Diagnosis 2 Flashcards
Using + restoring qi
Using qi: work or exercise
Restoring qi: rest
Post-heaven Qi
Formed by SP/ST daily
Constantly replenished: quickly created, quickly used
Normally used for daily activities, esp. Yang post-heaven qi
Under normal circumstances: qi used by work = quickly restored by rest + diet
Overwork + yin substances
If someone works beyond the capacity of post-Heaven qi to restore itself
–> Draws upon foundational yin substances –> signs of yin xu
7 injuries to Zangfu
Overeating –> SP
Prolonged anger –> LIV
Lifting excess weights/sitting on damp ground –> KID
Exposure to cold/drinking cold liquids –> LU
Worry, sadness, pensiveness –> HT
Wind, cold, rain, summerheat –> Body
What did scholars believe to be the major cause of exhaustion?
SP, ST - Li Dong-Yuan
SP, LU, KID yin xu, LIV yin xu - Zhu Dan Xi
KID - Zhang Bie Jin
LU, SP, KID - Zhu Qi Shi
Etiology of chronic tiredness
Deficiency: qi, blood, yin
Excess: damp, phlegm, qi stag
–> Slippery, wiry, full/excess pulse = damp, phlegm (heavy), qi stag
–> Red tongue sides = severe qi stag
chronic tiredness, desire to lie down, poor appetite, loose stools
SP qi xu
+ cold = SP yang xu
chronic tiredness, weak voice, easily catching colds
LU qi xu
+ cold = LU yang xu
chronic tiredness, backache, lassitude, feeling cold, depression, frequent urination
KID yang xu
chronic tiredness, slight depression, dizziness, scanty periods
LIV blood xu
chronic tiredness, anxiety, insomnia, dry mouth at night, tongue w/o coat
KID yin xu
chronic tiredness, body heaviness, head muzziness
damp retention
chronic tiredness, chest oppression, dizziness, head muzziness
phlegm retention
chronic tiredness, anxious + tense person, wiry pulse
LIV qi stag
short-term tiredness, alternating hot/cold, irritability, unilateral tongue coat, wiry pulse
Shaoyang pattern
Chinese medicine + excess sexual activity
Depletes KID jing (sexual essence = manifestation of KID jing) when there isn´t enough time for the body to replenish
Ejaculation is approximately equivalent to childbirth or menorrhagia in terms of loss of essence
what marks ´excessive´ sexual activity?
results in marked fatigue afterwards:
dizziness, blurred vision, low back ache, weak knees, frequent urination
+ more in spring, summer
- less in fall, winter; qi and/or blood xu esp. KID
Recommended ejaculation by age, according to the classics
Age, in good health, in average health
15, 1/day, 2/day
20, 1/day, 2/day
30, 1/day, every other day
40, every 3 days, every 4 days
50, every 5 days, every 10 days
60, every 10 days, every 20 days
70, every 30 days, none
OR divide age in years by 5
Tian Gui age
14 female-assigned
16 male-assigned
effect of too many childbirths in a short time
weakens Uterus, KID
Chinese medical perspective on period sex
Causes blood + qi stag by bringing upward qi motion when the direction needs to go down
Sexual activity too early: Chinese medical perspective
Damages Ren, Chong
Blood stasis
KID xu
Insufficient sexual activity: CM
Cause of disease, emotional stress
Sexual desire = Ming Men fire/Xiang Huo
Healthy appetite = abundant Ming Men
Desire builds, orgasmic release is normally a beneficial discharge of Yang qi that promotes free flow of qi; benefits HT PC
Effect of insufficient sexual activity: CM
Accumulated Minister Fire can –> Blood-heat, Blood or qi stag in LJ
–> Further stirs Ming Men, harasses Shen
–> LJ qi stag can lead to dysmenorrhea/gyn issues
- N/A if there is no desire present. This refers to repressed sexuality
Unhappy sex life: Chinese Medicine
Lack of warmth/affection
Inability to orgasm
Deep unhappiness, anxiety
= disease
Healthy sexual desire relates to which organ?
Reflects healthy KID energy
Deficient KID yang and sexuality
Lack of sexual desire
Inability to enjoy sex
Inability to orgasm
Severely deficient KID yin –> empty heat affects sexuality how?
Excess sexual desire, never satiated
LIV full-heat
HT full-heat
and sexuality
Excess sexual desire
Vivid sexual dreams leading to nighttime orgasms/emission
What is one way to treat lack of sexual desire?
Strengthen KID yang
One way to dampen excess sexual desire
Nourish KID yin
What does healthy sexual desire reflect?
Strong KID energy
Benefits of sexual intercourse
Meeting of water + fire that can tonify partners´ respective Yin, Yang
Beneficial exchange of energy + fluids from Ren + Du
Spanning bridge of Ren + Du in the tongue/mouth mobilizes energy
Diagnosis of LIV qi depression: what formula would you think of
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
What does sleep reflect in CM?
State of Shen, Hun
Sleep questions in CM
Easy to fall asleep?
Wake up at night?
Dream excessively? = waking up at night, impacting the next day, nightmares, recurring dreams
In CM what determines sleep?
LIV, HT Blood + yin (other organs as well)
* Yin time = Shen + Hun should be anchored in HT Blood, LIV Blood
Shen + Hun not anchored at night: potential causes
Insufficient Blood/yin to anchor
PF (ex. heat) agitates these Spirits
Empty sleep disturbance
Shen + Hun float at night –> insomnia
What does difficulty falling asleep indicate?
Blood xu: HT, SP, LIV
What does difficulty staying asleep + tendency to wake up at night indicate?
Yin xu
Full patterns that correspond to waking up during the night?
Heat
Fire
Phlegm-fire
Food retention
Full conditions w/ very restless sleep, heat, agitation, excess dreaming
LIV fire
Phlegm-fire harassing HT
HT fire
Residual heat in the diaphragm
insomnia, propensity to angry outbursts, headaches, restless sleep, feeling of heat, agitation, excess dreaming
red tongue w/ redder sides + dry yellow TC
wiry rapid pulse
LIV fire
restless sleep
insomnia
dream-disturbed sleep
sputum in throat
red tongue w/ redder tip + sticky-yellow TC
slippery-overflowing-rapid pulse
Phlegm-fire harassing the HT
restless sleep
dream-disturbed sleep
palpitations
agitation
red tongue w/ redder tip + yellow TC
overflowing-rapid pulse
HT fire
acute insomnia after WH invasion –>
restless sleep
preferring to sleep propped-up
inability to fall asleep
mental restlessness
diaphragm sense of oppression
red points in front/center of tongue
slightly rapid pulse
residual heat in the diaphragm
sleep: excess/ deficiency
empty: unable to fall asleep or stay asleep w/o red tongue, feeling of heat
insomnia w/ difficulty falling asleep
palpitations
pale tongue
choppy or fine pulse
HT blood xu
insomnia w/ difficulty falling asleep
palpitations
tiredness
pale tongue
choppy pulse
SP + HT qi + blood xu
insomnia w/ difficulty falling asleep
palpitations
tongue w/o coat
floating-empty pulse
HT yin xu
insomnia w/ difficulty falling asleep
dreaming
dizziness
blurred vision
pale tongue
choppy or fine pulse
LIV blood xu
insomnia w/ difficulty falling asleep
dreaming
dizziness
blurred vision
dry eyes
tongue w/o coat
floating-empty pulse
LIV yin xu
insomnia w/ difficulty falling asleep
dizziness
tinnitus
tongue w/o coat
floating-empty pulse
