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Symptoms of excessive heart fire

Sep 13, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Pan Yongyuan
Introduction
Generally speaking, the heart opens into the tongue in traditional Chinese medicine, and conditions of the tongue often reflect excessive heart fire, such as mouth ulcers, irritability, skin sores, facial breakouts, dry mouth, thirst, and dry bowel movements—all of which are manifestations of excessive heart fire. Additionally, according to TCM, the heart and small intestine are internally and externally related; therefore, symptoms of damp-heat in the small intestine are often associated with excessive heart fire. The most typical symptom is frequent urination.

Excessive heart fire is a relatively common syndrome in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Many people experience this condition in daily life. What, then, are the symptoms of excessive heart fire?

Symptoms of Excessive Heart Fire

Generally speaking, according to TCM, the heart "opens into" the tongue, so symptoms related to the tongue often reflect excessive heart fire—such as mouth ulcers, infections, irritability, quick temper, skin boils, facial pimples, dry mouth, thirst, and dry bowel movements. These are all typical manifestations of excessive heart fire. Additionally, TCM holds that the heart and small intestine are internally and externally related. Therefore, symptoms of damp-heat in the small intestine are often associated with excessive heart fire. The most typical symptoms include frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination.

Thus, for patients with urinary tract infections, alleviating symptoms of damp-heat in the small intestine can be achieved by reducing heart fire. For example, a classic TCM formula called Dao Chi San (Conducting Red Powder) clears heat from the small intestine by reducing heart fire, effectively treating frequent urination, urgency, dysuria, and improving symptoms of damp-heat in the small intestine. Moreover, if the condition is caused by consuming spicy or irritating foods, it's important to develop healthy dietary habits—avoiding spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods, drinking plenty of water, and eating more light and清淡 (clear and mild) foods.

If excessive heart fire is due to emotional agitation or excessive mental stress, oral medications such as Huang Lian Shang Qing Pian, Niu Huang Qing Xin Wan, or Long Dan Xie Gan Wan may be recommended to effectively reduce heart fire. Patients with excessive heart fire should also manage their emotions carefully, eat less chili, mutton, and limit alcohol consumption, avoiding spicy and irritating foods as much as possible. We hope this article has been helpful to you. Wishing you good health and happiness.

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Differences Between Excessive Heart Fire and Excessive Liver Fire
The primary distinction between excessive Heart Fire and excessive Liver Fire lies in their differing clinical manifestations. Excessive Heart Fire is characterized by palpitations, restlessness, insomnia, vivid or frequent dreams, facial flushing, yellowing of the eyes, dryness and bitterness in the mouth, a preference for cold beverages, recurrent oral ulcers or tongue swelling, dark yellow or reddish urine, a bright red tip of the tongue, yellow tongue coating (or tongue pain/tenderness), and a forceful pulse. In contrast, excessive Liver Fire mainly presents with headache, dizziness (non-throbbing), facial and ocular redness, and irritability or quick temper.
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Is difficulty falling asleep due to excessive heart fire or excessive liver fire?
Difficulty falling asleep may be due to excessive heart fire, but could also be related to excessive liver fire. A doctor should make a differential diagnosis based on individual symptoms. The specific analysis is as follows: Excessive heart fire primarily refers to a deficiency of yin fluids in the heart, leading to internal heat scorching the heart. In addition to difficulty falling asleep, patients often experience other symptoms such as vivid dreams, emotional irritability, easy excitability, and restlessness.
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Can excessive heart fire cause arrhythmia?
Excessive Heart Fire does not cause arrhythmia. The primary clinical manifestations of Excessive Heart Fire include facial flushing, dry throat, preference for cold water, sore or ulcerated tongue, tongue swelling and pain, and cardiac discomfort. In cases of Heart Fire, patients may experience hematemesis or epistaxis, hematuria, and in severe cases, delirium or manic behavior. Heartburn is commonly triggered by emotional agitation, fatigue, and consumption of spicy foods.
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What should I do for halitosis caused by excessive heart fire?
Treatment for halitosis caused by excessive heart fire includes Hawthorn Decoction, Tangerine Peel and Licorice Syrup, oral cloves, peanut water, Reed Rhizome Decoction, tofu soup, and cucumber congee. To completely resolve halitosis, you must identify its underlying cause. For example, if you normally do not experience halitosis but develop it only after consuming foods with particularly pungent odors or foods exceptionally high in protein, the cause is likely dietary.
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What should women eat for the fastest results when experiencing excessive internal heat (deficiency fire)?
Women with excessive deficient fire (xu huo) mostly suffer from internal heat due to yin deficiency of the liver and kidneys. Therefore, in managing this condition, diet-wise, it's advisable to consume nourishing yin foods such as Chinese yam and goji berry porridge, white fungus with lotus seed soup, mulberries, walnut kernels, and pears. Avoid consuming too many spicy or stimulating foods, especially chili peppers and fried foods. Additionally, do not stay up late, avoid getting angry or stressed, and refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.
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Excessive heart fire can cause arrhythmia.
Excessive heart fire may lead to arrhythmia. Arrhythmia can also be caused by other factors, such as brain injury, myocardial ischemia, or heart failure. Patients may also develop arrhythmia after consuming strong tea or coffee or engaging in intense physical exercise. Such arrhythmia typically does not require treatment and can be alleviated with adequate rest. If the arrhythmia is due to yin deficiency with internal heat, treatment with herbs that nourish yin and clear heat may be appropriate.
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Symptoms of Excessive Heart Fire
Generally speaking, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the heart “opens into” the tongue; thus, abnormalities of the tongue often reflect excessive heart fire—manifesting as oral ulcers, irritability, skin abscesses or boils, dry mouth, thirst, and constipation. Additionally, TCM holds that the heart and small intestine are interior-exterior paired organs; therefore, damp-heat in the small intestine is frequently associated with excessive heart fire, with frequent urination being the most typical symptom.
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Dr. Pan Yongyuan
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What should I do if my heart fire is excessive?
Excessive Heart Fire has multiple causes and treatment approaches. First, it is believed to stem from Lung Heat. Irritability may lead to restlessness, insomnia, and frequent dreams. Treatment involves traditional Chinese herbal medicines that clear Lung Heat and drain excess heat—such as Fangfeng Tongsheng Granules, Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid, and Feining Granules—administered with a mild saline solution to mask bitterness. Second, it is associated with endocrine imbalance and internal accumulation of heat and damp-heat in the Lung, Stomach, and Intestines according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory; therefore, a light, bland diet is recommended.
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