1. Yin-Yang Balance and Imbalance
1.1. Yin-Yang Balance is a Universal Principle, Not Just for TCM
Yin-Yang balance is a traditional Chinese concept that can be used to explain various phenomena, not limited to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Essentially, it refers to the appropriate degree of various indicators necessary for the normal operation of things. Maintaining indicators within an appropriate range to ensure proper functioning is called balance. When indicators exceed the normal range, resulting in dysfunction, it is termed imbalance. This is a common and straightforward principle in life.
The textbook explanations of Yin-Yang can be somewhat abstract, leading many to struggle with intuitively understanding the principles of Yin-Yang. This lack of clarity can cause a series of confusions in subsequent learning. Therefore, it is crucial to clearly and understandably explain Yin-Yang balance.
Previous explanations of Yin-Yang often involved “using the obscure to explain the obscure,” meaning that one incomprehensible concept was used to explain another, ultimately failing to clarify the matter. Thus, we will use a familiar example to explain “Yin-Yang.”
Below is an example of temperature balance in a room.
Assume we have a 20 square meter room used as a bedroom.
We hope to control the room temperature around 25 degrees Celsius, with fluctuations not exceeding 5 degrees, meaning it should be between 20 and 30 degrees. This is a comfortable temperature range for living.
If the room temperature fluctuates beyond 5 degrees but less than 10 degrees, it indicates a problem with the temperature, though it is not yet serious. For instance, if it drops to between 15 and 20 degrees, it is termed cold; if it rises to between 30 and 35 degrees, it is termed hot. Both cold and hot are seen as affecting living conditions, but they are still bearable.
If the room temperature fluctuates beyond 10 degrees, falling below 15 degrees or rising above 35 degrees, it is considered a loss of living functionality.
To achieve this temperature control, we have equipped the room with a 2-horsepower air conditioner and a 3000-watt electric heater to adjust the room temperature.
The heater can raise the temperature, referred to as Yang.The air conditioner can lower the temperature, referred to as Yin.
This small example encompasses common elements of Yin-Yang, and here’s the explanation:
1. This example first establishes the function, which is the bedroom, meant for habitation. This point is crucial because function determines the balance point. If the room’s function is for living, the temperature balance point is 25 degrees. If the room is used as a cold storage, the balance point should be set at -10 degrees. Therefore, when discussing Yin-Yang and balance, we must first clarify the function. Different functions determine different balance points, which in turn determine the Yin-Yang attributes of different things.
2. Once the balance point is established, we can discuss Yin-Yang: in this example, with 25 degrees as the balance point, any object below this temperature is considered Yin, such as an object at around 10 degrees in the room, as it can lower the room temperature. However, if the room is used as a cold storage with a balance point at -10 degrees, then an object at around 10 degrees would be considered Yang, as its temperature is higher than the balance point. Thus, whether an object is Yin or Yang is relative to its balance point.
In our textbooks, we explain Yin-Yang basic attributes and the Yin-Yang attributes of things themselves, which can be abstract and difficult to understand. For example, textbooks state that heat belongs to Yang and cold belongs to Yin. But what temperature counts as hot, and what counts as cold? In fact, this implies using human body temperature as the balance point; temperatures above body temperature are considered hot (Yang), while those below are considered cold (Yin). If we change the object, the balance point changes, and the original Yin and Yang attributes will also change.
A 10-degree object feels cool to human touch, thus classified as Yin. However, if placed in a cold storage, it would be classified as Yang. Therefore, Yin-Yang attributes are relative and variable; the same object can have different Yin-Yang attributes depending on the balance point. The Yin-Yang attributes of any object are determined by the differences in its relative balance point.
Information:
The basic attributes of Yin-Yang can be summarized as follows: Anything that is moving, rising, floating, upward, external, hot, bright, and formless belongs to Yang; anything that is static, descending, sinking, inward, cold, dark, and tangible belongs to Yin. That is, heaven is above and formless belongs to Yang; earth is below and tangible belongs to Yin. The sun is bright and hot, thus Yang; the moon is dim and cold, thus Yin. In diseases, heat syndrome, excess syndrome, and exterior syndrome belong to Yang; cold syndrome, deficiency syndrome, and interior syndrome belong to Yin.