HT + KID yin xu
insomnia
waking up frequently during the night
anxiety
night sweats
dizziness
tinnitus
red tongue w/o TC
floating-empty + rapid pulse
HT + KID yin xu with HT empty-heat
Etiology of excess dreaming
Pathogenic factor ex. Fire, Phlegm-Fire
or
Yin deficiency empty-heat
Excess dreaming in CM
Pleasant or unpleasant dreaming that makes the sleeper restless or awakens them
Nightmares, especially recurrent
“Ye You” Hun wandering at night
Excess patterns of excess dreaming
LIV fire
HT fire
Phlegm-fire harassing HT
ST phlegm-fire
excessive dreaming, nightmares, restless sleep, headaches, Red tongue with redder sides and dry yellow coating, Wiry-Rapid pulse
LIV fire
excessive dreaming, restless sleep, palpitations, insomnia, Red tongue with redder tip and yellow coating, Overflowing-Rapid pulse
HT fire
excessive dreaming, restless sleep, insomnia, waking from nightmares, palpitations, agitation, sputum in throat, Red tongue with redder tip and a sticky-yellow coating, Slippery Overflowing-Rapid pulse
Phlegm-fire harassing HT
excessive agitated dreams, restless sleep, burning epigastric pain, insomnia, Red tongue with a sticky-yellow or dark-yellow (or even black) coating, Stomach crack with a rough, sticky-yellow coating inside it, Slippery-Rapid and slightly Overflowing pulse on the Right-Middle position
Phlegm-fire in ST
dream-disturbed sleep, insomnia, Red tongue with redder tip and without coating, Floating-Empty and Rapid pulse
HT-yin deficiency with empty-heat
dream-disturbed sleep, insomnia, blurred vision, dry eyes, Red tongue without coating, Floating-Empty and slightly Rapid pulse
LIV yin xu with empty heat
dream-disturbed sleep, palpitations, dizziness, tinnitus, Red tongue with redder tip without coating, mid-line Heart crack, Floating-Empty and Rapid pulse or Deep-Weak on both Rear positions and relatively Overflowing on both Front positions
HT- and KID-yin xu with empty-heat
excessive dreaming, waking easily from dreaming, absent-minded, emotionally unstable, anxiety and palpitations
HT and GB xu
Somnolence in CM
Dozing off frequently in the daytime or early evening
Some Chinese books also add that the patient wakes up as they breathe out and then doze off again
‘Somnolence’ also includes some people’s physiological need of sleeping a longer time than normal
* not pathological if the person works long hours
Somnolence etiology
Deficiency: Qi and/or Yang
Excess: ex. Phlegm, Damp
Most common cause of somnolence
Combined deficiency (SP, KID) and excess (damp, phlegm)
somnolence, desire to lie down, loose stools, Pale tongue, Weak pulse
SP yang xu
somnolence, listlessness, backache, dizziness, tinnitus, Pale-Swollen tongue, Deep-Weak pulse
KID yang xu
somnolence after eating, feeling of heaviness, sticky coating, Slippery pulse
Dampness
somnolence after eating and in the morning, muzziness of the head, dizziness, Swollen tongue with sticky coating, Slippery pulse
Phlegm
Shen and pre-natal essence relationship
Jing in KID is the biological foundation of Zhi
Shen activity is founded on Jing + Qi
Zhi: memory
Shen + post-natal essence
Harmonious ST + intestines –> Blood harmonized, Shen draws on refined essence of water + food
Shen + Essence
Both pre-natal (KID) and post-natal (SP) essence support Shen
7 emotional factors
Anger
Joy
Worry
Sorrow
Thought/pensiveness
Fear
Fright
Anger qi movement
LIV qi rises
Joy qi movement
HT qi slows, relaxes
Sorrow qi movement
LU, disperses/dissolves qi
Worry qi movement
LU, knots qi
Pensiveness qi movement
SP, qi knots
Fear qi movement
KID, qi descends
Fright qi movement
HT, KID - scatters qi
Fatigue in CM: definition
Abnormal weariness
Inability to perform normal movements
Fatigue in CM etiology
Lassitude of spirit (lack of mental strength)
Organs: SP, LU, LIV
Deficiency: Qi, Blood, Yang
Damp patterns
Emotional depression in CM might be:
Depressed LIV qi / Hun not moving freely
Exacerbated by phlegm –> easily becomes fire
Depression vs despondency
Not the temporary response to adverse life events
Mood is fixed and persists w/ changes in behavior, attitude etc
Depression clinical definition
Absence of an organic factor, normal bereavement, delusions or hallucinations in the absence of mood symptoms, schizophrenia, delusional/psychotic symptoms
Physical symptoms that cue for depression
Extreme tiredness
Lack of motivation
Feeling cold
Complexion + eyes lacking luster, grey/green face
Tongue w/ red tip + deep HT crack
Voice low, lacking vitality
FULL: wiry, wiry/slippery pulse
EMPTY: Weak, choppy, short, lacks a ‘wave’
Depression + Hun
Lack of Hun movement:
LIV qi stag
LIV blood + LIV qi xu
SP, KID xu
Excess movement of Hun
Fire
Phlegm-fire
LIV blood and/or LIV yin xu
Depressed LIV qi (ganqi yu)
LIV qi stag + depression
Anger, frustration, distention + pain in the chest/hypochondrium/lower belly, menstrual irregularities, sighing, plump pit qi, goiter/scrofula, distention/pain in breasts, menstrual pain, symptoms worse with bad moods
T: thin white TC
P: wiry
Possible other symptoms: stomach duct pain, belching, vomiting, diarrhea, accumulation
Treatment of Ganqi Yu/ depressed LIV qi
Soothe the LIV, resolve depression
RX Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Depressed LIV qi + LIV/SP disharmony: additional symptoms
distention
fullness
loose stool
gas borborygmus
withered complexion
Depressed LIV qi + LIV/ST disharmony: additional symptoms
distention
belching
acid regurgitation
palpitations/”scurrying” pain in the ST duct
Depression, moodiness, irritability
LIV qi stag
Depression, irritability, red tongue
Stagnant LIV qi transforming into heat
Depression
Moodiness
Lump in the throat
LIV qi stag with Qi-phlegm
Depression
Anxiety
Agitation
Expectorating phlegm
Swollen tongue
Phlegm-fire harassing the Shen
Depression
Agitation
Purple tongue
HT blood stasis
Depression
irritability
Bitter taste
Hypochondrial fullness
GB heat
Depression
Anxiety
Feeling stuffy in the chest after a WH invasion
Diaphragm heat
Full/Excess patterns of depression
LIV qi stag
Stagnant LIV qi transforming to heat
LIV qi stag + qi phlegm
Phlegm-fire harassing the Mind
HT blood stasis
GB heat
Diaphragm heat
Deficient depression patterns
SP- and HT-blood xu
HT yang xu
LIV blood xu
KID- and HT-yin xu + HT empty heat
KID yang xu
depression
insomnia
palpitations
tiredness
SP- and HT-blood xu
depression
palpitations
cold hands
HT-yang xu
depression,
no sense of direction
sadness
LIV blood xu
depression
anxiety
night sweats
palpitations
red tongue w/o coat
KID- and HT-yin xu with HT empty heat
depression
lack of motivation
lack of willpower
feeling cold
frequent urination
KID-yang xu
Anxiety in CM
fear + worry (seven emotions)
Anxiety in CM etiology
DEFICIENCY: Blood, Yin
EXCESS: Heat
COMBO: Yin xu, empty heat
Shen + Hun lose “residence” in HT-blood + LIV-blood: etiology + effects
Etiology: blood, yin xu
Results: anxiety, poor sleep
Pathogenic factors agitating Shen + Hun: which? Results?
