What Do Choppy and Slippery Pulses Indicate? | Daily Reading of the Huangdi Neijing [Day 220]

What Do Choppy and Slippery Pulses Indicate? | Daily Reading of the Huangdi Neijing [Day 220]

Original Text from the Huangdi Neijing Su Wen · Discussion on the Essentials of Pulse Chapter Seventeen (27) For all abnormal pulses, if the pulse is choppy, it indicates an excess of Yang Qi; if the pulse is slippery, it indicates an excess of Yin Qi; an excess of Yang Qi results in heat without … Read more

The Clinical Significance of the Slippery Pulse

The Clinical Significance of the Slippery Pulse

The Clinical Significance of the Slippery Pulse The slippery pulse (hua mai) indicates yang. It can be felt by searching beneath the fingers. The three positions feel like beads moving; when pressed, they sink and do not advance or retreat. This is called slippery and is associated with the four limbs, causing weakness, soreness in … Read more

The Slippery Pulse is Not Necessarily a Sign of Pregnancy

The Slippery Pulse is Not Necessarily a Sign of Pregnancy

The Slippery Pulse is Not Necessarily a Sign of Pregnancy The pulse pattern of pregnancy has historically been interpreted in two different ways. For instance, the Neijing states “the Shaoyin pulse is very active” (Su Wen: Ping Ren Qi Xiang Lun) and “Yin deficiency leads to Yang counteracting” (Su Wen: Yin Yang Bie Lun). The … Read more

Is Slippery Pulse Always a Sign of Pregnancy? It Could Indicate These Three Conditions!

Is Slippery Pulse Always a Sign of Pregnancy? It Could Indicate These Three Conditions!

【Introduction】The most significant difference between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine lies in their diagnostic philosophies and methods. Among the four diagnostic techniques—inspection, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation—pulse diagnosis is particularly remarkable in TCM. With just a gentle touch of three fingers, one can discern the causes and mechanisms of diseases, showcasing the wisdom of … Read more

Clinical Significance and Development of the Slippery Pulse

Clinical Significance and Development of the Slippery Pulse

As early as the pre-Qin period, there were writings documenting the slippery pulse, such as in the “Su Wen: On the Essentials of Pulse” which states: “Slippery means excess of Yin Qi.” The explanation of the character “滑 (hua)” in the “Shuo Wen Jie Zi” is “smooth”. The author uses historical timelines as the “warp” … Read more

Analysis of Slippery Pulse in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In addition to phlegm-dampness, stasis blood (yūxuè) is also a common condition associated with the slippery pulse (huá mài). This condition can lead to vomiting and accumulation of blood, which is often observed in women during their menstrual period. Therefore, it is common for women to exhibit a noticeable slippery pulse, especially in the cubic … Read more

The Ancient Chinese Medicine of Circular Motion: The Slippery Pulse and the Soft Pulse

The Ancient Chinese Medicine of Circular Motion: The Slippery Pulse and the Soft Pulse

The slippery pulse (hua mai) has two manifestations: boiling (ding fei) and pearl on a plate (pan zhu). The boiling pulse indicates a heat syndrome, while the pearl pulse indicates abundant body fluids. Dry heat injures body fluids, similar to water boiling in a pot over fire, hence the pulse is slippery; when body fluids … Read more

Analysis of the Slippery Pulse in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Analysis of the Slippery Pulse in Traditional Chinese Medicine

[Body Condition Poem]The slippery pulse is like pearls rolling, flowing smoothly back and forth. [Similar Pulse Poem]Do not confuse the slippery pulse with the rapid pulse; the rapid pulse is only about the number of beats. [Main Disease Poem]The slippery pulse indicates a deficiency of Yang Qi, leading to phlegm and various diseases caused by … Read more

Understanding the Slippery and Rapid Pulse in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The slippery and rapid pulse (hua shuo mai) is a very common pulse pattern in clinical practice. Although it has been reiterated countless times, it is still necessary to elaborate on it again. As one of the five to seven common pulses, the slippery and rapid pulse described by Wu Ji does not represent a … Read more

Zhang Litiao: Commentary on the Essentials of the Four Diagnostic Methods (Vernacular Explanation) 37 – Explanation of Slippery Pulse, Rough Pulse, and String Pulse

Zhang Litiao: Commentary on the Essentials of the Four Diagnostic Methods (Vernacular Explanation) 37 - Explanation of Slippery Pulse, Rough Pulse, and String Pulse

Slippery pulse indicates phlegm disease, governs food stagnation, inch position indicates vomiting, and cubit position indicates blood and pus in stool.【Note】Slippery pulse is a yang pulse, with excess yang indicating phlegm, hence it governs phlegm diseases.The right guan position corresponds to the stomach, thus it governs phlegm from food.The left guan position corresponds to the … Read more