Slippery pulse (hua mai) is a type of pulse manifestation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pulse diagnosis. The pulse feels smooth and flowing, resembling beads rolling on a jade plate, which indicates a sensation of roundness and smoothness under the fingers, similar to the feeling of abacus beads rolling on a tray. Slippery pulse is associated with conditions such as phlegm and fluid retention, food stagnation, and excess heat, and it is also a common finding during pregnancy. In healthy individuals, the pulse is typically smooth and moderate (with a slight slippery quality), indicating a harmonious balance of Ying and Wei (nutritive and defensive Qi) and abundant Qi and blood, often observed in healthy young adult males, whose pulses are smooth, moderate, and relatively strong. Pregnant women frequently exhibit a slippery pulse, which is smooth and may have a faster heartbeat. Pathologically, a slippery pulse can be seen in individuals with internal phlegm-dampness, often accompanied by obesity and phlegm in the throat; additionally, it can occur in those with food accumulation, where excessive food in the stomach transforms into heat and phlegm, resulting in a slippery pulse manifestation.
