WEEK 5 (Medicine in Ancient China) Flashcards
Who are the three emperors that make up the roots of Chinese Medicine and when were they born?
- Fu Xi (2900 BCE)
- Shen Nong (2700 BCE)
- Huangdi (2600 BCE)
What is the importance in the reign of Fu Xi?
Came up with the concept of Yin and Yang
What is the importance in the reign of Shen Nong?
Acupuncture and many of the medicines
What is the importance in the reign of Huangdi?
Huangdi is supposed to be the author of HUANGDI NEIJING (The Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor) which is the classic book of internal diseases
What is the importance of Yang?
- Associated with the heavens
- Related to exterior elements that are LIGHT and MALE
- Action and Transformation
Which organs are associated with Yang?
- The large intestine
- Small intestine
- Gallbladder
- Stomach
- Bladder
Which organs are associated with Yin?
- Heart
- Liver
- Lung
- Kidney
- Spleen
What is the importance of Yin?
- Associated with the Earth
- Related to interior elements that are PASSIVE, DARK and FEMALE
- Circulation
- Nourishment
- Growth
What are the five Wu Xing elements?
- Wood
- Fire
- Earth
- Metal
- Water
What are the properties of Wood (Wu Xing element)?
LIFE CYCLE = Birth
SEASON = Spring
DIRECTION = East
COLOUR = Green-blue
FORM = Long
ENERGY = Growth
ORGAN = Liver
EMOTION = Anger
What are the properties of Fire (Wu Xing element)?
LIFE CYCLE = Growth
SEASON = Summer
DIRECTION = South
COLOUR = Red
FORM = Triangle
ENERGY = Radiation
ORGAN = Heart
EMOTION = Manic
What are the properties of Earth (Wu Xing element)?
LIFE CYCLE = Maturity
SEASON = In between seasons
DIRECTION = Center
COLOUR = Yellow
FORM = Square
ENERGY = Connection
ORGAN = Spleen
EMOTION = Worry
What are the properties of Metal (Wu Xing element)?
LIFE CYCLE = Decay
SEASON = Fall
DIRECTION = West
COLOUR = White
FORM = Round
ENERGY = Solidification
ORGAN = Lung
EMOTION = Sorrow
What are the properties of Water (Wu Xing element)?
LIFE CYCLE = Death
SEASON = Winter
DIRECTION = North
COLOUR = Black
FORM = Irregular
ENERGY = Spreading
ORGAN = Kidney
EMOTION = Fear
Describe the life force “Chi”
- Motivating energy that moves through a series of channels beneath the skin (also called MERIDIANS)
- If a person is feeling well = energy flow is similar to quickly flowing river
- Irritability/an actual illness = Blocked flow of energy causing imbalance
Describe diagnostics in Ancient China
- Diseases categorised by DEGREE OF SICKNESS
- Examination of a patient involved INTERROGATION of the patient and the family to gain a case history of behaviour patterns as well as current symptoms
- All SENSES involved
- 51 different types of PULSE (symptomatic of various health issues)
- 37 shades of TONGUE COLOUR
What were some things done during diagnosing patients?
- Yellowing of the eyes = ill health of liver
- Surface of the ear inspected = identify kidney disease
- Lips examined = Spleen problems
- Palpating body for tenderness, observing patient’s voice, comparing temp of the body & noting particular odors
- Asking direct questions