Can taking Jiaotai Pills cause excessive internal heat (fire)?

Generally, whether taking Jiaotai Pill may cause "internal heat" (a TCM concept referring to symptoms such as dry mouth, sore throat, and irritability) depends on the patient's constitution and specific condition. The detailed analysis is as follows:

For individuals with heart-kidney disharmony and a cold-biased constitution, taking Jiaotai Pill as prescribed typically does not lead to internal heat. This formula uses Coptis (Huanglian) to clear heart fire and Cinnamon (Rougui) to warm kidney yang, thus balancing cold and heat properties. It targets insomnia, palpitations, and other symptoms caused by heart-kidney imbalance. In these patients, there is no excess internal heat; the formula precisely regulates organ imbalances. The warming effect of cinnamon is moderated by the cooling nature of coptis, preventing accumulation of excessive heat and instead helping restore bodily equilibrium.

However, individuals with a heat-biased constitution or those whose condition is not due to heart-kidney disharmony may easily develop signs of internal heat after taking the pill. These individuals already have excessive internal heat, and the warming property of cinnamon in the formula can further aggravate this condition, potentially causing symptoms such as dry mouth and sore throat. If the formula is used without proper pattern differentiation—especially for conditions not related to heart-kidney disharmony—it may not only fail to relieve symptoms but also disrupt the body's balance, leading to adverse reactions like internal heat. Therefore, accurate syndrome differentiation is essential when using this medication.

Jiaotai Pill is a prescription medicine and must be taken under the guidance of a physician. Patients should avoid adjusting the dosage or duration of treatment on their own. If discomfort such as dry mouth, constipation, or palpitations occurs during use, it may indicate side effects or incompatibility with the individual’s constitution. In such cases, the medication should be discontinued immediately and medical advice sought.