PF: qi stag, Blood stasis, heat, phlegm-heat
Results: Anxiety, insomnia
Physical cues of anxiety
Restless appearance
Quivering voice
Fidgeting
FULL: speaking a lot
EMPTY: quiet
* may be preoccupied about needles
Cues of hidden anxiety/fear
Tongue with red tip, deep HT crack
Wiry (full) or Floating-empty (empty) + rapid
Eyes: ‘unstable’ or without control
Empty/deficient fear/anxiety patterns
HT-blood xu
HT-yin xu
LIV blood xu
LIV yin xu
KID yin xu
HT- and GB-qi xu
Mild anxiety, insomnia, palpitations
HT blood xu
Anxiety that is worse in the evening
Palpitations
Night sweats
HT yin xu
Mild anxiety
Depression
Insomnia
LIV blood xu
Mild anxiety
depression
insomnia
Tongue without coat
LIV yin xu
Anxiety that is worse in the evening
Lack of willpower
Dizziness
Tinnitus
KID yin xu
Mild anxiety
Insomnia
Timidity
HT- and GB-qi xu
Excess fear/anxiety patterns
HT fire
HT blood stasis
Phlegm-fire harassing Shen
LIV qi stag
LIV fire
LIV yang rising
Rebellious qi of Chong/Penetrating
Diaphragm-heat
Severe anxiety
Palpitations
Red tongue with coat
HT fire
Severe anxiety
Palpitations
Purple tongue
HT-blood stasis
Severe anxiety
Manic behavior
Swollen tongue
Phlegm-fire harassing the Shen
Anxiety
depression
irritability
Hypochondrial distension
LIV qi stag
Severe anxiety
Headache
Thirst
Red tongue
Wiry pulse
LIV fire
Anxiety
headache
dizziness
LIV yang rising
anxiety
panicky feeling
throat constriction
palpitations
chest tightness
abdominal fullness
firm pulse
Chong vessel rebellious qi
anxiety
stuffiness in region under the HT
following WH invasion
diaphragm heat
anxiety that is worse in the evening
palpitations
red tongue without coat
HT yin xu with empty heat
anxiety that is worse in the evening
dizziness
tinnitus
palpitations
KID- and HT-yin xu with HT empty heat
Irritability in CM
feeling annoyed frequently
easily angered
frustration
= like anger but larger range of emotional states
Anger vs. Irritability
Anger: LIV
Irritability: many organs
CM diagnoses and irritability
Qi stag
Blood stasis
LIV yang rising
Blood xu
Yin xu (with or without empty heat)
Heat (incl. dampheat)
Deficient heat
“I feel extremely irritable before my periods and take it out on my family” might be
LIV qi stag
“I feel this lump in my throat; I’m on edge and feel like bursting into tears” might be
LU qi stag
“I seethe with resentment” might be
LIV blood stasis
“My mind is constantly judging and I feel resentful” might be
HT-blood stasis
“I fly off the handle easily” might be
LIV yang rising
“I explode into a rage” might be
LIV fire
“I feel irritable, impatient and angry” might be
HT fire
“I feel frustrated, weepy, irritable” might be
LU heat
“I often feel angry and obsessive” might be
ST heat
“I feel lost, overwhelmed, on edge, can’t cope” might be
LIV blood xu
“I feel helpless, unmotivated, on edge in the evening” might be
KID yin xu
“I feel sad, on edge, can’t cope” might be
HT blood xu
“I feel hot and bothered” might be
KID yin xu with empty heat
“I feel sad, hot, bothered” might be
HT yin xu with empty-heat
“I feel heavy, yucky, and irritable” might be
Damp-heat
Worry vs Overthinking/pensiveness
Worry: LU
Overthinking: SP (unable to empty the mind of repetitive thoughts, trivial things)
Overthinking in CM
Mostly empty
Mixed: LU qi stag or Yin xu + empty-heat
Full worry
More intense and consuming vs lurking in the background (empty)
Worry
Slightly obsessive thinking
Slight depression
Overthinking
Pale tongue
Empty pulse
HT- and SP-qi deficiency
Worry
depression
pale tongue
empty pulse
LU qi xu
Worry
mild irritability
depression
Lump in the throat
Tongue slightly red on the sides in chest area
Pulse very sl. tight on right-front position
LU qi stag
worry
depression
pale thin tongue
choppy or fine pulse
HT blood xu
Worry which increases after the period
Pale tongue
Choppy or fine pulse
LIV blood xu
worry
insomnia
dream-disturbed sleep
poor memory
anxiety
propensity be startled
mental restlessness
uneasiness
feeling hot and bothered
floating-empty pulse esp. on left-front position
HT yin xu
worry esp. in evening
anxiety
propensity to be startled
mental restlessness
uneasiness
feeling hot and bothered
red tongue, redder on the tip, no coat
floating-empty + rapid pulse
HT yin xu with empty-heat
sadness vs lack of joy
sadness: LU weakness, pale complexion, weepy weak voice full or empty quality of LU pulse
lack of joy: HT, lack of vitality from HT deficiency, flatness, lack of fire
sadness and ancestral/gathering/chest qi
depletes LU- and HT-qi
–> may lead to qi stag in chest
slight tightness in the chest, sadness felt in the chest, sighing, slight palps
stagnation of chest qi
sadness
crying
depression
pale tongue
empty pulse
LU- and HT-qi xu
sadness
crying
mental confusion
aimlessness
pale tongue
choppy or fine pulse
LIV blood xu
sadness
crying
depression
pale thin tongue
choppy or fine pulse
HT blood xu
sadness
mild irritability
depression
tongue slightly red on the sides in chest area
pulse very slightly tight on right-front position
LU qi stag
Grief in CM
like sadness, usually due to loss
depletes LU and HT qi –> chest qi stag
normal joy in CM
power, complete body integration
expansiveness
urge to spread the limbs
Sudden extreme elation impacts
makes qi rise
expands HT
excess joy
life characterized by excess stimulation/excitement
hypomania, mania
–> qi rising, may lead to HT fire
Excess joy diagnoses
HT fire
HT empty heat
Phlegm-fire harassing HT
Fan Zao
“vexation and restlessness”
Fan (vexation) is due to Full Heat and pertains to the Lungs – yang state
Zao (restlessness) is due to Empty Heat and pertains to the Kidneys – yin state
How modern patients might describe Fan Zao symptoms
Patients may also describe having ‘difficulty in concentration’, ‘not being able to focus on one thing for any length of time’ or ‘not being able to sit still and do nothing’.
Symptoms may also includes restless legs
Mental restlessness diagnoses
Yin xu + empty heat
Phlegm-heat in ST, HT
HT Fire
Lu Heat
Vague mental restlessness which worsens in the evening, restless legs, red tongue w/o coat, floating-empty rapid pulse
Yin xu + empty heat
mental restlessness, mental confusion, agitation, rash behavior, tendency to hit/scold people, shouting, depression, manic behavior, tongue red in the center with sticky-yellow coating and a ST/HT crack with a rough sticky-yellow coat within it, slippery-rapid pulse
Phlegm-heat in ST + HT
pronounced mental restnessness
agitation
red tongue w/ redder tip + yellow coat
overflowing-rapid pulse
HT fire
mental restlessness
worry
red tongue yellow coat
overflowing-rapid pulse
LU heat
Symptom that worsens after sex indicates what?
Qi xu
Usually kidneys, also LIV HT
Tiredness after sexual activity, especially if accompanied by dizziness, backache, weak knees, etc
KID qi xu
What patterns are mostly behind impotence?
KID xu
with backache, weak knees, dizziness, tinnitus, poor memory
especially KID yang xu
What organs might you think of for impotence in young men?
KID (as usual)
HT often involved
Impotence, dizziness, palpitations, choppy pulse
HT blood xu
impotence, palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, rapid-overflowing pulse
HT fire
impotence, heaviness in the scrotum, urethral discharge, sticky-yellow tongue coat
DH in LIV channel
Patterns for lack of libido
Usually Qi or yang xu (frequently KID)
Severe SP, HT, LU qi xu
HT xu (more than KID)
Full: LIV qi stag
Patterns for premature ejaculation
Usually KID
–> KID qi not firm
Also HT patterns
–> HT qi or HT blood xu
Tiredness + dizziness after ejaculation
KID xu
Nocturnal emissions indicates what?
KID xu
Nocturnal emission in ancient China
nighttime intercourse with ghosts that rob essence
Nocturnal emissions without sexual dreams
Pure deficiency, usually KID
Nocturnal emissions w/o sex dreams
usually due to heat (full or empty), generally HT
- empty heat due to KID xu
- full-heat often of LIV and/or HT
What is the CM root of sexual desire?
KID yang
Minister fire
–> patterns usually = KID or HT xu
Deficient minister fire can cause what?
Lack of sexual desire
LIV/HT fire and empty-heat from KID yin xu can lead to what?
excess sexual desire
What organ would you think of in regards to sexual arousal/orgasm in cycling people?
HT
Where does aroused physiological minister fire of the KID go?
HT
PC
–> flushed face, increased HT rate
CM pattern of low sexual desire?
deficient Minister Fire, KID yang
CM understanding of orgasm
Minister Fire which rose during sexual arousal –> suddenly discharged downwards by the HT
What organ would you think of in regards to cycling people unable to reach orgasm?
HT xu
Fire/Water Daoist sexual alchemy
Fire: flares up easily, easily extinguished
Water: slow to boil, slow to cool down
Questions to ask about menses
Age of menarche
Cycle
Quantity of blood
Color of blood
Clots
Pain
PMS
What is breast milk derive from in CM?
