If the forehead feels hotter than the palms, what does this indicate?

When the forehead feels hotter than the palms, it typically indicates the presence of Exterior Heat. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the forehead is associated with the Yang energy of the body and is a common area where heat can be felt during conditions that affect the exterior, such as a fever or an external wind-heat pathogen. The palms, on the other hand, are usually cooler and can represent the body’s ability to maintain balance and homeostasis.

In the case of Exterior Heat, the body’s struggle against an external pathogen results in a rise in temperature, particularly in the face and forehead, as the body tries to expel the pathogen. This scenario reflects a pattern where the body's response to an infective agent leads to local heating as part of the body's defense mechanism, hence the temperature difference observed.

Conversely, the other conditions listed typically show different patterns. For example, Excess Internal Heat and Interior Heat are more closely associated with systemic symptoms that may affect the entire body or manifest without the contrasting cooler condition of the palms. Deficient Internal Heat, while it could lead to warmth, does not usually present with the specific temperature differential observed in this scenario. Understanding these temperature patterns helps practitioners determine the nature of the condition and guide treatment approaches effectively