When Heat and Dampness sink downwards

A feeling of warmth in the lower abdomen, heaviness in the lower body, a bitter taste in the mouth, thirst, discomfort that returns in hot weather or after spicy, overly rich meals… In TCM, these signs may be associated with Heat-Dampness settled in the Lower Burner, the lower part of the body. Dampness is heavy and tends to sink; mixed with Heat, it becomes sticky, lingers and hampers the free flow of Qi and Fluids.

Tong Lin San is a formula from the Chinese pharmacopoeia. It brings together two families of plants: those that guide Dampness downwards, such as dianthus and knotgrass, two plants also found in Ba Zheng San, and those that clear Heat, such as houttuynia and dandelion. Bitter orange, the only plant in the formula that moves Qi, keeps so much coolness from setting the whole still.

Cooling and guiding downwards

Four plants in equal parts lead the formula. Dianthus and knotgrass, bitter and cold, guide Heat-Dampness downwards; houttuynia and dandelion, more focused on Heat, bring coolness. Baikal skullcap and plantain herb back them up, and bitter orange sets Qi moving again.

Clears Heat-Dampness: Dianthus, knotgrass and plantain herb, all three cold, cool the Heat-Dampness lodged in the lower body and guide it downwards; Baikal skullcap dries Dampness.

Soothes sensations of heat: Houttuynia, pungent and slightly cold, and dandelion, bitter and cold, clear Heat; Baikal skullcap backs them up.

Helps restore a feeling of lightness: Bitter orange moves Qi and dispels fullness: when Qi flows, Dampness no longer lingers.