Blood
Gyno questions
Childbirth
Abortion
Miscarriage
Contraception
Intrauterine coil
HRT
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Gyn. surgical interventions
Menarche ages
10-16, mean 12.8 (younger in industrialized contexts)
Early may indicate blood-heat
Late (after ~16) may indicate Blood and/or KID xu or Cold in the Uterus
Early or late menstruation in CM
7 days (of ideal 28 day cycle)
Period always early
Qi xu
Blood-heat
Empty-heat in the blood from Blood/Yin xu
Period always late
Blood xu
Blood stasis
Cold stasis
Irregular period - sometimes late/early
LIV blood stasis
SP xu
KID xu
Periods that stop and start
Blood stasis
Periods that start/end with a brownish discharge
Blood stasis
Mid-cycle bleeding
Damp-heat (esp if there’s also pain)
Qi xu
LIV- and KID-yin xu
Heavy menstrual bleeding that may come early with a flood, pale blood
Pale tongue
Qi xu
Heavy menstrual bleeding, pale blood, irregular periods, backache, feeling cold, loose stools
Pale wet tongue
SP- and KID-yang xu
Heavy menstrual bleeding, trickling after the proper time, irregular periods, infertility, dizziness, tinnitus, night-sweating
No tongue coat
LIV- and KID-yin xu
Heavy menstrual bleeding, bright-red or dark-red blood, feeling of heat, mental restlessness, red face, thirst
Red tongue with coat
Blood heat
Heavy menstrual bleeding, headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, irritability
Red tongue with redder sides, yellow coat
LIV fire
Heavy menstrual bleeding, irregular periods, trickling after the proper time, infertility, dizziness, tinnitus, night-sweating, feeling of heat in the evening, five-palm heat
Red tongue without coat
LIV- and KID-yin xu with blood empty heat
Heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods with dark blood + dark clots, periods that start/stop
Blood stasis
Range of blood loss in menstruation
30-80ml
Heavy menstruation definition
Profuse
Prolonged
Period duration in CM
4-5 days
General menstrual colors
Dark-red
Beginning: lighter
Middle: deep-red
End: pinkish
Dark-red or bright-red blood
Blood heat
Pale menstural blood
Blood xu
Blackish, very dark menstruation
Blood stasis
Purplish menstrual blood
full-cold
Brownish + diluted menstruation
Empty-cold
Scarlet-red menstrual blood
empty-heat in BL
Clotted menses with dark dull clots
Blood stasis or Cold in the uterus
Clotted blood with dark but fresh-looking clots
Heat
Large menstrual clots
Blood stasis
Small dark clots but menstrual blood isn’t dark
Cold in the uterus
Watery menstrual blood
Blood or Yin xu
Sticky menses
Dampness or Damp-Heat in the Uterus
Pain before the period
Qi stag or Blood stag
*Blood stasis usually relieved by the onset of the period
Pain during the period
Blood-heat or blood stasis
Pain after the period
Blood deficiency
Severe stabbing period pain
Blood stasis
Severe cramping pain eased by application of heat
Cold stasis
Mild pain in menses
Blood-heat or Blood xu
Dragging feeling in the lower abdomen with mild pain
Qi sinking
Feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen with pain
Damp-heat
Pain on ovulation
Damp-heat
Abdominal distension and pain before/during period
Normal tongue or slightly red sides
LIV qi stag
Severe period pain alleviated by the passage of clots
Purple sides
LIV blood stasis
Severe spastic cramp-like menstrual pain that is alleviated by the application of heat, small-stringy clots on bright red blood, feeling cold during period
Pale tongue
Cold stag
Painful periods with a feeling of heaviness extending to the sacrum, mid-cycle pain, small-red clots
Red tongue with sticky-yellow coat
Damp-heat
Painful periods, heavy periods, irritability, thirst, bitter taste
Red tongue sides
Stagnant LIV qi turning to LIV fire
Dull menstrual pain towards the end of/after the period, pain relieved by pressure, scanty periods
Pale tongue
Qi and Blood Xu
Dull period pain during/after the period, scanty bleeding, no clots
Pale or slightly swollen on the sides (tongue)
SP-yang and LIV-blood xu
Dull period pain during/after the period, scanty period, backache, dizziness, tinnitus, night-sweating
No tongue coat
LIV- and KID-yin xu
Most common cause of premenstrual tension
LIV qi stag
Irritability, depression, tendency to cry, abdominal/breast distension
LIV qi stag
Premenstrual tension w/ propensity to outbursts of anger, irritability and agitation
LIV-fire and/or HT fire
Premenstrual tension with mental confusion, premenstrual breast swelling + pain
Phlegm-Fire
Deficiency causes of premenstrual tension
LIV-blood xu
LIV- and KID-yin xu
SP- and KID-yang xu
SP-Qi xu with dampness
Deficient premenstrual tension
With depression, crying, lack of motivation, only mild irritability
Weepiness, crying, depression, mild irritability
LIV-blood xu with secondary LIV-qi stag
Weepiness, crying, depression, lack of motivation, insomnia, PMS
LIV- and KID-yin xu
Weepiness, crying, depression, lack of motivation, tiredness, lassitude, PMS
SP- and KID-yang xu
Weepiness, tiredness, lassitude, feeling of heaviness, swollen breasts, PMS
SP-qi xu with dampness and secondary LIV-qi stag
Nausea or vomiting before the period
stagnant LIV-qi invading ST
Premenstrual constipation
stagnant LIV-qi invading intestines and SP
Headaches before the period
LIV-qi stag or LIV-yang rising
Distension of the breasts in PMS
LIV qi stag
Breasts become very swollen and painful = possibly
Phlegm
with premenstrual problems, usually also qi stag
Acute breast pain may be:
toxic heat in the breast
Retention of water with edema before the period
SP-yang and/or KID-yang xu
Abnormal vaginal discharge is
not the normal transparent, egg white-like secretion of ovulation
*increase in secretions mid-cycle and during pregnancy = normal
How do we differentiate vaginal discharge?
Color
Consistency
Smell
White vaginal secretions
Cold
SP- or KID-yang xu OR exterior cold-damp
Yellow vaginal secretions
Heat
usually DH in the LJ
Greenish vaginal secretions
DH in the LIV channel
Red and white vaginal secretions
DH
Yellow, red vaginal secretions with white pus after menopause
Toxic heat
Watery vaginal secretions
Cold-damp and/or Deficient condition
Thick vaginal secretions
DH and/or excess condition
Fishy-smelling vaginal secretions
Cold
Leathery-smelling vaginal discharge
Heat
Nausea/vomiting in pregnancy
Slight nausea in first 3 months = normal
Persistent vomiting in the first 3 months + ongoing = pathological sign
Persistent vomiting in the first 3 months + ongoing in gestation
usually rebellious qi in the Penetrating/Chong vessel affecting ST channel
* can occur against background of ST xu or ST heat
Edema during pregnancy
KID-yang xu
High blood pressure in pregnancy
KID xu with LIV-yang xu –> may herald preeclampsia (+headache, dizziness, blurred vision)
full eclampsia state with convulsions
LIV-wind from LIV- and KID- xu
What does it mean if symptoms get worse or better with pregnancy? (ex asthma, migraine, rheumatoid arthritis)
KID xu
Possible CM causes of infertility
Blood Xu
KID xu
Blood stasis
Cold in the uterus
Damp-phlegm
Nausea and heavy bleeding after labor
exhaustion of the Chong/Penetrating vessel
Sweating and fever after labor
exhaustion of qi and blood
postnatal depression
LIV-blood and HT-blood xu
Postnatal psychosis
stasis of blood in the uterus + HT
Breast milk not flowing (agalactia) after childbirth
Blood xu
ST and SP xu
LIV-qi stag
spontaneous flow of milk after childbirth
SP-qi xu
ST-heat
LIV-fire
Mastitis after childbirth
Toxic heat in ST channel
What channels pertain to the breasts?
ST + Penetrating channel (main tissues + lactiferous ducts)
LIV channel (nipple)
LIV/GB (lateral breast side)
Penetrating vessel (connective tissues/membranes)
Muscle channels of GB, HT, PC
Chong/Penetrating and breasts - relationship
Chong originates from uterus + connects to breasts
Breast milk = transformed menstrual blood
Chong = sea of blood = source of breast milk
* many breast pathologies (lumps, menopause) - background of Chong disharmony = either deficiency or Blood stasis
Bile is what?
