Theoretical Exploration of "Treat Heat with Cold" and "Disperse Fire Constraint" and Clinical Application in Acupuncture
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.07.018
- VernacularTitle:“热者寒之”与“火郁发之”的理论探微及其针灸临床应用
- Author:
Tingting SONG
1
;
Shuo DU
2
;
Jiping ZHAO
2
Author Information
1. Beijing Anzhen Hospital，Capital Medical University，Beijing，100029
2. Dongzhimen Hospital，Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
treat heat with cold;
disperse fire constraint;
acupuncture and moxibustion
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(7):808-812
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The connotation of "treat heat with cold" and "disperse fire constraint" differs， and under the guidance of these two principles， there are variations in the selection of acupoints， choice of needles， and manipulation techniques in clinical acupuncture. "Treat heat with cold" is used to clear and drain heat pathogens， while "disperse fire constraint" focuses on diffusing and dissipating fire from constraint. When both fire constraint and internal heat coexist， treatment should combine both "dispersing the fire" and "cooling the heat". In clinical acupuncture， for clearing heat and draining heat pathogens， acupoints on Governor vessel （督脉） and Yangming （阳明经） channel are commonly selected， with Jing-well points， Ying-spring points and He-sea points. To diffuse and dissipate fire constraint， acupoints on the Taiyang （太阳） and Shaoyang （少阳） channels are usually chosen， with Jing-river points and Ashi points as the primary options. In terms of needle choice， for heat syndrome， filiform needles， three-edged needles， and cupping are often used for clearing heat and resolving toxins； for fire constraint syndrome， moxibustion and fire needles are employed to expel fire from the body. Regarding manipulation techniques， draining method can be used in both conditions， with heat syndrome requiring shallow needling and quick removal， while fire constraint syndrome requiring deeper and longer retention of needles， having an emphasis on hand pressure coordination and smooth qi flow. In clinical practice， it is essential to distinguish the presence of "constraint" and the depth of the disease location to appropriately combine "dispersing fire" and "cooling heat".
