Hot Palms And Solesaccording to TCM

What is Hot Palms and Soles?

Hot palms and soles, a condition marked by an incessant warmth or burning sensation in the hands and feet, stands as a perplexing symptom for many. This sensation, far from being a mere discomfort, can significantly affect an individual's daily life, signaling an imbalance within the body that transcends mere physical triggers. Synonyms such as heat sensation in the hands and feet and warm palms and soles allude to this bewildering condition, prompting those afflicted to seek both understanding and relief.

How does TCM view Hot Palms and Soles?

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), hot palms and soles are indicative of an underlying disharmony within the body's natural balance, often pointing towards a Yin Deficiency or an excess of Yang Heat.

TCM perceives the human body as a network of Qi (energy) flowing through meridians, connecting internal organs with external limbs. Thus, the Heat felt in the palms and soles is seen as a manifestation of internal conditions, such as Kidney Yin Deficiency or Heart Fire, requiring a nuanced approach to identify and address the root cause of the imbalance.

Root Causes of Hot Palms And Soles in TCM

In TCM, the phenomenon of hot palms and soles is commonly attributed to patterns of Yin Deficiency or Empty Heat. For instance, Kidney Yin Deficiency might manifest this symptom alongside others like perspiration, lower back pain, and dry mouth at night.

Lung Yin Deficiency could also lead to hot palms and soles, accompanied by a hoarse voice and itchy throat. Identifying the specific pattern is crucial for TCM practitioners to tailor a treatment that not only alleviates the symptom but also restores the body's Yin-Yang harmony.

Explore below more details about what might cause Hot palms and soles according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Heat
Detailed description of the cause

Yin Deficiency

Yin deficiency in TCM is a pattern of disharmony characterized by a depletion of the body's Yin energy, which represents the cooling, moistening, and nurturing aspects of our physiology. This condition often arises from factors like chronic stress, overwork, insufficient rest, or prolonged illness. Symptoms of Yin deficiency can include a sensation of heat, especially in the afternoon or evening, night sweats, insomnia, a dry mouth or throat, and a red tongue with little coating. There might also be a general feeling of restlessness or irritability. Since Yin is essential for balancing the body's active and warm Yang energy, its deficiency leads to a relative excess of Yang, manifesting as heat or dryness symptoms.... see more

Yin Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Hot Palms And Soles

Common Symptoms: Night Sweats Insomnia Dry Mouth Dry Throat Generalized Fatigue Flushed Cheekbones Dizziness Diabetes

