“Internal heat” (上火) serves as a critical indicator of systemic imbalance, particularly during the high-heat summer season. TCM views this condition not merely as inflammation, but as a disruption in the body's energy regulation. Distinguishing between "excess heat," typically triggered by external factors or poor diet, and "deficiency heat," rooted in Yin depletion, is essential for effective intervention. Symptoms manifest uniquely across organ systems: Liver heat affects mood and vision, Heart heat disrupts sleep, Stomach heat impacts oral health, while Lung and Kidney heat present through respiratory and systemic fatigue. Rather than aggressive cooling, which can exacerbate underlying deficiencies, restoring balance requires lifestyle modifications such as avoiding cold, raw foods, managing emotional stress, and cultivating "stillness" (静) to harmonize Qi and nourish Yin.
Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.
Open full episode in Podwise