According to TCM theory, the elements of a “pattern” (zheng) include clinical manifestations (symptoms, signs, or primarysyndromes, secondarysyndromes) and pathogenesis (etiology, location, nature, severity, or primary pathogenesis, secondary pathogenesis). In a broad sense, a pattern includes syndromes, pattern elements, and pattern names.Symptoms + Signs = Syndromes.Based on syndromes, the pattern elements are deduced from the etiology and the 12 meridians.
Location Pattern Elements + Nature Pattern Elements = Pattern Name.Pattern elements are the indivisible diagnostic units in pattern differentiation.Syndrome: Initial causes, cold-heat, sweating, pain locations, pain nature, discomfort in head and body, sleep, emotions, voice, cough, phlegm, shortness of breath, dietary preferences, bowel movements, urination, menstrual and seminal fluid, bleeding, mental state, complexion, etc., signs of the head and face, neck, chest, abdomen, physical signs, tongue appearance, pulse condition, etc., blood, urine, and stool tests.Location pattern elements: 20 items: Heart spirit (brain), heart, lung, spleen, liver, kidney, stomach, gallbladder, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, uterus, seminal chamber, chest diaphragm, [upper jiao], lower abdomen [lower jiao], exterior, half-exterior half-interior, skin, meridians, muscles and bones [joints]. Nine specialized locations for the five senses: eyes—muscle wheel, blood wheel, qi wheel, wind wheel, water wheel; ears, nose, throat (larynx), teeth (gums).Nature pattern elements: 33 items: (external) wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, (external) dryness, fire (heat), phlegm, fluids, water retention, parasitic accumulation, food stagnation, toxins, pus, qi stagnation, qi obstruction, qi deficiency, qi sinking, qi not holding, qi collapse, blood stasis, blood heat, blood cold, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, yang deficiency, loss of yin, loss of yang, essence (marrow) deficiency, fluid (liquid) damage, yang floating, yang hyperactivity, internal wind, blood movement. Special or temporary items: qi counterflow, joy, anger, worry, sadness, fear, dryness, stones, toxins. The composition of pattern elements is standardized.Pattern Name: Heart spirit patterns, heart disease patterns, lung disease patterns, spleen-stomach-intestinal disease patterns, liver-gallbladder disease patterns, kidney system disease patterns, organ-complex patterns, physical disease patterns, other patterns. Common pattern diagnosis standards: phlegm obstructing the heart spirit pattern, heart pulse phlegm obstruction pattern, lung yin deficiency pattern, phlegm heat obstructing the lung pattern, spleen yang deficiency pattern, stomach cold pattern, intestinal damp-heat pattern, liver qi stagnation pattern, liver-gallbladder damp-heat pattern, kidney deficiency water flooding pattern, bladder damp-heat pattern, uterine phlegm damp pattern, seminal chamber stasis pattern, liver qi stagnation spleen deficiency pattern, liver-kidney yin deficiency yang hyperactivity pattern, wind-cold binding exterior pattern, lesser yang disease pattern, skin heat toxin pattern, wind-phlegm obstructing collaterals pattern, muscle and bone cold damp pattern, qi and blood both deficiency pattern, yang qi loss pattern. The deficiency patterns of qi, blood, and fluids: qi deficiency, blood deficiency, essence (marrow) deficiency, fluid deficiency, qi collapse, blood collapse, qi sinking, qi not holding. The excess patterns of qi, blood, and fluids: qi stagnation, blood stasis, dampness, water, fluids, phlegm, qi counterflow, qi obstruction, blood cold, blood heat, etc. The clinical pattern names of qi and blood, qi-blood and fluids: qi and blood deficiency, qi stagnation blood stasis, qi not holding blood, qi following blood collapse, qi deficiency blood stasis, phlegm stasis mutual binding, qi deficiency water retention, fluid and qi deficiency, etc. For example, if a patient complains of dizziness and blurred vision, according to TCM theory, “all dizziness belongs to the liver,” “no phlegm, no dizziness; no fire, no dizziness; no wind, no dizziness; no deficiency, no dizziness; fat people have dizziness due to qi deficiency with phlegm; thin people have dizziness due to blood deficiency with fire; wind and fire disturb, causing dizziness,” etc. Therefore, the syndrome of “dizziness and blurred vision” may involve: liver wind, phlegm, fire, qi deficiency, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, yang hyperactivity, etc. At this point, examination may reveal the patient has a pale complexion, a light tongue, and a thin, deep pulse, indicating blood deficiency. If the patient is thin, it supports the saying, “thin people have dizziness due to blood deficiency with fire.” In treatment, the focus would be on nourishing blood and clearing fire. If the patient is overweight, has chest tightness, a greasy tongue coating, and a slippery pulse, the likelihood of phlegm as the cause increases, thus ruling out blood deficiency, yin deficiency, and yang hyperactivity. The methods of pattern differentiation thinking: induction, analogy, deduction, and refutation.Refutation:Red