Nighttime Feveraccording to TCM
Symptom family: Fever and Temperature-Related Conditions
Parent symptom: Fever
What is nighttime fever?
Nighttime fever, also known as fever at night or night fever, refers to a condition where an individual's body temperature rises during the night. This symptom can vary in intensity and is often indicative of underlying health issues that may require attention. Nighttime fever is a specific type of fever that occurs primarily during the evening and night hours, causing discomfort and potentially disrupting sleep. It can be a standalone issue or part of a broader set of symptoms linked to various medical conditions.
How does TCM view nighttime fever?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nighttime fever is seen as a manifestation of internal imbalances and patterns of disharmony within the body. Unlike Western medicine, which might focus on infections or inflammatory conditions as the cause of fever, TCM looks at the body's overall state and seeks to identify and rectify these imbalances. Treating nighttime fever effectively in TCM involves understanding the specific pattern of disharmony responsible for the symptom and addressing it through a combination of herbal remedies, acupuncture, and lifestyle adjustments.
Root Causes of Nighttime Fever in TCM
One common cause of nighttime fever in TCM is Full Heat with Yin Deficiency. This pattern is characterized by symptoms such as nighttime fever, lack of sweating, and emaciation without loss of appetite. It reflects an imbalance where the body's Yin, or cooling energy, is deficient, leading to an excess of internal Heat that manifests as fever during the night.
Another notable cause is Heat in the Nutritive Qi level. This pattern involves symptoms like nighttime fever, dry mouth without desire to drink, restlessness, insomnia, delirium, and macules. It indicates a deeper level of heat that affects the body's nutritive aspects, causing significant internal disturbance and fever.
Explore below more details about what might cause Nighttime fever according to TCM.
- By Syndrome
- By Organ
- Heat
- Yin Deficiency
- Blood Stasis
- Pericardium
- Triple Burner
Heat
In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more
Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Nighttime Fever
Common Symptoms: Incoherent Or Confused Speech Restlessness Insomnia Delirium Aphasia Macules Irritability Lack Of Sweating
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Full Heat Yin Deficiency | Fever at night, Nighttime fever, Lack of sweating, Emaciation with no loss of appetite | Qin Jiao Bie Jia San |
| Heat in Nutritive Qi level | Fever at night, Nighttime fever, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Restlessness, Insomnia, Delirium, Incoherent or confused speech, Aphasia, Macules... see more | Qing Ying Tang | Bai He Di Huang Tang |
| Heat in Pericardium | Fever at night, Nighttime fever, Delirium, Confusion, Incoherent or confused speech, Cold extremities... see more | Qing Ying Tang | Zhi Bao Dan |
| Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency | Night fever, Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever, Hot palms and soles, Red skin eruptions, Night sweats, Generalized fatigue... see more | Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang |
| Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner | Night fever, Lower abdominal pain, Nighttime fever, Incoherent or confused speech, Irritability, Restlessness, Thirst, Amenorrhea, Menstrual cramps, Uterine fibroids, Retained placenta... see more | Tao He Cheng Qi Tang |
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 Nighttime Fever
Common Symptoms: Lack Of Sweating Emaciation With No Loss Of Appetite Emaciation Chronic Pyelonephritis Pulmonary Tuberculosis Renal Tuberculosis Tidal Fever Hot Palms And Soles
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Full Heat Yin Deficiency | Fever at night, Nighttime fever, Lack of sweating, Emaciation with no loss of appetite | Qin Jiao Bie Jia San |
| Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency | Night fever, Nighttime fever, Emaciation, Chronic pyelonephritis, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Renal tuberculosis, Tidal fever, Hot palms and soles, Red skin eruptions, Night sweats, Generalized fatigue... see more | Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang |
Blood Stasis
Blood Stasis in TCM is a concept where the blood flow in the body is not as smooth or efficient as it should be. Imagine a river that's supposed to flow freely, but instead, it's getting blocked or moving too slowly in some parts. This can lead to various health issues, like pain that feels sharp or stabbing, dark bruises, and a complexion that looks purplish. TCM believes that good health relies on the smooth and vibrant flow of Qi and blood throughout the body, so when blood gets stuck, it's like a traffic jam in your body, leading to discomfort or health problems.... see more
Blood Stasis Patterns That Can Lead to Nighttime Fever
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner | Night fever, Lower abdominal pain, Nighttime fever, Incoherent or confused speech, Irritability, Restlessness, Thirst, Amenorrhea, Menstrual cramps, Uterine fibroids, Retained placenta... see more | Tao He Cheng Qi Tang |
Pericardium
In TCM the Pericardium is more than a physical membrane protecting the heart; it's considered an organ system that acts as the "Heart's protector." It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the heart from external pathogenic factors and emotional disturbances. The Pericardium is also involved in regulating blood circulation and influencing emotional well-being, especially in terms of relationships and intimacy. When the Pericardium malfunctions or is imbalanced in TCM, it can lead to symptoms that mirror heart issues, such as chest pain or palpitations, but often with an emotional component like difficulty in forming emotional connections or excessive vulnerability to external stressors. Additionally, a disturbed Pericardium can result in sleep disturbances, anxiety, and in severe cases, mental confusion, reflecting its integral role in both physical heart protection and emotional balance.... see more
Pericardium Patterns That Can Lead to Nighttime Fever
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Heat in Pericardium | Fever at night, Nighttime fever, Delirium, Confusion, Incoherent or confused speech, Cold extremities... see more | Qing Ying Tang | Zhi Bao Dan |
Triple Burner
In TCM the Triple Burner (or San Jiao) is a unique concept rather than a physical organ. It's seen as a system that oversees the flow and balance of Qi and bodily fluids across three regions of the body: the upper (respiratory and cardiovascular systems), middle (digestive system), and lower (urinary and reproductive systems). The Triple Burner facilitates the interaction between these systems, ensuring harmony in bodily functions. When it malfunctions in TCM, it can lead to a variety of symptoms depending on the affected region, such as respiratory issues, digestive problems, or urinary and reproductive disorders. The malfunction can also manifest as general imbalances in energy flow, temperature regulation, and fluid metabolism, reflecting the Triple Burner's role as a coordinator of the body's various processes and its importance in maintaining overall balance and health.... see more
Triple Burner Patterns That Can Lead to Nighttime Fever
| Pattern Name | Relevant Symptoms | Relevant Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner | Night fever, Lower abdominal pain, Nighttime fever, Incoherent or confused speech, Irritability, Restlessness, Thirst, Amenorrhea, Menstrual cramps, Uterine fibroids, Retained placenta... see more | Tao He Cheng Qi Tang |
TCM Herbal Formulas for Nighttime Fever
For treating Full Heat with Yin Deficiency, Qin Jiao Bie Jia San is a recommended formula. It belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from Deficiency and features Softshell Turtle Shells (Bie Jia) as a key herb, which helps nourish Yin and reduce internal heat.
