The TCM Dictionary is massive, so the fastest way to find something is to search. As an
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better. The dictionary combines terms, definitions, medications, and acupuncture
prescriptions.
cadaverous odor
From On Warm Epidemics Expanded. An odor attributed to exuberant toxic heat in the inner body.
calcination
A medicinal processing method whereby medicinal materials are heated until red hot by charcoal, coal, or the like, in order to make them crisp, soft, and easily crushed, and to facilitate the extraction of their active constituents in decoction. Materials such as dragon bone (Mastodi Ossis Fossilia), oyster shell (Ostreae Concha), gypsum (Gypsum), and chlorite/mica (Chloriti seu Micae Lapis) that come in large lumps that do not crumble under heat are calcined by being placed directly in the fire. Materials such as hematite (Haematitum), and pyrite (Pyritum) that easily crumble are calcined in crucibles called dulu. Some materials such as borax (Borax), smithsonite (Smithsonitum), and alum (Alumen) may be simply heated in a wok. Soft materials such as juncus (Junci Medulla) and old trachycarpus (Trachycarpi Stipulae Fibra Veta) are calcined in a mud-sealed wok to char. Especially hard materials such as hematite (Haematitum), white quartz (Quartz Album), pyrite (Pyritum), tortoise plastron (Testudinis Plastrum), and loadstone (Magnetitum) are dipped in vinegar after heating to make them softer; actinolite (Actinolitum) can be dipped in wine. See calcining and quenching.
calcining and quenching
To heat (medicinal materials) to a high temperature and then dip them in water or vinegar. See calcination.
calf
The fleshy rear part of the lower leg.
callus
A thickening and hardening of the skin on protuberant parts of the feet that arises when long-term pressure and friction from footwear causes local blockage of qi and blood depriving the skin of nourishment. It is unclearly circumscribed and may range in color from white or yellow to brown.
Medication: Treat by pairing away dead skin with a knife and applying Water Crystal Paste.
Acupuncture: Treatment is based on ouch points. Compare corn.
calm
To reduce certain disturbances (ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang, panting).
calm breathing
Regular breathing at normal speed. To ensure maximum accuracy when taking a patient's pulse, practitioners should make sure that their own respiration is natural and even. This ensures accurate timing of the pace of the pulse, and facilitates the mental composure required to detect even the slightest changes.
calm dawn
The third of the twelve watches (two hour periods); B3 watch; 3--5 a.m. According to Elementary Questions, calm dawn is the best time to take the pulse.
calming and extinguishing internal wind
Synonyms: extinguishing wind.
calming panting
Synonyms: stabilizing panting.
Elimination or reduction of panting. See dispersing phlegm and calming panting; diffusing the lung and transforming phlegm.
calming the liver and extinguishing wind
Synonyms: settling the liver and extinguishing wind; subduing yang and extinguishing wind.
A method of treatment used to address ascendant liver yang stirring internal wind with pulling pain in the head, dizziness, deviated eyes and mouth, numbness or tremor of the limbs, stiffening of the tongue, deviated trembling tongue, unclear speech, red tongue with thin fur, a stringlike pulse, and, in severe cases, clouding collapse, hypertonicity or convulsions of the limbs.
Medication: Medicinals used include uncaria (Uncariae Ramulus cum Unco), gastrodia (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), tribulus (Tribuli Fructus), chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemi Flos), earthworm (Lumbricus), mother-of-pearl (Concha Margaritifera), oyster shell (Ostreae Concha), and a
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV, GB, and LR. Needle with drainage at GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), GB-20 (Wind Pool), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge), and with supplementation at BL-18 (Liver Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), SP-6 (Three Y
calming the liver and relieving pain
A method of treatment used to address headache due to ascendant liver yang.
calming the liver and subduing yang
Synonyms: subduing yang.
canthus
canthi. The point at which the upper and lower lids meet at either extremity of the eye; the corner or angle of the eye. The inner canthus is the point where the lids meet beside the nose; the outer canthus is the point where they meet on the lateral aspect of the face. The canthi are also known as the blood wheel. Diseases affecting the canthi include excrescence creeping over the eye and weeping canthus.
carphology
Synonyms: picking at bedclothes.
catgut embedding
A method of treatment whereby acupuncture points are stimulated by catgut embedded in the skin. It is used in modern clinical practice to treat wheezing and panting, stomach pain, diarrhea, enuresis, deviated eyes and mouth, epilepsy, and wilting.
celestial court
Center of the forehead.
center
The spleen and stomach; the center burner.
center burner
Synonyms: middle burner.
The middle section of the triple burner, comprising the spleen and stomach. See triple burner.
center burner damp obstruction
Synonyms: damp obstruction.
center burner damp-heat
Synonyms: spleen-stomach damp-heat.
center burner governs transformation
The center burner comprises the stomach and spleen, which move and transform the essence of grain and water. More at spleen governs movement and transformation and triple burner.
center burner is like foam
The center burner is like a fermentation turning the ingested foods into a form from which their essence can be extracted. More at triple burner.
center cold
Center burner vacuity cold arising from insufficiency of yang qi and impaired splenic movement and transformation, and marked by abdominal pain that likes pressure, cold limbs and fear of cold, bland taste in the mouth, upflow nausea, reduced eating, and sloppy stool.
center dispersion
Synonyms: spleen dispersion; stomach dispersion; heart dispersion.
A dispersion-thirst pattern characterized by thirst, increased eating and rapid hungering, emaciation, frequent urination, and hard stool, and attributed to spleen-stomach dryness-heat.
Medication: Treat by clearing heat and draining fire complemented by enriching yin and moistening dryness. Use White Tiger Decoction, Firewood-Raking Beverage, or Stomach-Regulating Qi-Coordinating Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, ST, and SP. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), SP-2 (Great Metropolis), ST-43 (Sunken Valley), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and KI-3 (Great Ravine); needle with drainage. See dispersion-thirst.
center fullness is treated by draining the inner body
From Elementary Questions. To disinhibit qi dynamic to relieve distention and fullness caused by internal stagnation of qi. For distention and fullness in the chest and abdomen due to stagnation of qi and phlegm-damp in the middle stomach duct, for example, the method of harmonizing the stomach and rectifying qi can be used. For distention and pain in the stomach duct and abdomen, abductive dispersion can be used.
center qi
The qi of the spleen and stomach (center burner) and other bowels and viscera insofar as they are involved in the digestion and the upbearing of the clear and downbearing of the turbid.
Spleen qi. Spleen qi governs upbearing, and impairment of the function can take the form of spleen vacuity fall manifesting as prolapse of the anus or uterus. See center qi fall.
center qi fall
Synonyms: qi vacuity fall; spleen qi fall; qi fall.
Insufficiency of spleen yang qi in which its uplift is diminished and that manifests in sinking effects such as prolapse of the anus, enduring diarrhea, prolapse of the uterus, or, in infants, depressed fontanel. The spleen occupies the center, its qi governs upbearing; damage to the spleen by diet or taxation fatigue or enduring illness can cause spleen qi to fall.
Medication: Supplement the center and boost qi; upbear yang and raise the fall. Use formulas such as Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, GV, back transport points and ST, selecting GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), and BL-21 (Stomach Transport). Needle with supplementati
ceruminal congestion
Accumulation of earwax in the ear.
change of teeth
The replacement of the milk teeth (deciduous) teeth by the permanent teeth at the age of six to seven. Change of teeth is considered a manifestation of kidney qi. Elementary Questions states, "When a male is eight years old and his kidney qi is replete, the hair grows and the teeth change."
channel
Any of the main pathways of qi and blood. Distinction is made between regular channels, usually referred to as the twelve channels, and extraordinary vessels. See twelve channels; extraordinary vessels; channels and network vessels.
channel and network qi
Qi that flows through the channels and network vessels. Its movement is seen in the channels' function of transmission and conveyance. The sensation produced by needling an acupuncture point, known as "obtaining qi," demonstrates the presence of channel qi.
channel and network stroke
Wind stroke taking the form of a channel stroke or network stroke, and marked by signs such as deviated eyes and mouth, numbness of the skin, hemiplegia, and impeded speech, but not by spirit-mind changes that characterize bowel and visceral stroke.
channel conductor
A medicinal that conducts the action of other medicinals to specific channels of the body. Channel conduction is one aspect of the actions of conductors.
channel divergence
Any of the twelve channel divergences.
channel entry
Action (of a medicinal) on a particular channel and the organ to which the channel homes. For example, platycodon (Platycodonis Radix) and tussilago (Tussilaginis Flos), treat cough and panting and are said to enter the lung channel; gastrodia (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), scorpion (Buthus), and antelope horn (Antelopis Cornu) treat convulsions and are said to enter the liver channel. Some medicinals enter two channels or more, indicating that they have a broad scope of action. For example, apricot kernel (Armeniacae Semen) enters the lung and the large intestine, and treats both cough and constipation. Alisma (Alismatis Rhizoma) enters the kidney, bladder, and triple burner channels, and treats water-damp problems.
channel needling
The needling of a channel affected by disease.
One of the nine needling methods. To needle a blocked area on a channel that passes through the affected area.
channel passage
The movement of evils from one channel to another in doctrine of cold damage.
channel point
Synonyms: river point.
fourteen-channel point. Any point on the fourteen channels.
channel qi
Synonyms: vessel qi.
The qi that flows through the channels. Channel qi is composed of earlier and later heaven essential qi (congenital and acquired elements) and moves through the entire body. Channel qi has both activating and nourishing functions, and reflects the functions of the whole body. Elementary Questions states, "True qi is channel qi."
channel rubbing
A technique by which the acupuncturist rubs the course of a channel at an acupuncture point prior to needle insertion in order to diffuse qi and blood in the area.
channel sinew
Any of the twelve channel sinews.
channel stroke
Wind stroke in which evil is in the channels; characterized by hemiplegia, deviated eyes and mouth, and difficult speech. It is distinguished from organ stroke by the absence of spirit-mind signs like clouding collapse, and differs from network stroke by including hemiplegia and difficult speech.
channel theory
All theories concerning the channels, their pathways, functions, and diseases.
channel-freeing manipulation
A technique used acupuncture to help obtain qi, involving the application of light pressure along the course of the channel above and below the point being needled; this hastens the movement of qi and blood in the channel.
channels and network vessels
The pathways of blood and qi pervading the whole the body, connecting the bowels and viscera, the limbs and joints. The channels are the main pathways of qi and blood, whereas the network vessels are smaller branches ensuring supply of qi and blood to all localities. Disturbances in the channels are reflected in abnormalities along their course. Acupuncture, acupressure, and cupping are largely based on the theory of the channels and network vessels. See twelve channels; fourteen channels.
chaotic menstruation
Synonyms: menstruation at irregular interva
ls.
chaotic red-thread vessels
Synonyms: tangled red-thread vessels.
chaotic vessels in the white of the eye
Synonyms: tangled red-thread vessels.
char-frying
A medicinal processing method similar to scorch-frying, but using an even higher flame. The aim of char-frying is to make the materials charred and black on the outside, brown on the inside, and brittle. Although a large proportion of the material is charred, the original properties are still present. This is what is known as "nature-preservative burning." To ensure that the nature is partially preserved in this way, it is important that the material should not be completely carbonized. Because of the high temperature used in char-frying, materials easily catch fire. In this event, water should be sprinkled over the material until no sparks are seen. Some materials, such as typha pollen (Typhae Pollen) require particularly vigorous stirring to clear the smoke they produce. Char-frying moderates the properties of a medicinal, and increases its ability to promote contraction and check bleeding. Some modern experiments show that blood-stanching properties may in some cases be destroyed through the process.
characteristic
The qi, flavor, and bearing of a medicinal. See four qi; five flavors; bearing.
checking diarrhea
A method of treatment used to address diarrhea. Checking diarrhea takes a variety of forms depending on the pattern in which it occurs. Specific methods include: clearing heat and disinhibiting dampness; dispersing food and abducting stagnation; warming the stomach and fortifying the center; warming and supplementing the life gate; fortifying the spleen and harmonizing the stomach.
checking tetany
Synonyms: resolving tetany.
checking vaginal discharge
A method of treatment used to address vaginal discharge. Checking vaginal discharge usually denotes securing and astringing to treat vaginal discharge due to vacuity and characterized by persistent clear thin white vaginal discharge without foul smell, often accompanied by gradually developing physical weakness. It involves the use of qi-supplementing and kidney-supplementing medicinals combined with securing astringents such as calcined cuttlefish bone (Sepiae seu Sepiellae Os Calcinatum), calcined oyster shell (Ostreae Concha Calcinata), euryale (Euryales Semen), ginkgo (Ginkgo Semen), and yellow wax (Cera Aurea). A representative vaginal-discharge--checking formula is Discharge-Checking Tablet.
checking vomiting
Suppression of vomiting. Vomiting occurs in a wide variety of stomach diseases and is treated in different ways accordingly. See vomiting and retching.
cheek bone
The prominent bone beneath the eye.
cheek carriage
The joint of the lower jaw.
