TCM Theory

The Theory of Five Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine

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The Theory of Five Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine

1. The Five Elements 　　1. The origin of the Five Elements theory: The Five Elements theory is the essence of traditional Chinese culture, referring to the five fundamental substances: Wood (growth, flexibility, and smoothness), Fire (warmth, rising, brightness), Earth (transformation, support, and acceptance), Metal (cleansing, refinement, and contraction), and Water (coolness, nourishment, and downward movement). … Read more

Differentiation Methods in the “Essentials of the Golden Cabinet”

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Differentiation Methods in the "Essentials of the Golden Cabinet"

Today, I would like to take some time to discuss the differentiation methods and clinical applications of the “Essentials of the Golden Cabinet”. This topic, “Differentiation Methods in the Essentials of the Golden Cabinet”, is proposed in conjunction with the research on differentiation and treatment methods by some renowned TCM experts and my personal experiences. … Read more

What Pulse Indicates What Medicine: The Theory of ‘Using Medicine According to Pulse’ by Qing Dynasty Physician Long Bai

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What Pulse Indicates What Medicine: The Theory of 'Using Medicine According to Pulse' by Qing Dynasty Physician Long Bai

In the general practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the four diagnostic methods of “observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation” are emphasized to differentiate syndromes, followed by the application of appropriate medications based on the identified syndrome. Have you heard of correlating pulse patterns with Chinese herbs to directly guide the prescription of medicine? Today, we … Read more

Understanding the Five Elements: Why Are There Five?

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Understanding the Five Elements: Why Are There Five?

Why are there five elements? The purpose of establishing the theory of the wǔ xíng (五行, Five Elements) is to select the most fundamental key points along the trajectory of the interaction between yīn (阴) and yáng (阳), allowing for the control of the entire movement’s trajectory through mastery of these points. These points must … Read more

The Power of the Five Elements

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The Power of the Five Elements

1. Properties and Classification of the Five Elements The theory of the Five Elements (Wu Xing) is capable of summarizing all things in the universe primarily due to its method of thinking, which classifies phenomena based on the characteristics of the Five Elements. By using the method of “analogy and classification,” it categorizes various phenomena … Read more

What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

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What is Traditional Chinese Medicine?

“Traditional Chinese Medicine” (zhōng yī) first appeared in the “Book of Han: Arts and Literature, Treatises on Formulas,” which states: “To increase heat with heat, and to increase cold with cold, is not seen externally, which is what is lost.” Hence the saying: “When ill, seek treatment, and one often finds Traditional Chinese Medicine.” Here, … Read more

Red Tongue, Thin Tongue Body, and Sparse Coating: Not Necessarily Yin Deficiency with Heat

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Red Tongue, Thin Tongue Body, and Sparse Coating: Not Necessarily Yin Deficiency with Heat

Red tongue, thin tongue body, and sparse coating indicate: this does not necessarily mean Yin deficiency with heat. The profound theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are vast and intricate, yet fundamentally simple. They are based on the infinite reasoning of Yin and Yang, the calculations of the Five Movements and Six Qi, and the … Read more

The Wisdom of Ancient Practices: Exploring the Health Principles of Baduanjin through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians

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The Wisdom of Ancient Practices: Exploring the Health Principles of Baduanjin through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians (奇经八脉, qī jīng bā mài), including the Ren Meridian (任脉, rèn mài), Du Meridian (督脉, dū mài), Chong Meridian (冲脉, chōng mài), Dai Meridian (带脉, dài mài), Yin Qiao Meridian (阴跷脉, yīn qiāo mài), Yang Qiao Meridian (阳跷脉, yáng qiāo mài), Yin Wei Meridian (阴维脉, yīn wéi mài), and Yang Wei … Read more

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians: Yin Wei and Yang Wei, Temporal and Spatial Connectors of the Human Meridians

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The Eight Extraordinary Meridians: Yin Wei and Yang Wei, Temporal and Spatial Connectors of the Human Meridians

In the system of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, particularly the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) and Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel), function as two invisible energy networks that maintain the temporal and spatial order of the human body. These two special meridians do not directly participate in the circulation … Read more

Distribution Patterns of the Twelve Meridians

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Distribution Patterns of the Twelve Meridians

Inheriting the legacy of Qi Huang, a public account with substance and warmth. Ai Yu Xiang Tang The meridians consist of three Yin and three Yang: the three Yang are Yangming (阳明), Shaoyang (少阳), and Taiyang (太阳), while the three Yin are Taiyin (太阴), Jueyin (厥阴), and Shaoyin (少阴). The concept of the three Yin … Read more