bubble_chart Concept

Sweating of hands and feet is mentioned in the "Mingli Lun" of the Cold-Damage Disease, which states, "The stomach governs the limbs, and sweating of hands and feet is a sign of yangming." However, in Rebing, the continuous sweating of hands and feet caused by dry stool accumulation in the intestines is not a main symptom of the yangming fu-organ pattern, and thus will not be discussed in this section.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Dampness-heat of Spleen and Stomach︰sweating of hands and feet, chest and gastric stuffiness, loss of appetite, heavy body, scanty and dark urine, yellow and greasy tongue coating, soggy and rapid or soggy and slippery pulse. The stomach governs reception, while the spleen governs the four limbs and dominates the circuit of qi transformation, transporting essential substances and transforming water-dampness. Due to overstrain damaging the spleen and impairing its transportation function, or dampness invading the spleen and stomach, leading to dampness obstruction in the spleen and stomach, which stagnates and transforms into heat. The dampness-heat steams upward, and the stomach's body fluids spread to the limbs, resulting in sweating of hands and feet. Therefore, the "Cold-Damage Disease Clarification Theory" states: "Sweating of hands and feet occurs when heat gathers in the stomach, causing the body fluids to spread outward." When dampness obstructs the middle burner, impairing transformation and transportation, it leads to chest and gastric stuffiness, loss of appetite, and heavy body. Dampness-heat accumulating internally affects the bladder, manifesting as scanty and dark urine, while steaming upward results in a yellow and greasy tongue coating. A soggy and rapid pulse is a sign of dampness-heat. Treatment should focus on clearing heat and drying dampness to harmonize the middle burner. The recommended formulas are Coptis and Magnolia Bark Decoction and Stomach Poria Decoction with modifications.
2. Spleen-Stomach Qi Deficiency︰Sweating of hands and feet, fatigue, lack of strength, shortness of breath and reluctance to speak, cold limbs, reduced appetite, loose stools, pale tongue with white coating, weak pulse. This is often caused by irregular eating, overstrain, or injury to the spleen and stomach qi, leading to dysfunction in transportation and distribution, causing body fluids to leak to the hands and feet. Spleen and stomach qi deficiency results in fatigue, lack of strength, shortness of breath, and reluctance to speak. The spleen governs the four limbs, and the hands and feet are the foundation of all yang. Prolonged qi deficiency leads to spleen yang deficiency and decline. Yang deficiency fails to warm the exterior, resulting in cold limbs and a sallow complexion. Spleen qi deficiency weakens the functions of reception, digestion, and transportation, leading to reduced appetite, loose stools, a pale tongue, and a weak pulse. Treatment should focus on tonifying the spleen and replenishing qi, using Ginseng, Poria and White Atractylodes Powder with modifications.
3. Spleen-stomach Yin Deficiency︰Sweating of hands and feet, dry throat and mouth, more pronounced after sleep, poor appetite, hunger without appetite, or retching and belching, irregular bowel movements, red tongue with scant coating, pulse manifestation thin and rapid. Mostly due to Rebing damaging yin, or indulgence in pungent, hot, and rich foods, accumulating heat and damaging yin. Yin deficiency leads to internal heat generation, disturbing yin fluids and forcing body fluids to leak outward to the limbs, resulting in sweating of hands and feet. Spleen-stomach yin deficiency with internal disturbance of deficient heat causes dry throat and mouth, more pronounced after sleep. At the same time, the functions of digestion and absorption are affected, leading to hunger without appetite, or retching and belching, irregular bowel movements. A red tongue with scant coating and a thin, rapid pulse are signs of spleen-stomach yin deficiency and excessive deficient heat. Treatment should focus on nourishing stomach yin, and the formula Adenophora and Ophiopogon Decoction with modifications is recommended.

Sweating of the hands and feet is a condition that exhibits signs of dampness-heat as well as symptoms of qi and yin deficiency pattern, but deficiency pattern is more common. If it persists for a long time and leads to deficiency of both qi and blood, it is advisable to regulate and tonify qi and blood.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. 《Cold-Damage Disease Mingli Theory》: "When cold invades the yangming, one cannot eat, has difficulty urinating, and experiences profuse sweating on the hands and feet. This indicates the onset of a stubborn mass, which is a sign of cold in the middle."
2. Zhangshi Yitong ．Miscellaneous Section: "Sweating of hands and feet,... for heat, Two Old Ingredients Decoction add Chuanlian and Peony Root; for cold, Middle-Regulating Decoction add Smoked Plum; for weakness, Ten Complete Great Tonification minus Chuanxiong and add Schisandra Fruit."