A point name, ST-6.
cheek carriage bone
Synonyms: tooth carriage; tooth bed.
The lower jaw.
chen
Name of a dynasty ( 557--589).
chest
The upper part of the trunk, enclosed by the ribs and breastbone. thoracic. See chest and rib-side.
chest and rib-side
The anterior chest and the sides of the body from the armpit to the lowest rib. Signs associated with this part of the body are chest pain, glomus in the chest, [suffering of] chest and rib-side fullness, ( chest and rib-side fullness, propping fullness in the chest and rib-side), fullness in the chest, and oppression in the chest.
chest and rib-side fullness
Synonyms: suffering of chest and rib-side suffering fullness.
From On Cold Damage. Fullness and oppression in the chest and rib-side associated with disturbance of qi dynamic in the foot lesser yang gallbladder channel and with gallbladder fire.
Medication: Use Minor Bupleurum Decoction or Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB and PC. Select PC-6 (Inner Pass), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), LR-14 (Cycle Gate), GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection); needle with drainage.
chest and rib-side pain
chest and rib-side suffering fullness
chest bind
A pattern arising when evil qi binds in the chest, causing pain below the heart with hard fullness that can be felt under pressure. It occurs when offensive precipitation is administered too early in greater yang disease and causes exterior heat to fall into the inner body to bind with water-rheum. It may also occur (without inappropriate precipitation) when greater yang disease passes to yang brightness and yang brightness repletion heat combines with preexisting water-rheum. See entries listed below.
chest bones
The breast bone and ribs
chest center
The center of the chest between the nipples. The Magic Pivot states, "The chest center is the sea of qi."
The pericardium. Elementary Questions states, "The chest center holds the office of minister and courier; from it joy and pleasure emanate."
chest impediment
Synonyms: thoracic impediment.
In Emergency Standby Remedies and Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer, chest impediment is described as a disease pattern characterized by fullness and oppression in the anterior chest, in severe cases with pain stretching to the back, and panting that prevents the patient from lying down. It is caused by yin evils like phlegm turbidity and static blood that congeal and bind, preventing diffusion of chest yang. Depending on severity, chest impediment may take the form of fullness in the chest or chest pain.
In Pathoconditions, Causes, Pulses, and Treatments, stomach impediment ; characterized by fullness and oppression in the anterior chest, pain on swallowing, and in some cases occasional vomiting. Compare heart impediment.
Medication: Warm yang and boost qi; course qi and sweep phlegm. In enduring cases, blockage of the network vessels by static blood can be addressed by freeing the network vessels. Formulas such as Trichosanthes, Chinese Chive, and White Liquor Decoction, Trichosanthe
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT, PC, and CV. Main points: BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-14 (Reverting Yin Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and HT-5 (Connecting Li). Selection of points according to pattern: For phl
chest pain
From Elementary Questions. Any pain in any part of the chest. Chest pain is attributable to a variety of diseases including heart impediment, heart pain, true heart pain, reversal heart pain, phlegm-rheum, pulmonary welling-abscess, and pulmonary consumption. The chest corresponds to the upper burner and contains the heart and lung, and chest pain is the manifestation of heart or lung disease, especially heart disease; hence chest pain includes heart pain and in some contexts the two terms are synonymous. The stomach duct is contiguous to the chest, and in the past "heart pain" was often used to denote pain in the pit of the stomach. As a result, the terms "chest pain," "heart pain," and "stomach duct pain" have been confused. Chest pain proper (not including stomach duct pain) is attributed to heart qi vacuity, congealing cold and stagnant qi, heart blood stasis obstruction, dual vacuity of qi and yin, phlegm turbidity obstruction, or pulmonary welling-abscess. For scorching pain in the chest and rib-side, see liver fire invading the lung.
chest yang
Synonyms: thoracic yang
The yang qi of the chest.
chicken breast
Synonyms: pigeon chest.
A deformity in infants in which the chest protrudes at the center, giving it the appearance of a chicken's breast; hence the name. This condition is attributed to congenital insufficiency and/or poor nourishment after birth and manifests as spleen-kidney depletion and softness of the bones.
chicken pox
A contagious disease of children first recorded in On Pox Formulas ( 1518) by Cai Wei-Fan. It is characterized by heat~effusion, and bursts of macular and papular eruptions, and is attributed to seasonal wind-toxin and brewing internal damp-heat harassing the defense aspect.
Medication: Course wind, clear heat, and resolve toxin using Lonicera and Forsythia Powder as the main formula. Where pox papules burst and erode, Indigo Powder can be applied topically.
chicken's-claw wind
Synonyms: ashen nail.
chief
chief, support, assistant, and conductor
child bedwetting
child dysentery
Dysentery in infants and children, usually resulting from contraction of damp-heat and damage by raw, cold, or unclean food in summer. Child dysentery is characterized by heat~effusion, abdominal pain and, in the initial stage, diarrhea with watery stool, which gives way to the standard signs of dysentery, i.e., stool containing pus and blood with tenesmus and frequent defecation. Distinction is made between cold and heat pattern.
child enuresis
child eye gan
Synonyms: eye gan; gan toxin eye; gan disease ascending to the eye.
Dryness, aversion to light, screens on the dark of the eyes (iris and cornea), possibly causing crab's-eye, or, in severe cases, withering of the eyeball and blindness. It is attributed to spleen-stomach depletion with essence-blood depletion depriving the eye of nourishment and liver heat attacking the upper body.
Medication: Treat by fortifying the spleen and clearing heat, by killing worms and dispersing gan, and by nourishing the liver and brightening the eyes, or other methods depending on the condition of the patient. Use variations of Chubby Child Pill from The Golden Mi
Acupuncture: The above medicinal treatment can also be combined with spine pinching and needling of the Four Seams, and burning moxa at ST-36 (Leg Three Li), BL-18 (Liver Transport), and BL-23 (Kidney Transport). See gan.
child fright reversal
Synonyms: fright reversal.
child fright wind
Synonyms: fright wind.
child visiting hostility
Synonyms: visiting hostility; strike-on-person.
Crying, fright, disquietude, or even changes in complexion in infants brought on by seeing a stranger or strange sight, or being exposed to unfamiliar surroundings or circumstances. The condition often involves contention between wind and phlegm and affects the spleen and stomach's functions of intake, movement, and transformation, giving rise to vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and convulsions similar to those of epilepsy.
Medication: Use Soul-Quieting Decoction, which contains spiny jujube kernel (Ziziphi Spinosi Semen), root poria (Poria cum Pini Radice), polygala (Polygalae Radix), tangkuei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), bile arisaema (Arisaematis Rhizoma cum Felle Bovis), and juncus (
child wilting pattern
Any limpness of the limbs and inability to grasp objects in children. Chinese medicine traditionally had no disease name corresponding to `infantile paralysis' in modern medicine. `Child wilting pattern' is a modern Chinese medical term that corresponds in Western medicine to infantile paralysis as the sequela of poliomyelitis or resulting from other causes such as infantile myodystrophy. Child wilting patterns are attributed to dual depletion of qi and humor and lung heat scorching the lobes after heat (febrile) disease, depriving the skin and sinews of nourishment, or to warm heat sweltering the yang brightness yang2 ming2, with slackness of the ancestral sinews. They may also be attributed to insufficiency of the earlier heaven constitution with depletion of the liver and kidney.
Medication: See wilting.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on yang brightness channel points. Main points: LI-4 (Union Valley), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection). For lung heat scorching the lobes, add LU-7 (Broken Sequence), GB-20 (Wind Pool),
childbed wind
Synonyms: wind tetany.
Arched-back rigidity and clenched jaw from wind stroke after childbirth.
Medication: Use Hua Tuo's Wind-Healing Powder. See postpartum wind stroke; lockjaw.
childbirth
Synonyms: birth; delivery.
The separation of the child from the mother's body, after 28th week of pregnancy
children's diseases
Synonyms: infants' and children's diseases.
Diseases to which infants and children are prone. In general, small children are susceptible to external contractions and disease of the lungs and spleen. See lung is often in insufficiency. A comprehensive list of children's diseases is given under disease.
chinese medicinal
Any medicinal used in the orthodox literary tradition. See medicinal.
chinese medicinals and herbs
Any medicinals of traditional orthodox medicinal therapy and herbs locally used in folk medicine in China.
cholera
Synonyms: sudden turmoil.
A disease characterized by simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea, usually followed by severe cramps. Dry cholera is characterized by an ungratified urge to vomit and defecate at the same time. Cholera in Chinese medicine includes what modern Western medicine calls cholera and as well as acute gastroenteritis presenting with the same signs.
cholera cramps
Synonyms: leg-hoisting sand.
Cramps occurring when vomiting and diarrhea in cholera (sudden turmoil) causes fulminant loss of fluids and damage to qi and yin, thereby depriving the sinews of nourishment. Contraction of the legs in severe cases may be accompanied by hypertonicity of the abdomen, retracted scrotum and curled tongue.
Medication: Determine whether the condition is heat cholera or cold cholera. Use formulas such as Chaenomeles Decoction or Center-Rectifying Decoction, or administer one (rice) bowl of fresh lablab leaf (Lablab Folium) juice obtained by crushing and squeezing. Crush
Acupuncture: Apply treatments for heat or cold cholera, and needle with drainage at GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring), BL-57 (Mountain Support), GB-38 (Yang Assistance), SP-3 (Supreme White), SP-2 (Great Metropolis), LR-4 (Mound Center), and BL-60 (Kunlun Mountains); for seve
chong product
Any medicinal product derived from reptiles, arthropods, or shellfish.
chronic fright wind
A disease of infants and children characterized by intermittent mild convulsions associated with pale yellow facial complexion of mixed blue-green and white facial complexion and in most cases the absence of heat~effusion. Most chronic fright wind patients exhibit signs such as clouding sleep, either with the eyes fully closed or with the eyeballs exposed, as well as fatigue and laziness to speak. Stool may be slightly green-blue in color or there may be clear-food diarrhea. The pulse is sunken and moderate or sunken, slow, and forceless. Chronic fright wind is attributed to insufficiency of qi and blood and exuberance of the liver with vacuity of the spleen, and often occurs in the advanced stages of severe chronic disease when right qi is greatly weakened.
