We often say we're "overheated," but have you noticed that every time this happens, the discomfort strikes in different places? Sometimes it's mouth sores, other times dry eyes, and yet another time unbearable toothaches.

In fact, from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, this isn't simply a matter of "heat" in the body. Where the heat manifests indicates which organ system may be out of balance. If these five areas of your body feel like they're "on fire," you should take note—it's your five vital organs sending you a signal!

1. Sores on the tongue, restlessness and insomnia? — Heart fire is "burning."

Symptoms: The tip of the tongue is unusually red, with frequent canker sores that hurt upon contact. At night, tossing and turning in bed, a burning sensation in the chest prevents rest, and urine becomes dark yellow and scant.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective: TCM holds that "the heart opens its orifice to the tongue," meaning the tongue serves as a "display screen" for heart health. Simultaneously, "the heart governs the spirit," overseeing our mental state and sleep patterns. Thus, when heart fire flares up, it not only affects the tongue but also disrupts sleep and emotional well-being.

Fire-Extinguishing Tips: In this situation, consider using Bovis Calculus Upper Clear Pills to help clear heart fire. You can also regularly steep lotus seed hearts in water to drink, helping to cool down the heart.

II. Dry Eyes and Short Temper? — Liver Fire is "Acting Up"

Symptoms: Red, dry eyes with a constant gritty sensation, accompanied by excessive morning eye discharge. Dry, bitter mouth, along with an unusually short temper—like a firecracker ready to ignite at the slightest provocation—often leading to frequent sighing and lamenting.

Traditional Chinese Medicine explains: "The liver opens its orifice to the eyes." Eye disorders often stem from liver dysfunction. The liver governs the free flow of qi, regulating the body's energy circulation and emotional balance. If you frequently stay up late, endure high stress, or bottle up anger, liver qi can become stagnant. This stagnation transforms into heat, which travels upward along the meridians and naturally affects the eyes.

Fire-Purging Tips: For intense liver fire, consider Longdan Xiegan Pills. Regularly drink tea infused with chrysanthemum and goji berries— they're excellent for clearing liver heat and improving vision.

III. Swollen, painful gums and foul breath? — Stomach fire is "smoldering"

Symptoms: The gums are severely swollen and red, bleeding even when brushing. There's a persistent, unpleasant taste in the mouth that feels embarrassing. At the same time, you often feel hungry and crave food, yet your stools remain dry and hard.

Traditional Chinese Medicine states: "The stomach opens to the mouth, and its radiance manifests in the lips." Oral issues, particularly those involving the gums, are most closely linked to the stomach. Regularly consuming excessive amounts of spicy, greasy, or heavily seasoned foods can lead to heat accumulation in the stomach, resulting in stomach fire. This heat rises upward, making the gums and oral cavity the most severely affected areas.

Fire-Purging Tips: For this kind of tangible stomach fire, Huanglian Shangqing Tablets are quite effective. Dietary adjustments are also needed—drink some mung bean soup and eat bitter melon to help the stomach "discharge the fire."

4. Dry, hot nasal passages and coughing up yellow phlegm? — Lung fire is sounding the alarm.

Symptoms: The nose constantly feels dry, and exhaled breath carries warmth. The throat also becomes dry and sore, leading to frequent coughing. The phlegm coughed up is thick, sticky, and yellowish.

Traditional Chinese Medicine states: "The lungs open into the nose." The lungs serve as the command center of the respiratory system, with the nose acting as its "front door." As a relatively delicate organ, the lungs cannot tolerate "dryness" or "heat." When affected by wind-heat pathogens or excessive consumption of heat-inducing foods, heat easily accumulates within the lungs. This heat then dissipates through the "front door"—the nose—naturally causing discomfort in the respiratory tract.

Fire-Extinguishing Tips: To clear lung heat, consider using Antelope Lung-Clearing Pills. For daily dietary therapy, incorporate lung-moistening foods like pears and water chestnuts.

5. Ringing in the ears, aching waist and knees? — This may indicate "kidney deficiency heat."

Symptoms: Tinnitus, like the sound of cicadas chirping in the ears, occurring in waves. Also accompanied by dizziness and blurred vision, persistent weakness and soreness in the lower back and knees, warmth in the palms and soles, and night sweats.

Traditional Chinese Medicine states: "The kidneys open into the ears."However, note that kidney fire is rarely the intense, solid fire we discussed earlier. Instead, it's often a form of "deficient fire." Imagine it as a state where the body's "water" (kidney yin) becomes depleted, failing to contain the "fire" (kidney yang), causing the flames to appear more intense. This results from excessive depletion, such as prolonged sleep deprivation or overwork. Since the kidneys govern the bones and produce marrow, and the lower back is the residence of the kidneys, kidney deficiency can lead to soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees.

Fire-Extinguishing Tips: For this type of false heat, you shouldn't use the potent remedies mentioned earlier to "drain" it. Instead, you need to "nourish yin" (hydrate) while simultaneously "lowering heat." Zhì Bǎi Dì Huáng Wán (Rehmannia Pill with Phellodendron and Anemarrhena) follows this approach.

One last reminder:

The above points serve as general references for common situations. While traditional Chinese patent medicines are beneficial, it's best to consult a doctor or pharmacist before use, as everyone's constitution is different. Understanding your body's signals is key to achieving more precise health management!