What does it mean to have internal heat in the upper body and cold in the lower body, excessive liver fire, spleen deficiency, and heavy dampness? What should I do?
Aug 26, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
In general, conditions such as excessive heat in the upper body, cold in the lower body, excessive liver fire, and spleen deficiency with heavy dampness may be caused by factors including improper diet, emotional disharmony, stagnation of liver fire, spleen deficiency with excessive dampness, and insufficient kidney yang. It is recommended to seek timely medical advice, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a doctor's guidance through general treatments, medication, and other approaches. In daily life, maintaining a regular作息 (routine/schedule), avoiding late nights, and ensuring seven hours of sleep each night are advised.
Generally, excessive heat in the upper body and cold in the lower body, along with excessive liver fire and spleen deficiency with heavy dampness, may be caused by factors such as improper diet, emotional disharmony, internal accumulation of liver fire, spleen deficiency with excessive dampness, and deficiency of kidney yang. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation, identify the underlying cause, and then improve the condition under a physician's guidance through general treatments, medication, and other approaches. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Improper diet: Long-term excessive consumption of spicy, greasy, and raw cold foods can increase internal heat due to the spicy ingredients, while greasy and cold foods burden the spleen and stomach, producing dampness and damaging kidney yang, thereby causing cold in the lower body and forming a complex constitution. Adjust the diet by consuming more bland and warm-natured foods such as yam, millet, and pumpkin; reduce intake of chili, fried foods, and cold beverages; and maintain regular meals to avoid overeating.
2. Emotional disharmony: Prolonged anxiety and anger can lead to liver qi stagnation that transforms into fire, causing upward inflammation of liver fire, which manifests as symptoms of heat in the upper body such as dry mouth and sore throat. Liver qi stagnation also affects the spleen and stomach's digestive function, leading to dampness formation. Over time, this can deplete kidney yang, causing cold in the lower body. Regulate emotions daily through activities like walking and listening to music, avoid prolonged emotional excitement, seek psychological counseling when necessary, and maintain a cheerful mood.
3. Liver fire accumulation due to qi stagnation: Liver qi does not flow smoothly and accumulates into fire, causing upward disturbance of liver fire and heat symptoms in the upper body. Meanwhile, liver qi stagnation affects the function of the spleen and stomach, leading to spleen deficiency and dampness formation. Patients should use medications such as Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Gentiana Liver-Clearing Pill), Dan Zhi Xiao Yao Wan (Moutan and Gardenia Free and Easy Wanderer Pills), and Dang Gui Long Hui Wan (Lycium and Aloe Pills) as directed by a physician to alleviate symptoms of liver fire and improve liver qi stagnation.
4. Spleen deficiency with excessive dampness: Weakened function of the spleen and stomach leads to impaired transformation and transportation of body fluids, causing internal accumulation of dampness, which further worsens spleen deficiency. Dampness accumulation can transform into heat, causing upper heat symptoms, while dampness obstructing yang qi results in cold in the lower body. Patients should use medications such as Shen Ling Bai Zhu Ke Li (Codonopsis and Atractylodes Granules), Xiang Sha Liu Jun Wan (Magnolia and Amomum Six Gentlemen Pills), and Jian Pi Wan (Spleen Strengthening Pills) as directed by a physician to enhance the spleen and stomach's transformation and transportation functions and reduce dampness accumulation.
5. Deficiency of kidney yang: Insufficient kidney yang fails to warm and nourish the lower body, causing cold in the lower body, while floating deficient fire leads to heat in the upper body. Kidney yang deficiency also affects the digestive function of the spleen and stomach, worsening spleen deficiency and dampness. Patients should use medications such as Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan (Jinkui Kidney Qi Pills), You Gui Wan (Right Recovery Pills), and Gui Fu Di Huang Wan (Cinnamon and Aconite Rehmannia Pills) as directed by a physician to replenish kidney yang and improve the imbalance of heat and cold and dampness issues.
In daily life, maintain a regular routine, avoid staying up late, and ensure seven hours of sleep each night. Engage in moderate exercise, such as yoga and brisk walking, to promote qi and blood circulation and eliminate dampness. Keep the living environment dry and well-ventilated to reduce dampness invasion, and comprehensively regulate and improve overall physical condition.