The basic attributes of Yin-Yang are absolute and fixed, but the Yin-Yang attributes of things themselves are relative and variable. This relativity and variability of the Yin-Yang attributes of things manifest in two ways: on one hand, under certain conditions, relative things can transform into each other, meaning Yin can transform into Yang and vice versa; on the other hand, it reflects the infinite divisibility of Yin-Yang attributes within a single entity, i.e., “Yin contains Yang, Yang contains Yin, and within Yin-Yang, there are also Yin and Yang” (from “Classics of Yin-Yang”).
1.2. Description and Regulation of Yin-Yang Imbalance:
TCM uses deficiency and excess to describe the nature of the causes of imbalance, and uses tonification and purging to describe the methods of regulating imbalance.
Deficiency:
Insufficient presence indicates deficiency (“When essence and qi are depleted, it leads to deficiency”). Deficiency can lead to inadequate ability to regulate balance, resulting in imbalance from general disturbances.
In our example, if the air conditioner malfunctions and its cooling capacity decreases by half, leading to a situation where the normal summer temperature becomes hot, it cannot provide sufficient cooling, which is deficiency, as the air conditioner is Yin, thus this is Yin Deficiency.
If the air conditioner fails to provide sufficient cooling, causing the room temperature to rise above 30 degrees, exceeding the normal range, it is termed heat.
This heat caused by Yin deficiency (insufficient air conditioning capacity) is termed deficiency heat.
Similarly, if the heater malfunctions and its heating capacity decreases, it is termed Yang Deficiency. This leads to a situation in winter where the room temperature falls below 20 degrees, termed cold. Cold due to Yang deficiency is termed deficiency cold.
Yang deficiency manifests as deficiency cold; Yin deficiency manifests as deficiency heat.
“Introduction to TCM – Pathogenesis”
Excess:
Presence where it should not be is termed excess (“When pathogenic qi is abundant, it leads to excess”). Excess indicates that the room is subjected to abnormal disturbances, which can lead to imbalance even if its self-regulating capacity is normal due to excessive interference.
In this example, if both the air conditioner and heater are functioning properly, but someone starts a fire in the room, causing the room temperature to rise, even if the air conditioner is running at full capacity, it still cannot maintain the room temperature within a reasonable range. The temperature rises above 30 degrees, becoming “heat.” This heat is caused by an unwanted fire, thus it is termed excess heat.
Similarly, if a large block of ice is placed in the room, causing the temperature to drop below 20 degrees, even with the heater running at full capacity, it cannot adjust, resulting in “cold.” This cold is termed excess cold.
Another situation of excessive function also falls under excess. For example, if the heater’s control malfunctions and continues to output heat at high power even when the room temperature is already high, causing the temperature to rise above 30 degrees. This imbalance is not due to external interference but rather a self-regulation issue, thus it is also considered excess heat.
Excess Yang manifests as hyperactivity and heat syndrome; excess Yin manifests as suppression and cold syndrome.
“Introduction to TCM – Pathogenesis”
Methods of Regulating Balance (Tonification and Purging):
Understanding the principles of deficiency and excess, cold and heat, naturally leads to understanding the methods of regulation.
If the issue lies with the air conditioner or heater, then repairing the air conditioner or heater is tonification. The air conditioner is Yin, thus repairing it is tonifying Yin. The heater is Yang, thus repairing it is tonifying Yang.
If there is excess fire or ice in the room, then removing them is purging. Removing the fire is termed purging heat, while removing the ice is termed dispersing cold.
Thus, it is said, “Deficiency is tonified, excess is purged.” In general, tonifying deficiency is called supporting the righteous, while purging excess is called expelling evil. Therefore, it can be said that the methods of TCM are fundamentally about supporting the righteous and expelling evil.
