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.