Desire For Hot Beverages And Foodsaccording to TCM
Symptom families: Thirst and Hydration, Dietary Cravings and Sensitivites
Did you mean? Craving For Hot Beverages
What is Desire for Hot Beverages and Foods?
Desire for hot beverages and foods refers to a strong preference for consuming warm or hot drinks and meals. This condition is often observed in individuals who feel comfort and relief when consuming heated items. Synonyms for this condition include liking for warm drinks and meals, preference for warm drinks and foods. This craving can be a natural inclination for some, but in many cases, it points to underlying health issues that need attention.
How does TCM View Desire for Hot Beverages and Foods?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views the desire for hot beverages and foods as a symptom that indicates an internal imbalance. Unlike Western medicine, which might see this preference as a mere personal choice or a reaction to cold weather, TCM interprets it as a sign of disharmony within the body's Qi, Yang, or the presence of Cold. Identifying the correct underlying pattern is crucial in TCM to address the root cause effectively and restore balance.
Root Causes of Desire For Hot Beverages And Foods in TCM
One common cause of craving hot beverages and foods is Qi Stagnation in the chest. This pattern is characterized by symptoms such as chest stiffness, chest distension, chest pain that improves with massage, and a preference for warm drinks and foods. The stagnation of Qi in the chest area creates discomfort, which the warmth from hot beverages and foods helps to alleviate.
Another significant cause is Yang Deficiency, particularly Stomach Yang Deficiency and Cold. This pattern presents with symptoms like epigastric pain relieved by pressure or eating, lack of appetite, vomiting clear liquid, absence of thirst, and generalized fatigue. Individuals with this deficiency feel better when consuming warm items as it helps to stimulate and support the deficient Yang energy in their body.
Explore below more details about what might cause Desire for hot beverages and foods according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Qi Stagnation
- Yang Deficiency
- Cold
- Stomach
Qi Stagnation
Qi Stagnation in TCM is like having a traffic jam in your body's energy system. Qi, the vital life force that flows through your body, is supposed to move smoothly to maintain health and balance. But with Qi Stagnation, this flow gets blocked or slowed down, like cars stuck on a highway. This can lead to symptoms like feeling stressed, emotional mood swings, and physical discomfort, often described as a feeling of fullness or tightness, especially in the chest or abdomen. It's as though the body's internal energy circulation is disrupted, causing various issues. TCM sees this as an energy flow problem, different from modern medicine's focus on specific physiological processes.... see more
Qi Stagnation Patterns That Can Lead to Desire For Hot Beverages And Foods
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Qi Stagnation in Chest | Preference for warm drinks and foods, Chest stiffness, Chest distension, Chest pain, Chest pain improve with massage, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Bleeding during pregnancy... see more | Xuan Fu Hua Tang |
Yang Deficiency
Yang deficiency in TCM refers to a state where the body's Yang energy, which is responsible for warmth, activity, and function, is weakened or diminished. This pattern of disharmony often arises from chronic illness, aging, or inherent constitutional weakness. Symptoms of Yang deficiency are typically associated with cold and sluggishness, such as a feeling of coldness, cold extremities, pale complexion, low energy or fatigue, and a desire for warmth. Digestive issues like poor appetite, loose stools, and water retention can also be indicative of Yang deficiency.... see more
Yang Deficiency Patterns That Can Lead to Desire For Hot Beverages And Foods
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold | Preference for warm drinks and foods, Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating, Lack of appetite, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Vomiting clear liquid, Absence of thirst, Weak limbs, Cold extremities, Generalized fatigue, Pale face... see more | Wu Zhu Yu Tang | Xiao Jian Zhong Tang | Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang | Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan |
Cold
In TCM "Cold" as a pattern of disharmony refers to a specific type of imbalance within the body's systems, often linked to a deficiency or weakness. It's not about feeling physically cold or having a common cold, but rather a metaphorical description of certain symptoms and underlying conditions. When a TCM practitioner says someone suffers from "Cold," it usually implies that the body's Yang energy, which is warm and active, is insufficient or overpowered by Yin energy, which is cool and passive. Symptoms of Cold in TCM can include a general feeling of coldness, cold limbs, pale complexion, low energy, slow metabolism, and a preference for warmth. ... see more
Cold Patterns That Can Lead to Desire For Hot Beverages And Foods
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Cold invading the Stomach | Preference for warm drinks and foods, Severe upper abdominal pain, Chills, Cold extremities, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Vomiting clear liquid, Nausea, Feeling worse after drinking cold drinks... see more | Liang Fu Wan | Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San | Wu Zhu Yu Tang |
Stomach
In TCM the Stomach is regarded as the "sea of nourishment," pivotal for digesting food and transforming it into Qi and blood. It works closely with the Spleen to distribute these essential nutrients throughout the body. When the Stomach is out of balance or malfunctions in TCM, it often leads to digestive problems such as bloating, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, or a feeling of fullness. There may also be issues like acid reflux or a sour taste in the mouth. Emotionally, an imbalanced Stomach can contribute to excessive worry and overthinking, reflecting the TCM belief that physical and emotional well-being are deeply interconnected.... see more
Stomach Patterns That Can Lead to Desire For Hot Beverages And Foods
Common Symptoms: Cold Extremities Vomiting Clear Liquid Severe Upper Abdominal Pain Chills Nausea Feeling Worse After Drinking Cold Drinks Epigastric Pain Relieved With Pressure Or Eating Lack Of Appetite
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Cold invading the Stomach | Preference for warm drinks and foods, Severe upper abdominal pain, Chills, Cold extremities, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Vomiting clear liquid, Nausea, Feeling worse after drinking cold drinks... see more | Liang Fu Wan | Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San | Wu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold | Preference for warm drinks and foods, Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating, Lack of appetite, Desire for hot beverages and foods, Vomiting clear liquid, Absence of thirst, Weak limbs, Cold extremities, Generalized fatigue, Pale face... see more | Wu Zhu Yu Tang | Xiao Jian Zhong Tang | Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang | Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Desire For Hot Beverages And Foods
To address the desire for hot beverages and foods, TCM practitioners recommend specific herbal formulas based on the identified pattern of disharmony. For Qi Stagnation in the chest, Xuan Fu Hua Tang is often used. This formula includes Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua), which help to invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation, providing relief from chest stiffness and pain.
