Question

What does Sanjiao Fire refer to in traditional Chinese medicine? What specific symptoms does it manifest? Please elaborate on the details of Sanjiao Fire.

Answer

In traditional Chinese medicine, Sanjiao Fire refers to the fiery symptoms that occur in three parts of the body (upper, middle, and lower Sanjiao). The specific symptoms are as follows:

  1. Upper Sanjiao Fire: Primarily affects the heart and lungs, presenting with dry mouth, ulcerated tongue, cracked lips, red eyes, tinnitus, and slight coughing.
  2. Middle Sanjiao Fire: Impacts the spleen and stomach, characterized by excessive stomach fire leading to increased appetite, occasional belching, abdominal bloating, and a loss of appetite.
  3. Lower Sanjiao Fire: Involves the liver, kidneys, bladder, and small intestine, with symptoms including dry stools, reduced urine with a deep yellow or red color, cloudy urine, itching in the genital area, and in women, an increase in leukorrhea with a yellowish color. These three types of fiery symptoms are classified as real fire, while empty fire refers to heat symptoms caused by Yin deficiency.