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Today, we continue discussing the qualities of the pulse: Wei (Fine), Duan (Short), Shi (Full), Xian (String-like), Jin (Tight), Hua (Slippery), and Chang (Long) and their corresponding disease patterns:
22. Wei Pulse
Pulse Quality: Extremely fine and soft, faint upon light touch, absent upon heavy pressure, seemingly present yet indistinct. The “Pulse Classic” states: “Extremely fine and soft, may be on the verge of disappearance, as if present yet not.”
Main Conditions: Indicates various forms of deficiency, including Yang deficiency, and significant Qi and blood deficiency.
23. Duan Pulse
Pulse Quality: Both ends are short, unable to fill the entire area. He Mengyao states: “Less than three finger widths is considered short.”
Main Conditions: The short pulse can indicate both deficiency and excess; a weak short pulse suggests Qi deficiency, while a strong short pulse indicates Qi stagnation or phlegm and food accumulation.
24. Shi Pulse
Pulse Quality: Large and long, firm and strong, consistent upon both light and heavy pressure. The Shi pulse is a general term for various strong pulse qualities. “Binhuh Pulse Studies” states: “Shi pulse can be felt both superficially and deeply. It is large and long, with a slight string-like quality, responding robustly to pressure.”
Main Conditions: Indicates excess conditions, such as internal heat from Yang excess, high fever with delirium, hard stools, food stagnation, and abscesses. In cases of prolonged illness leading to body weakness, a Shi pulse may appear, indicating a departure of true Yang, but upon prolonged or heavy pressure, it feels empty and weak, lacking foundation.
Normal individuals may also exhibit a Shi pulse, indicating abundant Zheng Qi.
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25. Xian Pulse
Pulse Quality: Straight and long, feels like a bowstring upon pressure, firm under the fingers. “Binhuh Pulse Studies” states: “Xian pulse is straight and long, like a taut bowstring, remains unchanged under pressure, and feels like pressing on a musical string… it runs straight through, firm under the fingers.”
Main Conditions: (1) Indicates liver and gallbladder diseases, pain, malaria, and phlegm accumulation. Such as conditions of liver and gallbladder dysfunction, and phlegm accumulation.
(2) Indicates deficiency and decline of stomach Qi. Often seen in cases of earth deficiency leading to wood invasion, with a pulse that is string-like and fine, as if following the edge of a blade, often with no stomach Qi.
26. Jin Pulse
Pulse Quality: The pulse feels tense and urgent, bouncing under the fingers, resembling a taut rope.
Main Conditions: Indicates cold conditions and pain syndromes. Commonly seen in various cold conditions caused by Yin cold and excess pathogenic factors.
27. Hua Pulse
Pulse Quality: Flows smoothly, feels round and slippery under the fingers, like beads rolling on a plate. The “Pulse Classic” states: “Hua pulse flows smoothly back and forth, exhibiting a fluid and turning quality, resembling a rhythmic pattern.”
Main Conditions: Indicates phlegm accumulation, food stagnation, and excess heat conditions. In women, a slippery pulse with a missed period indicates pregnancy; during labor, a rapid slippery pulse indicates abnormal conditions; in healthy individuals, a smooth and gentle pulse indicates a good sign of nourishing Qi and blood.
28. Chang Pulse
Pulse Quality: Both ends are straight, extending beyond the normal area, resembling a long pole. “Zhenjia Zhengyan” states: “Chang pulse is long and straight, both ends are distinct, moving straight up and down, like following a long pole.” Due to its long and straight nature, it extends beyond the three standard pulse positions, hence named Chang pulse.
Main Conditions: Indicates excess pathogenic Qi. Such as excessive liver Yang, internal heat, etc., but the pulse must be firm, full, and urgent. Additionally, normal individuals may also exhibit a Chang pulse, but it is often gentle and even.
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Previous Highlights:
Understanding the Twenty-Eight Pulse Qualities—Fu (Floating), Hong (Surging), Kuo (Wide), Ge (Leather), Ru (Soft), San (Scattered), Chen (Deep) Pulses
Check if your pulse is normal? What does a normal pulse feel like?
Do you know what to pay attention to when learning pulse diagnosis?
Twenty-Eight Pulse Qualities 3—Shu (Rapid), Cu (Choppy), Ji (Fast), Dong (Moving), Xu (Deficient), Xi (Fine), Ruo (Weak) Pulses
Twenty-Eight Pulse Qualities 2—Fu (Hidden), Lao (Firm), Chi (Slow), Huan (Relaxed), Se (Rough), Jie (Knotted), Dai (Intermittent) Pulses
