You must have heard the words ‘heaty’ and ‘cooling’ before, but do you really know what it means? Do you know how it can affect your body, and are there any types of food you can take to reverse it?
What is ‘Heaty’ & ‘Cooling’?
Originating from traditional Chinese medicine theory, everything in nature is made up of a balance in yin (dark) and yang (bright) energy. ‘Heaty’ in TCM (阳盛则热) suggests that there is an excess of yang energy in the body, whereas ‘cooling’ in TCM (阴盛则寒) suggests that there is an excess of yin energy in the body.
There are two types of factors that contribute to ‘heatiness’ and ‘coldness’ – external and internal.
External factors such as weather and the food we eat can cause ‘heatiness’ / ‘coldness’ to manifest in the body. For example, eating fried or spicy foods can result in individuals developing ‘heaty’ symptoms. Being in a cold room could result in one developing ‘cooling’ symptoms.
Internal factors such as the inborn constitution of the body can also be the reason for ‘heatiness’ / ‘coldness’. For example, certain individuals who are innately ‘cooling’ would be able to snack incessantly without developing symptoms of ‘heatiness’.
Symptoms
When one is ‘heaty’, ‘cooling’ foods are recommended to counteract the ‘heatiness’ in the body, thus returning the balance of yin and yang energies in the system. In the same way, ‘heaty’ foods are recommended for those who have ‘cooling’ symptoms to help dispel cold and improve circulation. Balance can be seen in the way we pair our foods. For example, durians are usually eaten with mangosteen to achieve an equilibrium in energies.
Characterisation of Foods
‘Heaty’ and ‘cooling’ foods do not represent the temperature of food, instead, they refer to the effect that the food causes on the body. For example, consuming hot desserts such as green bean soup would be recommended to someone with heaty symptoms as the dessert would generate ‘cool’ energy to counteract the ‘heatiness’, hence returning the body back to equilibrium.
It is also important to note that some individuals may experience a combination of both symptoms, and it is best to consult a TCM physician to inquire in depth about the body’s constitution. In some cases, herbal medication would be needed to restore the body back to its balanced state.
Article by Physician Sheryl Tay
Note: Information provided is not a substitute for a physician or any form of medical care. Individual symptoms differ due to different body constitutions and diagnosis. One should consult a licensed TCM practitioner for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
I suffer from severe hyperhidrosis, with no discernable cause. Always have. Does TCM offer any remedy for this?
Hi Shawnee Rose,
In TCM, hyperhidrosis can be due to the presence of lung qi deficiency, yin deficiency, spleen deficiency or heat dampness. A consultation with the physician would be required to find out what the imbalances or deficiencies are before prescribing a course of treatment, which can include herbal medication and acupuncture, depending on your body constitution.
To see our physician, you may book an appointment with us here: https://pulsetcm.sg/book-an-appointment/.
We hope that helps!
I love coffee, I can’t function properly without it.
Whenever I do, I have to grab some guai lin gou to counter it.
is that the right thing to do?
Hi Jade,
Drinking a cup of coffee in a day can have several potential benefits, but it’s important to consume it in moderation and be mindful of individual tolerance to caffeine. If you tend to experience symptoms of heatiness, such as a sore throat, dryness in the mouth, or ulcers, you may want to consider reducing your coffee intake. Sometimes, it might be other foods causing heatiness, so we would recommend that you observe and monitor your daily diet and lifestyle.
Hi, is coconut sugar cooling or heart? 😊😊
Hi Wanda,
In TCM, processed sugars are generally known to be warm in nature. Hope that helps!
why i’m easily catch flu and having terrible sore throat? it happen 4-5x per year. Sometimes i’m just having 2pc of deep fried chicken, and next day throat not feeling well. may i know what is the reason? any remedies to help?
Hi Jonathan, there could be several reasons contributing to this. We will usually advise you to book a consultation with our physician for them to look at your body constitution and would need to find out more regarding your condition.
What is the scientific way of explaining heaty-ness? Is it the acidity level? A chemical which increases metabolism rather?
Hi Wayne,
Heatiness, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a condition that arises from an excess of yang within the body, causing an imbalance between yin and yang. In this state, individuals may experience symptoms such as sore throat or fever. It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be related to factors such as infection or inflammation, which TCM physicians would need to assess to determine the appropriate treatment.
What fruits can I offer my baby when she is having a phlegmy cough?
Hello T, it will depend on the colour of your baby’s phlegm. If her phlegm is green, you can offer her fresh pear, but if it’s white, we would recommend that she avoid fruits for the time being. However, if symptoms persist, we would recommend that you consult a physician. Hope that helps!
hello, is oolong tea heaty or cooling? for eg. pokka no sugar oolong tea
Hello Carrine, it is considered neutral as it has undergone roasting to counter its cooling properties.
Every time, I eat sui choy or bok choy, I get a headache. Do you think it is due to cooly foods? Do you have an advice?
Thank you in advance.
Hello Van, it might be due to other factors instead, for example an allergy to these foods. Do you mind sharing with us a photo of your tongue alone with your symptoms (i.e. headaches) over at https://askpulsetcm.sg/? One of our physicians will be able to determine your body constitution and share some preliminary advice with you!
Whenever I eat sui choy and bok choy, I get a headache. I think this is due to the cooling. Do you have any advice? I would love your help.
Thank you for your help.
Hello Van, it might be due to other factors instead, for example an allergy to these foods. Do you mind sharing with us a photo of your tongue alone with your symptoms (i.e. headaches) over at https://askpulsetcm.sg/? One of our physicians will be able to determine your body constitution and share some preliminary advice with you!
My throat get itchy often and coughing, is it due to eating too much heaty food?
Hi Jess,
It would depend on your body constitution! Do you mind submitting a photo of your tongue over at https://askpulsetcm.sg/? One of our physicians will get back to you with some advice!
Is soursop considered heaty or cooling?
Hi Dennis, soursop is considered a neutral fruit.