🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The pathogenesis of heatstroke often stems from weakened vital energy, compounded by exposure to summer heat or damp-heat and noxious vapors during peak summer months, which invade the body due to its deficiency. The pathogenic heat accumulates internally without external release, further depleting vital energy and clouding the orifices of clarity, causing reversal of meridian qi, manifesting as high fever, confusion, and even signs of extreme heat stirring wind. If the condition progresses, depletion of qi and yin may lead to critical conditions such as collapse. Records of acupuncture treatment for heatstroke are mainly found in Ming and Qing dynasty acupuncture texts, especially in works like *The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion*, *Yang Jingzhai's Complete Book of Acupuncture*, *Sources of Acupuncture and Moxibustion*, and *Classic of Divine Moxibustion*.Depending on disease progression, it can be categorized into mild and severe types. Mild heatstroke: Symptoms include dizziness, headache, chest tightness, nausea, high fever with absent sweating, restlessness, rapid and forceful pulse, yellow greasy tongue coating. Severe heatstroke: In addition to the above symptoms, if heat obstructs the heart, there may be altered mental status, shortness of breath, muscle cramps; if both qi and yin are damaged, symptoms include pale complexion, sweating, shortness of breath, cold extremities, sudden collapse, weak and fine pulse, pale tongue. Treatment can be differentiated accordingly.(1) Mild Heatstroke1. Treatment Principle: Clear summer-heat and purge excess heat.2. Prescription: Neiting (ST44), Quchi (LI11), Neiguan (PC6), Taiyang (EX-HN5).3. Rationale: Neiting is the Ying point of Foot-Yangming, “Ying governs body heat” (from *Nanjing*); Quchi is the He point of Hand-Yangming—combined, these two points clear heat from the Yangming channel. Neiguan connects to the Yinwei meridian, which runs through the abdomen and thorax, thus harmonizing the stomach and stopping vomiting. Taiyang is an extra-meridian point; blood-letting here clears heat and relieves headache and dizziness.4. Treatment Method: Quickly move the patient to a cool, ventilated place and loosen clothing. First, puncture both Taiyang points with a three-edged needle and squeeze out dark blood. Apply cooling draining technique to remaining points. Retain needles until symptoms significantly improve, with intermittent needling during retention.(2) Severe HeatstrokeHeat Obstructing the Heart1. Treatment Principle: Clear heat, open orifices, stop convulsions.2. Prescription: Shuigou (GV26), Baihui (GV20), Weizhong (BL40), Shixuan (EX-HN17); add Yanglingquan (GB34), Chengshan (BL57), Houxi (SI3) for muscle cramps and convulsions.3. Rationale: When heat obstructs the heart, orifices become blocked—Shuigou and Baihui are used to awaken the brain and open the orifices. Weizhong, as the He point of Bladder Meridian and a blood reservoir, blood-letting here clears heat and toxins from the blood. Shixuan has the effect of clearing heat, calming the spirit, and regulating yin-yang balance. Muscle cramps and convulsions indicate extreme heat stirring wind—Yanglingquan, the meeting point of tendons, relaxes muscles and relieves spasms; Chengshan is a proven point for stopping convulsions and relieving stiffness; Houxi connects to the Governor Vessel and relates to the brain, offering sedative and anti-convulsive effects.4. Treatment Method: Begin with Shuigou—insert deeply toward teeth, needle tip upward, use draining technique. Use three-edged needle to bleed Weizhong and Shixuan; apply draining method to other points with moderate to strong intensity. Retain needles until consciousness returns and convulsions cease, with intermittent needling during retention.Qi and Yin Deficiency1. Treatment Principle: Tonify qi and nourish yin.2. Prescription: Qihai (CV6), Baihui (GV20), Taixuan (LU9), Fulu (KI7).3. Rationale: Qihai is the Sea of Primordial Qi—moxibustion here greatly replenishes vital energy; Baihui, the convergence of all yang channels, raises yang and consolidates the essence. Taixuan is the Yuan point of Lung Meridian—this stage represents severe heatstroke with profuse sweating and collapsed pulse; selecting this point nourishes lung yin and consolidates defensive qi. Fulu is the Jing point of Kidney Meridian, capable of replenishing kidney yin and invigorating kidney qi. Together, these four points nourish internal yin fluids of lungs and kidneys while externally securing the failing defensive qi.4. Treatment Method: Use moxa cone (sparrow-pecking method) on Qihai and Baihui, continuing until consciousness returns. Other points use needle insertion with tonifying method, retaining needles with repeated needling stimulation. This type is critically severe and should be combined with other traditional Chinese and Western medical treatments.