In cases of Heat in the Nutritive Qi level, Qing Ying Tang is often used. This formula is designed to clear nutritive-level Heat and includes Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) as a key herb, which helps cool the blood and alleviate symptoms such as restlessness and delirium.
By targeting the specific patterns of disharmony, these formulas provide a holistic approach to managing nighttime fever, promoting overall balance and health.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address nighttime fever, organized by cause and by formula type.
- By Cause
- By Formula Type
- Heat
- Yin Deficiency
- Blood Stasis
- Formulas that clear heat from deficiency
- Formulas that clear nutritive-level heat
- Formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
Top Formula for Heat:
Qing Ying Tang
Suitable for Heat patterns that may cause nighttime fever, such as Heat in Nutritive Qi level or Heat in Pericardium
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Nighttime Fever Caused by Heat
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Qing Ying Tang | Heat in Nutritive Qi level, Heat in Pericardium |
| Qin Jiao Bie Jia San | Full Heat Yin Deficiency |
| Bai He Di Huang Tang | Heat in Nutritive Qi level |
| Zhi Bao Dan | Heat in Pericardium |
| Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency |
| Tao He Cheng Qi Tang | Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner |
Top Formula for Yin Deficiency:
Qin Jiao Bie Jia San
Suitable for Yin Deficiency patterns that may cause nighttime fever, such as Full Heat Yin Deficiency
Learn moreAll Formulas Recommended for Nighttime Fever Caused by Yin Deficiency
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Qin Jiao Bie Jia San | Full Heat Yin Deficiency |
| Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency |
Top Formula for Blood Stasis:
Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Suitable for Blood Stasis patterns that may cause nighttime fever, such as Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner
Learn moreFormulas that clear Heat from Deficiency
These formulas are suitable for some nighttime fever-causing patterns like Full Heat Yin Deficiency.
One such formula is Qin Jiao Bie Jia San, with softshell turtle shell as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat from deficiency" recommended for nighttime fever
| Formula | Patterns Suitable For (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Qin Jiao Bie Jia San | Full Heat Yin Deficiency |
| Bai He Di Huang Tang | Heat in Nutritive Qi level |
| Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang | Empty-Heat caused by Yin Deficiency |
Formulas that clear nutritive-level Heat
These formulas are suitable for some nighttime fever-causing patterns like Heat in Nutritive Qi level or Heat in Pericardium.
One such formula is Qing Ying Tang, with water buffalo horn as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices
These formulas are suitable for some nighttime fever-causing patterns like Heat in Pericardium.
One such formula is Zhi Bao Dan, with water buffalo horn as a key herb.
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
These formulas are suitable for some nighttime fever-causing patterns like Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner.
One such formula is Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
Acupoints for Nighttime Fever
In TCM, specific acupuncture points are used to alleviate nighttime fever by addressing the underlying patterns of disharmony. In the Pericardium Channel, Laogong (P-8) and Quze (P-3) are particularly effective. Laogong (P-8) is located in the center of the palm, between the second and third metacarpal bones. This point clears Heart Fire, calms the mind, and restores consciousness, making it useful for reducing fever and associated symptoms.
Quze (P-3), found on the transverse cubital crease, at the ulnar side of the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle, helps clear heat and cool the blood, subdue Rebellious Stomach Qi, invigorate Blood and Qi in the chest, and calm the Mind. These acupoints, when used in combination with herbal formulas and other TCM therapies, can effectively treat nighttime fever by addressing both the symptoms and their root causes.
Explore below some acupoints used to address nighttime fever, organized by meridian.
- By Meridian
- Pericardium Channel
Quze P-3
On the transverse cubital crease, at the ulnar side of the tendon of biceps brachii muscle.
Laogong P-8
In the center of the palm, between the 2nd and the 3rd metacarpal bones, proximal to the metacarpophalangeal joint.