Coexistence of Deficiency and Excess:
Since deficiency refers to insufficient righteous qi and excess refers to excessive pathogenic qi, the two can coexist in the same area; different areas can have deficiency in one and excess in another. Generally, pure deficiency or pure excess often represents the initial stage of a disease, with a single cause, making treatment relatively simple. Chronic diseases, geriatric diseases, and severe illnesses often involve the coexistence of deficiency and excess, with both deficiency and excess present in one area, as well as different areas having deficiency and excess. Resolving such issues requires distinguishing primary and secondary, determining whether to tonify first or purge first, or whether to tonify lightly and purge heavily, or vice versa, or tonify one area while purging another, etc.
Incorrect Regulation:
It is crucial to distinguish between deficiency and excess before applying the corresponding tonification or purging methods; if misjudged, for example, if there is excess heat but it is misjudged as deficiency cold, and tonification of Yang (increasing heater output) is applied, it will exacerbate the situation, causing the room temperature to deviate further from the balance point. This can lead to more severe problems.
Therefore, one must not allow deficiency to become more deficient (deficiency deficiency) or excess to become more excessive (excess excess); this is a fundamental principle that TCM must adhere to. Since methods of supporting the righteous may carry the risk of retaining evil, methods of expelling evil often harm the righteous. Thus, whether supporting the righteous or expelling evil, one must be aware of the corresponding negative effects.
Do not let excess become excess, nor deficiency become deficiency, as this will bring calamity upon humanity and heaven, nor cause evil, nor lose the righteous, which will lead to the end of life.
“Huangdi Neijing – Great Discussion on the Five Constants”
Zhang Jingyue stated: “In human diseases, there are no more than exterior and interior, cold and heat, deficiency and excess; these six words encompass everything. Among these six, deficiency and excess are the most crucial, as all exterior syndromes, interior syndromes, cold syndromes, and heat syndromes all have deficiency and excess. If one can understand exterior and interior, cold and heat, and also understand deficiency and excess, then thousands of diseases can be unified, and the methods of treatment will not exceed attacking and tonifying, using attack and tonification, without exceeding deficiency and excess.”
“Huangdi Neijing – Explanation of Treatment Principles – Tonifying Deficiency and Purging Excess”
It is said: “Excess should be reduced, deficiency should be supplemented,” this is its meaning.
“Suwen – Great Discussion on the True and Ultimate”
When the pulses of the five organs are exhausted internally, the kidney and liver qi are exhausted internally, yet the physician still tonifies the heart and lungs; when the pulses of the five organs are exhausted externally, the heart and lung qi are exhausted externally, yet the physician still tonifies the kidney and liver. When Yang is exhausted, tonify Yin; when Yin is exhausted, tonify Yang, this is called excess excess, deficiency deficiency, reducing the insufficient and benefiting the excessive. If this is done, the patient will die.
“Nanjing – Twelve Difficulties”
Many TCM enthusiasts who are unwilling to study systematically often do not recognize the properties of herbs or understand differentiation. In the absence of a comprehensive grasp of the body’s deficiency and excess states, they often only see one aspect of deficiency and overlook other aspects of excess, leading to one-sided medication and committing the error of deficiency deficiency and excess excess, resulting in severe consequences.
Our former principal and TCM commander, Lv Bingkui, clearly stated that he opposes the short-term training programs for TCM that claim to provide quick results. Such programs produce a large number of half-baked TCM practitioners who seem to understand but do not fully grasp the knowledge, often committing the error of deficiency deficiency and excess excess, causing greater harm to patients and damaging the reputation of TCM. Everyone should take heed!
In the late stage of illness, it is not the same; treatment does not adhere to the four seasons, does not understand the sun and moon, does not examine the reverse and the following, the disease shape has already formed, yet one wishes to use fine needles externally and decoctions to treat internally, rough work is dangerous, thinking it can attack, thus the disease is not resolved, and new diseases arise.