Medication: Treatment should focus on supporting right and rectifying the liver and spleen, supported by clearing the heart and flushing phlegm. Formulas that can be used include Center-Rectifying Decoction, Clever Powder, Spleen-Arousing Pill, and Cinnabar Spirit-Qu
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, ST, and LR, needling with supplementation and moxa at CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and needling with even supplementation and drain
chronic spleen wind
A disease pattern in young children arising when excessive vomiting or diarrhea weakens right qi, causing closed eyes and shaking head, dark green-blue face and lips, sweating brow, clouded spirit, somnolence, reversal cold of the limbs, and wriggling of the extremities. It is a form of chronic fright wind characterized by spleen yin vacuity and spleen yang debilitation.
Medication: Warm the center and supplement the spleen; secure the root and restore yang. Administer Ginseng and Aconite Decoction in frequent small doses, and later use Aconite Center-Rectifying Decoction with additional medicinals.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, ST, and LR. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge); needle with supplementation and a
cinnabar eye
A condition in which the eyelid becomes red, swollen, hot, and painful, and which in the later stages may suppurate and rupture and cause pronounced generalized signs. Cinnabar eye can develop from sties or damage to skin, and is traced to brewing accumulation of spleen-stomach heat toxin and externally contracted wind evil, combining to transform into fire, which binds in the eyelid, obstructs the network vessels, and scorches the fluids. At onset, the upper eyelid suddenly becomes red, swollen, and painful. Gradually, the whole of the area of the eyelids is affected by diffuse swelling that prevents full opening of the eye. The skin is red or purplish red in color, and is tender. Other signs include heat~effusion and aversion to cold, headache, and general discomfort. As pus gathers, the skin gradually becomes thinner and turns a yellow white in color, and rippling can be felt under the touch. After rupture, it heals. If pus is excessively abundant and is not discharged easily, the condition may spread.
cinnabar field
An area three body-inches below the umbilicus, believed by Daoists to be the chamber of essence (semen) in males and the uterus in females.
Any of three mustering positions in qi-gong, including the lower cinnabar field located below the umbilicus, the middle cinnabar field located in the pit of the stomach (scrobiculus cordis), and the upper cinnabar field located in the center of the brow.
cinnabar sand
Synonyms: epidemic throat sand.
cinnabar toxin
Synonyms: fire cinnabar.
A condition characterized by sudden localized reddening of the skin, giving it the appearance of having been smeared with cinnabar. Cinnabar toxin usually affects the face and lower legs, is most common among children and the elderly, and usually occurs in spring and summer. Cinnabar toxin is known by different names according to form and location. When it affects the head, it is called head fire cinnabar. When it assumes a wandering pattern, it is called wandering cinnabar, as is observed in newborns. Cinnabar toxin of the lower legs is called fire flow or fire cinnabar leg. Cinnabar toxin arises when damaged skin and insecurity of defense qi allow evil toxin to enter the body and gives rise to heat in the blood aspect, which becomes trapped in the skin. If the toxin is accompanied by wind, the face is affected; if accompanied by dampness, the lower legs are affected. Thus the facial type tends to be wind-heat, whereas the lower leg type is damp-heat. The disease develops swiftly. The onset of heat~effusion and aversion to cold is followed by the rapid outbreak of red patches on the skin. These patches are clearly defined, and slightly raised at the edges; they feel painful and are scorching hot to the touch. They quickly spread in all directions, turn from a bright to a darker red, and may scale. In some cases, there are also vesicles that leak yellow fluid on bursting and cause pain and itching. Other signs include vexing thirst, generalized heat~effusion, constipation, reddish urine, and other general heat signs. Development of a vigorous heat~effusion with vomiting, clouded spirit, delirious speech, or even tetanic reversal are signs of the toxin attacking the body's interior.
Medication: Clear heat and resolve toxin; cool the blood and transform stasis. For head fire cinnabar, use Universal Aid Toxin-Dispersing Beverage. For fire flow, use Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction supplemented with additional medicinals. For wandering cinnabar in
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LI and SP. Main points: Apply diffuse pricking at ouch points and prick SP-10 (Sea of Blood), and BL-40 (Bend Center) to bleed with three-edged needle. Needle with drainage at LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LI-4 (Union Valley), SP-9 (Y
civil flame
A low flame. When decocting formulas, the water is first brought to the boil, and then the flame is reduced so that the medicinals are decocted slowly. Richly flavored supplementing medicinals in particular require long boiling over a civil flame. Compare martial flame.
clamoring stomach
A sensation of emptiness and burning in the stomach duct or heart region described as being like hunger but not hunger, and like pain but not pain, and accompanied by belching, nausea, swallowing of upflowing acid, and fullness.
clavicle
Synonyms: The shoulder bone.
clean bowel
Synonyms: The bladder.
clean tongue fur
An extremely fine fur with a grainy appearance. It is a normal healthy fur.
clear
Pure and insubstantial (e.g., clear yang qi) in opposition to turbid.
Not properly decomposed That which is clear (usually "the clear"). To eliminate heat or fire, e.g., clear the heart (eliminate heart heat), clear the lung (eliminate lung heat), and clear qi (eliminate heat from the qi aspect), and specifically to clear heat as opposed to draining fire. To excrete (same as qing1).
clear orifice
Any of the upper orifices (eyes, ears, nostrils, and mouth), usually referred to collectively. The clear orifices are sometimes called the seven orifices. They are described as clear in contradistinction to the lower orifices, usually referred to as the two yin, i.e., the anal and genital orifices, through which turbid waste is discharged from the body.
clear qi
The clear, light part of the essence of grain and water. The Magic Pivot states, "The stomach is the sea of the five viscera and six bowels; its clear qi pours upward into the lung." Compare clear yang.
clear qi failing to bear upward
Synonyms: clear yang failing to bear upward.
clear uninhibited stool and urine
Clean stool composed of improperly digested food with clear urine; a sign of cold.
clear yang
Synonyms: clear qi.
Yang qi as a clean, light, insubstantial qi that moves upward and outward. It stands in complementary opposition to turbid yin, which is the unclean, heavy, substantial qi (solid waste products). See turbid yin. Compare
clear yang failing to bear upward
Synonyms: clear qi failing to bear upward.
The inability of yang qi to warm and nourish the head, flesh, limbs, etc. The main signs are dizzy head and vision, shortness of breath and laziness to speak, fatigue and lack of strength, abdominal distention and diarrhea. Other signs my be reduced hearing acuity, somnolence, and poor appetite. The tongue is pale with white fur, and the pulse is weak or vacuous.
Medication: Boost qi and upbear yang. Use Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction or Yang-Upbearing Stomach-Boosting Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV and CV. Select GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), CV-4 (Pass Head), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-21 (Stomach Transport), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li), needle with supplementation and large
clear-eye blindness
Gradual blindness that in severe cases can be total. It is attributable to insufficiency of the liver and kidney and depletion of essence blood, combined with spleen-stomach vacuity preventing essential qi from reaching up to the eyes.
Medication: Enrich the liver and kidney; replenish essence and supplement the marrow; open the orifices and brighten the eyes. Formulas include Lycium Berry, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia Pill or variations of Long Vistas Pill Variant Formula with the addition of fres
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on BL, ST, and back transport points, selecting BL-1 (Bright Eyes), ST-1 (Tear Container), BL-18 (Liver Transport), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), GB-37 (Bright Light), and GB-1 (Pupil Bone-Hole). For liver-kidney depletion, add GV-4 (Lif
clear-food diarrhea
Diarrhea characterized by watery, light brown stool containing partially digested food and having no malodor. Clear-food diarrhea is accompanied by aversion to cold and cold limbs, and is a sign of kidney and spleen yang vacuity.
Medication: Warm the center and dissipate cold using Vessel-Freeing Counterflow Cold Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, GV and ST. Select BL-23 (Kidney Transport), CV-4 (Pass Head), GV-4 (Life Gate), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), and ST-36 (Leg T
clearing
One of the eight methods. See clearing heat.
clearing and depurating lung qi
Synonyms: clearing metal; clearing metal and downbearing fire.
A method of treatment used to address lung heat with lung qi ascending counterflow. Lung qi normally descends, but when the lung is distressed by fire, there are heat signs such as expectoration of yellow phlegm, dry mouth, heat~effusion without aversion to cold, red tongue, and a rapid floating pulse. Fire also disrupts the normal downward movement of qi, causing counterflow ascent of qi and cough.
Medication: The method of clearing and depurating the lung makes use of medicinals that clear lung heat and downbear lung qi such as mulberry root bark (Mori Radicis Cortex), houttuynia (Houttuyniae Herba cum Radice), phragmites (Phragmititis Rhizoma), isatis root (I
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU, LI, and ST. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), LU-10 (Fish Border), LU-7 (Broken Sequence), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LI-4 (Union Valley), ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge), and GV-14 (Great Hammer); needle with drainage.
clearing and disinhibiting
Synonyms: clearing heat and disinhibiting dampness.
clearing blood heat
Synonyms: cooling the blood.
clearing both qi and construction
A method of treatment used to address febrile disease in which heat evil has entered the qi aspect and the construction aspect, causing high fever, heart vexation, unquiet sleep, thirst, sweating, crimson tongue with dry yellow tongue fur, and a rapid surging pulse.
Medication: Medicinals that clear qi and construction include gypsum (Gypsum), anemarrhena (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), tender bamboo leaf (lophatherum) (Lophatheri Folium Immaturum), forsythia (Forsythiae Fructus), scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), dendrobium (Dendrobii
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT, PC, and LI. Needle with drainage at GV-14 (Great Hammer), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LI-4 (Union Valley), PC-3 (Marsh at the Bend), PC-9 (Central Hub), HT-9 (Lesser Surge), and prick them to bleed with a three-edged needle if n
clearing bowel and visceral heat
Dispelling heat or fire from any of the bowels and viscera.
clearing construction
Synonyms: clearing construction and discharging heat.
A method of treatment used to address heat in the construction aspect characterized by high fever, vexation and agitation, unquiet sleep, dry crimson tongue, a rapid fine pulse, and unpronounced thirst.