complexion, dry throat, irritability—suggests yin deficiency with excess fire; if urination is clear and prolonged, and the lower limbs are very cold, the disease is defined as: deficiency yang floating and exceeding pattern.Analogy:Yin deficiency pattern—red complexion, five hearts heat or afternoon tidal heat, weight loss, night sweats, red cheeks, red tongue with little coating, thin rapid pulse. Yin deficiency can coexistwithqi deficiency, blood deficiency, yang deficiency, yang hyperactivity, essence deficiency, fluid deficiency, and dryness evil,simultaneously chronicormutually causal, manifesting as patient qi and yin deficiency, blood and yin deficiency, yin and yang deficiency, yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, yin essence deficiency, yin fluid (liquid) deficiency, yin deficiency with internal dryness, etc., which can further develop into yang deficiency, loss of yin can lead to internal wind, qi stagnation, blood stasis, water retention, and other pathological changes.Deduction:For example, if a patient feels cold after taking a shower and develops chills and body aches at night, it indicates an exterior pathogen condition; if the next day they only have a fever, no chills, and have thirst, a red tongue, and a rapid pulse, it indicates that the exterior condition has resolved, and it is now an interior heat pattern; if they now have a noticeable cough, shortness of breath, and yellow phlegm, it indicates the disease is located in the lungs, thus the pattern is lung heat blazing pattern.Induction:If a patient complains of jaundice, along with rib pain and a lump under the right rib, it indicates the disease is located in the liver and gallbladder; fever, bitter mouth, yellow urine, red tongue, yellow coating, rapid pulse, etc., indicate the nature is heat; thirst without desire to drink, greasy coating, slippery pulse, nausea, and loose stools indicate dampness; distension and pain, abdominal bloating, also indicate qi stagnation. By analyzing the scattered symptoms, one can clearly and comprehensively understand the condition. This disease involves the liver, gallbladder, dampness, heat, and qi stagnation, and under the guidance of TCM theory, a comprehensive judgment is made, diagnosing it as a liver-gallbladder damp-heat qi stagnation pattern. Location pattern elements: liver, gallbladder; nature pattern elements: dampness, heat, qi stagnation.Location Pattern Elements + Nature Pattern Elements = Pattern Name (liver, gallbladder) + (dampness, heat, qi stagnation) = Pattern Name (liver-gallbladder damp-heat qi stagnation pattern).The principles of TCM pattern differentiation thinking are based on syndromes, identifying pattern elements, and forming pattern names. Using symptoms as the basis, differentiating patterns from symptoms, and following TCM theory for comprehensive evaluation is the principle of TCM pattern differentiation. Pattern elements are the basic components of a pattern and are the core of pattern differentiation.The entire book “Pattern Element Differentiation” is divided into five chapters: research on differentiation methods, syndrome pattern element scale, pattern element diagnostic standards, common pattern diagnostic standards, and pattern element differentiation diagnostic software. Its specific content is standardized and accurate, representing the latest research achievements, with significant academic implications. Its application in clinical practice can enhance the level of TCM pattern differentiation and treatment..
|
The Yin-Yang and Five Elements of the Human Body, the five organs represent yang energy, while emotions represent yin energy. |
||||||||||||
|
Yin-Yang |
Interior |
Exterior |
Interior |
Exterior |
Interior |
Exterior |
Interior |
Exterior |
Interior |
Exterior |
Interior |
Exterior |
|
Five Elements |
Five Organs |
Five Bowels |
Five Forms |
Five Virtues |
Five Stores |
Five Qualities |
Emotions |
Five Sounds |
Five Orifices |
Five Fluids |
Five Smells |
Pathological Changes |
|
Wood |
Liver |
Gallbladder |
Tendons |
Nails |
Spirit |
Blood |
Anger |
Shouting |
Eyes |
Tears |
Odor |
Clenching |
|
Fire |
Heart |
Small Intestine |
Pulse |
Face |
Spirit |
Fluids |
Joy and Hate |
Laughing |
Tongue |
Sweat |
Burnt |
Melancholy |
|
Earth |
Spleen |
Stomach |
Flesh |
Lips |
Intention |
Fluids |
Worry and Resentment |
Singing |
Mouth |
Saliva |
Fragrance |
Vomiting |
|
Metal |
Lung |
Large Intestine |
Skin |
Hair |
Po |
Qi |
Sadness and Grief |
Crying |
Nose |
Mucus |
Fishy |
Coughing |
|
Water |
Kidney |
Bladder |
Bone |
Hair |
Will |
Essence |
Fear and Irritation |
Moaning |
Ear |
Saliva |
Rotten |
Shivering |
One asks about cold and heat, two asks about sweating, three asks about head and body, four asks about bowel movements, five asks about diet, six asks about the chest, seven asks about deafness, eight asks about all conditions, nine asks about past illnesses, ten asks about causes, and additionally, for eye medications, three changes must be discerned. For women, it is essential to ask about menstrual cycles, delays, and irregularities can all be observed. Additional notes for pediatrics, smallpox, and measles are all included.
