CLEAR INTERNAL HEAT
a) Quench Fire
When External pathogenic factors penetrate through the Wei level into
the Qi level, there is high fever. Sweating is no longer effective. The
movement from the exterior to interior is also an indication of the increasing
chronicity of the disease.
The coolest herbs in the materia medica are used
to clear excessive Heat in this level, which manifests as high fever, irritablitly,
thirst and delirium, sweating, scanty dark urine, yellow dry coating on
the tongue, full and forceful pulse.
These herbs may also be used for Internal Heat of any other cause.
Yin nourishing herbs are added for Empty internal heat.
The mention of Fire in this category indicates that the Internal Heat
is flaring, and perhaps rising upwards in the body.
b) Cool Blood
c) Dry Dampness
d) Neutralise Toxins
These herbs have the action of clearing away pathogenic
fire and Heat and subduing pyogenic infections. They are mainly indicated
for syndromes caused by pathogenic Heat, such as epidemic febrile diseases,
sores and carbuncles, furuncles and swelling, erysepelas, maculas and eruptions,
swollen and sore throat, mumps etc.
Since all these herbs have cool or Cold properties, it is anadvisable
to use them for Cold syndromes.
e) Clear Summer Heat
This category treats Internal heat and Dampness associated with Hot
and Damp environments, manifesting as Headaches, dislike of heat, persiration,
nausea vomiting and diarrhea. Thirst Lethargy/irritability. Tongue -Red
bodies with yellow coat and a rapid pulse. These herbs have an antipyretic
and diuretic action, and also function to produce fluids.
f) Deficient Heat - Five Hearts Hot (Soles of Hands and Feet
and Face/Chest) Sore thorat, light and intermittant fever, dryness of mouth
and throat (indicating body fluids are depleted). Mental irritability,
fast and thin pulse and no coat on red bodied tongue.