As discussed for Damp-Heat, in Phlegm-Heat, the primary aspect is the Phlegm rather than the Heat. It is Phlegm that is hot rather than the Heat having Phlegm. In a similar way as we said for Damp-Heat, a better name would be “Hot Phlegm” rather than “Phlegm-Heat”. This has important implications in treatment as this should be aimed at resolving Phlegm primarily and clearing Heat secondarily. Interestingly, the Chinese character for Phlegm ( 痰 ) is based on the radical for “disease” and that for “Fire” (twice). This would seem to imply that Phlegm derives from Heat: indeed, in many cases it does but we should remember that Phlegm is also frequently combined with Cold . READ ON
Oriental Medicine not only identifies and treats illness and prevents disease but, just as importantly, optimizes health, wellbeing, and sustainability in our lives and in our world.