Foundations of TCM

  • Yin-Yang Theory
  • Five Elements Theory
  • Meridians & Acupoints
  • Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
  • Zang-Fu Organs

Inheritance of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Differentiation of Cold and Heat in the Eight Principles

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Inheritance of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Differentiation of Cold and Heat in the Eight Principles

The Eight Principles: Exterior, Interior, Cold, Heat, Deficiency, Excess, Yang, Yin. Among these, Exterior, Heat, and Excess belong to Yang. Interior, Deficiency, and Cold belong to Yin. Therefore, Yin and Yang also have the overarching principle of the Eight Principles. Zhang Jingyue’s concept of “Two Principles and Six Transformations” is most fitting. ​ The differentiation … Read more

Understanding Disease Differentiation in TCM: The Eight Principles – Deficiency and Excess

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Understanding Disease Differentiation in TCM: The Eight Principles - Deficiency and Excess

The differentiation of deficiency and excess can identify the strength of the body’s vital energy and the severity of pathogenic factors. Deficiency refers to the weakness of vital energy, which is the fundamental substance for the physiological activities and maintenance of the body’s organs, such as insufficient qi (气), xue (血), and jinye (津液); excess … Read more

Eight Principles of Hand Diagnosis Based on Color Observation (Must-Collect)

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Eight Principles of Hand Diagnosis Based on Color Observation (Must-Collect)

The Eight Principles of Hand Diagnosis Based on Color Observation belong to the main theoretical foundation of the cultural school of hand diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Long-term research indicates that it primarily includes eight colors observed in hand diagnosis: red, green, purple, yellow, brown, white, black, and turbid. This differs from the five … Read more

The Eight Principles of Differentiation Based on the Six Diseases of Cold Damage

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The Eight Principles of Differentiation Based on the Six Diseases of Cold Damage

Introduction: Today we will learn about Cheng Guopeng’s “Eight Methods”. Throughout the history of Chinese medicine, various texts have recorded treatment methods, typically listing five or six methods. However, Cheng’s “Medical Insights” expands this to eight methods, significantly influencing the development of TCM treatment principles for future generations. The opening of “Medical Insights: Eight Methods … Read more

The Eight Principles of Diagnosis: Yin and Yang

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The Eight Principles of Diagnosis: Yin and Yang

​ Four, Yin and Yang ​ Yin and Yang are the overarching principles of the Eight Principles of Diagnosis. In diagnosis, all diseases can be divided into two main aspects, Yin and Yang, based on the pathological nature of the clinical symptoms. Therefore, the “Su Wen: On the Correspondence of Yin and Yang” states: “A … Read more

Understanding Disease Differentiation in TCM: Eight Principles – Cold and Heat

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Understanding Disease Differentiation in TCM: Eight Principles - Cold and Heat

Cold and Heat Differentiation: Cold and heat are a pair of principles used to differentiate the nature of diseases, reflecting the imbalance of Yin and Yang during the disease process.1. Cold Syndrome refers to the invasion of cold pathogens, or Yang deficiency with excessive Yin, leading to a decline in the body’s functional activities, manifesting … Read more

How to Differentiate the Six Meridians and Eight Principles in Clinical Practice?

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How to Differentiate the Six Meridians and Eight Principles in Clinical Practice?

Last week during a clinic visit, an intern asked me how to conduct a diagnosis in clinical practice. This question is very important; how to inquire and collect information through the four examinations reflects your clinical thinking. Previously, we discussed that the Six Meridians (Liù Jīng) originate from the Eight Principles (Bā Gāng). In clinical … Read more

Differentiation of Cold and Heat Patterns in Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Differentiation of Cold and Heat Patterns in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Cold and Heat are two fundamental concepts for differentiating the nature of diseases. Pathogenic factors can be classified into Yang and Yin pathogens, while the body’s righteous Qi can be divided into Yang Qi and Yin Fluids. Yang pathogens can cause disease by leading to an excess of Yang Qi and damage to Yin Fluids, … Read more

Traditional Chinese Medicine – Eight Principles Differentiation (Part 2) – Cold and Heat, Deficiency and Excess, Yin and Yang

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Traditional Chinese Medicine - Eight Principles Differentiation (Part 2) - Cold and Heat, Deficiency and Excess, Yin and Yang

II. Differentiation of Cold and Heat Cold and heat are fundamental principles for distinguishing and judging the nature of diseases. Cold and heat primarily reflect the rise and fall of Yin and Yang in diseases, as well as the nature of pathogenic factors being Yin or Yang. It is important to clarify: While aversion to … Read more

Summary of the Eight Principles in TCM: Yin, Yang, Exterior, Interior, Cold, Heat, Deficiency, Excess!

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Summary of the Eight Principles in TCM: Yin, Yang, Exterior, Interior, Cold, Heat, Deficiency, Excess!

Summary of the Eight Principles: What do Yin, Yang, Exterior, Interior, Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess mean? The Eight Principles—Yin, Yang, Exterior, Interior, Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess are the main components of TCM diagnosis. Through clinical practice, utilizing the four diagnostic methods, we analyze and summarize the disease conditions according to the progression of … Read more