bái hǔ tāng is used for patterns with
patterns of blazing heat in yang ming (4 bigs!), lung and stomach excess heat, channel stage.
symptoms indicating the use of bái hǔ tāng
high fever, profuse sweating, aversion to heat, red face, red eyes, severe thirst, strong desire to drink, dry mouth and tongue, irritability, anxiety, restlessness, headache, toothache, bleeding gums, nosebleed, heavy breathing, dark burning urination, burning sensation on the skin, pruritis, delirium, coma.
western interpretation of bái hǔ tāng
infectious diseases, influenza, encephalitis, meningitis, lobar penumonia, heat stroke, diabetes mellitus, septicemia, measles, periodontitis, gingivits, toothinfection, headache, herpes, mouth ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, psoriasis, profuse sweating.
explanation of the mechanism
this is blazing heat in the yang ming channel-stage of the six stages of disease, or the qi level of the four levels of disease. the yang ming channels contain an abundance of qi and blood. when a strong pathogenic influence attacks the yang ming channels in a person of strong health, the result is a disorder of extreme ferocity characterized by the ‘four bigs’: big (high) fever, big thirst, big (profuse) sweating, and a big (flooding) pulse. because the yang ming channels traverse the head and face, severe heat in these channels causes headache and a red face.
although this is an interior condition, it remains in the relatively superficial level of the channels. therefore the heat primarily affects the superficial and upper aspects of the body. it forces out the fluids in the form of profuse sweating, and dries the fluids in the upper yang ming organ (the stomach). this leads to severe thirst, irritability, and a dry mouth and tongue. the flooding pulse reflects the presence of a strong pathogenic influence in the channels. there may also be a yellow, dry tongue coating, heavy, labored breathing, and in severe cases, delirious speech.
stomach fire can cause problems along the the upper course of the stomach (yang ming) channel in the form of headache, toothache and bleeding of the gums, bad breath and yellow teeth. this condition is similar to blazing heat in the same level of the body.
(bensky & barolet)
important note: if you experience symptoms that resemble the ones presented in the tcm pocketguide please consult a medical doctor or tcm therapist. these prescriptions are not meant for self-medication and should only be prescribed by a licensed tcm practitioner. of course you can also book a consultation with me. i would be pleased to welcome you.
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