What is Excess Heat?
There are two types of "heat" in traditional Chinese medicine:
1. Empty heat, which arises from a state of deficiency in the body. When a person becomes yin deficient, they often experience heat-like symptoms, as well as dryness. This is treated by nourishing the "yin" elements in one's body, to replenish nutrients, like electrolytes, which help to cool and hydrate the body.
2. Full heat, also known as excess heat, is different from empty heat, and is more closely related to the Western concept of inflammation. This type of heat, which creates more hot, fire-y, burning, and red symptoms in the body, is better treated with a purgative approach.
It's not uncommon for symptoms related to excess heat to flare up in the summertime when the weather is warmer. Other things that can exacerbate symptoms are spicy foods, a "hot" temper, and temperate foods, drinks and spaces (no A/C is a person with full heat's worst nightmare).
Excess heat is a common imbalance in Western culture, where we are not as well-versed in the simple ways in which to balance our heat on a daily basis, as many other cultures do. Besides cold plunges or icy beverages (both of which can be too harsh on our systems when used in excess), food and herbs can offer a more gentle, internal approach for cooling down the body. When we lean into nature, we find that many foods which grow seasonally naturally help to support the imbalances that can arise, due to seasonal climate and/or lifestyle changes. In the summertime, for example, when we are more prone to heat, foods that are higher in water content, like watermelon and summer squash, flourish. These types of foods naturally help to hydrate and "flush out" the body, creating a more gentle and effective detoxification effect.
What Are Signs & Symptoms of Excess Heat?
acne/skin rashes
anger and agitation
anxiety
aversion to heat
bad breath
bleeding (intestinal bleeding, bloody nose, etc.)
burning pain
constipation / dry stool
cough
dark, scanty urine
dizziness
dry throat
excessive hunger
extreme restlessness
extreme thirst
feeling hot / flushed
fever
inflammation
insomnia
mania / delirium
palpitations
preference for cold temperatures
rapid pulse
rapid speech
red cheeks
red eyes
red face
sores / ulcers
spasms in limbs
sweating
swelling
What Causes Excess Heat?
emotional stress, especially anger and anxiety
longstanding qi stagnation
excessive consumption of alcohol, meat and/or spicy foods
excessively hot and/or windy weather
viruses or bacteria
​suppressed emotions and/or trauma
Types of Excess Heat:
The Heart, Liver, Lungs and Stomach can all develop patterns of excess heat. Keep in mind that Eastern medicine looks at the body in a much different way than Western medicine, and the organs affected can be determined through tools such as reading the pulse and looking at the surface of the tongue. It's helpful to visit a licensed, NCCAOM-certified acupuncturist, who can help you to pinpoint your specific areas of imbalance and provide a more customized diagnosis.
How to Treat Excess Heat?
LIFESTYLE ADJUSTMENTS:
→ Hydration: Make sure to hydrate sufficiently, especially during summer or while in warmer climates. Besides water, herbal teas, soups, and hydrating fruits and veggies (like those recommended for a yin deficiency) are beneficial. The minerals in electrolyte drinks or powders, like these from LMNT, support the kidneys and thus, fluid balance in the body.
→ Wearing Appropriate Clothing: Wear lightweight, breathable clothing in hotter temperatures, and try to cover exposed skin when in windy weather - especially the back of the neck and throat.
→ Therapy & Stress Management: In cases of managing high stress or navigating longstanding or repressed emotions and/or trauma, seeking out a therapist can be invaluable. It's also helpful to practice tools like mindfulness and meditation.
DIET + NUTRITION
→ Dietary Adjustments: Limiting your coffee, alcohol, sugar and meat consumption, as well as cutting back on spicy foods can help to cool the body down. Opting for more fruits and vegetables with high water content, like melons, lemons or cucumbers, can help to flush out toxins and heat. Incorporate into your diet more of the foods listed below.
What Foods are Best for Treating Excess Heat?
Vegetables:
alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, bamboo shoots, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, dandelion leaf, eggplant, kelp and seaweed, lettuce, microalgae (spirulina/chlorella), mung bean sprouts, potatoes, spinach, summer squash, sunflower sprouts, taro, water chestnuts, watercress, zucchini
Fruit:
apples, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, cucumber, grapefruit, lemons, plantain, watermelon
Grains:
amaranth, buckwheat, millet
Beans & Legumes:
mung beans, tofu
Herbs & Spices:
licorice, mulberry leaf, peppermint, sage, tamarind
Beverages & More:
chrysanthemum tea, dandelion root tea, honeysuckle tea, peppermint tea, soy milk
Animal Protein*:
clam, crab, egg whites, octopus
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*Meat is not used in any of our recipes, however, these animal products can be added to any recipe. ​
nourish
ener-qi
yin-vigorate
yang boost
detox
qi-force
cool aid
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