| Eight Principles Differentiation: | ||||
| Yang | Pattern Type | Yin | ||
| Body surface, skin, six bowels, meridians, three yang meridians | Exterior | Pattern Location | Interior | Organs, muscles and bones, five organs, organs, three yin meridians |
| Excessive pathogenic qi | Excess | Human Qi | Deficiency | Upright Qi Deficiency |
| Whole body or local heat sensation; aversion to cold and preference for heat | Heat | Pattern Nature | Cold | Whole body or local cold sensation; aversion to heat and preference for cold |
| Five Organs Yin-Yang Correspondence | ||||
| The heart is the yang among yang, the lung is the yin among yang, the back is yang, the heart and lung are located in the back and chest | The spleen is the yin among the most yin | |||
| The kidney is the yin among yin, the liver is the yang among yin, the abdomen is yin, the spleen, liver, and kidney are located in the abdomen and waist | ||||
| Five Organs: Heart, Lung, Spleen, Liver, Kidney. Transformative Bowels: Gallbladder, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Bladder, San Jiao.[Pericardium Meridian.]All functions of the heart, lung, kidney, liver, spleen, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, San Jiao, and bladder depend on the rise of gallbladder qi. | ||||
| The pericardium interior, San Jiao exterior—belong to qi, blood, and fluids; the heart interior, small intestine exterior—belong to ding fire, bing fire; the lung interior, large intestine exterior—belong to xin metal, geng metal. | The spleen interior, stomach exterior—belong to ji earth, wu earth; the liver interior, gallbladder exterior—belong to yi wood, jia wood; the kidney interior, bladder exterior—belong to gui water, ren water. | |||
|
Extraordinary Organs: Brain, marrow, bones, pulse, gallbladder, female uterus (These six are born from earth qi, all stored in yin and resemble the earth, hence they are stored and not leaked) The kidney governs bones, the kidney stores essence, essence produces marrow, and marrow fills the brain. The kidney combines with bones, the heart combines with pulse, the spleen combines with the female uterus, and the seminal chamber. |
||||
| Other locations: seminal chamber, chest diaphragm, [upper jiao], lower abdomen [lower jiao], exterior, half-exterior half-interior, skin, meridians, muscles and bones [joints]. | ||||
|
Eight Principles Differentiation: Yin syndrome, Yang syndrome, exterior syndrome, interior syndrome, cold syndrome, heat syndrome (heat extreme generates wind syndrome), deficiency syndrome, excess syndrome; loss of yang syndrome (the most severe yang deficiency syndrome), loss of yin syndrome (the most severe yin deficiency syndrome). Sun meridian disease syndrome (exterior cold syndrome), yangming meridian disease syndrome (interior excess heat syndrome), shaoyang meridian disease syndrome (half exterior half interior syndrome), taiyin meridian disease syndrome (interior deficiency cold syndrome), shaoyin meridian disease syndrome (systemic deficiency cold syndrome, systemic deficiency heat syndrome), jueyin meridian disease syndrome (the final stage of three yin disease syndrome). |
||||
|
Etiological Differentiation: Wind invasion syndrome, cold invasion syndrome, summer heat invasion syndrome, damp invasion syndrome, dryness invasion syndrome, fire heat syndrome, and other six evils syndrome, epidemic syndrome. Seven emotions syndrome: injury from diet syndrome, injury from labor syndrome. Injury from sexual activity syndrome (Jing Yue Quan Shu. Chuan Zhong Lu): “Interior syndrome refers to diseases that occur internally, in the organs. Any disease that arises internally may be due to the seven emotions, labor fatigue, dietary injury, or being constrained by wine and sex, all of which are considered interior syndromes.” |
||||
| Pattern Nature 33 items: (external) wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, (external) dryness, fire (heat), phlegm, fluids, water retention, parasitic accumulation, food stagnation, toxins, pus, qi stagnation, qi obstruction, qi deficiency, qi sinking, qi not holding, qi collapse, blood stasis, blood heat, blood cold, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, yang deficiency, loss of yin, loss of yang, essence (marrow) deficiency, fluid (liquid) damage, yang floating, yang hyperactivity, internal wind, blood movement. | ||||
| Qi, Blood, and Fluid Differentiation: Qi deficiency syndrome, qi sinking syndrome, qi stagnation syndrome, qi counterflow syndrome (lung qi counterflow causing stomach to lose harmony and descend, liver qi disorder), qi obstruction syndrome (obstructing the vessels); blood deficiency syndrome, blood stasis syndrome (external injury or blood vessel stasis), blood heat syndrome (heat injuring blood vessels syndrome), blood cold syndrome (blood deficiency cold syndrome); blood collapse syndrome (sudden massive bleeding or long-term blood loss). Qi deficiency blood stasis syndrome (qi deficiency unable to promote blood circulation leading to blood stasis syndrome); qi stagnation blood stasis syndrome (liver first has qi stagnation then blood stasis syndrome); qi not holding blood syndrome; qi following blood collapse syndrome (massive bleeding); qi and blood both deficiency syndrome (including heart-spleen qi and blood deficiency syndrome and kidney essence deficiency syndrome). Fluid deficiency syndrome, water fluid retention syndrome: phlegm syndrome includes phlegm obstructing the heart orifices syndrome, phlegm fire disturbing the spirit syndrome, phlegm heat obstructing the lung syndrome (evil heat obstructing the lung), phlegm (turbid) damp obstructing the lung syndrome, cold phlegm obstructing the lung syndrome, gallbladder depression phlegm disturbing syndrome; fluid syndrome includes food stagnation in the stomach syndrome, fluid retention in the chest and ribs syndrome, cold fluid retention in the lung syndrome, kidney deficiency water flooding syndrome; large intestine fluid deficiency syndrome. | ||||
