What Are the Symptoms of “Excessive Heat” in the Stomach, and How Can It Be Relieved?

Stomach Fire refers to a pathological condition characterized by excessive heat in the stomach that has intensified into “fire.” When Stomach Fire is severe, it may ascend along the Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, manifesting as swollen and painful gums, halitosis (bad breath), epigastric discomfort with frequent hunger, constipation, irritability, feverish sensations, thirst, toothache, gingival bleeding (gingivitis), swelling of the jaw area, and facial flushing. So, what are the symptoms of Stomach Fire, and how can it be alleviated? Let’s explore this further below.

Symptoms of Stomach Fire and How to Alleviate It

Common symptoms of Stomach Fire include dry mouth and throat, a red tongue, and constipation with hard, dry stools. Patients may alleviate these symptoms through dietary adjustments or oral medication therapy.

1. Dietary Adjustment: Incorporate more cooling foods into daily meals—such as cucumber, watermelon, bitter melon, and carrots—to help relieve Stomach Fire. Avoid spicy and stimulating foods—including chili peppers and garlic—as they may exacerbate the condition. Additionally, maintain healthy eating habits: eat three regular meals per day, avoid overeating or binge eating, and practice mindful eating.

2. Pharmacological Treatment: If dietary modifications alone do not yield improvement, patients may, under medical supervision, take herbal formulas such as Niuhuang Qingwei Wan (Bezoar Stomach-Clearing Pills) or Qingwei Huanglian Wan (Stomach-Clearing Coptis Pills). Niuhuang Qingwei Wan contains ingredients including rhubarb, chrysanthemum, Ophiopogon tuber, gypsum, gardenia fruit, and licorice root, and functions to clear stomach heat and drain fire. Qingwei Huanglian Wan comprises coptis rhizome, gypsum, licorice root, Anemarrhena rhizome, Rehmannia root, and Phellodendron bark, and serves to detoxify, reduce swelling, clear stomach heat, and drain fire. Both formulations effectively alleviate symptoms associated with Stomach Fire.

In daily life, patients are encouraged to engage in moderate physical exercise to enhance their immune function.

We hope the above information is helpful to you.