Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of Heat The Stomach in Chinese Medicine The Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine The Small Intestine in Chinese Medicine
Key attributes
Chinese name: 肠胃生火 Pinyin name: Yáng Míng Cháng Wèi Shēng Huǒ
Pattern nature: Full combined pattern
Pattern(s) it combines from: Stomach Heat
Causes
Precursor patterns: Greater Yang Attack of Wind Greater Yang Accumulation of Water Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood and two other possible precursors
Common causes: External pathogenic factor
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Thirst Delirium Dry stools Dark Urine Constipation and seven other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua), Full (Shi)
Tongue description: Red tongue with thick yellow dry coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Drain Fire from the Stomach and Intestines, move downward.
Common formulas: Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
Pathology
Within the framework of the Six Stages theory, this is one of the two patterns of the Bright Yang stage (the second of the six stages). Within the Four Levels theory, this is one of the five patterns of the Qi level (the second of the four levels).
It corresponds to a penetration of an External Pathogen that has transformed into Heat in the Stomach and Intestines.
This pattern is more severe than the other pattern of the Bright Yang stage, the so-called "channel" pattern of Stomach Heat, because there is Dryness, a sign that the Heat has become Fire.
Signs of Dryness include the constipation, the dry stools and the dark urine. It also indirectly causes the abdominal fullness and pain due to the accumulation of dried-up faeces from constipation.
Other symptoms are more classic of Heat: the fever, sweating and thirst.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines can derive from Greater Yang Attack of Wind Greater Yang Accumulation of Water Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood Lesser Yang stage Dry-Heat or Dry-Fire
External pathogenic factor: The main cause of this pattern is when an external pathogen, typically Wind-Cold, has invaded the Exterior
Diagnosing Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), rapid (Shu), slippery (Hua) or full (Shi)
Tongue description: Red tongue with thick yellow dry coating
Main symptoms: Thirst Delirium Dry stools Dark Urine Constipation Irritability Abdominal pain Profuse sweating Sweating on limbs Abdominal fullness Burning sensation in the anus High fever that is worse in the afternoon
Treating Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
Treatment principle
Drain Fire from the Stomach and Intestines, move downward.
Herbal formulas used to treat Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Removes Heat and Dryness in the Lower Burner. Removes constipation.
Formula summary
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that purge Heat accumulation.
Besides Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines, Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang is also used to treat Stomach Heat or Fire.
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Moderately purges Heat accumulation. Circulates Qi in the Middle .
Formula summary
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang is a 3-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that purge Heat accumulation.
Consequence patterns
If left untreated Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines can lead to Lesser Yang stage
If left untreated Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines can lead to Greater Yang Attack of Wind
If left untreated Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines can lead to Greater Yang Attack of Cold
Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
If left untreated Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines can lead to Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood
If left untreated Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines can lead to Greater Yang Accumulation of Blood
If left untreated Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines can lead to Heat in Nutritive Qi level
If left untreated Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines can lead to Heat in Pericardium