| Wei level syndrome (exterior heat syndrome), qi level syndrome (interior heat blazing syndrome, evil heat obstructing the lung syndrome, heat disturbing the chest diaphragm syndrome, heat binding the intestines syndrome), ying level syndrome (heat injuring the ying yin syndrome, heat entering the pericardium syndrome), blood level syndrome (evil entering the yin blood consuming yin syndrome); the transmission rules of wei, qi, ying, and blood. | ||||
|
Organ Differentiation: Liver qi stagnation syndrome (within the category of qi stagnation syndrome), liver fire rising syndrome, liver blood deficiency, liver yin deficiency syndrome, cold congealing liver vessels syndrome, cold stagnation liver vessels syndrome, liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome, gallbladder depression phlegm disturbing syndrome, liver-kidney yin fluid deficiency including liver yang hyperactivity syndrome and liver yang transforming into wind syndrome; blood deficiency generating wind syndrome (liver wind internal movement)—liver wind internal movement. Heart qi deficiency syndrome, heart yang deficiency syndrome, heart yang collapse syndrome (yang qi collapse, all organs are extremely deficient), heart blood deficiency syndrome, heart yin deficiency syndrome, heart fire hyperactivity syndrome, heart fire descending to small intestine syndrome, phlegm obstructing the heart orifices syndrome, phlegm fire disturbing the heart syndrome, small intestine excess heat syndrome, heart vessel obstruction syndrome—qi and blood circulation obstruction syndrome (qi and blood obstructing the heart syndrome and cold phlegm obstructing the heart syndrome). Spleen qi deficiency syndrome, spleen deficiency qi sinking syndrome, spleen yang deficiency syndrome, middle qi sinking syndrome, spleen not holding blood syndrome (qi deficiency leading to blood loss syndrome), cold damp obstructing the spleen syndrome, damp-heat accumulating in the spleen syndrome, stomach yin deficiency syndrome, food stagnation in the stomach syndrome, stomach cold syndrome, stomach heat syndrome. Lung qi deficiency syndrome, lung yin deficiency syndrome, wind-cold invading the lung syndrome, wind-cold attacking the lung syndrome, wind-heat invading the lung syndrome, lung heat blazing syndrome, dryness evil invading the lung syndrome, dryness evil damaging the lung syndrome (including warm dryness and cold dryness types), phlegm damp obstructing the lung syndrome, large intestine damp-heat syndrome, intestinal heat excess syndrome, large intestine fluid deficiency syndrome, intestinal deficiency slippery diarrhea syndrome. Kidney qi not secure (i.e., kidney qi deficiency), kidney qi not receiving (lung-kidney qi deficiency syndrome), kidney yang deficiency, kidney yin deficiency, kidney essence deficiency, bladder damp-heat syndrome; heart-lung qi deficiency, liver qi stagnation spleen deficiency, heart-kidney not communicating (kidney yin deficiency leading to heart fire hyperactivity syndrome), heart-kidney yang deficiency, heart-spleen dual deficiency, heart-liver blood deficiency, liver fire invading the lung, liver fire scorching the lung syndrome, liver-spleen disharmony, liver-stomach disharmony, liver-gallbladder damp-heat syndrome, liver-kidney yin deficiency, spleen-kidney yang deficiency, spleen-lung qi deficiency, lung-kidney yin deficiency syndrome. |
1. Pattern Element Names are Accurate and Concise A pattern, historically known as zheng, is defined in the Comprehensive Chinese Dictionary as having eight meanings: to inform, to verify, to prove, to advise, to indicate, to observe, to assess, and to diagnose. In TCM pattern differentiation, it refers to syndromes. Elements refer to the original or inherent aspects, such as quality being the essence.2. Pattern Elements are Not Equal to Syndromes The term syndrome can be understood in two ways: one refers to the pattern itself, such as the standard for syndromes; the other refers to the external manifestations of the pattern, as indicated in texts like On the Origins of Diseases, which refers to the manifestations of diseases, such as disease patterns and syndromes. We advocate the second interpretation, where syndromes refer to symptoms, tongue appearance, pulse appearance, and other external manifestations of the pattern. However, symptoms often refer to individual clinical manifestations, while syndromes refer to a group of related pulse symptoms. Pattern elements are determined through the identification of syndromes, representing the essence of the pathological changes, meaning that pattern elements are judgments about the essence of the pathological changes, not phenomena. Therefore, pattern elements do not refer to syndromes, but the determination of pattern elements must be based on pathological manifestations, that is, using symptoms as the basis for pattern differentiation.3. Pattern Elements are Not Equal to Pattern Names Pattern elements are the components that make up pattern names. Commonly seen