots.
Dietary Factors
According to TCM, proper nutrition plays a major role in achieving and sustaining good health and warding off several disorders’ onset. Yet, dietary practices can also lead to the buildup of internal heat. Certain foods, called “hot” or “yang” in TCM, are thought to speed up the body’s metabolic processes and increase internal heat.Some examples of such foods are chilli peppers, ginger, greasy or oily foods, alcohol, and coffee. Excessing these meals might cause your body to overheat, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms, including a high temperature, increased thirst, and profuse sweating. Conversely, a reduced consumption of foods with a “cooling” or “yin” energy, such as mung beans and watermelons, can result in an accumulation of internal heat, resulting in excess heat.
Stress Related Factors
Stress is regarded as an important component in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that can lead to the formation of excessive heat in the body. TCM defines stress as various emotional and physical pressures that can disrupt the flow of Qi, the body’s vital force, and cause a buildup of heat in the body, manifesting as symptoms such as irritability, restlessness, and insomnia, which are connected with excess heat in TCM.
Environmental Factors
Lastly, excess heat in TCM can be caused by environmental factors, which may include hot weather, lack of exercies and insufficient sleep. This can lead to various symptoms, including fever, sweating, thirst, irritability, and skin eruptions. Treatment may involve acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy to restore balance to the body and alleviate symptoms.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment Approaches for Excess Heat
TCM is a holistic medical system that recognizes excessive heat as a common health condition that various internal and external causes can cause. TCM provides a variety of treatment approaches aimed at treating the root causes and symptoms of excessive heat in the body.
Herbal Remedies for Excess Heat
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners commonly use herbal remedies to treat excess heat. Three common herbs used to cool and detoxify the body are Lily Bulb, Lonicera Flower, and Forsythia Fruit.
Lily Bulb (百合)
Lily Bulb, also known as 百合 (Bai He), is a sweet and cooling herb that nourishes the lungs and calms the spirit. It is often used to promote healthy energy flow and clear excess heat from the body.
Lonicera Flower (金银花)
Lonicera Flower, also known as 金银花 (Jin Yin Hua), is a bitter and cooling herb that practitioners believe can clear heat and toxins from the body. They commonly use it to treat inflammation, sore throat, and fever.
Forsythia Fruit (连翘)
Forsythia Fruit, also known as 连翘 (Lian Qiao), is a bitter and cooling herb that practitioners believe can reduce inflammation and detoxify the body. The herb is commonly used it to treat infections, fever, and inflammation.
For convenience, you can get these herbs in powder form to make drinks to clear the excess heat, such as Nature’s Green Cooling Herbal Powder and QunXing Xia Sang Ju Granules (Sugar Free).
Herbal remedies are a safe and effective treatment approach for excess heat that practitioners may use alone or with other TCM therapies to achieve optimal health and balance in the body’s energy.
Acupuncture Points for Reducing Excess Heat
Acupuncture is a technique used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that involves inserting needles into specific points on the body to restore balance and address health conditions. Two common acupuncture points used to reduce excess heat are Large Intestine 4 and Stomach 45.
Large Intestine 4 is located between the thumb and index finger, while the Stomach 45 is located between the second and third toes. Stimulating these points can help promote the healthy flow of energy and reduce inflammation, reducing excess heat in the body. Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment option used alone or combined with other TCM approaches to achieve balance and optimal health.
Lifestyle Recommendations for Managing Excess Heat
Managing excess heat through TCM often involves some lifestyle changes. These recommendations, in addition to herbal treatments and acupuncture, can help alleviate the symptoms of excessive heat.
Avoiding Spicy Foods
One simple solution is avoiding spicy meals. Spicy foods can raise body temperatures and aggravate excess heat. Rather, opt for cooling and nourishing foods such as fruits and vegetables.
Getting Enough Rest
Another lifestyle suggestion is to prioritise sufficient sleep. Sleep is essential for the body’s repair and rejuvenation, and sleep deprivation can cause inflammation and excess heat. Proper sleep management, like not using electronics before bed and sleeping in a comfortable place, can help you get deep, restful sleep.
The Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Excess Heat
Excess heat in the body is a common condition that can be effectively treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). TCM approaches to clear excess heat and promote balance include acupuncture, herbal remedies, and lifestyle modifications. Through a holistic approach that addresses the condition’s root cause, TCM offers a natural and effective way to improve overall health and well-being.
In conclusion, it is crucial to visit a trained TCM practitioner when dealing with excess heat in the body. A TCM practitioner employs a holistic approach to treatment, considering a patient’s health history, symptoms, and lifestyle and provide personalized care. Patients can expect a customized treatment plan that may include acupuncture, herbal remedies, dietary and lifestyle recommendations, and other therapies. By working with a trained practitioner, patients can ensure that they receive safe and effective treatment that caters to their unique needs.
If you are looking for herbal health supplements and traditional Chinese medicine for detox and to combat the summer heat, do check out our products. Founded in 1965 as a medical hall, Tong Jum Chew has deep roots in traditional Chinese medicine and has assisted many in their pursuit of health.