“Suwen – Discussion on the Transformation of Essence and Qi”
Summary
Insufficient ability to maintain indicator balance is termed deficiency. In principle, the stronger the ability to maintain balance, the better. For example, compared to urban high-rise buildings, rural bungalows have a stronger ability to maintain balance; when encountering strong winds, heavy rain, or cold waves, high-rise buildings are better able to resist these external evils, which is why people prefer to live in high-rise buildings. For humans, healthy individuals have a strong ability to resist external wind, cold, heat, and dampness, meaning they have a strong ability to maintain their own balance. Conversely, unhealthy individuals have a weak ability to maintain balance, and even slight disturbances can lead to illness.
Unwanted factors that disturb balance are termed excess. In principle, it is best if there are none; if there are, they should be controlled within an acceptable range, not exceeding the body’s ability to regulate balance, or illness will occur.
1.3. Control of Balance:
In this example, someone needs to assess the room temperature; if it is too high, the air conditioner needs to be turned on, and if it is too low, the heater needs to be turned on, ensuring the room temperature remains within an appropriate range. With modern technology, sensors can also be used to detect temperature and automatically control it.
This control function corresponds to the spirit in TCM’s essence, qi, and spirit, which will be introduced in later chapters.
1.4. Mechanism of Balance:
To achieve balanced room temperature, air movement must be created, allowing the warm air from the heater to flow towards the cooler side and the cool air from the air conditioner to flow towards the warmer side. This is the mechanism of cold and heat balance in the room, also known as the interaction of Yin and Yang.
Modern concepts of heat conduction, convection, and radiation are reflected in the temperature balance mechanisms in nature and the human body. For example, the formation of clouds and rain in nature involves the principle of convection. The sun provides energy to nature, which involves the principle of heat radiation.
TCM summarizes this type of balance mechanism with the phrase “ascending, descending, entering, and exiting.” The larger aspects include the “ascending and descending” balance between the upper and lower parts of the body, and the “entering and exiting” balance between the interior and exterior; smaller aspects of “ascending, descending, entering, and exiting” are even more numerous, such as the spleen ascending clear qi, the stomach descending turbid qi, or the kidney water ascending and heart fire descending, etc.
The movement of qi is called “qi mechanism.” The basic forms of qi movement are ascending, descending, entering, and exiting. The movement of qi in ascending, descending, entering, and exiting is fundamental to the life activities of the human body, permeating the entire life process. If the movement of qi in ascending, descending, entering, and exiting ceases, it signifies the end of life activities.
“Introduction to TCM – Qi”
If entering and exiting cease, the spirit mechanism will perish; if ascending and descending cease, qi will stand alone and be in danger (1). Therefore, without entering and exiting, there can be no growth, aging, or death; without ascending and descending, there can be no growth, transformation, or storage (2). Thus, ascending, descending, and entering and exiting are present in all things. Therefore, all things have entering and exiting, and all things have ascending and descending. Transformation has its small and large aspects, and timing has its near and far aspects; these four aspects must be maintained, and deviating from them will lead to disaster (4).
“Suwen – Great Discussion on the Subtle”
When ascending, descending, entering, and exiting are well executed, it is termed “Yin and Yang intersecting, water and fire harmonizing,” which is a sign of life; when poorly executed, it is termed “Yin and Yang separating, water and fire not harmonizing,” which is a sign of death; TCM often refers to conditions of upper heat and lower cold or internal heat and external cold, indicating that the temperature balance mechanism in the body has malfunctioned, causing one part to be excessively hot while another part is excessively cold, which can lead to the severe consequence of Yin-Yang separation and death.
Li Zhongzi specifically pointed out: “The mechanism of heaven and earth’s creation is merely water and fire. It should be balanced, not biased; it should intersect, not separate. Fire rises, so it should be directed downwards; water descends, so it should be directed upwards. Water above and fire below is called intersection; intersection is a sign of harmony, while separation is a sign of disharmony. This illustrates the important significance of the interdependence and mutual restriction of Yin and Yang. Clinically, many chronic internal injury diseases are often seen with abnormal ascension and descension of Yin-Yang water and fire, heart and kidney not intersecting, which can even lead to the exhaustion of Yin and the collapse of Yang, endangering life.
