Take This Quiz to Find Out if You Have a Heaty Body

In Malaysia, the dry season is characterised by soaring temperatures and high humidity levels. As a result, this combination of environmental factors will make us susceptible to developing a heaty body.

Did you know there are other reasons for the onset of excessive Heat in the body? Take this short quiz to identify the potential risk factors and learn how Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can help regulate your body temperature and maintain balance. 

What Can a Person Do to Reduce Body Heat Naturally? 

The symptoms of a heaty body may develop progressively or suddenly and may include:  

• Fatigue 
• Headache 

• Dizziness 
• Weakness 
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Muscle cramps 
• Heavy sweating during a workout 

• Cool, moist skin when exposed to sunlight 
• Ulcer or canker sores

If you’re in a hot or humid environment and are experiencing any of these symptoms, move to a cooler space immediately. It’s also important to hydrate with water or a sports beverage.

Additionally, a few natural remedies may help reduce your internal body heat pronto.

Coconut water 

Drinking coconut water can bring down your temperature almost immediately. It also provides a multitude of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, electrolytes, calcium and magnesium to maintain good health. In TCM, it is a yin cooling food and is beneficial for those who suffer from excessive Heat.

A daily serving of coconut water during the dry season provides hydration while helping regulate body temperature, boost energy levels, and prevent infections.  

Sandalwood 

A powder, soap, or skin cream containing sandalwood can be used topically to achieve a cooling effect on the body. 

Seeds 

Basil, fenugreek, coriander, and flaxseeds can be eaten to lower body temperature. Basil seeds must be soaked in water before mixing with milk and rose water. Fenugreek seeds can be eaten raw or steeped overnight in water.

Coriander seeds have the added benefits of ensuring healthy digestion and calming inflammation. Flaxseeds may also help to control blood pressure, support healthy weight loss, and relieve constipation. 

Cold or cool-natured foods 

Body-cooling foods are integral to your efforts to keep cool during the dry season. Examples of these include various fruits and vegetables, such as: 

• Cucumber 
• Spinach 
• Aloe vera 

• Bitter gourd 
• Chinese cabbage 
• Fresh curd 
• White radish 
• Winter melon 

• Mushrooms 
• Pineapples  
• Pomegranates 
• Mung beans 
• Coix pearl barley 

TCM however cautions that eating too much cold or cool-natured foods can damage a woman’s uterus and ovaries. The prolonged eating of these can result in Cold coagulation and Blood Stasis. While you should eat cooling foods in moderation, try to avoid heaty foods that are oily, spicy or fried.

Alternative Approach to Treating a Heaty Body 

In TCM, leading a fast-paced life is cited as the primary cause of excess Heat in the body. This theory is similar to the clinical point of view that too much adrenaline and cortisol can provoke inflammation onset.

Long-term stress can lead to phlegm production and Blood and Qi Stagnation. Subsequently, these pathogenic factors impair circulation and make phlegm gluey and difficult to discharge.

Likewise, the accumulation of phlegm and Heat in the body will obstruct the functions of the organs of perception – the mouth, nose, tongue, ears, and eyes. To treat this, a licensed TCM practitioner may prescribe herbal remedies and acupuncture treatment that help to: 

• Dispel phlegm and Heat 
• Replenish blood, moisture and jing (essence) to regulate yang (active energy) production 

Herbal infusions or ingredients  

Watermelon fruit (xi gua guo shi, 西瓜果实) and seeds (xi gua zhong zi, 西瓜种子) are popular remedies to clear Heat from the body and increase body fluids. A hot cup of chrysanthemum flower tea can also help alleviate Heat from the chest and Heart and improve eye and skin health.   

Herbal remedies like Yin Qiao powder (银翘散) and Sang Ju powder (桑聚散) can disperse Wind-Heat.

Acupuncture treatment  

Acupuncture treatment can help relieve the symptoms of a heaty body.

Multiple acupoints on the body can be targeted to achieve symptomatic relief. Examples of these are: 

• Qu chi (LI11, 曲池): Helps relieve fever; clears skin rash 

• He gu (LI4, 合谷): Helps relieve headaches and red and dry eyes 
• Qu ze (PC3, 曲泽): Helps treat a heatstroke 
• Shao fu (HT8, 少府): Relieves excessive thirst, tongue ulcers, or a dry throat  

Recognising and treating the signs of a heaty body early can prevent permanent damage to your health. Traditional remedies may address your condition holistically, but do speak to a licensed practitioner before self-medicating. If this quiz has helped you understand the effects of excessive body heat, share it with your loved ones!  

This is an adaptation of an article, “Are you an ice beauty?”, which first appeared on Health 123’s website.