and standardized patterns (pattern names) in clinical practice are composed of the combination of location pattern elements and nature pattern elements. For example, the location pattern elements of the liver-gallbladder damp-heat pattern are the liver and gallbladder, while the nature pattern elements are dampness and heat. Therefore, while pattern elements are the elements of pattern differentiation, they are specific, basic diagnostic units and do not equate to complete pattern name diagnoses. A complete and standardized pattern name generally should include location pattern elements, nature pattern elements, and necessary pathological connective terms, such as obstruction, binding, blocking, deficiency, etc. It cannot only have nature without location, nor can it only have location without nature.4. Why Pattern Elements Do Not Discuss Pathogenesis The specific content of pattern elements mainly includes location and nature. TCM pattern differentiation is “examining symptoms to seek causes,” based on syndromes to determine the nature. Therefore, the causes determined by pattern differentiation are essentially the nature. That is, the nature determined by pattern differentiation is the current cause of the pathological changes, and the concept of nature includes the cause. “The evil of yin and yang changes with the yin and yang of the human body” (Medical Door Stick), the formation of patterns is not solely determined by the cause, but is closely related to constitution and other factors. Therefore, it is better to refer to the nature of the pattern elements than to call them causes. If referred to as causes, then the seven emotions are internal causes, and pattern differentiation should have corresponding pattern elements, while in reality, emotional stimuli are mainly initial causes, leading to the consequences of qi mechanism such as “anger causes qi to rise,” “thinking causes qi to stagnate,” “fear causes qi to descend,” etc., while yang hyperactivity, qi stagnation, and qi not holding are the true nature.5. Pattern Elements Should Not Be Called Pathogenesis The Su Wen states: “The Emperor said: I wish to know what the pathogenesis is?” and emphasizes the need to “carefully guard the pathogenesis, each in its own category.” Based on this, later generations summarized it as “nineteen pathogenesis categories.” Some believe that nature pattern elements should be called pathogenesis. However, pathogenesis focuses on explaining the mechanisms of disease occurrence, development, and changes, revealing their laws. The mechanisms of pathological changes are complex and can vary, such as yin excess and yang deficiency, qi stagnation and blood stasis, heat extreme generating wind, etc. Pattern elements are judgments about the pathological essence, determined through the analysis of current syndromes, meaning that if there are symptoms, there will be corresponding pattern elements, and naturally, there will be certain pathogenesis. The determination of pattern elements is entirely based on symptoms and other syndromes. Pattern elements are conclusions, while pathogenesis is mechanistic analysis. Although it is crucial to the disease, it is not a direct judgment of the essence of the current syndrome.6. The Necessity of Location Pattern Elements Some advocate that pattern differentiation only requires nature, as nature is similar to the concept of pathogenesis, while location is not pathogenesis, thus pattern elements should not mention location. Firstly, pathogenesis should include location, for example, the “nineteen pathogenesis categories” in the Su Wen include concepts of location such as heart, lung, liver, spleen, kidney, upper, and lower. Secondly, clinical pattern differentiation cannot ignore location; whether it is kidney yin deficiency or heart yin deficiency, stomach fire or liver fire, their manifestations differ, and the treatment methods also vary. TCM pattern name diagnosis should include location. Thirdly, modern researchers of syndrome standards in TCM advocate for identifying locations, such as the “Research on Pattern Differentiation and Treatment” which states that the first step is to locate the organs and meridians; Zhang Zhen’s “Standardization of TCM Pattern Differentiation” proposes location syndromes including heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, etc.; Ke Xuefan’s “TCM Pattern Differentiation” Chapter Four focuses on location differentiation.7. Is it Necessary to Mention Pathogenic Trends? Contemporary TCM defines “pattern” as a pathological summary of the current stage of the disease process, including location, cause, nature, and pathogenic trends. Zhu Wenfeng has discussed pathogenic trends specifically, and the “TCM Digital Pattern Differentiation Machine” he developed includes qi sinking, qi obstruction, qi not holding, yang hyperactivity, yang floating, loss, collapse, etc., which manifest as upward, downward, inward, and outward dynamic trends, categorized as pathogenic trends. Therefore, pattern elements should seem to be listed as pathogenic trends. However, fundamentally, pathogenic trends can still be classified under nature, as qi sinking and qi not holding are generally special manifestations of qi deficiency, while yang floating is generally a special manifestation of yang deficiency. At the same time, many natures themselves have trends; aside from those listed above, such as qi stagnation (stagnation), blood stasis (obstruction), cold (binding), heat (rising), dampness (descending), etc., it cannot be said that none of them have implications of trends. Thus, pathogenic trends can be included within the nature rather than being listed alongside it.8. The Concept of Nature and Pathology Some scholars believe that nature should be called pathology, while others believe that calling it pathology is similar to Western medical pathology, and TCM pathology is not as clear as Western medical pathology, thus should avoid the concept of pathology. In fact, pathology refers to the principles and reasons of pathological changes, and it is not inappropriate for TCM to refer to pathology. It should not be allowed that only Western medicine can speak of pathology while TCM cannot mention it. However, to avoid linking pathology with Western medical anatomical pathology, and since concepts like qi deficiency and qi stagnation in TCM are difficult to meet Western medical requirements for corresponding pathological conclusions, many TCM scholars, such as those in prescriptions and Ke Xuefan, refer to it as nature rather than pathology. 1. Initial causes, etc.: Recently experiencing wind-cold; exposure to summer heat fire evil; environmental humidity; environmental dryness; rain or water exposure; dietary indiscretion; activity or fatigue worsening the illness; illness related to emotions; caused by external injury; postpartum, miscarriage, surgery; gradual onset of chronic illness; massive or prolonged bleeding; strong toxic invasion (chemotherapy, X-rays, toxins, epidemics). 2. Cold and heat: New onset mild fever; mild aversion to wind-cold; new onset severe aversion to cold; fever severe with mild aversion to cold; aversion to cold with fever; chills; high fever (persistent high fever); fever due to summer heat; body heat not rising; tidal heat; alternating cold and heat; body heat worse at night; fever; often aversion to wind; easily catching colds; often fearing cold; cold limbs; cold in the abdomen and back; severe cold in the lower limbs; half side cold; cold joints; persistent low-grade fever; burning heat in hands and feet; bone steaming fever; fever after fatigue; irritability and fever; limbs cold with body burning; limbs cold with body cool; limbs cold with body warm; local burning sensation; preference for coolness and aversion to heat; preference for warmth and aversion to coolness; paroxysmal heat; low body temperature; local coldness. 3. Sweating: Spontaneous sweating; night sweats; new illness without sweating; new illness with sweating; high fever without sweating; severe heat with excessive sweating; excessive sweating in summer; excessive sweating without discomfort; local excessive sweating; cold sweat; sweating like oil; excessive sweating in severe illness; only sweating on the head; sweating on one side; sweating not thorough; spontaneous sweating or easy sweating. 4. Pain locations: Headache; vertex pain; migraine; occipital pain; neck pain; facial pain; eye pain; ear pain; swelling pain; nasal pain; tooth pain; tongue pain; oral pain; throat pain; pain behind the sternum; chest pain; heart pain; breast pain; rib pain; abdominal pain; upper right abdominal pain; navel pain; lower abdominal pain; pelvic pain; genital pain; anal pain; muscle pain; body pain; back pain; shoulder pain; waist pain; spinal pain; knee pain; heel pain; joint pain; pain in fingers or toes; pain in limbs or body; waist pain radiating to feet; dysmenorrhea. 5. Pain nature: Distending pain or stabbing pain; fixed pain; stabbing pain; wandering pain; dull pain; empty pain; burning pain; cold pain; heavy pain; hidden pain; pain relieved by pressure or pressure makes it comfortable; pain resistant to pressure or very tender; pain worse at night; pain alleviated by movement, worsened by rest; shifting pain; cramping pain; pulling pain; pain relieved by eating; pain worsened by eating. 6. Head and body discomfort: Dizziness; head swelling and pain; eye swelling and pain; heavy head; blurred vision; double vision; dry eyes; blurred vision; light sensitivity; sudden blindness; excessive eye discharge; brain buzzing; ear ringing; prolonged deafness; sudden deafness; sneezing; nasal congestion with clear discharge; thick nasal discharge; throat itch; sensation of foreign body in the throat; chest tightness; rib distension; abdominal fullness; lower abdominal fullness; heavy head and light feet; fatigue and weakness; sensation of qi sinking; sensation of qi rising; head feeling wrapped; body feeling heavy; weakness in limbs; skin numbness; mouth and tongue numbness; skin itching; muscle twitching; genital itching; anal itching; back distension; nasal itching. 7. Sleep, emotions, and voice: Mental fatigue; insomnia; vivid dreams; restless sleep; forgetfulness; excessive sleepiness; easy to cry; irritability; restlessness; easily angered; timid and easily startled; emotional depression or worry, introversion; easily excited emotions; fear, hallucinations, suspicion, compulsion; frequent yawning; speaking little; low voice; loud voice; sudden loss of voice; long-term loss of voice; heavy and muddy voice; 8. Coughing and phlegm: Cough; paroxysmal choking cough; dry cough; expectoration; excessive thick phlegm; little thick phlegm; phlegm difficult to cough; excessive thin phlegm; little thin phlegm; excessive foamy phlegm; rusty colored phlegm; white phlegm; green phlegm; yellow phlegm; fishy phlegm; purulent phlegm; blood-streaked phlegm; phlegm easy to cough; wheezing; new onset shortness of breath; long-term