The Eight Principles: Exterior, Interior, Cold, Heat, Deficiency, Excess, Yang, Yin. Among these, Exterior, Heat, and Excess belong to Yang, while Deficiency and Cold belong to Yin. Therefore, Yin and Yang are also referred to as the overarching principles of the Eight Principles. Zhang Jingyue’s concept of “Two Principles and Six Transformations” is particularly relevant.
The differentiation of Deficiency and Excess is fundamentally based on the theory from the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) stating that “when pathogenic factors are strong, it leads to Excess, and when vital energy is depleted, it leads to Deficiency.” Excess refers to the presence of pathogenic factors, while Deficiency indicates a lack of vital energy; Excess is an abundance, and Deficiency is a scarcity.
Every disease has aspects of both Deficiency and Excess. The differentiation of Deficiency and Excess is a guideline for identifying the strength and weakness of the body’s vital and pathogenic energies, allowing us to determine whether the body is in a state of Deficiency.
Each symptom has both Deficiency and Excess aspects; it is not sufficient to assess a single symptom to determine Deficiency; the differentiation of Deficiency and Excess requires a holistic analysis.
Excess Syndrome Differentiation
Definition:
The result of external pathogenic factors (Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire, Insects, Phlegm, Stasis) or pathological products arising from dysfunction of the organs and blood, where pathogenic energy is strong and vital energy is not weakened, leading to complex, obvious, and severe pathological changes in the body.
Differentiation
Entry, Urgency, Presence
Entry: External invasion of pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, Heat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire, etc.;
Urgency: Rapid onset, short duration, and acute condition;
Presence: Presence of Excess pathogenic factors, such as Phlegm, Dampness, Stasis, etc.
Pathogenic energy is strong while vital energy is not weakened, leading to intense conflict between the two.
1. Acute condition, obvious symptoms, and severe reactions;
2. Presence of internal blockages from Excess pathogenic factors, such as Phlegm, Dampness, Qi, Food, Stasis, Insects, Stones, Stool, etc.;
3. New illness, acute illness, with a history of pathogenic invasion, and symptoms of excess and hyperactivity;
4. Vital energy is not weakened, and the constitution is strong, in the early stages of illness;
5. Tongue is thick, with a strong pulse.
Deficiency Syndrome Differentiation
Definition:
Insufficient vital energy, with Deficiency in Yin, Yang, Qi, Blood, Body Fluids, Essence, and organ vital energy, where pathogenic energy is not strong, presenting symptoms characterized by fatigue, shortness of breath, low voice, and pain that is alleviated by pressure, indicating insufficiency, relaxation, and decline.
Differentiation
Exit, Slowness, Absence
Exit: Excessive excretion or consumption, such as profuse sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding, etc.
Slowness: Slow onset, prolonged duration, and gradual progression of the disease.
Absence: Absence of obvious pathogenic energy within the body, such as Blood Stasis, Phlegm, Dampness, etc.
1. Vital energy is weak, pathogenic energy is not strong, and the conflict between vital and pathogenic energies is mild;
2. Primarily characterized by Deficiency in the Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang of the five organs;
3. Slow onset, prolonged course, gradual progression, often seen in chronic diseases, in individuals with weak constitutions, or in the later stages of illness;
4. Tongue is tender, with little or no coating, and a weak pulse.
