What Are the Symptoms of Lung Heat?
May 28, 2019
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tan Jing
Introduction
The primary causes of Lung Heat include external invasion by Wind-Heat pathogenic factors, pre-existing Phlegm-Heat accumulation, or habitual consumption of alcohol and spicy, rich, or greasy foods—leading to internal retention of Phlegm-Heat. Clinical manifestations mainly involve coughing and expectoration; the sputum is typically yellow, thick, and sticky. Patients also exhibit signs of Heat, such as facial redness, a red tongue with a yellow, greasy coating, preference for cold drinks, dryness and soreness of the throat, and pharyngeal hyperemia.
Lung heat is a diagnostic pattern commonly encountered in clinical practice for lung disorders in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and it stands in contrast to lung cold.
According to TCM theory, lung heat primarily arises from invasion by wind-heat pathogenic factors, pre-existing phlegm-heat accumulation, or habitual consumption of alcohol and spicy, rich, or greasy foods—leading to internal accumulation of phlegm-heat.
Its characteristic manifestations include coughing and expectoration, with sputum that is yellow, thick, and sticky. Patients also exhibit signs of internal heat, such as flushed complexion, red tongue, yellow and greasy tongue coating, preference for cold drinks, heat intolerance, dry mouth and throat, sore throat, and pharyngeal congestion.
These symptoms collectively constitute the clinical presentation of lung heat, and appropriate treatment involves using herbs that clear lung heat.