Medication: Clear construction, clear the heart, and resolve toxin. The main formula is Construction-Clearing Decoction Where there are pericardium signs such as clouded spirit, this formula can be combined with one that opens the orifices, such as Peaceful Palace B
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT, PC, and LI, Needle with drainage at PC-8 (Palace of Toil), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion), PC-3 (Marsh at the Bend), PC-9 (Central Hub), HT-9 (Lesser Surge), and LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), and prick them to bleed with a three-edged need
clearing construction and cooling the blood
A method of treatment used to address evil heat in the construction-blood aspect using cool-cold medicinals. Clearing construction and cooling the blood treats heat entering construction-blood in warm disease, notably including intense construction heat, heat damaging construction-yin, exuberant heat stirring the blood, and qi and blood (construction) both ablaze. See clearing construction, cooling the blood, cooling and dissipating the blood, clearing both qi and construction, and outthrusting macules.
clearing construction and discharging heat
Synonyms: clearing construction
clearing damp-heat
A method of treatment used to address damp-heat conditions such as liver channel damp-heat, damp-heat jaundice, and persistent damp-heat in externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases. Medicinals that clear damp-heat include: (1) Cold bitter heat-clearing dampness-drying medicinals such as coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma), phellodendron (Phellodendri Cortex), scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), and gentian (Gentianae Radix). (2) Warm bitter dampness-drying medicinals such as atractylodes (Atractylodis Rhizoma), magnolia bark (Magnoliae Cortex), and pinellia (Pinelliae Tuber). (3) Aromatic dampness-transforming medicinals such as agastache/patchouli (Agastaches seu Pogostemi Herba), eupatorium (Eupatorii Herba), and Katsumada's galangal seed (Alpiniae Katsumadae Semen). (4) Water-disinhibiting medicinals such as talcum (Talcum), rice-paper plant pith (Tetrapanacis Medulla), poria (Poria), and bamboo leaf (lophatherum) (Lophatheri Folium). If sign of dampness are more pronounced, warm bitter dampness-drying or aromatic dampness-transforming medicinals are used. An appropriate formula for this is Three Kernels Decoction. If the heat signs are more pronounced, cold bitter heat-clearing and dampness-drying medicinals are combined in formulas like Sweet Dew Toxin-Dispersing Elixir. Where damp-heat is severe or leads to fire formation, it is treated with cold bitter medicinals that not only clear heat and transform dampness, but also drain fire and resolve toxin. One commonly used method of clearing damp-heat is "acrid opening and bitter discharging," i.e., opening with acridity and discharging with bitterness, using pinellia (Pinelliae Tuber) with scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), and magnolia bark (Magnoliae Cortex) with coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma), etc., in formulas such as Coptis and Magnolia Bark Beverage. Damp-heat skin diseases are frequently treated with flavescent sophora (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix), and white perilla bark (Perillae Albae Cortex). Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction treats damp-heat in the liver channel. Capillaris Decoction treats damp-heat jaundice.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST, LI, and SP. Main points: ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-4 (Union Valley), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection); needle with drainage. Selection of points according to pattern: If dampness is predominant, add CV
clearing dryness
Synonyms: moistening dryness.
clearing dryness and rescuing the lung
A method of treatment used to address dryness-heat damaging the lung and causing lung wilting. Clearing dryness and rescuing the lung involves clearing lung-stomach heat with cool sweet and slightly acrid medicinals, boosting stomach qi, and enriching kidney water to protect lung-metal. It avoids the use of both cold bitter and warm-hot medicinals. A representative formula is Dryness-Clearing Lung-Rescuing Decoction.
clearing heart fire
Synonyms: clearing the heart.
clearing heat
Synonyms: clearing.
A method of treatment used to address heat using cool and cold medicinals, in accordance with the principle referred to in Elementary Questions that "heat is treated with cold." Clearing heat is used in the treatment of interior heat patterns such as qi-aspect heat, blood-aspect heat, damp-heat, and yang sore patterns. Clearing heat is a generic term that corresponds to clearing among the eight methods. It includes clearing heat (in a more specific sense), draining fire, and resolving toxin. The distinction between clearing heat and draining fire rests on the distinction between specific senses of the terms heat and fire. Here, fire denotes a form of repletion heat arising from the transformation of other evils and from the transformation of yang qi (see fire). Resolving toxin is the removal of any toxin, and clearing heat and resolving toxin refers to the method of treating severe redness, swelling and pain, and suppuration. Clearing heat and draining fire is poorly distinguished from clearing heat and resolving toxin, and in modern literature either term is used to cover the two. When the word clear is followed by a word denoting a part of the body, the implication is that heat is removed from that part of the body. Thus, clear construction means to clear construction heat. Clearing blood heat is conventionally referred to as cooling the blood. In modern clinical practice, the main methods of clearing heat are listed above. See also clearing damp-heat and clearing heat and resolving the exterior.
clearing heat and disinhibiting dampness
A method of treatment used to address lower burner damp-heat characterized by urgency and distention of the smaller abdomen, murky reddish urine, pain on urination, dribbling urination, and yellow slimy tongue fur.
Medication: Heat-clearing dampness-disinhibiting formulas include Eight Corrections Powder and Pyrrosia Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV and SP. Needle with drainage at BL-28 (Bladder Transport), CV-3 (Central Pole), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection).
clearing heat and dispelling dampness
Any method of treatment used to treat damp-heat. Clearing heat and dispelling dampness is applied to damp warmth, jaundice, cholera, heat strangury, and wilting or impediment due to damp-heat external contractions, exuberant internal damp-heat, or damp-heat pouring downward. Commonly used heat-clearing dampness-dispelling medicinals include capillaris (Artemisiae Capillaris Herba), coix (Coicis Semen), talcum (Talcum), and gardenia (Gardeniae Fructus). Formulas include Three Kernels Decoction Capillaris Decoction and Sweet Dew Toxin-Dispersing Elixir. See also clearing heat and transforming dampness and clearing heat and disinhibiting dampness.
clearing heat and draining fire
clearing heat and extinguishing wind
Synonyms: draining fire and extinguishing wind.
clearing heat and freeing strangury
A method of treatment used to address painful, burning sensations in the urethra, urinary urgency and frequency, and reddish urine.
Medication: Heat-clearing strangury-freeing medicinals include mutong (Mutong Caulis), plantago seed (Plantaginis Semen) or plantago (Plantaginis Herba), knotgrass (Polygoni Avicularis Herba), pyrrosia (Pyrrosiae Folium), dianthus (Dianthi Herba), and talcum (Talcum
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on the three yin channels of the foot and alarm and back transport points of BL (CV-3 and BL-28). Select BL-28 (Bladder Transport), CV-3 (Central Pole), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), LR-2 (Moving Between), KI-3 (Great Ravine), LR-8 (Sprin
clearing heat and opening the orifices
Synonyms: cool opening; clearing the heart and opening the orifices.
A method of treatment used to address externally contracted febrile disease patterns, such as heat entering the pericardium, characterized by high fever with clouded spirit and delirious speech, vexation and agitation, parched lips and dry teeth, tetanic reversal, and convulsions, including child fright wind.
Medication: A representative heart-clearing orifice-opening formula is Peaceful Palace Bovine Bezoar Pill, which can be combined with Construction-Clearing Decoction. Others include Purple Snow Elixir, Spirit-Like Rhinoceros Horn Elixir, and Supreme Jewel Elixir. The
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV, PC, and Twelve Well Points. Select GV-26 (Water Trough), Twelve Well Points, PC-8 (Palace of Toil), GV-14 (Great Hammer), and LI-11 (Pool at the Bend); needle with drainage or prick to bleed. For convulsions, add GV-20 (Hundr
clearing heat and resolving summerheat
A method of treatment used to address externally contracted summerheat-heat characterized by headache, generalized heat~effusion, sweating, vexation and thirst, short voiding of reddish urine, thin yellow tongue fur, and a rapid floating pulse.
Medication: Use heat-clearing summerheat-resolving medicinals such as fresh mint (Menthae Herba), lablab flower (Lablab Flos), sweet wormwood (Artemisiae Apiaceae seu Annuae Herba), elsholtzia (Elsholtziae Herba), lonicera (Lonicerae Flos), forsythia (Forsythiae Fruc
Acupuncture: Needle with drainage at PC-6 (Inner Pass), LI-4 (Union Valley), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li). For headache, add GV-20 (Hundred Convergences) and GB-20 (Wind Pool). For vexation and thirst, add HT-5 (Connecting Li) and KI-6 (Shining Sea).
clearing heat and resolving the exterior
A method of treatment that uses cool acrid exterior-resolving medicinals to treat wind-warmth exterior patterns. A representative formula is Lonicera and Forsythia Powder.
One form of resolving both exterior and interior, used to address mild exterior heat with more pronounced interior heat characterized by high fever, vexation and thirst, mild aversion to wind or cold, little or no sweating, constipation, yellow urine, dry white or yellow tongue fur, and a slippery rapid pulse.
Medication: A representative heat-clearing exterior-resolving formula is Three Yellows and Gypsum Decoction, in which gypsum (Gypsum), coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma), scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), and phellodendron (Phellodendri Cortex) clear interior heat, and ephedr
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LI, LU, and TB. Needle with drainage at LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), TB-5 (Outer Pass), LI-4 (Union Valley), LU-7 (Broken Sequence), and GV-14 (Great Hammer).
clearing heat and resolving toxin
A method of treatment used to address any repletion pattern attributed to heat toxin, such as intense heat toxin in externally contracted heat febrile disease, sore (yang patterns), cinnabar toxin, maculopapular eruption, pulmonary welling-abscess, dysentery with blood and pus in the stool, and heat strangury with painful urination and reddish urine. Such patterns are characterized by scorching heat, heat~effusion, swelling and distention, pain, suppuration, and putrefaction.
Medication: Medicinals used include isatis leaf (Isatidis Folium), isatis root (Isatidis Radix), dandelion (Taraxaci Herba cum Radice), scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma), phellodendron (Phellodendri Cortex), moutan (Moutan Radicis Cortex), r
Acupuncture: Select BL-40 (Bend Center), PC-3 (Marsh at the Bend), Ten Diffusing Points, as the main points and, for sores etc., prick ouch points to bleed.
clearing heat and stanching bleeding
A method of treatment used to address frenetic movement of hot blood, as observed in stomach heat blood ejection with bright colored blood, dry mouth and throat, crimson red tongue, yellow tongue fur, and a surging rapid pulse.
Medication: Use medicinals such as madder (Rubiae Radix), ass hide glue (Asini Corii Gelatinum), scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), biota leaf (Biotae Folium), dried/fresh rehmannia (Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens), and cephalanoplos (Cephalanoploris Herba seu
Acupuncture: Select points such as PC-7 (Great Mound), PC-4 (Cleft Gate), LU-6 (Collection Hole), LU-9 (Great Abyss), KI-3 (Great Ravine), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and ST-44 (Inner Court), and needle with drainage.
clearing heat and transforming dampness
A method of treatment used to address dampness and heat binding in the upper or middle burner characterized by oppression in the chest, abdominal distention, poor appetite, bitter taste in the mouth, sometimes sore throat, yellow or reddish urine, slimy yellow tongue fur, and soggy rapid pulse.
Medication: Use formulas such as Sweet Dew Toxin-Dispersing Elixir and Capillaris Decoction.
Acupuncture: Needle with drainage at PC-6 (Inner Pass), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-4 (Union Valley), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow), and ST-44 (Inner Court).
clearing heat and transforming phlegm
A method of treatment used to address heat phlegm, which arises when heat congests the lung and manifests as inhibited cough, expectoration of thick yellow phlegm, red facial complexion, heat vexation, red tongue with yellow fur, etc.
Medication: Heat-clearing phlegm-transforming medicinals include tingli (Descurainiae seu Lepidii Semen), scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), mulberry root bark (Mori Radicis Cortex), trichosanthes rind (Trichosanthis Pericarpium), Zhejiang fritillaria (Fritillariae Ve
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, LU, LI, and ST. Needle with drainage at BL-13 (Lung Transport), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend) LI-4 (Union Valley), LU-10 (Fish Border), LU-9 (Great Abyss), SP-3 (Supreme White), and ST-40 (Bou
clearing heat, draining fire, and resolving toxin
clearing heat, transforming phlegm, and opening the orifices
A method of treatment used to address phlegm heat congestion in children, causing heat~effusion and clouded spirit, rough breathing, fright reversal, and convulsions of the limbs (an acute fright wind repletion pattern).