“Huangdi Neijing – Explanation of the Interdependence and Unity of Yin and Yang”
1.5. Multiple Aspects of Balance:
The previous example focused on temperature balance; however, a room fulfilling the function of a bedroom requires balancing many other indicators, such as humidity, wall insulation, lighting, floor smoothness, etc., meaning there are multiple dimensions that need balancing.
Each dimensional indicator has its own balance range and imbalance range, similar to the temperature indicator. For instance, humidity must also have an appropriate range; excessive humidity leads to dampness, while insufficient humidity leads to dryness, both of which affect living functionality. Temperature imbalance is described using “cold” and “heat,” but humidity imbalance cannot use these terms; instead, it can be described using “damp” and “dry” for humidity imbalance.
Regardless of the type of imbalance, it ultimately relates to the two situations of “deficiency” and “excess,” as all imbalances are merely “too little of what should be there” or “too much of what should not be there,” or a combination of both “deficiency and excess.”
From the perspective of “sensitivity,” some indicators are sensitive, such as temperature, which changes frequently with the seasons and day-night cycles, requiring constant attention and adjustment. Other indicators are not sensitive, such as wall thickness, which remains unchanged for years unless special circumstances arise, thus generally not requiring attention to its changes. The human body is similar; since temperature changes are relatively sensitive and common, TCM often refers to “cold, heat, deficiency, and excess” together. However, we must understand that “deficiency and excess” is a general term for various indicators’ imbalances, while “cold and heat” specifically refers to the temperature indicator.
From the perspective of “importance,” most indicators are significant; any imbalance in an indicator can lead to a decline in functionality, and severe cases can lead to a loss of functionality. Therefore, even if an indicator is not sensitive, once it encounters special circumstances and becomes imbalanced, it must still be taken seriously and adjusted back to balance.
The multiple aspects of balance mentioned here apply to humans as well; temperature balance is an important aspect of human balance, but there are other aspects of balance, such as the balance of qi, blood, and fluids, corresponding to various imbalances like qi deficiency, qi stagnation, blood deficiency, blood stasis, fluid deficiency, phlegm retention, etc. These will be explained after discussing the mechanisms of human operation.
In the Illuminating Textbook “Introduction” in the Yin-Yang chapter, TCM uses the concept of Yin-Yang to elaborate on the body’s parts, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and prescriptions, which refers to this multidimensional balance.
The theory of Yin-Yang runs through all aspects of TCM theory and clinical systems, used to understand and explain the human body’s form, organs, meridians, life processes, disease processes, and differentiation treatment, etc.
“Introduction to TCM – Application of Yin-Yang Theory in TCM”
1.6. Elements of Balance:
In summary, we can identify several elements of balance.
Function:
To house people
Carrier:
The room
Indicators:
Temperature, humidity, wall insulation, lighting, floor smoothness, etc.
Each indicator has its appropriate balance point and normal upper and lower fluctuation ranges.
Using the balance point as a reference, indicators above it are Yang, while those below it are Yin.
Sensitive indicators: temperature
Non-sensitive: wall insulation, lighting, etc.
Function, carrier, indicators, and their fluctuation ranges are the three elements we need to focus on when discussing Yin-Yang balance.
The reason why the concept of Yin-Yang in TCM is difficult to understand is that practitioners often fail to clarify what the function is and where the balance point lies, leading to confusion and misuse of the Yin-Yang concept across different systems and levels, which is detrimental to the dissemination of TCM and causes confusion among learners.
For instance, Zhu Danxi stated, “The human body has excess Yang and insufficient Yin,” while the Huoshen school stated, “Yang is often insufficient, and Yin is often excessive.” These two statements appear contradictory. Both are prominent figures in TCM; how can there be such opposing descriptions? Are the Yin and Yang they refer to from the same system and level? What are the reasons for the excess and deficiency? How do they manifest? If these contextual functions and balance points can be clarified, understanding should be straightforward. However, without clarifying these premises, it becomes vague and misleading.
Therefore, whenever discussing Yin-Yang, it is essential to first clarify what the function is and what the balance point is. In other words, one should not discuss balance without function, nor discuss Yin-Yang without balance. If there are indeed unclear areas, they should be treated with skepticism and further investigation, rather than glossing over them.
