What is stomach heat? Simply put, it refers to stomach inflammation. Excessive consumption of fried or other heat-inducing foods, alcohol, or spicy foods can cause stomach inflammation. So, what are the typical symptoms of stomach heat?
Symptoms of Stomach Heat
Stomach heat, also known as stomach fire, is classified in Traditional Chinese Medicine as heat stagnation in the stomach, upward inflammation of fire pathogens, or downward pressure of fire heat.It often arises from pathogenic heat invading the stomach; or from excessive alcohol consumption, a fondness for spicy foods, or overindulgence in rich, greasy dishes that fuel internal heat; or from stagnation of qi, blood stasis, phlegm, dampness, or food accumulation transforming into heat and fire. All these can lead to stomach heat (stomach fire). Additionally, fire from the liver and gallbladder rebelling and invading the stomach can also cause stomach heat (stomach fire).
Symptoms of stomach heat include thirst, bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath, dry mouth, oral ulcers, swollen and painful gums, dry throat, scanty and dark urine, and constipation.
Patients with stomach heat typically crave cold foods and dislike hot foods, often feeling relief after consuming large amounts of cold items. Stomach heat pain is frequently accompanied by a sensation of roughness or discomfort within the stomach. Some patients experience bloating and loss of appetite, while others exhibit excessive stomach activity and accelerated peristalsis, leading to increased appetite and constant eating.
Dietary remedies for stomach-heat halitosis:
1. Kumquats: Highly effective for halitosis with chest tightness and food stagnation. Take 5–6 fresh kumquats, wash, and chew. They have aromatic properties that clear the orifices, regulate qi, and strengthen the spleen.
2. Honey: Mix one spoonful of honey with a small cup of warm water and drink on an empty stomach each morning. Honey moistens the intestines, promotes bowel movements, and eliminates decay, making it highly effective against bad breath caused by constipation.
3. Pomelo: Pomelo dispels foul stomach odors, neutralizes alcohol toxins, and eliminates post-drinking mouth odors. It aids digestion, strengthens the spleen, and has aromatic deodorizing effects.
4. Tea: Recent studies indicate that Yikou Xianglian tea effectively removes harmful bacteria adhering to oral mucosa and dental crevices. It stimulates the proliferation of probiotics, regulates oral microbial balance, alleviates inflammation, and rapidly suppresses bad breath.
5. Shiitake Mushrooms: Mushrooms also aid dental health. Shiitake polysaccharides inhibit bacteria from forming dental plaque.
Precautions:
Consume raw foods and drink fruit juices. Eating certain raw foods and drinking juices helps reduce toxins in the digestive system, thereby alleviating bad breath.
Avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. These foods not only cause cavities but also significantly increase yeast and harmful microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract.