The Eight Principles Differentiation (Ba Gang Bian Zheng) categorizes diseases into eight major types: Yin, Yang, Exterior, Interior, Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess. Yin and Yang reflect the categories of diseases, Exterior and Interior indicate the depth of the disease, Cold and Heat reflect the nature of the disease, while Deficiency and Excess reflect the … Read more
Many people have experienced this: when visiting a hospital, doctors often ask us to stick out our tongues. This is because tongue diagnosis (舌诊, shé zhěn) is an important method in TCM observation (望诊, wàng zhěn). The five internal organs have corresponding reflection areas on the tongue, and any pathological changes in the internal organs … Read more
The tongue not only allows us to taste the flavors of sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy, but it also serves as a portable “health report.” When visiting a doctor, they often ask you to “stick out your tongue for a look” because the tongue can reveal issues with the internal organs before you even realize … Read more
Diagnosis and Treatment of Malaria Pulse Patterns, Section 4 Section 5 If malaria is characterized by more cold, it is called “Mu Malaria” (牡疟), treated with the formula “Shu Qi San” (蜀漆散). Introduction: The editor of the “Essentials of the Golden Chamber” has categorized the content according to the methods outlined in Liu Duzhou’s commentary … Read more
Traditional Chinese Medicine Case Studies / Medical Discussions / Reference Articles for Clinical Practice in TCMColds and influenza are diseases that should not be taken lightly. Throughout history and across cultures, they are common and frequently occurring illnesses that can cause significant harm, especially influenza and its complications such as pneumonia, which have claimed countless … Read more
Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have formulas to enhance immunity? There are indeed many such formulas. However, immunity is a term from modern medicine; in TCM, we refer to it as “zheng qi” (正气), and enhancing immunity is about supporting the body’s righteous energy. Gui Zhi Tang (桂枝汤) is an excellent formula for strengthening the … Read more
Dried ginger (Gan Jiang) is the dried rhizome of the ginger plant (Zingiber officinale), primarily containing volatile oils and gingerol. Dried ginger is listed in the “Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica” stating: “Dried ginger, pungent and warm in nature, is indicated for chest fullness, cough, and counterflow of qi, warms the middle, stops bleeding, expels … Read more
Fuzi (Aconiti Radix) is the tuberous root of the plant Aconitum carmichaeli Debx, belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Chuanwu (Chuanwu Tuber) and Fuzi are from the same plant species. Chuanwu is the main root, while Fuzi grows alongside it, resembling a child attached to its mother. Fuzi is pungent, sweet, and extremely hot, and it … Read more
As the saying goes, “Nine out of ten diseases are caused by cold,” and in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is said that “cold is the source of all illnesses,” indicating the significant impact of cold pathogens on human health. In daily life, many people, especially women, are troubled by “body cold.” What does it … Read more
Atractylodes 【Source】 This product is the dried rhizome of the Asteraceae plant Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. or Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. Harvested in spring and autumn, the rhizomes are cleaned of soil, dried, and the fibrous roots are removed. 【Morphology】 1. Atractylodes lancea is a perennial herb. The rhizome runs horizontally with nodes. The stem … Read more