The accumulation of damp-heat in the middle burner is referred to as spleen-stomach damp-heat, while the accumulation of damp-heat in the liver-gallbladder is called liver-gallbladder damp-heat. Both conditions can lead to loss of appetite, abdominal pain and distention, loose stools, thick greasy tongue coating, and slippery pulse. So what are the differences between the two conditions?
Different Etiology
Liver-gallbladder damp-heat is primarily caused by the functional state or pathological damage of the liver and gallbladder, combined with external invasion of damp-heat. The damp-heat invades the liver and gallbladder, or improper diet or spleen deficiency leads to the invasion of internal dampness and heat in the liver and gallbladder.Spleen-stomach damp-heat is caused by weakness or dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, making them more susceptible to invasion by other pathogenic factors. When the body is exposed to the invasion of damp-heat, the spleen and stomach are the first to be affected, resulting in spleen-stomach damp-heat. Alternatively, uncontrolled diet in the spleen and stomach can cause food stagnation, damp blockage, qi stagnation, and eventually heat formation, leading to spleen-stomach damp-heat.
Different Affected Areas
Liver-gallbladder damp-heat primarily affects the liver and gallbladder, but often involves the spleen and stomach as well, so the symptoms of liver-gallbladder damp-heat often overlap with those of spleen-stomach damp-heat.Spleen-stomach damp-heat mainly affects the middle burner of the spleen and stomach. The accumulation of damp-heat in the middle burner leads to disorder of spleen and stomach function, resulting in spleen-stomach damp-heat.
Different Symptoms
The symptoms of liver-gallbladder damp-heat mainly manifest as burning or distending pain in the hypochondrium, or discomfort and pain in the lower ribs when pressed, yellowing of the eyes, yellow urine, yellowing of the body, fever, bitter taste in the mouth, abdominal distention, alternating loose or constipated stools, red tongue with a greasy yellow coating, and wiry or slippery pulse. It can also cause damp lesions in the scrotum, swelling and heat pain in the testicles, or yellow and foul-smelling vaginal discharge with itching of the external genitals.
The symptoms of spleen-stomach damp-heat mainly manifest as fullness and distention in the stomach, burning pain, noisy digestion, feeling hungry but not wanting to eat, thirst but not wanting to drink, heaviness and fatigue in the body, short and yellow urine, loose stools, red tongue with a greasy yellow coating, and a slippery and rapid pulse.
Different Treatment Approaches
The general treatment principle for both liver-gallbladder damp-heat and spleen-stomach damp-heat is to clear and resolve damp-heat.
The treatment of liver-gallbladder damp-heat focuses on clearing and resolving damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder, promoting liver and gallbladder function, diuresis, and jaundice relief. The main herbs used are Gentiana scabra, Bupleurum, and Artemisia capillaris.
The treatment of spleen-stomach damp-heat focuses on clearing heat, resolving dampness, regulating qi and harmonizing the middle burner, and strengthening the spleen to eliminate dampness. The main herbs used are Coptis chinensis, Gardenia, Coix seed, and dried tangerine peel.