Medication: Heat-clearing phlegm-transforming and orifice-opening formulas include Dragon-Embracing Pill.
Acupuncture: Use the points given under clearing heat and transforming phlegm. In addition, drain GV-26 (Water Trough), PC-6 (Inner Pass), PC-5 (Intermediary Courier), and GV-14 (Great Hammer), and prick the twelve well points or the ten diffusing points to bleed. For
clearing liver fire
Synonyms: draining the liver.
clearing metal
Synonyms: clearing and depurating lung qi.
clearing metal and downbearing fire
Synonyms: clearing and depurating lung qi.
clearing organ heat
Synonyms: clearing bowel and visceral heat.
clearing qi
Synonyms: clearing qi-aspect heat.
clearing qi heat
Synonyms: clearing qi-aspect heat.
clearing qi with coldness and bitterness
A method of treatment used to address qi-aspect heat with cold bitter medicinals in the treatment of warm disease of spring with heat~effusion, no (or slight) aversion to cold, joint pain, thirst, scant sweating, yellow urine, red tongue with yellow tongue fur, and a rapid pulse.
Medication: Scutellaria Decoction is an example of a cold bitter qi-clearing formula.
clearing qi-aspect heat
Synonyms: clearing qi heat; clearing qi.
A method of treatment used to address qi-aspect heat patterns with vigorous (surfaced) heat~effusion, thirst, dry tongue, and surging pulse. Commonly used medicinals include gypsum (Gypsum), anemarrhena (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), and gardenia (Gardeniae Fructus). White Tiger Decoction and Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction are representative qi-heat-clearing formulas.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LI and ST. Select LI-4 (Union Valley), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), ST-44 (Inner Court), and PC-6 (Inner Pass), needle with drainage.
clearing summerheat and boosting qi
A method of treatment used to address summerheat in the treatment of contraction of summerheat with damage to liquid characterized by heat~effusion, heart vexation, dry mouth, and inhibited urination, principally by boosting qi to engender liquid and secondarily by clearing summerheat.
Medication: Use Summerheat-Clearing Qi-Boosting Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on PC, LI, ST, KI, and CV. Needle LI-4 (Union Valley), PC-6 (Inner Pass), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), HT-5 (Connecting Li), and KI-6 (Shining Sea), with drainage, and CV-6 (Sea of Qi), and CV-4 (Pass Head) with supplementation or with even
clearing summerheat and disinhibiting dampness
A method of treatment used to address summerheat-damp characterized by heat~effusion, vexation, thirst, inhibited urination.
Medication: A commonly used summerheat-clearing dampness-disinhibiting formula is Six-to-One Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on PC, LI, ST, KI, and CV. Select LI-4 (Union Valley), PC-6 (Inner Pass), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), HT-5 (Connecting Li), KI-6 (Shining Sea), CV-3 (Central Pole), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), and needle wit
clearing the heart
Synonyms: clearing the palace.
A method of treatment used to address heat entering the pericardium characterized by high fever, clouded spirit, vexation and agitation, delirious speech, crimson tongue, and a rapid fine pulse.
Medication: A representative heart-clearing formula is Palace-Clearing Decoction.
clearing the heart and boosting the kidney
A method of treatment that involves clearing heart fire and supplement kidney water and that is used to address noninteraction of the heart and kidney characterized by dizziness, heart palpitations, fearful throbbing, sleeplessness, limp aching lumbus and legs, and dream emissions in males, and dreaming of intercourse in women. See promote interaction of the heart and kidney.
clearing the heart and draining fire
Synonyms: clearing the heart.
clearing the heart and flushing heat
Synonyms: clearing the heart.
clearing the heart and opening the orifices
clearing the intestines and moistening dryness
A method of treatment used to address large intestine heat marked by constipation, bad breath, lip sores, red facial complexion, short voidings of reddish urine, dry yellow tongue fur, and a replete slippery pulse.
Medication: A representative intestine-clearing dryness-moistening formula is Hemp Seed Pill, which contains hemp seed (Cannabis Semen), peony (Paeoniae Radix), unripe bitter orange (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), rhubarb (Rhei Rhizoma), magnolia bark (Magnoliae Corte
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST and on back transport, alarm, and lower uniting points of LI. Select BL-25 (Large Intestine Transport), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow), LI-4 (Union Valley), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), ST-44 (Inner Court), S
clearing the liver and draining fire
Synonyms: draining the liver.
clearing the lung and moistening dryness
A method of treatment used to address damage to the lung by warm dryness or heat.
Medication: Use formulas such as Dryness-Clearing Lung-Rescuing Decoction or Adenophora/Glehnia and Ophiopogon Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, LU, and KI. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), BL-43 (Gao-Huang Transport), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), and KI-6 (Shining Sea); needle with even supplementation and drainage.
clearing the lung and suppressing cough
A method of treatment used to address cough due to lung heat.
Medication: Use formulas like White-Draining Powder.
clearing the palace
Synonyms: clearing the heart. See palace.
clearing the stomach and downbearing counterflow
A method of treatment used to address hiccough due to stomach heat.
Medication: Use New Tangerine Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST, PC, and LR. Select BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass), ST-44 (Inner Court), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-4 (Union Valley), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge); needle with drainage.
clearing vacuity heat
A method of treatment used to address advanced-stage externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases or chronic diseases such as pulmonary consumption presenting with signs such as steaming bone or tidal heat~effusion, night sweating, persistent low fever, reddening of the cheeks, emaciation, and red or crimson tongue with little fur, which indicate that yin humor is damaged and evil heat is lodged in the yin aspect.
Medication: Commonly used vacuity-heat--clearing medicinals include turtle shell (Amydae Carapax), sweet wormwood (Artemisiae Apiaceae seu Annuae Herba), lycium root bark (Lycii Radicis Cortex), lanceolate stellaria (Stellariae Lanceolatae Radix), large gentian (Gent
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on KI. Select KI-6 (Shining Sea), KI-3 (Great Ravine), KI-2 (Blazing Valley), and LR-2 (Moving Between). Needle with even supplementation and drainage. For advanced-stage febrile disease, add LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LI-4 (Union Va
cleft point
Any of a group of points located one on each of the twelve channels and four of the eight extraordinary vessels (the yin springing, yang springing, yin linking, and yang linking vessels) at the site of a small cleft or indentation at which qi and blood accumulate.
clenched jaw
Inability to open the mouth. A sign of tetanic disease, wind stroke, and fright wind. When accompanied by foaming at the mouth, clenched jaw is generally a sign of epilepsy. When associated with a phlegm rale in the throat and deviation of the eyes or mouth, it indicates wind stroke.
Acupuncture: trismus.
clot
A lump of coagulated blood, such as may be observed in the menstrual flow in blood stasis patterns.
clotted menstrual flow
Menstrual flow containing dark purple lumps of coagulated blood. It is a sign of blood stasis, or of cold or heat causing blood stasis. See blood stasis scant menstruation; blood stasis menstrual pain; blood stasis infertility; blood stasis delayed menstruation; congealing cold-damp menstrual pain; blood cold delayed menstruation; blood heat advanced menstruation; menstruation at irregular intervals; dispelling stasis and stanching bleeding
cloud
To cover, cloud, obscure; describes the effect of phlegm turbidity, such as in the term phlegm clouding the pericardium, a pattern characterized by oppression in the chest, confusion, and, in severe cases, coma. See exuberance and debilitation.
cloud
Describes severe lack of clarity (of vision or consciousness).
clouded spirit
Stupor or complete loss of consciousness. Occurs in many diseases and may be of sudden or gradual onset. In bowel heat patterns, for example, it develops gradually, and, in severe cases, is associated with delirious speech and picking at bedclothes. See coma.
clouded spirit-mind
Stupor. See clouded spirit.
clouded vision
Blurred, unclear vision; attributable to the following possible causes: dual depletion of qi and blood in enduring sickness; liver-kidney insufficiency and wearing of essence-blood; depletion of heart construction and vacuity of spirit qi; spleen-stomach vacuity and disturbance of movement and transformation; constrained emotions and disturbance of liver free coursing; qi stagnation and blood stasis; wind, fire, phlegm, or dampness harassing the clear orifices of the upper body; external injury.
clouding reversal
Sudden loss of consciousness and collapse, sometimes accompanied by reversal cold of the limbs. Clouding reversal is usually of short duration as in various reversal patterns; the patient returns to consciousness without hemiplegia or deviation of the eyes and mouth as occurs in wind stroke. In rare cases, it continues, as in deathlike reversal. Causes include qi vacuity, blood vacuity, phlegm turbidity harassing the upper body, ascendant liver yang, summerheat stroke, and tetanic diseases such as child fright wind and epilepsy.
clouding sleep
Synonyms: hypersomnia.
A pronounced somnolence that occurs in heat entering the pericardium, whose other signs include generalized heat~effusion that is most pronounced at night, a crimson tongue, rapid pulse, and sometimes maculopapular eruptions.
clove sore
A small, hard sore with a deep root like a clove or nail, appearing most commonly on the face and ends of the fingers. A clove sore arises when fire toxin enters the body through a wound, and then heat brews and binds in the skin and flesh. It may also arise when anger, anxiety, and preoccupation or excessive indulgence in rich food or alcohol lead to accumulated heat in the organs, which effuses outward to the skin. Sometimes, a clove sore may have a single red threadlike line stretching from the sore toward the trunk. This is known as a red-thread clove sore. Severe forms are known as toxin clove sores, whose toxin can spread to penetrate the blood aspect and attack the organs, causing clouded spirit. This is called a running yellow.
Medication: Clear heat and resolve toxin. Use Five-Ingredient Toxin-Dispersing Beverage or Coptis Toxin-Resolving Decoction for oral medication, and apply Thoroughly Pounded Paste. Clove sores of the limbs can be lanced to allow pus to drain. However, clove sores th
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV and LI. Select GV-12 (Body Pillar), GV-10 (Spirit Tower), LI-4 (Union Valley), and BL-40 (Bend Center); needle with drainage or pricking to bleed with a three-edged needle. Selection of points according to affected area: When l
clove sore running yellow
Synonyms: running yellow
A clove sore from which the toxin spreads and falls inward (see inward fall) to penetrate the blood aspect. The clove sore is characterized by broad swelling, and is accompanied by high fever, shiver sweating, headache, vexation and agitation, distention and oppression in the chest and abdomen, lack of strength in the limbs, a red or crimson tongue, a rough yellow tongue fur, and a surging rapid or slippery stringlike pulse. There may also be nausea, vomiting, stiffening of the tongue with dry mouth, constipation or diarrhea, and, in severe cases, clouded spirit, delirious speech, and tetanic reversal, stasis speckles or macules. In some cases, the whole body turns yellow (which explains the origin of the Chinese term), and the spread of pus toxin can cause pulmonary welling-abscess or bone flat-abscess . Running yellow occurs when intense heat toxin is spread by inappropriate squeezing, premature lancing, or accidental rupture of the clove sore.
Medication: Clear heat, resolve toxin, and cool the blood with formulas such as Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction, Coptis Toxin-Resolving Decoction, and Five-Ingredient Toxin-Dispersing Beverage. For topical treatment, see clove sore.