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Kidney Yin Deficiency Hot palms and soles, Excessive sweating, Back pain, Hearing loss, Dry mouth and throat at night, Lower back pain, Constipation, Scanty and dark urine, Infertility, Premature ejaculation, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Depression, Anxiety, Heat sensation in palms, Evening heat sensation, Flushed cheekbones, Menopausal hot flashes, Preference for sipping, Evening anxiety... see more Zuo Gui Wan | Ba Wei Di Huang Wan | Liu Wei Di Huang Wan | Qi Ju Di Huang Wan | Zuo Gui Yin | Dang Gui Di Huang Yin | Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Lung Yin Deficiency Hot palms and soles, Hoarse voice, Itchy throat, Reluctance to speak, Thin chest Bai He Gu Jin Tang | Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang | Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang | Bu Fei E Jiao Tang | Jiu Xian San
Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency Hot palms and soles, Afternoon heat sensation, Dry mouth, Preference for sipping, Dry mouth and throat at night, Night sweats, Cardiac burning sensation, Dry stools, Scanty and dark urine, Flushed cheekbones... see more Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Huang Lian E Jiao Tang | Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang | Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Suan Zao Ren Tang
Liver Yin Deficiency Hot palms and soles, Dizziness, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Insomnia, Blurry vision, Eye floaters, Dry eyes, Night blindness, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Dull pale complexion, Flushed cheekbones, Muscle weakness, Muscle cramps, Withered and brittle nails, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Depression, Lack of direction, Night sweats, Vivid dreaming, Afternoon fever, Preference for sipping... see more Suan Zao Ren Tang | Qi Ju Di Huang Wan | Bu Gan Tang | Yi Guan Jian
Heart Yin Deficiency Hot palms and soles, Night sweats, Feeling of uneasiness, Feeling of heat, Heat sensation in palms, Hysteria, Neurasthenia... see more Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan | Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang
Stomach Yin Deficiency Hot palms and soles, Lack of appetite, Preference for sipping, Slight abdominal distension after eating... see more Mai Men Dong Tang | Yi Wei Tang | Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency Hot palms and soles, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Hearing loss, Lower back pain, Vertical headaches, Occipital headache, Insomnia, Limb numbness, Tingling of limbs, Dry eyes, Blurry vision, Dry throat, Dry hair, Skin dryness, Withered and brittle nails, Vaginal dryness, Night sweats, Dry stools, Nocturnal emission, Scanty menstruation, Amenorrhea, Late menstruation, Infertility... see more Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan
Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire Hot palms and soles, Coughing with blood streaked sputum, Wheezing, Dry throat, Night sweats, Chronic bronchitis, Chronic pharyngitis, Spontaneous pneumothorax, Cor pulmonale, Silicosis, Pulmonary tuberculosis... see more Bai He Gu Jin Tang
Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency Hot palms and soles, Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever, Red skin eruptions, Night sweats, Generalized fatigue, Irritability... see more Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Hot Palms And Soles

Addressing hot palms and soles in TCM involves using specific formulas and herbs that nourish Yin and clear Heat. Zuo Gui Wan, for example, is recommended for Kidney Yin Deficiency, utilizing Prepared rehmannia to replenish the body's Yin.

Bai He Gu Jin Tang, beneficial for both Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency, uses Lily Bulbs to moisten and cool the internal heat. These formulations exemplify TCM's approach to treating the underlying imbalance, rather than just the symptoms.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address hot palms and soles, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Yin Deficiency
  • Heat

All Formulas Recommended for Hot Palms And Soles Caused by Yin Deficiency

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency, Liver Yin Deficiency
Bai He Gu Jin Tang Lung Yin Deficiency, Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Fire
Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency, Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency, Heart Yin Deficiency
Suan Zao Ren Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency, Liver Yin Deficiency
Zuo Gui Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan Kidney Yin Deficiency
Zuo Gui Yin Kidney Yin Deficiency
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin Kidney Yin Deficiency
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San Kidney Yin Deficiency
Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang Lung Yin Deficiency
Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang Lung Yin Deficiency
Bu Fei E Jiao Tang Lung Yin Deficiency
Jiu Xian San Lung Yin Deficiency
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency
Bu Gan Tang Liver Yin Deficiency
Yi Guan Jian Liver Yin Deficiency
Ren Shen Dang Gui Tang Heart Yin Deficiency
Mai Men Dong Tang Stomach Yin Deficiency
Yi Wei Tang Stomach Yin Deficiency
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San Stomach Yin Deficiency
Zhi Bo Di Huang Wan Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency

Acupoints for Hot Palms And Soles

TCM also employs acupuncture as a method to restore balance and treat symptoms like hot palms and soles. Taixi KID-3, located near the medial malleolus, is a pivotal point for tonifying Kidney Yin and Yang, offering relief for the underlying imbalances causing the sensation of heat. This holistic approach, focusing on specific acupoints, complements herbal treatments, providing a comprehensive strategy to alleviate discomfort and restore equilibrium.

See more details below about Taixi KID-3, an acupoint used to address hot palms and soles.

  • By Meridian
  • Kidney Channel
Taixi KID-3

Taixi KID-3

In the depression between the medial malleolus tip and Achilles tendon (Calcaneal tendon), level with the tip of the medial malleolus.

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