Gallbladder Qi
Zangfu involved in breast pathologies
PMS - typically LIV qi stag
LU qi stag/sadness in the chest
pronounced breast distension, irritability, wiry pulse
LIV qi stag
yin xu pulse
superficial/floating
rapid
slight breast distension, sadness, weak pulse
LU qi stag
swollen painful breasts, swollen tongue
LIV qi stag with phlegm
painful breasts, purple tongue
LIV blood stasis
mild breast distension, choppy pulse
LIV blood xu
relatively soft, movable, painless multiple breast lumps with distinct edges
Phlegm (fibrocystic disease)
single, movable, relatively hard breast lump with distinct edges
Phlegm with blood stasis (fibroadenoma)
Single, NOT movable, relatively hard breast lump with indistinct edges
Blood stasis (carcinoma)
breast pathology that is more common ages 20-30
fibroadenoma
breast pathology that is more common ages 30-50
fibrocystic conditions
breast pathologies more common ages 50+
carcinoma
Chinese medical understanding of menopause
natural decline of Kidney Essence
Menopausal symptoms etiology
can be both Kidney Yin and Yang xu
LIV yang rising
HT yin xu with empty heat
Phlegm
Headaches in menopause
LIV yang rising
insomnia, anxiety, agitation, poor memory in menopause
HT yin xu + empty heat
Wood phase: age
birth to puberty/15/18+
Fire phase: age
15-30+ years
Earth phase: age
20-40/30-45+
What is wood’s role in nature?
Controls earth by absorbing water (generating, balancing cycle)
Metal phase: age
40-60
Water phase: age
60+
Three causes of disease in early childhood
weak hereditary constitution
irregular feeding
climate
Main causes of older children’s disease
Diet
Climate
Emotions
Traumas
Skin problems in adolescence
aggravation of Blood xu with onset of menarche
Painful periods since their onset
invasion of Cold in the Uterus while the Uterus is vulnerable
Digestive problems later in life often have their root when?
early 20s
LU pulse is somewhat full
Patient looks sad
Unexpressed sadness
Weak LU pulse without wave
Eyes lack luster
Sadness
HT pulse overflowing
HT tongue crack
shock
Choppy HT pulse
Dull complexion
Lusterless eyes
Weak weepy voice
Long-standing sadness
Wiry pulse in all positions
Life situation causing frustration
Primary cause of disease in earth stage
Emotions
Overwork! (leads to KID xu)
Diet
Diagnostic questions for treating children
digestion
respiration (kids are prone to wind invasions)
earache
sleep
birthing parent’s pregnancy, immunizations
Shaoyang L/R + formulas
LEFT - Taiyang opening - GUI ZHI TANG
RIGHT - Yangming closing - DA CHAI HU TANG
baby cries a lot at night and vomits frequently
womb heat
premature cutting umbilical cord, induction, Caesarean can cause what from CM perspective?
LU xu
Lack of breast-feeding or too short breast-feeding in CM
ST xu
ST food retention
*children inherently have weak SP/ST
2 main causes of children’s abdominal pain
retention of cold in the ST/intestine
Intestinal qi stag
aversion to cold
listless desire to sleep
lying with the body curled up
diarrhea with undigested food
frequent pale urination
pale tongue
white coat
weak pulse
Shaoyin cold
irritability, insomnia, dry mouth, dry throat, night sweats, dark urine, red tongue with little coat, thready rapid pulse
Shaoyin heat
History of repeated bouts of cough and wheezing in a child
residual PF (usually LU phlegm-heat) following invasions of external wind
chronic earache in kids
residual PF (usually DH in the GB channel)
chronic mucus in kids
residual pathogenic factor after repeated wind invasions + SP xu –> phlegm
disturbed sleep with loud crying in babies
food retention
ST heat
disturbed sleep with quiet crying in babies
prenatal shock
disturbed sleep in older kids: common causes
LIV fire
ST heat
retention of food
slow development in children
congenital weakness of LIV KID
postnatal: ST (walking), HT (speech)
how to diagnose children under 2
venules on the index fingers
L index (boys) R (girls)
rub finger towards the body
joint diagnosis on children
base crease Gate of Wind
second crease Gate of Qi
third crease Gate of Life
after rubbing the finger towards the body, venules appear only beyond the Gate of Wind
invasion by an exterior PF
mild disease
Venules extending beyond the Gate of Qi
interior and more severe disease
venules beyond gate of life
serious life-threatening disease
bluish venules beyond the gate of life
Cold pattern
red venules beyond the gate of life
Heat pattern
Zhang Zhong-Jing lived when?
Han dynasty
When did the Shanghanlun become two books?
Song dynasty
What was cold damage referring to in the Shanghanlun?
Generic term for any acute, potentially epidemic, febrile illness
Types of injury from cold
attack of wind
attack of cold
damp-warmth
heat disease
warm disease
What method does the Shanghanlun present?
understanding
anticipating
treating
the various transformations of exterior disease
What does the Shanghanlun provide in matching selections?
Clinical application of a group of symptoms -> corresponding formulas + modifications (according to change of the disease)
Ying Level characteristics
Shen disturbance “delirium”
macular rashes
PC heat
PC 3,4,5 = SAM
PC 3 - Severe sunstroke
PC 4 - Arythmia, angina
PC 5 - Malaria
Shang Han Lun is based on:
8 principle differentiation
6 syndrome identification
Formula pattern ID
8 principles
hot/cold
excess/deficiency
exterior/interior
yang/yin
Traditional order of Sanyin Sanyang
Taiyang
Yangming
Shaoyang
Taiyin
Shaoyin
Jueyin
What does Taiyang progress to?
Yangming OR Shaoyang
What does Shaoyang progress to?
Yangming
SHL combo patterns
He Bing (combo disease)
Usually Taiyang/Yangming or Taiyang/Shaoyang or all 3 Yang
Zhi Zhong / Direct strike
In debilitated patients, evils may go direct to Yin levels
Factors that determine the progression of disease
Relative strength of Zheng + Xie qi
Appropriate or incorrect meds
Patient constitution
Presence/absence of other disease
Does 6 syndrome ID equate to acupuncture channels with the same name?
NO
layer/depth format
chills
fever
aversion to cold/wind
body heaviness
joint pain
skin diseases
headache
floating pulse
Taiyang syndrome (overview)
Symptoms in chest/abdomen
Can affect any organ(s)
Chest discomfort
Pain/stiffness in rib sides
Dry mouth
Alternating C/F
Bitter taste in mouth
Shaoyang syndrome
Disease characterized by internal excess heat
Fever w/o chills
Distended abdomen
Irritability
Easily emotional
Constipation
Rapid pulse
Yangming syndrome
Feeling of severe internal cold
Chills
Distended abdomen
Occasional pain
Diarrhea/loose stool
Taiyin syndrome
Drowsiness
Chills
Cold extremities
Aversion to cold
Joint/body pain
Deep, constrained pulse
Shaoyin syndrome
Symptoms in chest/abdomen
Can affect any organ(s)
Increased symptoms of heat in the upper body
Severe cold in lower limbs/abdomen
Thirst
Diff. urination
Physical weakness
Lethargy
Deep/weak pulse
Jueyin syndrome
Taiyang channel differentiation
Wind attack
Cold attack
Taiyang Fu differentiation
Acc. water
Acc. blood
Yangming differentiation
Channel: ST heat
Fu: Fire in ST + intestines
Shaoyin patterns
Cold transformation
Heat transformation
8 SHL treatment methods
Sweat
Vomiting
Purge
Harmonize
Warm
Clear
Tonify
Disperse
Essential Taiyang symptoms
Aversion to cold
Headache/stiff neck
Floating/superficial pulse
Slight aversion to cold, aversion to wind, slight fever, slight sweat, headache, stiff neck, sneezing, floating-slow pulse
Wind-attack
(WC invasion wind prevalent)
Wind Attack treatment principle
Release exterior
Expel WC
restore diffusion of LU qi
Harmonize Ying + Wei
Wind-attack formula
Gui zhi tang
AVersion to cold, slight fever, no sweat, headache, stiff neck, sneezing, runny nose w white discharge, breathlessness, floating-tight pulse
Cold attack
Diff. b/w wind-attack and cold-attack
WIND - slight sweat
COLD - no sweat
Cold attack treatment principle
Release exterior
Expel WC
restore diffusion + descending of LU qi
Cold attack treatment
Ma Huang Tang
MOXA
Common symptoms of Taiyang channel pathology
floating pulse
headache
shivers
aversion to cold
Aversion to cold, fever, urine retention, slight thirst, vomiting fluids soon after drinking, floating-rapid pulse
Taiyang Fu/acc. water
What are symptoms of exterior wind in Taiyang Fu - water accumulation?