Acupuncture: Use the point given under clove sore, and prick Twelve Well Points, GV-14 (Great Hammer), and LI-11 (Pool at the Bend) to bleed with a three-edged needle. Clove sore running yellow is a critical condition that should be treated vigorously treated with al
coacting treatment
Synonyms: paradoxical treatment.
cocoon lip
A disease of the mouth that starts with a bean-like hard lump on the lip (usually the lower lip), which gradually grows larger and whose skin becomes white and fissured, giving it the appearance of a cocoon, an everted flower, ganoderma or other fungus. It can rupture to exude bloody fluid, leaving an ulceration with an uneven surface that forms scabs. In the final stages, there is dry mouth and throat, and emaciation. Patterns include intense internal spleen fire, spleen-stomach repletion heat, and intense yin vacuity fire.
coin lichen
A condition characterized by clearly circumscribed red macules that often heal from the center (Chinese coins traditionally had holes in them), sometimes with papules, vesicles, or pustules at the periphery which crust and scale. It may be observed on the face, neck, trunk, or limbs.
Medication: Treat by topical application of 3~g of borax blended with 100 ml of vinegar.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on SP, ST, and LI. Needle with even supplementation and drainage at ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), and KI-2 (Blazing Valley), and with drainage at LI-4 (Union Valley), and LI-11 (Pool a
coin screen
Synonyms: silvery internal obstruction.
An internal obstruction of the eye. A round white opacity blocking the pupil. It is usually attributed to insufficiency of the liver and kidney with yin vacuity damp-heat or liver channel wind-heat attacking the upper body. It may affect either or both eyes.
Medication: Enrich the liver and kidney or nourish yin, clear heat, and eliminate dampness.
cold
Pronounced, overt, or palpable cold. See cold.
cold
The opposite of heat. One of the six excesses, i.e., cold weather as a cause of disease.
Cold in the body causing disease and classified as "cold" among the eight principles. The nature of cold as an evil and its clinical manifestations are similar to those of cold in the natural environment, e.g., low temperature, deceleration of activity, and congealing. Diseases caused by cold evil result from severe or sudden exposure to cold, e.g., catching cold, excessive consumption of cold fluids, or exposure to frost. They bear the following features: Generalized or local signs of cold, such as aversion to cold, desire for warmth, pronounced lack of warmth in the extremities, and cold and pain in the lower abdomen. Cold, thin, clear excreta; for example, a runny nose with clear mucus, clear phlegm, watery vomitus, long voidings of clear urine, or clear watery diarrhea. Elementary Questions states, "All disease with water humors that are clear, pure, and cold are ascribed to cold." (See nineteen pathomechanisms.) Tendency to develop qi stagnation and blood stasis, characterized by severe pain. It has been said, "When cold prevails, there is pain." Contracture and hypertonicity of the sinews, indicating invasion of the channels by the evil; hence it is said, "Cold is associated with contracture and tautness." Cold may arise in the body not only as a result of invasion by cold evil, but also as a result of debilitation of yang qi. This is called vacuity cold, and is characterized by curled-up lying posture, long voidings of clear urine, clear-food diarrhea, counterflow cold of the limbs, and a slow pulse. See also cold pattern. One of the four qi (heat, cold, warmth, coolness).
Of or pertaining to the quality cold. Of a nature tending to reduce heat, e.g., cold medicinal. See four qi. See also common cold.
One of the six qi; cold weather, normally occurring in winter.
cold abdominal pain
Synonyms: cold qi abdominal pain.
cold accumulation abdominal pain
Abdominal pain that arises when spleen-stomach yang vacuity, damage from eating raw and cold foods, and contraction of cold evil cause an accumulation of congealing stagnant cold. It is characterized by continual pain that likes heat and refuses warmth. Bouts of pain are accompanied by diarrhea. The pulse is usually sunken and slow or sunken and tight.
Medication: Warm and move spleen yang; dissipate cold and move qi. Use formulas such as Center-Ordering Decoction or Tsaoko Pill. Compare the milder cold qi abdominal pain.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, ST, SP, and LI. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), CV-8 (Spirit Gate Tower), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), BL-25 (Large Intestine Transport), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-15 (Great Horizontal), SP-4 (Yellow Emperor), and LI-4 (Union V
cold aching lumbus and knees
Aching pain and palpable cold in the lumbus and knees attributable to kidney yang vacuity. See lumbar pain.
cold aggregation
A lump in the rib-side that feels like a taut cord, associated with pain on exposure to cold, and a large stringlike pulse. Cold aggregation is attributable to cold evil contending with water-rheum.
Medication: Use Sal Ammoniac Decocted Pill. See strings and aggregations.
cold and heat
Cold and heat in the eight-principle sense. Cold and heat represent the yin and yang of bodily functions. Cold results from contraction of cold evil or insufficiency of yang qi; heat results from contraction of heat evil or yin vacuity.
Heat~effusion and aversion to cold.
Alternating heat~effusion and aversion to cold.
cold back
Palpable cold or a feeling of cold in the back. Cold back may be observed in a)~external contraction of wind-cold with heat~effusion, generalized pain, and a tight floating pulse, b)~in yang vacuity with yin exuberance, attended by bland taste in the mouth, somber complexion, counterflow cold of the extremities, long voidings of clear urine, sloppy stool, pale tongue with glossy moist tongue fur, and slow sunken pulse, and c) phlegm-rheum with cough or panting, copious thin white phlegm, dizziness, no desire for fluid or desire for warm drinks in small quantities, abdominal distention, reduced food intake, general fatigue and lack of strength, swelling of the limbs, white glossy tongue fur, and slippery sunken pulse. Compare hot back.
cold bind
Synonyms: cold constipation.
Acupuncture: See cold causes qi to contract.
cold causes contracture and tension
cold causes qi to contract
Synonyms: cold causes contracture and tension.
From Elementary Questions. When cold qi damages the skin and flesh, the pores close, yang qi contracts, and sweat ceases to flow; when it damages the sinews, the sinews become contracted and tense (hypertonic) and painful.
cold chest bind
Synonyms: cold repletion chest bind.
cold cholera
Cholera due to consumption of raw or cold foods or contraction of cold-damp in patients with yang qi. Cold cholera is characterized by simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea, with vomitus and stool that is normally without foul smell and that is like clear water or like water in which rice has been washed. Other signs include mild abdominal pain, aversion to cold, cold limbs, green-blue or purple lips and nails, and sunken tight or sunken hidden pulse.
Medication: Warm the center, dissipate cold, and transform dampness. Use Agastache/Patchouli Qi-Righting Powder for mild cases and Center-Rectifying Decoction or Counterflow Cold Decoction for severe cases.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, LI, ST, and SP. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li); needle with supplementation and large amounts of moxa. Moxibustion on ginger
cold congealing in the liver vessel
cold constipation
Synonyms: yin bind; cold bind.
Constipation arising when spleen-kidney yang vacuity causes yin cold to congeal and bind, reducing warmth and movement of food. Cold constipation is associated with pale lips, harmony of mouth, lack of warmth in the limbs, cold sensation in the lumbus and abdomen, or cold pain in the abdomen, desire for heat and aversion to cold, long voidings of clear urine, an enlarged tongue with white fur, and a forceless fine pulse.
Medication: Supplement the kidney and warm yang. Use Pinellia and Sulfur Pill plus cistanche (Cistanches Caulis) and achyranthes (Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix).
Acupuncture: Base treatment on the alarm, back transport, and lower uniting points of LI, and on CV, SP, and KI. Select BL-25 (Large Intestine Transport), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), KI-6 (Shining Sea), KI-18 (Stone Pass), B
cold cough
Cough due to damage to the lung by externally contracted cold or damage to the spleen by eating raw and cold foodstuffs. Cold cough is associated with white foamy phlegm, white face, tight pulse, and fine stringlike pulse. In the winter, contraction of cold may also cause aversion to cold and heat~effusion, absence of sweating, and nasal congestion.
Medication: Warm the lung and resolve the exterior using formulas like Minor Green-Blue Dragon Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU, LI, and ST. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), LU-7 (Broken Sequence), LI-4 (Union Valley), BL-12 (Wind Gate), BL-11 (Great Shuttle), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), and ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge). Needle with drainage and add moxa. See cou
cold damage
Externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases. Elementary Questions states, "Heat (febrile) diseases are all of the cold damage kind." It also states, "When a person is damaged by cold, the disease is febrile (one of heat)."
A specific form of externally contracted heat (febrile) disease, The Classic of Difficult Issues states, "Cold damage has five forms: cold damage, wind stroke, damp warmth, heat disease, and warm disease." This specific form of febrile disease is elaborated on in On Cold Damage, i.e., a greater yang pattern of externally contracted heat (febrile) disease with absence of sweating, stiff neck, and a tight floating pulse.
A disease caused by catching cold in the winter.
cold damage blood amassment pattern
A greater yang bowel pattern arising when stasis heat binds in the lower burner causing lesser-abdominal tension or lower abdominal hardness and fullness, mania-like or manic states, forgetfulness, sloppy stool that is black and slimy like lacquer. The bladder is the greater yang bowel, and when greater yang evil heat passes through the channels into the bowel, it causes stasis heat to bind in the lower burner. Because the evil is in the blood aspect rather than in the qi aspect, urination is uninhibited.
Medication: For mild cases, use Peach Kernel Qi-Coordinating Decoction to discharge heat and move stasis; for severe cases, use Dead-On Decoction or Dead-On Pill.
cold damage exterior pattern
Any disease pattern resulting from the presence of cold damage disease evil in the exterior, referred to in the doctrine of cold damage greater yang exterior pattern. See cold damage; greater yang disease.
cold damage interior pattern
Any cold damage disease pattern resulting when external evils pass from the exterior to the interior. Evils in the yang channels are in the interior when in the yang brightness . For example, yang brightness disease with a slow pulse, heavy body, shortness of breath, abdominal fullness and panting, and tidal heat~effusion can be treated by attacking the interior with one of the Qi-Coordinating Decoctions; yang brightness with sweating from the head only (absence of generalized sweating), inhibited urination, and thirst with intake of fluid is a sign of stasis heat in the interior that is invariably accompanied by yellowing, and is treated with Capillaris Decoction. If the evils pass from the yang to the yin channels, or make a direct strike on the lesser yin , the resulting patterns are of interior vacuity cold. For example, lesser yin disease with sunken rapid fine pulse indicates disease of the interior for which the method of sweating is contraindicated; lesser yin disease with clear-food diarrhea, interior cold and external heat, reverse-flow of the extremities, and faint pulse verging on expiration should be treated with Vessel-Freeing Counterflow Cold Decoction. Yang brightness disease and triple-yin disease are both interior patterns that are quite different in terms of cold, heat, vacuity, and repletion, so care must be taken in pattern identification and treatment. See cold damage.
cold damage water amassment pattern
A greater yang bowel pattern arising when greater yang disease fails to resolve, and evil heat passes through the channel into the bowel (the bladder) and binds with water, hampering qi transformation. Signs include floating pulse, heat~effusion, thirst, inhibited urination, lesser-abdominal fullness, and in some cases the immediate vomiting of water ingested.
Medication: Free yang and promote qi transformation; disinhibit water and resolve the exterior. Use Poria (Hoelen) Five Powder. See greater yang disease.
cold damages the physical body
Cold evil can cause injury to the body. Cold is a yin evil, and by nature causes congealing, stagnation, and contracture. External contraction of cold prevents the normal diffusion of yang qi, causing headache, aversion to cold, absence of sweating, generalized pain, and a tight floating pulse. When cold evil lodges in the sinews, it causes tension in the network vessels, which restricts the movement of qi and blood, thereby causing spasm, pain, and numbness.
cold diarrhea
Diarrhea with clear watery stool, or stool like duck's slop (droppings), or sometimes with nontransformation of food (undigested food is seen in the stool). Elementary Questions "Any disease with watery humors that are clear, pure, and cold is ascribed to cold." Hence, watery stool is understood to be a cold sign. There is abdominal pain relieved by both pressure and heat, lack of warmth in the extremities, and a drop in body temperature. The tongue fur is white, and the pulse is either stringlike and tight or sunken and slow. Cold diarrhea is often accompanied by signs of dampness.