For Stomach Yang Deficiency and Cold, formulas like Wu Zhu Yu Tang and Xiao Jian Zhong Tang are prescribed. Wu Zhu Yu Tang, with Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu) as a key herb, warms the interior and expels Cold, while Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, featuring Maltose (Yi Tang), tonifies Qi Deficiency and warms the Middle. These formulas help to alleviate the symptoms associated with this pattern, reducing the craving for hot beverages and foods.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address desire for hot beverages and foods, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Qi Stagnation
- Yang Deficiency
- Cold
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
- Formulas that promote qi movement
- Formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that tonify qi
Top Formula for Qi Stagnation:
Xuan Fu Hua Tang
Suitable for Qi Stagnation patterns that may cause desire for hot beverages and foods, such as Qi Stagnation in Chest
Learn more
Top Formula for Yang Deficiency:
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Suitable for Yang Deficiency patterns that may cause desire for hot beverages and foods, such as Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Desire For Hot Beverages And Foods Caused by Yang Deficiency
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Wu Zhu Yu Tang | Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold |
| Xiao Jian Zhong Tang | Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold |
| Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang | Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold |
| Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan | Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold |
Top Formula for Cold:
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Suitable for Cold patterns that may cause desire for hot beverages and foods, such as Cold invading the Stomach
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Desire For Hot Beverages And Foods Caused by Cold
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Wu Zhu Yu Tang | Cold invading the Stomach |
| Liang Fu Wan | Cold invading the Stomach |
| Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San | Cold invading the Stomach |
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
These formulas are suitable for some desire for hot beverages and foods-causing patterns like Cold invading the Stomach or Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold.
One such formula is Wu Zhu Yu Tang, with evodia fruit as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold" recommended for desire for hot beverages and foods
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Wu Zhu Yu Tang | Cold invading the Stomach, Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold |
| Xiao Jian Zhong Tang | Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold |
| Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang | Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold |
Formulas that promote Qi movement
These formulas are suitable for some desire for hot beverages and foods-causing patterns like Cold invading the Stomach.
One such formula is Liang Fu Wan, with lesser galangal rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that transform Dampness and harmonize Stomach
These formulas are suitable for some desire for hot beverages and foods-causing patterns like Cold invading the Stomach.
One such formula is Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, with korean mint as a key herb.
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
These formulas are suitable for some desire for hot beverages and foods-causing patterns like Qi Stagnation in Chest.
One such formula is Xuan Fu Hua Tang, with inula flower as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi
These formulas are suitable for some desire for hot beverages and foods-causing patterns like Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold.
One such formula is Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan
TCM Herbs for Desire For Hot Beverages And Foods
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address desire for hot beverages and foods, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that regulate qi
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Desire for hot beverages and foods can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Lesser Galangal Rhizomes (Gao Liang jiang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for desire for hot beverages and foods, like Liang Fu Wan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold" recommended for desire for hot beverages and foods
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Lesser Galangal Rhizomes (Gao Liang jiang) | Liang Fu Wan |
| Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu) | Wu Zhu Yu Tang |
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Desire for hot beverages and foods can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Maltose (Yi Tang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for desire for hot beverages and foods, like Xiao Jian Zhong Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for desire for hot beverages and foods
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Maltose (Yi Tang) | Xiao Jian Zhong Tang | Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang |
| Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) | Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang |
Herbs that regulate Qi
Desire for hot beverages and foods can be treated by these herbs when resulting from Qi stagnation or imbalance, helping to promote the smooth flow of Qi in the body.
One such herb is Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for desire for hot beverages and foods, like Liang Fu Wan.
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Desire for hot beverages and foods can be treated by these herbs if it stems from damp accumulation, especially in the digestive system, using aromatic properties to transform and dispel dampness.
One such herb is Korean Mint (Huo Xiang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for desire for hot beverages and foods, like Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San.
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Desire for hot beverages and foods can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Inula Flowers (Xuan Fu Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for desire for hot beverages and foods, like Xuan Fu Hua Tang.