Gallbladder Heat
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 Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine
Key attributes
Chinese name: 胆热 Pinyin name: Dǎn Rè
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Precursor patterns: Wind-Heat
Common causes: External pathogenic factor
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Thirst Nausea Dry throat Hypochondrial pain Epigastrium fullness and two other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Red tongue with unilateral sticky yellow coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Harmonize the Lesser Yang, clear Gallbladder-Heat.
Common formulas: Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Pathology
This pattern is almost the same as the Lesser Yang pattern within the Six Stages theory. It is also one of the five patterns of the Qi level, the second level of the Four Levels theory.
The main difference between this pattern and the Lesser Yang pattern is that it is characterized by more Heat and also by some Dampness (hence the sticky tongue coating).
A key characteristic is that the pathogenic factor alternates between the Exterior (causing a feeling of cold or an aversion to cold) and the Interior (causing feeling of heat or a fever). It's important to not these hot and cold feeling alternate, they aren't simultaneous.
Other symptoms are typical of the Gallbladder channel: bitter taste, dry throat and hypochondrial fullness and distension.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Gallbladder Heat can derive from Wind-Heat
External pathogenic factor: The main original cause of Gallbladder Heat is an Exterior Pathogenic Factor (typically Wind-Heat) that has invaded the Interior and progressed to this pattern.
Diagnosing Gallbladder Heat
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): Rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Red tongue with unilateral sticky yellow coating
Main symptoms: Thirst Nausea Dry throat Hypochondrial pain Epigastrium fullness Bitter taste in the mouth Alternation of hot and cold feeling
Treating Gallbladder Heat
Treatment principle
Harmonize the Lesser Yang, clear Gallbladder-Heat.
Herbal formulas used to treat Gallbladder Heat
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Source date: Qing Dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder. Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes. Resolves Phlegm. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Formula summary
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in Qing Dynasty, it belongs to the category of formulas that harmonize lesser Yang-warp disorders.
Besides Gallbladder Heat, Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang is also used to treat Phlegm or Heat in Gall Bladder.
Consequence patterns
If left untreated Gallbladder Heat can lead to Heat in Nutritive Qi level
If left untreated Gallbladder Heat can lead to Heat in Pericardium