Traditional Chinese Medicine Flashcards
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Is defined by the NCCAM as a System of medicine
Began 3000-4000 years ago
Shen Nong
the “father of agriculture and herbal medicine”; dressed in leaves and eating or holding plants.
Huang di
Wrote the “Yellow Emperors Inner Cannon or Nei jing (Nei Ching)
The Yellow Emperor; the “father of medicine” (2697-2597 BC)
It is a Medical philosophy
What are the 5 Elements
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water
5 Elements
WOOD (feeds) > FIRE (creates ash) > EARTH (contains) > METAL (bucket/carries) > WATER
Acupuncture Points/Acupoints
Energy points along the meridians where the vital force can be accessed to influence the flow qi.
Meridians
12-14 non-anatomical channels through which Qi (Chi) travel throughout the body
Wood:
Season: spring
Color: Green
Associated with: Gall Bladder and liver
Emotions: anger and shouting
Fire
Season: summer
Color: red
Associated with: heart and small intestine
Emotions: Joy or Sadness
Earth
Season: late summer
Color: yellow
Associated with: spleen and stomach
Emotions: Compassion
Metal
Season: autumn
Color: white
Associated with: lungs and large intestine
Emotions: Worry and Grief
Water
Season: winter
Color: black
Associated with: bladder & kidneys, fluidity and flow
Emotions: Fear and Anxiety
Yin Yang
Everything in nature has an opposing force
Yin: Passive, cool, dark, soft, and feminine. Inside and front of body
Yang: Active, hot, bright, hard, masculine. Outside and back of body
Definition and Cause of Illness
Defined by balance or imbalance of the vital force/Qi
Can cause imbalance of Chi: Negative emotions, hunger, overuse of the body, environment, and stress
The negative influences lead to a deficiency of Chi
Symptoms are regarded as signals of impaired flow of Chi
Diagnosis
Pulse, tongue, urine
Chi may be felt through wrist pulses