Medication: Use formulas like Aconite Center-Rectifying Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV and ST. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), CV-4 (Pass Head), CV-3 (Central Pole), ST-21 (Beam Gate), and CV-6 (Sea of Qi). Needle with supplementation an
cold distention
Abdominal distention due to spleen-stomach vacuity cold or cold-damp obstruction accompanied by no desire for food and drink, vomiting, heart vexation, reversal cold of the limbs, and a weak sunken pulse.
Medication: Warm the center and dispel cold using formulas such as Center Fullness Separating and Dispersing Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST, CV, PC, back transport points and SP. Main points: ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li). For sleen-stomach vacuity cold, add CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), BL-20 (Spleen Transpo
cold dysentery
Dysentery attributed to damage to spleen yang by congealing stagnation of cold qi after excessive consumption of raw, cold, or unclean foods in hot weather. The stool is largely pure white (i.e., a high content of pus-like substance) or white with a little red (blood), and either thin in consistency with a fishy smell or gluey. The pulse is slow and the tongue fur is white.
Medication: Use Center-Rectifying Decoction plus chebule (Chebulae Fructus), nutmeg (Myristicae Semen), saussurea (Saussureae (seu Vladimiriae) Radix), and amomum (Amomi Semen seu Fructus). If the stool has the appearance of duck's droppings, and the sagging sensatio
Acupuncture: Base treatment on ST, LI, and CV, select LI-4 (Union Valley), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), and CV-6 (Sea of Qi) and needle with drainage with moxa. Selection of points according to sign: For stool bear
cold enveloping fire
Synonyms: cold enveloping heat.
A pattern of external cold due to contraction of wind-cold with accumulated internal heat. The external cold is understood to "envelope" the depressed internal heat. Cold enveloping fire presents as a wind-cold exterior pattern with cough, panting, loss of voice, red sore swollen eyes, or sore swollen gums.
cold enveloping heat
Synonyms: cold enveloping fire.
cold epilepsy
Epilepsy attributed to externally contracted wind-cold binding in the chest and diaphragm in children suffering from damage to the spleen and stomach. Cold epilepsy is characterized by sudden collapse and loss of consciousness, and foaming of phlegm and drool at the mouth.
Medication: Warm the center and transform phlegm using Phlegm-Abducting Decoction.
Acupuncture: Apply the treatments for fits given under epilepsy, and apply moxibustion at KI-1 (Gushing Spring), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection).
cold evil
Cold as a disease-causing entity.
cold evil dizziness
cold evil invading the stomach
cold extremities
cold formula
One of the twelve formula types; a formula comprising cold-nature medicinals. Cold medicinals can eliminate heat; hence cold formulas are used to treat heat patterns. An example of a cold formula is Coptis Toxin-Resolving Decoction, which contains coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma), scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), phellodendron (Phellodendri Cortex), and gardenia (Gardeniae Fructus), and treats exterior-interior heat.
cold gan
cold heart pain
Synonyms: cold reversal heart pain; cold heart pain.
Fulminant heart pain characterized by pain in the heart stretching to the back and pain in the back stretching into the heart, or continual unabating pain. It may be accompanied by reverse-flow of the extremities, generalized cold sweating, clear uninhibited stool and urine or uninhibited stool without thirst, faint breath and lack of strength, and a forceless fine sunken pulse.
Medication: Supplement the kidney, support yang, and dissipate cold using formulas such as Ginger and Aconite Decoction plus cinnamon bark (Cinnamomi Cortex). If there is also vomiting, Evodia Decoction may be used.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV and GV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), GV-4 (Life Gate), and CV-4 (Pass Head); needle with even supplementatio
cold hiccough
Hiccough due to cold evil invading the stomach or due to stomach (or spleen-stomach) vacuity cold. Cold hiccough is a continuous hiccough that is severe in the evening and mild in the morning, cold extremities, and a forceless slow pulse.
Medication: Warm the center and dissipate cold with formulas such as Center-Rectifying Decoction plus clove (Caryophylli Flos). Alternatively, use Clove Powder. For cold evil, add agastache/patchouli (Agastaches seu Pogostemi Herba) and perilla leaf (Perillae Folium)
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, PC, ST, and LR. Select BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge). For cold evil invading the stomach, ad
cold impediment
Synonyms: painful impediment.
An impediment pattern attributed to wind-cold-damp, with a prevalence of cold, invading the joints and channels and characterized by acute pain in the joints exacerbated by exposure to cold and relieved by warmth. There may also be hypertonicity of the extremities.
skin impediment.
Medication: Treat by warming the channels and dissipating cold, assisted by coursing wind and dispelling dampness. Use formulas such as Poria (Hoelen) Decoction and Five Accumulations Powder.
Acupuncture: Main points: Select BL-23 (Kidney Transport), GV-4 (Life Gate), and CV-4 (Pass Head); apply deep insertion, needle retention, and moxa or warm needle. Apply moxibustion on salt or ginger at CV-8 (Spirit Gate Tower). For selection of points according to a
cold is treated with heat
From Elementary Questions. Use warm- or hot-natured medicines to treat cold patterns. For example, exterior cold is treated by by resolving the exterior with warmth and acridity, while interior cold is treated by methods such as warming the center and dissipating cold or returning yang and stemming counterflow.
cold limbs
Synonyms: cold extremities
Any condition of palpable cold in the limbs. Mild cases are referred to as lack of warmth in the limbs and severe cases as reversal cold of the extremities. See also physical cold.
cold malaria
Malaria resulting from the contraction of wind-cold when there is deep-lying internal cold. Cold malaria occurs in episodes daily or every other day, which are characterized by heat~effusion and aversion to cold, where the aversion to cold is more pronounced than the heat~effusion. Heat~effusion and aversion to cold are accompanied by headache, little or no sweating, and a forceful tight stringlike pulse.
Medication: Treat by warming resolution using formulas such as Bupleurum, Cinnamon Twig, and Dried Ginger and variations.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV, SI, PC, and BL. Select GV-14 (Great Hammer), GV-13 (Kiln Path), SI-3 (Back Ravine), PC-5 (Intermediary Courier), BL-28 (Bladder Transport), and BL-67 (Reaching Yin), and needle with drainage and add moxa. For principles and me
cold medicinals can eliminate heat
Cold medicinals such as coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma) and scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix) can treat heat patterns.
cold mounting
Accumulation of cold evil in the abdomen arising from repeated wind-cold contractions that in turn stem either from vacuity cold in the spleen and stomach or from postpartum blood vacuity. Cold mounting is characterized by cold in the umbilical region, cold sweating, and counterflow cold in the limbs. The pulse is sunken and tight. In severe cases there is generalized cold in the body and numbness in the limbs. In blood vacuity patients, the abdominal pain stretches up the rib-side and is accompanied by cramp in the lower abdomen.
Medication: Warm the interior and dissipate cold; move qi and disinhibit dampness. Use Tiantai Lindera Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, ST, SP, and LI. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), CV-8 (Spirit Gate Tower), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), BL-25 (Large Intestine Transport), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-15 (Great Horizontal), SP-4 (Yellow Emperor), and LI-4 (Union
cold moxibustion
Synonyms: medicinal-induced blister moxibustion.
cold night crying
Night crying in infants attributed to vacuity cold in the organs. Cold night crying is characterized by crying associated with abdominal pain, lying with back bent, green-blue white facial complexion, lack of warmth in the limbs.
Medication: Warm the center and dispel cold using Ginseng and Aconite Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, GV, PC, ST, and empirical points. Use large amounts of moxa at PC-6 (Inner Pass), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and pole GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), and needle with even supplementation and drainage
cold occlusion
From Emergency Standby Remedies. Dysphagia-occlusion characterized by distention and fullness in the stomach duct and abdomen, nontransformation of food, hiccough, bitter cold in the abdomen, rumbling intestines, pain around the umbilicus, and emaciation. See dysphagia-occlusion.
cold pain
Pain associated with a feeling of cold; attributed to cold evil. See pain.
cold pain in the heart region and abdomen
Acute pain in the pit of the stomach and below, associated with a sensation of cold.
cold panting
Panting attributable to yang vacuity and exuberant cold, associated with counterflow cold of the limbs, and a fine sunken pulse.
Panting due to wind-cold fettering the exterior, and usually associated with exterior cold signs.
Medication: Warm the lung and dissipate cold; assisting yang to absorb qi. Use Nine-Ingredient Center-Rectifying Decoction plus aconite (Aconiti Tuber Laterale).
Use Supplemented Rough and Ready Three Decoction. Alternatively, use variations of Ephedra Decoction com
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV and LU. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), Panting Stabilizer, BL-43 (Gao-Huang Transport), LU-9 (Great Abyss), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), GV-4
cold pattern
Any disease pattern characterized by cold signs such as aversion to cold, a somber white or green-blue facial complexion, slow or tight pulse, no thirst or desire for warm fluid, long voidings of clear urine. The complexion and the pulse are explained in terms of the principle that "cold causes contracture and tension" and tightens the blood vessels. Long voidings of clear urine and moist white tongue fur exemplify the general observation that "all disease with watery humors that are clear, pure, and cold is ascribed to cold." Cold patterns may be the result of the influence of yin evils or insufficiency of yang qi, this distinction being apparent in signs. (1) Prevalence of yin due to an exuberant yin evil accounts for pronounced cold signs such as abdominal pain, fulminant (i.e., sudden and violent) vomiting or diarrhea, green-blue facial complexion, and a tight pulse. (2) Yang vacuity accounts for signs more commonly encountered in clinical practice, such as liking for quiet, curled-up lying posture, long voidings of clear urine, clear-food diarrhea, counterflow cold of the limbs, and a slow pulse. Since cold evil may damage yang, and yang vacuity may engender cold, these two forms of cold are interrelated. Cold limbs and somber white facial complexion, which are commonly observed cold signs, are attributed to the debilitation of yang qi and the presence of an exuberant cold evil.
Medication: Since "cold is treated with heat," warming is the chief method of treating cold patterns. Patterns mainly involving invasion by an external evil are treated by dissipating cold evil with warm medicinals. Those patterns primarily characterized by debili
Acupuncture: The use of moxibustion is important in treating cold patterns and conditions characterized by yang debilitation. Commonly used points include the following: CV-6 (Sea of Qi) (moxa) CV-4 (Pass Head) (moxa) ST-36 (Leg Three Li) (moxa) SP-6 (Three Yin Inter
cold phlegm
Phlegm with cold signs. Three patterns are observed: contraction of cold, vacuity phlegm, and phlegm-damp in the kidney channel.
cold phlegm obstructing the lung
cold precipitation
A method of treating interior heat repletion patterns with signs such as constipation, abdominal fullness, tidal heat~effusion, dry mouth and thirst, parched yellow tongue fur, forceful slippery rapid pulse; also treats food and water accumulations.
Medication: Cold precipitation makes use of cold bitter medicinals such as rhubarb (Rhei Rhizoma), mirabilite (Mirabilitum), and senna (Sennae Folium). Cold precipitating formulas include Major Qi-Coordinating Decoction, Minor Qi-Coordinating Decoction, and Stomach-R
cold qi abdominal pain
Synonyms: cold abdominal pain.
