Chinese cooling herbs treat imbalances of excess heat in the body. Eating too much spicy food, drinking too much alcohol or coffee, or certain illnesses or diseases create heat that gets trapped inside the body. Irritability, excessive thirst, hot body temperature and a red face are symptoms of excess heat.
Zhi Zi
According to John K. Chen, Ph.D., zhi zi--also known as gardenia--is one of the most commonly used herbs in Chinese medicine to cool the body. It reduces irritability, restlessness, heartburn, high fever and painful skin infections. Gardenia also treats headaches, red eyes, toothache, sore throat, tongue sores and constipation. Chinese herbalists boil zhi zi in water for internal use or grind it into a paste and apply it topically for skin conditions.
Huang Qin
Huang qin--scutellaria--treats a wide-range of heat conditions in Chinese medicine. It reduces fever, abdominal fullness, poor appetite, nausea and jaundice. Huang qin also treats infectious hepatitis and eases diarrhea. It reduces heat symptoms in the upper body such as sore throat, toothache and tongue sores. Chinese herbalists boil dried huang qin for internal use.
Shi Gao
Shi Gao--also known as gypsum--is a very cold herb. It relieves irritability and excess thirst, reduces fever and alleviates wheezing. Shi gao treats toothache, canker sores and swollen, painful gums. Calcined shi gao treats sores and skin conditions, reduces swelling and bleeding and promotes the healing of burns and eczema. Chinese herbalists crush it into a fine powder and boil it for up to an hour for internal use. You can apply calcined shi gao topically to sores, burns and other skin conditions.
References
- "Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology;" John K. Chen, Ph.D., Tina T. Chen, MS, L.Ac.; 2001
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