Introduction: Documenting observations and insights from external studies.
Recently, I have been revisiting the study of Warm Diseases during my free time after work, benefiting greatly from the book by Zhao Shaoqin and the video lectures by Teacher Fan Yingzhi.
I would like to share some of my study notes, hoping they will assist you in learning Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
In Teacher Fan Yingzhi’s video lectures, it was mentioned that the essence of Warm Diseases is yu re (stagnation heat), which can be categorized into five types: warm toxin, warm heat, warm heat with dampness, damp-heat, and warm dampness, with damp-heat syndrome being the most common.
So, how do we differentiate damp-heat syndrome?
Teacher Fan Yingzhi recommends using the San Jiao (Triple Burner) differentiation model, summarized as follows:
(1) The characteristic tongue coating for damp-heat syndrome is greasy coating.
(2) The locations of the San Jiao are as follows:
Upper Jiao damp-heat— dizziness, chest tightness, body heaviness.
Middle Jiao damp-heat— nausea, vomiting.
Lower Jiao damp-heat— constipation, difficulty urinating.
(3) The medicinal herbs used for the San Jiao are:
Upper Jiao damp-heat— Huo Xiang (Agastache), Pei Lan (Eupatorium), Su Ye (Perilla Leaf).
Middle Jiao damp-heat— Ban Xia (Pinellia), Hao Po (Magnolia Bark), Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel).
Lower Jiao damp-heat— Hua Shi (Talc), Gan Cao (Licorice), Fu Ling (Poria).
To promote the flow of fluids in the San Jiao— Mao Lu Gen (Imperata Root).
To promote the flow of food in the San Jiao— Jiao San Xian (Fried Three Immortals).
Four herbs to disseminate lung qi— Qian Hu (Peucedanum), Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel), Zhe Bei Mu (Fritillaria), Pi Pa Ye (Loquat Leaf).
(4) The treatment principle for damp-heat syndrome is to eliminate dampness first, then clear heat.
(5) The core contradiction of damp-heat syndrome is qi stagnation, and attention should be paid to regulating the flow of qi during treatment.
These five summaries are particularly important for treating damp-heat syndrome. I hope you can record them and keep them in mind for practical use in clinical settings.
Recommended reading:
A checklist to review before acupuncture, which every patient should have a copy of.
An effective formula for treating shoulder periarthritis and cervical spondylosis; mastering it will enhance clinical efficacy.
The health point Zu San Li (Stomach 36); why your acupressure may not be effective is due to neglecting this point.