Pathogenic Factors
Heat
Heat is a Yang factor and damages the Yin functions (cooling, moistening, nourishing and calming), as well as the Body Fluids. Heat tends to rise and concerns the upper body. Heat evaporates water. In the body, Heat damages Yin and leads to Dryness, Blood Deficiency bzw. Body Fluid Deficiency. Heat can also transform Dampness into Phlegm.

Heat is divided into external Heat and internal Heat:
External Heat External Heat is caused by hot climate and hot spicy foods and beverages. It can manifest in the body-surface and attack joints, muscles or Channels. External Heat corresponds to Excess Heat.
Internal Heat Internal Heat is divided in Excess Heat and Deficient Heat. Deficient Heat: Deficient Heat is based on Yin Deficiency with the corresponding symptoms. It is usually caused by Kidney, Liver, Lung or Heart Yin Deficiency. Excess Heat: Interior Excess Heat is caused by hot climate or hot, spicy foods and beverages that attack the Zang-Fu organs. It corresponds to Yin Excess. Interior Excess Heat damages the Yin. Interior Excess Heat can also originate from Qi Stagnation.
TCM Information: Symptoms, causes, treatment tips, root and branch, point-combination