What to eat to quickly relieve excessive internal heat (fire)
May 21, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. He Haochen
Introduction
There is no specific food that can instantly relieve "heatiness" (excessive internal heat according to traditional Chinese medicine). However, consuming bitter gourd, snow pear, and similar foods may help reduce internal heat. Additionally, medications such as Isatidis Root Granules (Banlangen) or Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid can be used under a doctor's guidance. Besides the above-mentioned foods, one may also eat mung bean sprouts, cucumber, tofu, and similar items. Under medical supervision, medications like Niuhuang Jiedu Pills or Huanglian Shangqing Pills may also be used.
There is no specific food that can instantly relieve internal heat (so-called "shanghuo"). However, foods such as bitter gourd and snow pear may help alleviate internal heat. Additionally, medications like Banlangen Granules or Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid can be used under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
I. Foods
1. Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd has a bitter taste and cold nature, affecting the heart, spleen, and lungs. It helps clear heat, detoxify the body, and remove dampness.
2. Snow Pear
Snow pear is sweet, slightly sour, and cool in nature, affecting the lungs, stomach, and heart. It helps clear heat, generate body fluids to quench thirst, moisten the lungs, and resolve phlegm.
II. Medications
1. Banlangen Granules
"Shanghuo" is a term used in traditional Chinese medicine. If a person consumes spicy foods for a prolonged period, it may abnormally irritate the gastric mucosa, weaken stomach function, and lead to symptoms of internal heat, typically manifested as reduced appetite, red tongue, dry mouth, and a bitter taste. Banlangen Granules is a traditional Chinese herbal preparation whose main ingredient is Isatis root (Banlangen). It has the effect of cooling the blood and relieving sore throat, helping to alleviate stomach discomfort caused by internal heat.
2. Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid
Shuanghuanglian Oral Liquid contains multiple herbs, including honeysuckle (Jinyinhua) and forsythia (Lianqiao). Honeysuckle helps disperse wind-heat, while forsythia reduces swelling and dissipates nodules. This formulation effectively relieves exterior syndromes with wind-heat, treating symptoms such as fever and sore throat caused by internal heat.
In addition to the above foods, other beneficial options include mung bean sprouts, cucumber, and tofu. If a patient’s symptoms of internal heat are severe and dietary adjustments do not bring improvement, medications such as Niuhuang Jiedu Pills, Huanglian Shangqing Pills, or Longdan Xiegan Pills may be considered under medical supervision. Drinking plenty of water daily also helps reduce internal heat. It is advisable to avoid consuming chili peppers, ginger, and similar foods to prevent worsening of symptoms and support recovery.
