The introduction of “Pinghu Pulse Studies”.
The slippery pulse (hua mai) is characterized by a smooth and flowing sensation, akin to the response of pearls (as described in the “Pulse Classic”).
It feels as if it could slip away. The slippery nature indicates an excess of Yin Qi, hence the pulse flows smoothly like water. The pulse is the vessel of blood; when blood is abundant, the pulse is slippery, thus the kidney pulse is suitable; when Qi is abundant, the pulse is rough, hence the lung pulse is suitable.
The “Pulse Treatise” states: when pressed, it sinks; the three positions feel like pearls, neither advancing nor retreating, which does not distinguish between floating slippery, sinking slippery, or the sizes of slippery pulses, and this is the correct interpretation.
The above is the original text introducing the slippery pulse. The sensation under the fingers is exactly as described in the “Pulse Classic”, like the response of pearls. This is the fundamental identification of the slippery pulse; if there are no pearls under the fingers, it is not a slippery pulse. Next, the phrases “slippery indicates an excess of Yin Qi” and “when blood is abundant, the pulse is slippery” lack reasoning and are purely speculative. What does it mean to have an excess of Yin Qi? According to the “Inner Canon”, an excess of Yin leads to Yang diseases; if there is an excess of Yin Qi, there must be a deficiency of Yang Qi. Can we conclude that a slippery pulse indicates Yang deficiency? Clearly, this is incorrect. Is a slippery pulse due to an abundance of blood? This conclusion is purely derived from the reverse reasoning that a rough pulse indicates a lack of blood. After all, Qi and blood are integrated; while there can be temporary separations, they are difficult to maintain long-term, and ultimately, Qi and blood must unify. For example, in cases of severe hemorrhage, where blood is rapidly lost, Qi may temporarily maintain its original state, but with reduced blood in the vessels, a hollow pulse (kǎo mài) may appear, similar to pressing on a scallion tube, indicating blood deficiency. However, this hollow pulse cannot be sustained for long; Qi and blood will inevitably tend to unify, and ultimately, Qi will also struggle to maintain a hollow state, leading to a rough pulse indicating Qi deficiency and blood loss.
The above illustrates that the discussion of Qi and blood in pulses generally should not be separated; the pulse is a projection of the unity of Qi and blood. Blood is the mother of Qi, and Qi is the commander of blood. When blood is abundant, Qi must also be abundant; it is erroneous to state that an abundant blood pulse is slippery without considering Qi.
Li Shizhen corrected the “Pulse Treatise”, stating that one should not distinguish between floating slippery, sinking slippery, or the sizes of slippery pulses. This is very important. Moreover, the slippery pulse must be differentiated by Yin and Yang, exterior and interior, cold and heat, deficiency and excess, as well as the six positions of the left and right hands.
After all this, friends with a weak foundation may be confused; here it is clarified that the essence of the slippery pulse is: “there are tangible pathogenic factors residing within, and Qi and blood have not yet greatly declined.” What does this mean? It means that when a slippery pulse is observed, there must be something within the body, whether it is phlegm, food, feces, or a fetus (the female pulse will certainly have a fetus during adjustment). Due to the influence of tangible pathogenic factors, Qi and blood have the intention to mobilize and expel the pathogens, but due to insufficient strength, a slippery pulse appears. Pregnancy does not expel pathogens; rather, it is stimulated by the fetus, which can also be said to be driven by pregnancy hormones.
First, we must understand that individuals with sufficient Qi and blood will not have phlegm accumulation, food stagnation, or dry feces inside. Treating a slippery pulse requires preventing the attack of excess leading to deficiency, and taking preventive measures in advance. To be continued…