C/F
floating pulse
Taiyang Fu water accumulation treatment principles
release exterior
promote Bladder’s function of qi transformation
promote excretion of fluids
Taiyang Fu - water accumulation formula
WU LING SAN
XIAO QING LONG TANG
Hypogastric distension, fullness and urgency
Blood in urine
Mental restlessness
Red-purple tongue w/o coat
Deep-fine-rapid OR deep-choppy pulse
Taiyang Fu acc. of blood
Taiyang Fu acc. blood treatment principle
Invigorate blood
Eliminate LJ stasis
Clear Bladder heat
Taiyang Fu acc. blood formula
TAO HE CHENG QI TANG
High fever, profuse sweat, intense thirst, red face, feeling of heat, irritability, delirium,
Red tongue yellow coat
Overflowing-rapid or Big-rapid pulse
Yangming Channel AKA Interior Full Heat
Yangming channel pattern
Heat WITHOUT Form (heat)
Yangming organ pattern
Heat WITH form (Fire)
4 bigs
thirst
sweat
fever (actual measurable fever)
pulse
Yangming CHANNEL
What is the sign that Taiyang has become Yangming?
End of aversion to cold
Onset of aversion to heat
Yangming Channel pathology treatment principle
clear ST heat
Yangming Channel pathology formula
BAI HU TANG
High fever that worsens in afternoon, profuse sweat, sweating on limbs, abdominal fullness + pain, constipation, dry stool, thirst, dark urine
Red tongue thick dry yellow coat
Deep-full-slippery rapid pulse
Yangming Fu pathology
Yangming Fu treatment principle
drain Fire from ST and intestines
move downward
Yangming Fu formula
TIAO WEI CHENG QI TANG
DA CHENG QI TANG
what symptoms in Yangming channel pathology are not present in Yangming Fu?
profuse sweat
overflowing pulse
thin tongue coat
what symptoms in Yangming Fu pathology are not present in Yangming channel pathology?
constipation
abdominal pain/fullness
deep-full pulse
thick TC
Common symptoms in both yangming patterns
fever
no chills
feeling of heat
thirst
red tongue w yellow coat
What makes GB “curious?”
only Fu that stores a clean fluid (bile is pure/precious)
Shaoyang elemental energies
Fire (SJ) - open waterways
Wood (GB) - course qi
Ministerial Fire
Alternating C/F, bitter taste, dry throat, blurred vision/balance issues, hypochondrial fullness/distension, no desire to eat/drink, irritability, nausea, vomiting, HT vexation, unilateral thin white TC, wiry-fine (string-taut) pulse
Shaoyang pathology
What is the PF doing in Shaoyang
bounces between exterior (Taiyang/chills) and interior (Yangming/fever)
These symptoms are typical of what channel?
bitter taste, dry throat, blurred vision, hypochondrial fullness/distension, irritability, nausea/vomiting, unilateral TC
GB
Shaoyang pathology -> treatment principle
Harmonize Shaoyang
Shaoyang pathology formula
XIAO CHAI HU TANG
DA CHAI HU TANG
Opening in SHL theory
Taiyang: motion up + out (back of body)
Taiyin: opens yin processes to Yang
Pivot in SHL theory
Shaoyang: regulating in/out, up/down (side body)
Shaoyin: regulates yin/yang HT-KID
Closing in SHL theory
Yangming: down/in (front body)
Jueyin: prevents movement from being chaotic
3 hinges in SHL theory
eyes
mouth
throat
* all affected by Shaoyang pathology
Taiyin - Yangming connection
SP/ST
How is the central location of the SP related to disease?
Interchange of qi from above + below
Pi = obstruction
Taiyin elemental correspondency
Water
Earth
causes of Taiyin pathology
patient w/ constitutional SP yang xu contracts WC/internal damage leads to WC
progression of PF to taiyin
What characterizes Taiyin pathology
SP-yang xu + cold
Interior empty-cold is what SHL stage?
Taiyin
Abdominal fullness w periodic pain alleviated by pressure/warmth, feeling cold, vomiting, no appetite (can’t get food down), DIARRHEA (severe/spontaneous), NO THIRST, tiredness, pale tongue w/ sticky white coat, Deep-weak-slow pulse (moderate/weak)
Taiyin pathology
Taiyin pathology treatment principle
Tonify SP yang
expel cold
Taiyin pathology formula(s)
Moxa
LI ZHONG TANG
SI NI TANG
Taiyin pathology formula(s)
Moxa
LI ZHONG TANG
SI NI TANG
Shaoyin cold transformation
Kidney yang xu with empty-cold
Shaoyin heat transformation
Kidney yin with empty-heat
What SHL stage should you think of with these cardinal symptoms?
Lying with body curled, listlessness, desire to sleep + cold signs
Shaoyin cold transformation
Chills, feeling cold, lying w/ body curled, listlessness, desire to sleep, cold limbs, diarrhea w undigested food, no thirst, frequent pale urination, pale wet tongue w white TC
Deep-weak-slow pulse
Cold transformation
Cold transformation treatment principle
tonify KID-yang
expel cold
Shaoyin cold transformation treatment (SHL)
Moxa
SI NI TANG
Feeling of heat, irritability, insomnia, dry mouth/throat at night, dark urine, night sweats, red tongue w/o coat, Fine-rapid pulse
Shaoyin heat transformation
Shaoyin heat transformation SHL treatment
Nourish KID-yin
Clear empty-heat
Shaoyin heat transformation formula(s)
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Where are cold/heat located in Jueyin?
Heat above
Cold below
Persistent thirst, qi surging up to the heart, HT heat pain/vexation, hunger w/ no desire to eat, cold limbs, diarrhea, vomiting, vomiting roundworms, wiry pulse
* may be alternating C/F
* may be wood overacting on earth
Jueyin
Jueyin treatment prohibition
Purging
Jueyin treatment principle
Clear Heat above
Expel cold below
Harmonize LIV channel
Jueyin formula(s)
WU MEI WAN
Gan Jiang Huang Qin Huang Lian Ren Shen Tang
MA HUANG SHENG MA TANG
Vesicles vs. papules vs. macules
VESICLE: small, raised + filled with clear fluid dampness
PAPULE: raised/elevated, palpable usually Qi-level heat esp. LU ST
MACULE: flat + color change Nutritive or Blood heat
Timidity, a lack of courage, indecision, palpitations and
insomnia (in particular, waking up in the early hours of
the morning)
Wood not generating Fire
Corresponds to the Internal Organ pattern of Deficient
Gall Bladder or Deficient Liver
• Manifests primarily on a psychological level: Hun not coming/going enough to provide sufficient movement to the Shen
Loose stools, chilliness and weakness of the limbs
+ accompanied by some Heart Yang symptoms
• Palpitations, shortness of breath, tiredness, depression,
spontaneous sweat, stuffiness in the chest, feeling cold,
cold hands, bright pale face, slightly dark lips
Fire not generating Earth
Spleen-Yang deficiency due to failure of the physiological
Fire of the body in providing Heat to the Spleen to transform
and transport
Phlegm in the chest, cough and tiredness
Earth not generating Metal
Spleen deficiency –> phlegm formation, disrupting LU
Cough, breathlessness, loss of voice and asthma
Difficulty inhaling, cold limbs, clear urination, lower backache
Metal not generating Water
KID not receiving qi
Dizziness, blurred vision, headaches and vertigo
Water not generating Wood
KID- and LIV-yin xu
Hypochondriac and epigastric pain, a feeling of distension, irritability,
loose stools, poor appetite and greenish face
Wood overacting on Earth
Greenish face –> Wood is the root of the problem
LIV invading SP –> Xiao Yao San
Edema, difficult urination and a yellow face
Earth overacting on Water
Spleen failing to transform and transport fluids which accumulate and
obstruct the Kidney function of transformation and excretion of fluids
Edema of the ankles, backache, feeling cold, dizziness, expectoration of
thin watery sputum, palpitations
Water overacting on Fire
Kidney- Yang deficient Water overflowing to the Heart
• Jin gui shen qi wan and wu ling san
Cough with profuse yellow sputum, a feeling of heat and a red face
Fire overacting on Metal
Excess-Heat in the Lungs – Qian Jin wei Jing Tang
Tiredness, irritability, a feeling of distension, cough and a white face
Metal overacting on Wood
Deficient descending Lung-Qi impairs the free flow of Liver-Qi
Cough, asthma and a feeling of distension of chest and hypochondrium
Breathlessness, asthma, cough with yellow or blood tinged sputum, thirst, bitter taste, bloodshot eyes, scanty dark urine, constipation
Wood insulting Metal
The Liver channel influences the chest and stagnant Liver-Qi or Liver-Fire can obstruct the chest and prevent Lung-Qi from descending
–> Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Palpitations, insomnia and breathlessness
Slight cough, weak voice, dislike speaking, tendency to catch colds,
tiredness, depression, listlessness, spontaneous sweat, sighing
Metal insulting Fire
LU and HT-qi xu
–> Sheng Mai San, Si Jun Zi Tang, Bu Fei Tang
Palpitations, mental restlessness, insomnia, dizziness, lower backache and night
sweating, dream disturbed sleep, anxiety, poor memory, tinnitus, heat in the
evening, dry throat at night, thirst/small sips, scanty dark urine, dry stools
Fire insulting Water
HT/KID disharmony; Kidney-Yin deficiency with Heart Empty-Heat
Loose stools, edema, tiredness and weakness of the limbs
Water insulting Earth
SP- and KID-yang xu
Li Zhong Wan, Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan
Jaundice and hypochondriac pain and distension
Earth insulting Wood
Spleen failing to transforming fluids, leading to Dampness
• Dampness accumulates and obstructs the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, impeding the
free flow of bile
–> San Ren Tang
UJ contains and does
chest, heart, lungs
disperses qi + distributes blood (transformed from digested food as refined vapor)
MJ contains and does
LIV, SP, ST, SI
grinds, transports food as substantial refined/ripened “foam”
LJ contains and does
KID, UB, LI
Separates clear/turbid + discharges the turbid
SanJiao and 4 levels
UJ: Wei, Qi, Ying
MJ: Qi
LJ: Blood
When do UJ patterns occur in warm disease?
Early: LU (gen mild), PC (very serious)
Fever, aversion to cold, headache, sore throat, slight sweating, runny nose with yellow
discharge, swollen tonsils, body aches, slight thirst, tongue Red in the front or sides with a thin
white coating, Floating-Rapid pulse
Wind-Heat in the Lungs’ Defensive (Wei) Qi portion
= Wind-Heat at the Wei Qi Level of the Four Levels
WH in LU Wi qi: treatment principle, formulas
Treatment principle: release the Exterior, expel Wind-Heat, restore the diffusing and
descending of Lung-Qi
RX: Yin Qiao San and Sang Ju Yin
Fever, sweating, cough, breathlessness, thirst, feeling of oppression and pain of the chest, Red tongue with yellow coating, Rapid-Overflowing pulse
May appear with Phlegm - expectoration of profuse sticky yellow sputum
Heat in the LU (Qi level)
Qi-level heat in the LU treatment, formulas
Treatment principle: clear Lung-Heat, resolve Phlegm, restore the descending of Lung-Qi
Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, Wu Hu Tang, Xie Bai San, Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang
Pathological progressions of qi-level heat in the LU
Vertical: ST excess heat, LI dry stool
Transverse: PC
Aversion to cold, fever, slight sweating, head feels tight, wrapped in a bandage,
heaviness and aching of the body, cough, difficult breathing, chest and epigastric
distention, poor appetite, white and greasy tongue coat, soggy and moderate pulse
Combination Upper and Middle Burner pattern
LU qi fails to descend/disseminate
SP qi stag
If not resolved –> MJ
High fever at night, a burning sensation of the epigastrium, cold limbs, delirium, aphasia,
Deep-Red and Stiff tongue without coating, pulse Fine and Rapid
Wen Bing PC Heat in the Ying level
UJ: PC (sanjiao differentiation)
Heat in the PC treatment, formulas
Treatment principle: clear Heat in the Pericardium, restore consciousness, promote fluids
Qing Ying Tang
3 outcomes:
Ø If resolved, antipathogenic qi is restored
Ø Blockage of the pericardium may lead to yang collapse
Ø Or the Disease may progress to the lower burner
Yang vs. Yin MJ patterns
More yang (heat) –> ST –> LI
More yin (damp) –> SP
High fever that is worse in the afternoon, no aversion to cold, feeling of heat, intense thirst, profuse sweating, Red tongue with yellow coating, Overflowing-Rapid pulse
Heat in the Yangming
Qi-level ST heat
Direct attack of summerheat OR progression from LU
Treatment principle: clear Stomach-Heat
Bai Hu Tang
Yangming heat in ST outcomes
Ø If heat is cleared, the disease is successfully treated
Ø It can progress to the Large Intestine
Ø Or the heat can damage yin of the liver and kidney
Obstruction of qi in the Large Intestine by dry stool and heat with severe constipation
Ø Fever in the afternoon (3-7pm), yangming peak
Ø Constipation and concentrated urine
Ø LI blockage and concentration of heat
Ø Yellow, black, dry tongue coat
Ø Submerged and excessive pulse
Ø (interior dryness and heat from excess)
Heat in the Yangming (LI)
Treatment principle: Clear Large Intestine heat through purging, nourish fluids
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang or Da Cheng Qi Tang
Pathological progression of Yangming heat in the LI
Ø The heat from this excess may disturb the heart shen and/or stir up liver wind
Ø The may also transform into toxic heat, damaging the collaterals – bleeding, maculopapular rashes
Ø Or the patterns may progress to the lower burner, damaging the liver and kidney
Fever, epigastric fullness, a feeling of heaviness of the body and head, nausea, vomiting, Red
tongue with sticky yellow coating, Soggy and Rapid pulse
DH in the SP
= Qi level SP/ST heat in 4 levels
Treatment principle: clear Heat and resolve Dampness in the Spleen
Lian Po Yin
This pattern can be viewed as the pivot between upper and lower burner
Ø If the heat or damp heat can discharged quickly via the stool or urine, the progress of the
disease can be stopped
Where can patterns of the LJ show up?
