The classical pattern of Internal Heat can arise from many factors, including environmental and climatic stressors, dietary excesses, emotional distress and excess physical or mental effort. Translated into the descriptive terminology of Chinese Traditional Herbology, Heat may be the outcome of invasion by External Influences (Wind Cold or Wind Heat), stagnation of Qi, stagnation of Blood, accumulation of Phlegm or Food, hyperactivity of Yang (Ministerial Fire), deficiency of Yin or agitation of the Shen (Mind) due to occasional mental or emotional upset. Regardless of the predisposing influences, Internal Heat can lead to depletion of Yin Moisture and Essence, irregular movement of Blood in the channels and vessels, propagation of Internal Wind, depletion of the Blood and Marrow, insecurity of the Shen and Qi. Purge Heat eliminates Internal Heat from within all three Burners as well as from the defensive (Wei), active (Qi), nutritive (Ying) and constructive (Xue) levels of metabolic activity. RATIONALE Honeysuckle flower, Forsythia fruit, Chinese skullcap root, Andrographis herb and Gypsum are ingredients with a cold nature that clear Heat from the Viscera (Zang Fu), the three body cavities (San Jiao), and the channels and vessels (Jing Luo) of deficiency or excess Heat. Wild chrysanthemum flower and Bupleurum root counteract Internal Wind and help to expel Heat from the interior by leading it out of the body via the skin and upper orifices. Dandelion herb and Prunella fruit spike help to dispel Heat and accumulations from the Heart, Liver and Blood while discharging them downward via the intestines and bladder. Anemarrhena rhizome and raw Rehmannia root remove Heat from the Qi, Ying, and Xue levels and restore Yin Moisture to the Viscera and Blood. Chinese licorice root and rhizome supports the clearing of Heat and accumulations and harmonizes the action of the other ingredients. As a composite, this formula purges excess or deficiency Heat from the interior of the body while simultaneously dispelling Wind and replenishing Yin Moisture.
