What are the symptoms of damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder?
Jun 26, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
The symptoms of damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder include distension and pain in the hypochondrium, bitter taste and dryness in the mouth, poor appetite, jaundice, and irregular bowel movements. In daily life, attention should be paid to dietary regulation, consuming more heat-clearing and dampness-resolving foods such as mung beans and adzuki beans. Avoid eating excessive spicy, greasy, or sweet foods that may increase internal dampness and heat, such as chili peppers, fried foods, and cakes. This helps reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach and prevents the formation of internal damp-heat.
Generally, symptoms of damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder include distending pain in the hypochondrium, bitter taste and dry mouth, poor appetite, jaundice, and irregular bowel movements. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical treatment at a hospital promptly. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Distending Pain in the Hypochondrium
The liver is located in the hypochondriac region. When damp-heat affects the liver and gallbladder, the accumulation of damp-heat pathogens in these organs can obstruct qi circulation, potentially causing distending pain and discomfort in the hypochondrium. Pain may worsen during emotional distress or after consuming greasy foods.
2. Bitter Taste and Dry Mouth
Damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder can interfere with the normal excretion of bile. Reflux of bile into the mouth can cause a bitter taste. Meanwhile, internal accumulation of damp-heat prevents body fluids from rising to moisten the mouth, leading to dryness. Patients often feel a sticky sensation in the mouth, which is difficult to relieve even by drinking water.
3. Poor Appetite
The spleen and stomach's transformation and transportation functions are closely related to the liver and gallbladder. Damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder can impair the normal function of the spleen and stomach, causing dysfunction in digestion and transportation, leading to symptoms such as poor appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Patients may lose interest in food and feel bloated or experience indigestion after eating.
4. Jaundice
Accumulation of damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder may cause abnormal bile secretion and lead to bile leakage into the muscles, potentially causing jaundice. This manifests as yellowing of the skin and sclera, with darkened urine resembling strong tea.
5. Irregular Bowel Movements
Damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder can affect intestinal peristalsis, altering stool consistency and bowel habits. Due to damp-heat accumulating in the intestines, stools may become sticky and unsatisfactory; alternatively, they may become dry and hard or loose and watery, depending on how damp-heat disrupts intestinal qi movement and fluid metabolism.
In daily life, attention should be given to dietary regulation. Eat more heat-clearing and dampness-resolving foods such as mung beans, adzuki beans, and coix seed. Avoid excessive consumption of spicy, greasy, and sweet foods that may increase dampness and heat, such as chili peppers, fried foods, and cakes, to reduce the burden on the spleen and stomach and prevent internal generation of damp-heat.