KID LIV
Fever in the afternoon and evening, five-palm heat, dry mouth and throat, night sweating,
deafness, lassitude, Deep-Red tongue without coating, Floating-Empty and Rapid pulse
Heat in the KID
= Shaoyin heat transformation (SHL)
Treatment principle: nourish Kidney-Yin, clear Empty-Heat
Huang Lian E Jiao Tang, Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
High fever at night, coma, convulsions, clenched teeth, Deep-Red tongue without coating,
Wiry-Fine-Rapid pulse
LIV-heat stirring wind
= Blood-level heat stirring wind (WenBing)
Treatment principle: clear Heat, extinguish Wind, stop convulsions, restore consciousness
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Low-grade fever, cold limbs, dry and black teeth, dry and cracked lips, convulsions, tremor of limbs,
Deep-Red tongue without coating, Deep-Fine-Rapid pulse
LIV empty wind
= Blood level, empty-wind agitating the interior
Treatment principle: nourish Yin, extinguish Wind, stop convulsions
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang, San Jia Fu Mai Tang, Da Ding Feng Zhu
San Jiao patterns that don’t fit
Ø Summer-heat pathogens without dampness may attack the stomach in the middle burner in the
early stage of summer-heat attacks
Ø The early stages of damp-heat often affect the spleen
Ø Summer-heat can directly attack the pericardium or liver
Ø Lurking summer-heat can progress from the lower burner to the middle burner
Phlegm heat in the lung can lead to Large Intestine Qi stagnation, producing heat
Ø Heat pathogen in the lungs impairs water producing capacity of the lungs
Ø Kidney and Lung yin deficiency
LU-LI combo pattern
yangming (LI/ST) and the stomach collaterals connect to the heart
– Severe heat in the LI can invade the PC
Ø LI heat and PC heat
LI, ST combo pattern
LJ: extreme heat in the LI can damage Kidney yin
Ø LI heat and Kidney yin deficiency
LI and KID combo pattern
Characteristics of warm diseases
Characterized by more intense Heat
Ø They develop rapidly (rapid onset)
Ø They have a strong tendency to injure Yin (severe ramifications)
infectious, epidemic, seasonal and geographic
Manifest with fever
PF enters thru nose/mouth (externally contracted)
Wen-Bing external WH
They all manifest with fever
Ø The pathogenic factor enters through the nose and mouth
Ø Externally contracted pathogens, not the six qi
Wen Bing zangfu progression
LU –> yangming or PC
Final stage: LIV damage and/or KID yin
Exterior Wen Bing patterns
Wind-heat
Summer-heat
Damp-heat
Dry-heat
Fever (real, not just palpation), aversion to cold, headache, sore throat, slight sweating, runny
nose with yellow discharge, swollen tonsils, body aches, slight thirst,
tongue Red in the front or sides with a thin white coating, Floating-Rapid
pulse
Wen Bing ext WH
Release exterior, expel WH, restore diffusing and descending of LU qi
RX: Yin qiao san, Sang ju yin
Fever, aversion to cold, sweating, headache, a feeling of heaviness, an uncomfortable
sensation in the epigastrium, irritability, thirst, tongue Red in the front or sides with a white sticky coating, Soggy and Rapid pulse
Summer-heat (frequently combined with dampness)
Release the exterior, expel summerheat, clear heat, promote fluids
RX: Qing Luo Yin
Fever that is worse in the afternoon, body hot to touch, aversion to cold, SWOLLEN GLANDS,
headache, a feeling of heaviness, a feeling of oppression of the epigastrium, sticky taste, thirst with no desire to drink, sticky white tongue coating, Soggy pulse
Damp-heat at the Wei qi level
* sticky taste w/o desire to drink = typical DH
* swollen glands (dampness) = distinctive for this pattern
–> release exterior, resolve damp, clear heat
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Fever, slight aversion to cold, slight sweating, dry skin, nose, mouth and
throat, dry cough, sore throat, Dry tongue with thin white coating,
Floating-Rapid pulse
Dry-Heat at the Wei level
–> Release exterior, clear Heat, promote fluids
RX: Xing Su San, Sang Xing Tang
Fire vs. Heat
Ø Fire is more intense (intense thirst, high fever, intense feeling of heat)
Ø Fire affects the Mind more (mental restlessness, delirium)
Ø Fire dries up more (intense thirst, dry stools, constipation, very dry tongue
coating)
Ø Fire is at a deeper energetic layer than Heat
Ø Fire has a deep pulse compared to Overflowing in Heat
Ø Fire may cause bleeding
Ø In acute febrile diseases in children, fire may cause internal Wind quickly
High fever, feeling of heat, no aversion to cold, thirst, cough with thin yellow sputum,
shortness of breath, sweating, Red tongue with yellow coating, Slippery- Rapid pulse
Qi-level LU heat
Treatment principle: clear Qi, clear Lung-Heat, resolve Phlegm, restore
descending Lung-Qi
RX: Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, Xie Bai San, Qing Qi Hua Tan Tang, Wu Hu Tang
High fever that is worse in the afternoon, no aversion to cold, feeling of heat, intense thirst,
profuse sweating, Red tongue with yellow coating, Overflowing-Rapid pulse
Qi-level ST heat
= Yangming Jing in SHL
Clear Qi, clear ST-heat
RX: Bai Hu Tang
High fever that is higher in the afternoon, constipation, dry stools, burning in the anus,
abdominal fullness and pain, irritability, delirium, Red tongue with thick yellow dry
coating, Deep-Full-Rapid pulse
Qi-level Fire in the ST + intestines
= Yangming Fu in SHL
Drain fire, clear ST + intestines, move downward
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang
Alternating hot and cold feeling with a prevalence of heat, bitter taste, thirst, dry throat,
hypochondrial pain, nausea, a feeling of fullness in the epigastrium, Red tongue with
unilateral sticky yellow coating, Wiry- Rapid pulse
Qi-level GB heat
= SHL Shaoyang stage + more heat + some damp
Harmonize Shaoyang, clear GB heat
Hao Qin Qing Dang Tang
Continuous fever which decreases after sweating but soon increases again, a feeling of
heaviness of the body and head, a feeling of oppression of the chest and epigastrium,
nausea, loose stools, Red tongue with sticky yellow tongue coating, Soggy-Rapid pulse
Qi-level SP/ST damp-heat
Clear heat in SP/ST, resolve damp
RX: Lian Po Yin
Distinctive diagnostic signs of the Ying/Nutritive level
Fever at night
Deep red tongue w/o coat
vs. Qi-level (red w/ thick coat)
Fever at night, dry mouth with no desire to drink, mental restlessness, insomnia,
delirium, incoherent speech or aphasia, macules, Red tongue without coating,
Fine-Rapid pulse
Nutritive level heat
Clear nutritive Qi heat, promote fluids
Qing Ying Tang
Fever at night, mental confusion, incoherent speech or aphasia, delirium, body hot,
hands and feet cold, macules, Red tongue without coating, Fine-Rapid pulse
Ying-level heat in the PC
= Nutritive level heat + more mental signs
clear Nutritive Qi Heat, clear Pericardium-Heat,
restore consciousness, promote fluids
Qing Ying Tang
Xue level diagnostic signs
Definitive: MACULES
Ø Yin deficiency
Ø Bleeding
Ø Heat –> Mind, causing delirium or coma
Ø Internal Wind - convulsions and tremors
Ø Collapse of Yin or Yang may occur
High fever, mental restlessness, manic behavior, dark macules, vomiting of blood, epistaxis,
blood in stools, blood in urine, Dark-Red tongue without coating, Wiry-Rapid pulse
Heat agitating Blood (Xue level)
Clear blood heat, stop bleeding
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
High fever, fainting, twitching of limbs, convulsions, rigidity of neck, opisthotonos, eyeballs
turning up, clenching of teeth, Dark-Red tongue without coating, Wiry-Rapid pulse
Heat stirring wind at the Xue level
Full internal wind
Clear blood-heat, extinguish wind
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Low-grade fever, tremor of limbs, twitching, loss of weight, malar flush,
listlessness, Dark-Red tongue without coating and Dry, Fine-Rapid pulse
Empty-wind agitating the interior (Xue level)
Empty internal wind
Clear blood-heat, nourish LIV- and KID-yin, extinguish wind
RX: Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Low-grade fever, night sweating, mental restlessness, dry mouth with desire to sip liquids,
five-palm heat, malar flush, emaciation, Dark-Red and Dry tongue without coating, Fine-
Rapid pulse
Abundant perspiration, skin hot to the touch, hot limbs, a dry mouth with desire to drink cold
liquids in small sips, retention of urine, constipation, a Floating-Empty and Rapid pulse and a Red-Peeled, Short and Dry tongue
Yin Collapse (Xue)
Rescue Yin, restore consciousness
Da Bu Yin Wan
Feeling cold, cold limbs, bright-white complexion, profuse sweating on the forehead,
listlessness, Pale-Swollen and Short tongue, Hidden, Slow, Scattered pulse
Chilliness, cold limbs, weak breathing, profuse sweating with an oily sweat, no thirst, frequent
profuse urination or incontinence, loose stools or incontinence, a Minute-Deep pulse and a
Pale-Wet-Swollen-Short tongue
Yang Collapse (Xue)
Rescue Yang, restore consciousness
Shen Fu Tang
Ø Acute onset
Ø Thirst
Ø Irritability
Ø Insomnia
Ø Sudden tiredness and lassitude
Ø Weary limbs
Ø Dark urine
Ø Red tongue
Ø Rapid pulse
Latent heat
Alternation of chills and fever, bitter taste, hypochondrial pain, red eyes,
deafness, vomiting, a feeling of oppression of the diaphragm, Red
tongue with unilateral yellow coating, Wiry pulse
Shaoyang latent heat
Fever, abdominal fullness and pain, constipation, Red tongue with dry
brown coating, Deep-Full pulse, irritability, insomnia, sudden tiredness, weary limbs, dark urine
yangming Fu latent heat
A feeling of weariness of the limbs before the onset of other symptoms, insomnia,
irritability, dry mouth and throat, scanty dark urination, headache, backache,
tiredness, Red tongue, Rapid pulse
Shaoyin latent heat
Oily beads on forehead, dry mouth and teeth, irritability, delirium, scanty urine,
blood in urine, Deep-Red tongue without coating, Fine-Rapid pulse
Ying level latent heat
Delirium, faint feeling, dry limbs, sweating, irritability, macules, blood in urine,
epistaxis, Deep-Red tongue without coating, Fine-Rapid pulse
Xue level latent heat