Updated: October 10, 2025
A hot flash is a sudden feeling of intense heat, usually over the face, neck, and chest, often accompanied by sweating and a rapid heartbeat. It is commonly experienced during menopause due to changes in hormone levels. These episodes can occur unpredictably and disrupt daily life, making them one of the most bothersome symptoms of menopause.
Kampo Self-Check for Hot Flashes
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Heart-Kidney Disharmony
Kampo’s Perspectives on Hot Flashes
In Kampo medicine, when a woman experiences hot flashes during menopause, it is mostly related to the Kidney. The Kidney in our theory represents a broader energy system associated with growth, aging, and the regulation of the body’s temperature balance, not just the organ’s physical function as understood in conventional medicine.
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Kidney Yin represents the body’s cooling fluids and vital energy that regulate temperature, keep the body hydrated, and support healthy aging.
When Yin is depleted, often with age, the body loses its ability to regulate internal heat properly. This can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, dry mouth, irritability, and a sensation of heat in the palms, soles, or chest. Kampo medicine supports them by replenishing Yin and easing symptoms related to menopause, hormonal imbalance, and overall vitality.
Western Medicine Link
- This Kampo pattern aligns with estrogen deficiency in menopause. As estrogen declines, it disrupts temperature regulation, mood, sleep, and skin hydration—symptoms that overlap with Kampo’s concept of Yin deficiency.
Tea Care
- Rehmannia Tea is a Kampo-inspired blend that nourishes Kidney Yin, supporting hormonal balance and relieving symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and dryness. It helps cool the body and is ideal for menopause-related Yin deficiency.*
Heart-Kidney Disharmony
In Kampo, the Heart governs emotions and generates warmth, while the Kidneys store Essence (Jing) and provide cooling to balance that heat. With aging, stress, or hormonal changes, Kidney Yin may decline, allowing Heart heat to rise.
This imbalance can lead to hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, palpitations, and anxiety. Kampo treatment helps restore harmony between the Heart and Kidneys, promoting emotional calm, better sleep, and relief from heat-related symptoms.
Western Medicine Link
- This pattern reflects autonomic nervous system dysregulation and hormonal imbalances, especially involving the HPA axis. Stress, menopause, and circadian disruption can heighten sympathetic activity, raise cortisol, and impair sleep and mood—closely resembling Kampo’s concept of Heart-Kidney disharmony.
Tea / Food Care
- Rehmannia Tea + Jujube nourishes Kidney Yin and calms the Heart. Helps relieve night sweats, insomnia, and anxiety.
- Walnuts + Black Sesame support Kidney Essence and Yin. Beneficial for aging-related symptoms and mental fatigue.
- Lotus Seed Soup calms the Heart and supports restful sleep.*
Kampo Therapy Q&A
Q: How does Kampo Medicine help Hot Flashes?
Kampo medicine is especially known for supporting women’s health by addressing both physical changes and emotional imbalances with personalized care across all life stages. During menopause, it helps determine whether the core issue is emotional or physical and offers targeted formulas to ease discomfort and restore balance.
Notice: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Instead of self-diagnosing, we encourage you to consult a qualified healthcare provider for proper guidance and care.
