Hotness in traditional Chinese medicine: concept, expression and conditioning

Dry heat in traditional Chinese medicine refers to a pathological state caused by insufficient body fluids or excessive heat evil, leading to an imbalance of yin and yang. It mainly manifests as symptoms such as dry mouth, sore throat, constipation, and dry skin. This article will start from the causes, typical manifestations, conditioning methods and dietary therapy suggestions of dry heat to help readers understand and deal with it scientifically. The content is divided into four parts: the definition of dry heat and the theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine, the relationship between common symptoms and physical constitution, daily conditioning principles, and recommended traditional Chinese medicine and dietary treatment plans.

1. The definition of dry heat and the theory of traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that dryness and heat are mostly caused by exogenous heat evil (such as dry climate) or internal injuries (such as staying up late, spicy food), which leads to the depletion of "yin fluid" in the body, and the relative excess of yang energy. According to the "Huangdi Neijing", dryness is one of the "six evils" and is closely related to the functions of the lungs, stomach, large intestine and other internal organs. For example, dryness of the lungs can easily cause dry cough, while dryness of the stomach can cause thirst and gum swelling and pain. People with hot and dry constitution usually have a red tongue with less coating and a thready pulse. They need to nourish yin and moisturize dryness or clear away heat and purge fire.

2. Relationship between typical symptoms and physical constitution

Symptoms of dryness and heat vary depending on individual constitutions: those with yin deficiency constitution are more likely to have night sweats and five upset stomachs; those with excess heat constitution are prone to aphthous sores and short, red urine. Children may present with chapped lips, and itchy skin is common in older adults. Traditional Chinese medicine distinguishes the type of dryness and heat through the "four diagnosis" (look, smell, ask, and feel). For example, if the lungs and stomach are dry and hot, Adenophora and Ophiopogon japonicus decoction is often used. If the liver fire is dry and hot, Longdan Xiegan Decoction is used. The high pressure of modern life and improper diet have aggravated the prevalence of hot constitution.

3. Daily conditioning principles

To relieve hotness, you need to start with your living habits: avoid staying up late, spicy fried foods, drink more water or drink cool drinks such as chrysanthemum tea and snow pear soup. Moderate exercise such as Baduanjin can promote the circulation of Qi and blood, but excessive sweating is not advisable. It is necessary to relieve emotional stress, because "long-term depression and heat" will aggravate dryness. Traditional Chinese medicine conditioning requires syndrome differentiation and treatment, such as Baihe Gujin Pills to nourish yin and moisturize the lungs, and Zhibai Dihuang Pills to clear away heat deficiency, but they need to be used under the guidance of a physician.

4. Summary and dietary therapy recommendations

In traditional Chinese medicine, dryness and heat are a comprehensive manifestation of the imbalance of body fluids and yang qi, which require personalized conditioning based on physical constitution. You can eat more yin-nourishing ingredients such as white fungus, lotus root, and water chestnuts every day, or drink mulberry leaf and wolfberry tea. If the symptoms are not relieved for a long time, it is recommended to consult a professional Chinese medicine practitioner. The following is a reference for common moisturizing Chinese medicines and patent medicines:

Quote sources:

1. "Huangdi Neijing" - a classic of basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine 2. Zhang Zhongjing's "Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases" - source of prescriptions for treating dryness and heat syndrome 3. Modern Chinese Patent Medicine Handbook (2023 edition) - drug efficacy and manufacturer information