shortness of breath; shortness of breath; shortness of breath when lying down. 9. Dietary preferences: No thirst; thirst; desire to drink cold; desire to drink hot; no desire to drink; dry throat; no heat but excessive drinking; poor appetite; new illness with little food intake; long-term little food intake; no taste when eating; fullness after eating; no desire to eat when hungry; excessive eating leads to hunger; aversion to greasy food; craving for unusual foods; swallowing obstruction; bitter mouth; bland mouth; foul breath; sweet mouth; salty mouth; sticky mouth; sour mouth; nausea; vomiting; dry heaving; vomiting sour water; vomiting bitter water; vomiting clear water; vomiting phlegm; vomiting spoiled food or undigested food; vomiting roundworms; fecal-like vomiting; belching; sour belching; hiccups; foul-smelling belching. 10. Bowel movements: New onset diarrhea; frequent diarrhea; early morning diarrhea; new onset constipation; frequent constipation; hard stools; frequent loose stools; new onset watery stools; stools like water/rice soup; stools like egg drop soup; stools like yellow gruel; stools with mucus; stools with pus/blood; stools first hard then loose; stools sometimes hard sometimes loose; stools grayish-white; stools black like tar; stools with foul odor; undigested food; thin and flat stools; stools with worms; urgent diarrhea; weak bowel movements; unsatisfactory bowel movements; burning sensation in the anus; distension in the anus; difficulty in bowel movements; urgency with heaviness; fecal incontinence; abdominal pain with diarrhea; excessive gas; no gas; very foul gas. 11. Urination: New onset frequent urination; long-term frequent urination; weak urination; nocturia; short yellow urine; clear long urine; urinary retention; little urine; burning sensation during urination; painful urination; new onset dripping urination; yellow-brown urine; excessive urination; enuresis; incomplete urination; urinary incontinence; cloudy urine/like grease; urinary stones; post-urination dripping. 12. Menstrual and seminal fluid: Menstrual flow not smooth; early menstruation; delayed menstruation; irregular menstruation; heavy menstrual flow; light menstrual flow; amenorrhea; vaginal bleeding; vaginal bleeding like flooding; light menstrual flow; deep red menstrual flow; purple-dark menstrual flow; menstrual flow with clots; prolonged menstrual period; intermenstrual bleeding; menstrual cessation and resumption; excessive thin discharge; excessive sticky discharge; yellow discharge with foul odor; discharge with blood; white discharge with fishy odor; nocturnal emission; premature ejaculation; decreased libido; strong erection; semen thin/malformed; semen clear and cold; women dreaming of intercourse; infertility; miscarriage; abortion. 13. Bleeding: Hemoptysis; hematemesis; bleeding from the eyes; epistaxis; gingival bleeding; tongue bleeding; nipple bleeding; hematuria; blood in stool; bloody semen; fever with rashes; purpura; bleeding light; bleeding bright red; bleeding dark and clotted; vaginal bleeding; lochia not descending or not smooth. 14. Mental state and complexion: Mental confusion; stupor; gradual coma; fainting; sudden collapse; delirium; agitation; restlessness; mental confusion; mental mania; mental dementia; speech difficulties; snoring; phlegm in the throat; coma with drooling; drooling at the corners of the mouth; mental indifference; night crying; low intelligence; pale complexion; sallow complexion; orange-yellow complexion; dark yellow complexion; dull complexion; pale white complexion; black complexion; red complexion; flushed cheeks; red complexion like makeup; purple-red cheeks. 15. Signs of the head and face: Head and facial vessels engorged; cranial enlargement; fontanelle not closed; fontanelle protruding; fontanelle depressed; facial swelling; hair dry and withered; hair white and easy to fall out; occipital hair loss; eyelids pale; eyelids drooping; eye sockets sunken; dark circles around the eyes; bulging eyes; upward gaze; yellow eyes; red eyes without pain; red eyes with swelling; scleral purpura; eyes open after sleep; loss of light reflex; pupils dilated or constricted; ear swelling with pus; nasal flaring; burning sensation in the mouth and nose; cold sensation in the mouth and nose; dry lips; pale lips; red lips; purple lips; mouth ulcers; crooked mouth; oral ulcers; oral necrosis; loose teeth; swollen gums; tight jaw; teeth grinding during sleep; swollen throat; red and swollen throat; throat with white membrane; dry and shriveled ear; elongated and darkened focus; white flakes in the mouth. 16. Neck, chest, and abdominal signs: Neck vessels engorged; thyroid enlargement; lymph node enlargement; weak breath; three depressions sign positive; dry rales in the lungs; wet rales in the lungs; pleural effusion; heart border enlargement; heart murmur; heart sounds hyperactive; heart sounds weak; pericardial effusion; barrel chest; little or no milk; breast lumps; abdominal veins visible; water sound in the stomach; intestinal peristalsis waves; abdominal distension; positive signs of ascites; hard and full abdomen; scaphoid abdomen; liver enlargement; spleen enlargement; gallbladder enlargement; abdominal masses; lower abdominal masses; lower abdominal masses; intra-abdominal masses; intestinal sounds hyperactive; intestinal sounds increased; intestinal sounds decreased; intestinal sounds absent; gallstones in the liver and gallbladder; uterine prolapse; hemorrhoids; organ prolapse; eczema in the genital area; swelling of the scrotum or testicles; dampness in the genital area/skin rashes; dryness in the genital area; contraction of the genital area; distension in the genital area. 17. Signs of body and skin: Body constitution weak; body thin; body fat; body curled up; frequent edema; edema; localized edema; dry skin; poor skin elasticity; skin thick and hard; skin pigmentation; skin nodules or lumps; lumps hard and uneven; liver palms; thread-like red lines; cyanosis of fingertips; pale nails; chickenpox; rashes; wind rashes; wheals; abscesses; lesions; ulceration; redness and swelling of the affected area; abscess or pus; joint stiffness; both hands clenched; startled; limb spasms; convulsions; head shaking; joint and limb movement difficulties; limb stiffness; limb paralysis; hemiplegia; limb weakness; muscle weakness; morning stiffness in joints; joint redness; joint swelling; joint/bone deformities; delayed growth and development in children; limb hematomas; joint sounds. Eight Principles: Yin, Yang, Exterior, Interior, Deficiency, Excess, Heat, Cold; Six Layers: Qi, Blood, Fluids, Spirit, Ying, Wei.Yin deficiency: qi and yin deficiency syndrome, yin and blood deficiency syndrome, yin and yang deficiency syndrome, yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity syndrome, yin essence deficiency syndrome, yin fluid (liquid) deficiency syndrome, yin deficiency with internal dryness syndrome, etc., which can further develop into yang deficiency, loss of yin can lead to internal wind, qi stagnation, blood stasis, water retention, and other pathological changes.
1 AM: Entering shallow sleep stage, particularly sensitive to pain. 2 AM: Most organs in the body work at a very slow rhythm except for the liver. 3 AM: The whole body rests, muscles relax, blood pressure, pulse, and breathing decrease. 4 AM: Organ work rhythm is even lower and slower, waking up at the slightest sound. 5 AM: The person has experienced shallow and deep sleep. At this time, getting up feels refreshing. 6 AM: Blood pressure rises, heart rate increases, and it becomes difficult to fall asleep. 7 AM: Adrenaline peaks, blood flow accelerates, and metabolic immunity strengthens. 8 AM: Toxins in the body are almost completely eliminated, and the whole body should feel the best. 9 AM: Activity levels increase, especially for office workers, with the highest endurance and persistence. 10 AM: Attention and memory are at their best, most suitable for work. 11 AM: The heart and blood vessels work at their peak, making it less likely to get sick. 12 PM: The whole body mobilizes to recover, blood sugar is low, instinctively small eating. Afternoon: 1 PM: Blood enters the gastrointestinal tract, brain blood flow decreases, feeling fatigued. 2 PM: The second lowest point of the day, reactions are slower than in the morning. 3 PM: Conditions improve: organs become sensitive, work capacity gradually recovers. 4 PM: Work consumes energy, leading to changes in metabolic waste in the body. 5 PM: Metabolic waste in the body can cause flushing, sweating, chest tightness, and anxiety. 6 PM: Activity potential remains high, but mental factors weaken this energy. 7 PM: Dinner causes blood to enter the gastrointestinal tract, physical strength begins to decline, and emotions are most unstable. 8 PM: Subject to nature’s “hypnosis,” is there enough food and water? Hormonal reshuffling. 9 PM: Nervous activity is strong, memory enhances, recalling the “important gains and losses” of the day. 10 PM: The body and mind relax excessively. 11 PM: Hormone levels gradually decrease, breathing slows, and various functions of the body gradually reach a low point. 12 AM: Physiological low point, best time to sleep. Therefore, it is best to avoid staying up late to maintain health of body and mind. The Neijing recognizes that men have a significant change phase every eight years after birth, while women have a significant change phase every seven years. This noticeable phase change in life can be discovered and applied through observation and induction of periodicity. In fact, every ten years generates a wrinkle, which fully presents the internal periodic changes of the human body. This is also closely related to health status. Additionally, the ancient discovery of a twelve-year periodic change also exists in the celestial natural world and the human body. All of this is formed through the interaction of human beings with environmental factors, representing the life memory of time and space.
· The End · Warm Reminder: This platform shares health-related graphic information for reference and learning only, not as a basis for medical diagnosis. If needed, please use under the guidance of a physician.⊙ Copyright Statement: The article is sourced from the internet; if there is any infringement, please contact us for removal.
What is health preservation?
It is like a 5 yuan parking fee, no matter how cheap it seems, it feels expensive. Suddenly, a fine of 200 yuan for illegal parking is stuck on the glass, making you want to slap yourself. If I had known, I would have gladly paid 10 yuan for parking.
When the body falls ill, and the doctor asks you to pay 200,000, 300,000, or 500,000, you realize how cheap daily health preservation is.
Health preservation does not change your life, but prevents your beautiful life from being changed!
Let every family have someone who understands health!
Most incredible is that you haven’t clicked “Looking