WK10 - Syndromes, S/Sx

Question 1

Why is it important to regulate the Qi dynamic in the body?

Answer 1

If Qi & Blood are flowing, there is health.

If Qi & Blood are constrained, there is stagnation and disease.

Question 2

What is Qi Stagnation? What are some signs of Qi Stagnation?

Answer 2

• Qi Stagnation is blockage: when things are stuck or stopped
• SX: bloating & distention, pain, stifling sensations

Question 3

What is Rebellious Qi? What are some signs of Rebellious Qi?

Answer 3

• Rebellious Qi is the reversal of correct flow: things have not just stopped; they’ve reversed course
• SX: belching, nausea, vomiting, wheezing, dyspnea

Question 4

What are the 3 major types of Stagnant Qi (what organs are affected)?

Answer 4

1) Stagnant Spleen & Stomach Qi
2) Constrained Liver Qi
3) Stagnant Lung Qi leading to loss of dissemination & descending

Question 5

What are some signs & symptoms of Stagnant Spleen & Stomach Qi?

Answer 5

• Spleen governs transformation & transportation, so SX include: distention, pain in epigastrum or abdomen
• Stomach governs receiving & taking in, so SX include: vomitng, acid regurgitation

Question 6

What are some signs & symptoms of Constrained Liver Qi?

Answer 6

• Liver governs dredging & draining, as well as free coursing of emotions
• SX of Constrained Liver Qi: frustration, irritability, pain in hypochondrium & flank, bulging disorders / hernias, dismenorrhea

Question 7

What are some signs & symptoms of Stagnant Lung Qi?

Answer 7

• Lung governs Qi

- SX of Stagnant Lung Qi: coughing & wheezing (if rebellious qi), stifling sensation in chest (if stagnation)

Question 8

What is an herb we’ve learned that Regulates the Qi? What are its key characteristics?

Answer 8

Chen Pi - Citri reticulatae Pericarpium:

• promotes the flow of qi
• dries dampness
• very effective at treating Lung & Spleen (though it goes to the LU, SP and ST channels)

Question 9

What is Bleeding?

Answer 9

Bleeding means that blood has left its normal passageways

Question 10

What are the 3 causes of Bleeding?

Answer 10

1) Blood can leak out, as when Spleen Qi fails to contain the blood.
2) Blood can be forced out by Excess Yang or Heat in the blood due to Severe Yin Deficiency.
3) Blood Stasis can cause bleeding when it obstructs the normal passageways, forcing blood out of the vessels.

Question 11

Blood follows Qi. What can cause bleeding in the upper part of the body? What can cause bleeding in the lower part of the body?

Answer 11

• Ascendant Yang can cause bleeding in the upper part of body.
• Spleen Qi Deficiency can can lead to bleeding in the lower part of body.

Question 12

Herbs that Stop Bleeding can stop bleeding in many areas of the body. What are some different types of bleeding (in other words, what are some internal or external situations for use of these herbs)?

Answer 12

• Nosebleed (due to Ascendant Yang or Heat)
• Bleeding from trauma
• Vomiting of blood
• Coughing up blood
• Blood in the stool
• Blood in the urine
• Excessive menstruation
• Abnormal uterine bleeding

Question 13

Herbs that Stop Bleeding treat the branch symptom or the root cause?

Answer 13

• For the most part, Herbs that Stop Bleeding treat the branch symptom.
• Therefore, these herbs should be used with other herbs which treat the underlying condition that is causing the bleeding.

Question 14

What are the characteristic signs of bleeding due to Heat?

Answer 14

Profuse, bright red blood

Question 15

What are the characteristic signs of bleeding due to Qi Deficiency?

Answer 15

Cannot hold blood, continuous bleeding (e.g. spotting throughout the menstrual cycle)

Question 16

What are the characteristic signs of bleeding due to Stasis or Trauma?

Answer 16

Dark blood (bc it’s been sitting too long), clots, pain of fixed location

Question 17

What are the characteristic signs of bleeding due to Cold?

Answer 17

Dark blood, pain of fixed location

Signs of bleeding due to Blood Stasis are similar to signs of bleeding due to Cold

Question 18

What is an herb we’ve learned that Stops Bleeding? What are its key characteristics?

Answer 18

San Qi - Notoginseng Radix:

• stops bleeding w/o causing blood stasis (this herb is famous for this reason)
• transforms blood stasis
• reduces swelling & stops pain

Question 19

What kinds of situations do herbs that Invigorate the Blood treat?

Answer 19

Herbs that Invigorate the Blood treat the blood when it has been slowed or obstructed or static

Question 20

What kinds of stasis situations can specifically be treated by herbs that Invigorate the Blood?

Answer 20

• Pain: general or localized (fixed, stabbing pain)
• Numbness & paresthesias of the limbs
• Masses or lumps (internally or near the surface of body)
• Hematomas
• Masses due to bleeding (trauma)
• Bleeding of any kind where it is purple and with clots, indicating blood stasis (spider nevi, varicose veins)
• Dark purple stasis spots on the skin, mucous membranes, or tongue
• Amenorrhea
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Postpartum abdominal pain
• Chest painful obstruction
• Hypochondrial pain
• Pain due to wind-damp painful obstructions
• Abscesses & other types of sores
• Abdominal masses or fibroids
• Traumatic pain from fractures
• Pain of tumors

Question 21

What is an herb we’ve learned that Invigorates the Blood? What are its key characteristics?

Answer 21

Chuan Xiong - Chuanxiong Rhizoma:

• invigorates the blood
• promotes the movement of qi
• expels wind
• stops pain & headaches – esp. useful for Shao Yang temporal H/A (GB channel) or vertex H/A (LV channel)

Question 22

What is another herb we’ve learned that Invigorates the Blood? What are its key characteristics?

Answer 22

Chi Shao - Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Red Peony Root):

• invigorates the blood
• transforms stasis
• stops pain
• cools heat in the blood