1.7. Differences in Indicators Between TCM and Western Medicine
From the above discussion, we understand that the Yin-Yang balance, cold-heat deficiency-excess in TCM, and the balance of indicators in Western medicine refer to the same concept, differing only in terminology. Once the concepts of TCM indicators are clarified, these differences cease to exist. Western medicine’s need to lower blood pressure or blood sugar is also about regulating certain indicators’ balance.
So why is it still difficult to integrate TCM and Western medicine? It is due to the differences in the selection criteria for important indicators. The human body is an extremely complex system with many indicators that need regulation, each with varying importance. TCM considers Western medicine’s blood pressure and blood sugar indicators to be of lower hierarchy; simply regulating these indicators may have some effect but does not fundamentally resolve the issue and may even lead to further imbalance in other more important indicators. Conversely, Western medicine finds TCM’s concepts of essence, qi, spirit, blood, and fluids to be vague and unquantifiable, making it difficult to incorporate them into modern medical systems. This is likely the root of the conflict between TCM and Western medicine.
Objectively speaking, both sides have valid points. Learning TCM does indeed have its challenges, requiring a clear understanding of the significance of TCM’s major indicators, their manifestations of imbalance, and methods of regulation.
2. Advanced Content on Yin-Yang Balance
The previous discussion provided a simple understanding of balance; now we will delve deeper into the balance process to lay a foundation for learning about the natural world.
1.1. Small Balances Under the Great Balance
Once we establish a balance goal for a system, each relevant aspect has its own tasks to accomplish. To complete these tasks, each aspect also has its own balance point. These balance points can be understood as small balances under the great balance.
In the example of room temperature: if we divide the room along the Yin-Yang midpoint, the side closer to the heater will generally be warmer than the side closer to the air conditioner, becoming the Yang side. Conversely, the other side is termed the Yin side. The Yang side, let’s assume, has a balance point of 27 degrees with fluctuations; the Yin side has a balance point of 23 degrees with fluctuations.
Impact of Small Balances on Things
Once a large balance is determined, the various elements within the system will choose suitable positions based on their tendencies.
For example, if we wash clothes and need to dry them in the room, we will definitely hang them on the Yang side to dry quickly. If we have vegetables to store, we will place them on the Yin side to prevent spoilage.
In nature, some plants and animals thrive in the south, while others thrive in the north, all due to their respective tendencies in choosing suitable habitats.
Changes in Indicators in Space and Time:
The room temperature is constantly fluctuating; when it exceeds the balance point, it decreases, and when it falls below the balance point, it increases. Thus, the temperature at various points in the room changes over time.
Time changes: The temperature at any point in the room fluctuates as the air conditioner and heater adjust the room temperature.
Spatial differences: At any given time, the temperature at different locations in the room varies, reflecting the spatial distribution of temperature.
From a temporal perspective, Yin-Yang represents the fluctuations of indicators within the normal range; from a spatial perspective, it represents the reasonable differences in indicators across different spatial areas.
2.2. Further Division of Yin-Yang
Yin-Yang can be divided into various forms based on the ratio of Yin and Yang, not limited to a binary division. Here, we demonstrate the four-part and six-part divisions.
In the four-part division, the Yang side can be further divided into Yin and Yang, termed “Yin within Yang” and “Yang within Yang,” and the Yin side is similarly divided.
In the six-part division, both Yin and Yang are divided into three parts, using the naming conventions of Shao Yang, Yang Ming, Tai Yang, Tai Yin, Shao Yin, and Jue Yin.
Different situations can have different methods of division; for example, a year can be divided into four seasons, twelve months, twenty-four solar terms, or three hundred sixty-five days, etc. Choosing an appropriate method of division is for the convenience of observation, analysis, and regulation.
Just as a soccer team requires eleven players, a volleyball team requires six players, and a basketball team requires five players, regardless of the division method used, the ultimate goal is achieved through the balancing act of Yin and Yang.
