Flushed Face

How Chinese medicine differentiates a flushed face into the four patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's Head Heat Sensation, Menopausal Hot Flashes and Dark Face pages. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Sudden facial flushing with severe headache, chest pain, palpitations, swelling of the lips or throat, or difficulty breathing needs urgent medical assessment.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for a flushed face — 3 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
LIV-3	Subdues Liver-Yang. Extinguishes interior Wind. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
KI-3	Tonifies the Kidneys (both Yin and Yang). Strengthens the Kidney’s receiving of Qi. Calms the Mind.
L.I.-4	Expels exterior Wind and releases the Exterior. Promotes the diffusing of Lung-Qi, regulates the Defensive Qi and sweating. Stops pain.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Bright Yang Stomach Heat View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: High fever not relieved by sweating; intense thirst for cold drinks; bright red, warm face; irritability; scanty dark urine.

Tongue: Red, thick dry yellow coat. Pulse: Overflowing, surging and rapid.

Treatment principle: Clears Stomach Heat, cools the Blood and redirects Qi downward.

ST-44 ↓ ST-36 ⊥ L.I.-4 ↓ L.I.-11 ↓

Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Stomach-Heat slide.

2. Liver Fire Blazing View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Red face and bloodshot, painful eyes; bitter taste; dry throat; explosive temper; throbbing temple or crown headache.

Tongue: Red with redder sides, yellow coat, red prickles. Pulse: Wiry and rapid.

Treatment principle: Drains Liver Fire, clears Heat from the channels and smooths constrained Qi.

LIV-3 ↓ LIV-2 ↓ G.B.-20 ↓

Note: no moxa.

3. Empty-Heat from Yin Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Malar flushing that worsens in the afternoon and evening; night sweats; five-palm heat; dry mouth with a desire to sip water.

Tongue: Red, thin, dry with cracks, little coat. Pulse: Thin and rapid.

Treatment principle: Nourishes Yin fluids, clears deficiency Heat and anchors warmth downward.

KI-3 ↑ KI-6 ↑ SP-6 ↑

Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency with heat signs).

4. Heart and Kidney Disharmony from Kidney Yang Deficiency

Clinical manifestations: Flushed cheeks despite overall coldness; cold limbs and weak lower back; a sensation of chest heat; insomnia; fatigue with diarrhea.

Tongue: Pale, puffy, moist white coat; tip may be redder. Pulse: Deep, slow and weak.

Treatment principle: Warms Kidney Yang, anchors floating Yang and calms the Heart Spirit.

DU-4 ↑ REN-4 ↑ KI-1 ↓ HE-7 ⊥

Note: moxa on DU-4 and REN-4 is appropriate. This site's Kidneys-and-Heart-not-harmonized slide describes the Yin-deficiency version, so it is not linked here.

Related conditions

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