Huangdi asked: I have heard that heaven is Yang, earth is Yin, the sun is Yang, and the moon is Yin. The three Yin and three Yang do not correspond to Yin and Yang; what is the reason for this?
Qibo replied: Yin and Yang can be counted in tens, pushed to hundreds, counted in thousands, and pushed to tens of thousands; the vastness of the universe cannot be exhausted, yet its essence is one.
“Suwen – The Separation and Union of Yin and Yang”
3. Analogous Examples
Using the example of room temperature balance again, objects with temperatures above the balance point are considered Yang, such as heaters and fire, while those below the balance point are considered Yin, such as air conditioners and ice. Thus, heaters and fire belong to the same category, while air conditioners and ice belong to another category; or, regarding the current balance point, they exhibit similar characteristics.
These similar objects can complement and replace each other; for example, when the room temperature is low and the heater is insufficient, we can consider starting a fire to help raise the room temperature. Conversely, when the air conditioner malfunctions, we can place some ice to compensate for its cooling deficiency. In ancient times, before air conditioners and heaters existed, ice and fire were used to regulate room temperature. The nature of both is the same; modern methods are simply more convenient.
TCM treatment is about correcting the body’s imbalances using natural tendencies, which is the essence of this concept. We need to understand the manifestations of various imbalances in different parts of the body, which allows us to determine the imbalanced areas and their nature based on these manifestations. We also need to understand the properties of herbs and the effects of formulas. This way, we can select the correct herbs and formulas to correspondingly regulate the body’s imbalances. For instance, for spleen Yang deficiency, we can use warming ginger; for kidney Yin deficiency, we can use Rehmannia and donkey-hide gelatin; for heart Yang deficiency, we can use Guizhi and licorice decoction, etc.
Earlier, when discussing excess heat, we mentioned that a fire in the room can cause excess heat. Here, we also state that when the temperature is low and the heater is insufficient, a fire can help raise the temperature. So, is this fire a pathogenic cause or a corrective medicine? This entirely depends on whether the original room temperature is balanced or imbalanced. If the room temperature is low, a fire helps bring the temperature closer to balance, making it a good medicine. If the room temperature is balanced, the fire will disrupt the balance, making it a poison. In summary, everything is based on balance; any medicine or therapy that maintains balance is good, while anything that disrupts balance is bad.
Thus, in TCM, discussing the properties of herbs without considering balance is erroneous and misleading. Proper use can make arsenic save lives; improper use can make ginseng harm people.
4. Some Extended Content
4.1 Effective Areas of Balance:
We say that the room achieves a balanced temperature of 20-30 degrees under the influence of the air conditioner and heater. This is a general situation; strictly speaking, the temperature near the air conditioner and heater exceeds this range. The cooling temperature of the air conditioner is around 15 degrees, while the heater is around 80 degrees. The temperatures near these two extremes are outside the acceptable range, so we do not live near them.
The central area of the room has a temperature that conforms to the balanced temperature range, so we can understand this area as the effective area of the room.
The areas near the air conditioner and heater serve as the two extremes of room temperature, which are unsuitable for living but play an important role in forming the effective area.
Clarifying this point is essential for better understanding TCM’s descriptions of the places where natural qi interacts.
4.2. Extremes Lead to Reversals:
Extremes lead to reversals indicate that during the fluctuation of indicators, when they rise to a certain level, they will fall, and when they fall to a certain level, they will rise, thus maintaining balance.
Changes in the four seasons, the dominance of cold and heat, heavy Yin must lead to Yang, heavy Yang must lead to Yin (1). Therefore, Yin governs cold, and Yang governs heat (2). Thus, when cold is excessive, heat arises; when heat is excessive, cold arises (3). Hence, it is said that cold generates heat, and heat generates cold; this is the transformation of Yin and Yang (4).
“Lingshu – Discussion on Disease Diagnosis”
The concept of extremes leading to reversals should not be misused; when the self-regulating capacity of a thing is strong, phenomena of extremes leading to reversals can occur, such as heat generating cold and cold generating heat. If the capacity for balance is weak, extremes cannot reverse, leading to death.