Abdominal pain due to spleen-stomach vacuity cold or to external cold evil contraction, and characterized by continual pain exacerbated by exposure to cold, relieved slightly by warmth, and accompanied by a slow sunken pulse.
Medication: Warm the center and dissipate cold; rectify qi and relieve pain. Use Magnolia Bark Center-Warming Decoction or Center-Rectifying Decoction. Compare the more severe cold accumulation abdominal pain.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, SP, and ST. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-15 (Great Horizontal), SP-4 (Yellow Emperor), and LI-4 (Union Valley); needle with drainage and add moxa.
cold repletion
Patterns in which the cold evil stagnates and binds internally, characterized by harmony of the mouth (no particular taste in the mouth), cold limbs, long voidings of clear urine, abdominal pain that refuses pressure, constipation, a white tongue fur, and a stringlike sunken pulse.
cold repletion chest bind
A chest bind pattern marked by painful hardness and distention in the stomach duct without generalized heat~effusion and without thirst, associated with a sunken tight or slow sunken pulse.
Medication: Dispel cold and open binds with Three Agents White Powder. For patients with a vacuity constitution in whom the signs are not pronounced, Unripe Bitter Orange Center-Rectifying Pill can be used.
Acupuncture: Select PC-6 (Inner Pass), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and SP-4 (Yellow Emperor); needle with drainage and moxa.
cold reversal
A reversal pattern attributable to yang vacuity and yin exuberance, characterized by reversal cold of the extremities, aversion to cold and lying in curled-up posture, clear-food diarrhea, and absence of thirst. In some cases, there is cold body and curled posture, abdominal pain, red face, green-blue nails, and, in severe cases, clouding reversal. The tongue body is pale with moist fur, and the pulse is usually faint and fine.
Medication: Warm yang and boost qi. For patients showing signs of blood vacuity and congealing cold, also nourish the blood and harmonize construction. Use Counterflow Cold Decoction, Vessel-Freeing Counterflow Cold Decoction, Aconite Center-Rectifying Decoction, an
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, GV, CV, and ST. Select BL-23 (Kidney Transport), GV-4 (Life Gate), CV-4 (Pass Head), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), and needle with supplementation and add moxa. Apply moxibustion on ginger or salt
cold reversal heart pain
cold rheum
cold rheum lying latent in the lung
One form of propping rheum, characterized by cough counterflow, panting, and fullness preventing the patient from lying flat, attributable to rheum evil ascending to invade the lung and preventing normal downbearing of lung qi. It is a persistent condition, episodes of which are brought on or exacerbated by exposure to cold and which are characterized by heat~effusion and aversion to cold, back pain, lumbar pain, and copious foamy white phlegm. The tongue is white and glossy, and the pulse is stringlike and tight. There may also be swelling of the face and instep.
Medication: Warm the lung and transform rheum with formulas such as Minor Green-Blue Dragon Decoction.
cold stagnating in the liver vessel
Cold evil (usually externally contracted) congealing in the liver channel causing liver channel qi and blood to stagnate. The chief signs are lesser-abdominal pain that may stretch into the testicles, and that may be associated with retracted scrotum. Secondary signs include bright white facial complexion, physical cold and cold limbs, green-blue or purple lips, long voidings of clear urine, and sloppy stool. The tongue is pale with a glossy white fur. The pulse is sunken and stringlike, and possibly slow.
Medication: Warm the liver and dissipate cold. Use Liver-Warming Brew.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV and LR. Select CV-4 (Pass Head), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and LR-1 (Large Pile); needle with drainage; moxa can also be used, in large amounts if cold signs are pronounced. For physical cold and cold lim
cold strangury
A strangury pattern described in Sages' Aid Records as, "It manifests first with cold shivering, then as urinary strangury." It is attributed to kidney vacuity and with cold qi settling in the lower burner.
From Central Treasury Canon. A disease pattern marked by frequent urination with urine like rice water.
Blood strangury ascribed to vacuity cold of the lower origin marked by dribbling urination with urine dark with static blood.
Medication: Treat by warming the kidney, plus freeing and disinhibiting. Use Cistanche Pill or Raw Aconite Powder.
This pattern is exacerbated by the use of cold and cool medicinals. Use Golden Coffer Kidney Qi Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on the three yin channels of the foot and alarm and back transport points of BL (CV-3 and BL-28). Select BL-28 (Bladder Transport), CV-3 (Central Pole), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), KI-3 (Great Ravine), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), GV-4 (L
cold stroke
A form of wind-like stroke that arises when cold evil invades the channels, and that is characterized by rigid body, clenched jaw preventing speech, shaking of the limbs, sudden dizziness, and absence of sweating. Evil in the spleen and stomach with interior cold signs. It is usually due to spleen-stomach vacuity cold with evils transforming with cold, or develops from taxation fatigue and internal damage. Signs include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rumbling intestines.
Medication: Warm the interior and dissipate cold using Ginger and Aconite Decoction or Aconite Center-Rectifying Decoction. In severe cases, Liquid Storax Pill may be given first to open the block.
Warm the center and dissipate cold with Aquilaria Stomach-Warming Pi
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV and CV. Apply moxa at GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), CV-8 (Spirit Gate Tower), CV-4 (Pass Head), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), and ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), until the limbs become warm, the pulse rises, and the p
cold sweating
Sweating due to a)~yang vacuity (treated by warming and supplementing), b)~heat gathering internally (treated by cooling the blood and clearing heat), or c)~phlegm (treated by normalizing qi and transforming phlegm).
cold tearing
Tearing (lacrimation) attributable to dual vacuity of the liver and kidney and depletion of essence blood attracting contraction of external wind. It may also be attributable to millet sores or to nose problems such as nasal congestion. Tearing occurs periodically, is exacerbated or brought on by exposure to wind (see also tearing on exposure to wind), and is not associated with any heat or pain. The tear water is clear.
Medication: Liver-kidney vacuity is treated by supplementing the liver and kidney. Use Lycium Berry, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia Pill.
cold tetany
A disease described by Wu Ju-Tong (1758--1836, Qing) as tetany occurring in children suffering from wind-cold cough.
Medication: Use Apricot Kernel and Perilla Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU, LI, and GV. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), LU-7 (Broken Sequence), LI-4 (Union Valley), BL-11 (Great Shuttle), GV-16 (Wind Mansion), GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), GV-26 (Water Trough), and GV-8 (Sinew Contraction). Needle with
cold vomiting
Vomiting attributed to stomach vacuity cold or stomach repletion cold (including excessive consumption of cold, raw foods or external evil invading the stomach). It is characterized by vomiting long after eating, or vomiting on exposure to cold, and is associated with green-blue facial complexion, cold extremities, and a sunken fine slow, sometimes stringlike pulse.
Medication: Warm the stomach and dissipate cold with Evodia Decoction, Center-Rectifying Decoction, or Counterflow Cold Decoction.
Acupuncture: For vacuity cold, base treatment on alarm and lower uniting points of ST, and on PC, CV, SP, and back transport points. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), PC-6 (Inner Pass), BL-21 (Stomach Transport), CV-13 (Upper Stomach Duct), SP-
cold wheezing
Wheezing due to cold phlegm and water-rheum that arises when externally contracted wind-cold entering the lung??¿ù¦r} collects internally with rheum to obstruct the airways. Cold wheezing is characterized by hasty breathing with a wheezing rale in the throat, coughing of clear thin stick phlegm, stifling oppression in the chest, dull gray facial complexion, a white glossy tongue fur, and a tight floating pulse.
Medication: Warm the lung and dissipate cold; sweep phlegm and disinhibit the orifices. Use Belamcanda and Ephedra Decoction or Three-Seed Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, and LU to warm and regulate lung qi. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), BL-12 (Wind Gate), CV-17 (Chest Center), BL-43 (Gao-Huang Transport), Panting Stabilizer, LU-7 (Broken Sequence), CV-22 (Celestial Chim
cold-damp
Cold and dampness combining to create stagnation of yang qi and inhibit the flow of blood, causing cold in the flesh and inhibited bending and stretching.
A disease pattern in which dampness encumbers the stomach and spleen and damages spleen yang or in which water-rheum collects as a result of spleen-kidney yang vacuity. It is characterized by cold limbs, abdominal distention, diarrhea, and in some cases water swelling.
cold-damp dizziness
cold-damp encumbering the spleen
Synonyms: cold-damp obstructing the center.
Impairment of splenic movement arising when excessive consumption of cold food and drinks or of gourds and fruits, or spleen-yang vacuity allows dampness to invade. Signs include distention and fullness in the stomach duct and abdomen, heavy-headedness, fatigue, torpid intake, upflow nausea and desire to vomit, bland taste in the mouth without thirst, sloppy stool, inhibited urination, a gray-white glossy tongue fur, and a slow or moderate, or soggy pulse. In women, there may be a thin white fishy-smelling vaginal discharge.
Medication: Treat by warming the center and dispelling cold combined with the method of moving the spleen. Use variations of Center-Rectifying Decoction combined with Stomach-Calming Poria (Hoelen) Five Decoction. Compare spleen vacuity with damp encumbrance.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, GV, SP, and ST. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), CV-4 (Pass Head), and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection); needle with supplemen
cold-damp enduring impediment
A chronic impediment pattern arising when cold-damp invades the body. Cold evil causes qi and blood to congeal, whereas dampness causes stagnation and fixity. The two evils combined cause persistent morbid states of pain in the flesh and skin, stiffness in the joints, pain of fixed location.
cold-damp headache
Headache due to cold-damp clouding clear yang in the upper body, congealing the blood, and causing hypertonicity of the network vessels. It tends to occur in wet or dull (yin-type) weather and is associated with oppression in the chest, heavy cumbersome limbs, a white slimy tongue fur, and a moderate pulse.
Medication: Dissipate cold and dispel dampness using formulas such as Notopterygium Dampness-Overcoming Decoction or Ligusticum and Asarum Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on SP, ST, and LI. Select ST-8 (Head Corner), Greater Yang, ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-4 (Union Valley), and SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring); needle with drainage and use large amounts of moxa. For selection of points according to affected ar
cold-damp leg qi
Leg qi (beriberi) that arises when external cold invades to hamper the movement of channel qi and to cause disharmony of the blood vessels, and that is characterized by weakness of the legs and knees, no strength to move, persistent numbness, and water swelling. In some cases there is hypertonicity and pain, and sometimes aversion to cold and cold limbs.
Medication: Treat by warming the channels and eliminating dampness, supported by quickening the blood, freeing the vessels, and soothing the sinews. Appropriate formulas include Chaenomeles and Achyranthes Pill and Fenugreek Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on SP, ST, and GB. Select ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), SP-5 (Shang Hill), GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB-39 (Suspended Bell), ST-41 (Ravine Divide), and Eight Winds. Needle with drainag
cold-damp lumbar pain
Lumbar pain attributable to cold-damp obstructing the channels and network vessels, inhibiting the movement of qi and blood. Cold-damp lumbar pain likes heat and refuses cold, and is associated with normal eating and drinking, normal stool, and a tight sunken pulse.
Medication: Dispel cold-damp and warm the channels and network vessels. Use formulas such as Ovate Atractylodes and Aconite Decoction or Five Accumulations Powder. Lumbar Rub Elixir can be applied topically.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV, BL, and SP. Select BL-23 (Kidney Transport), GV-3 (Lumbar Yang Pass), BL-40 (Bend Center), BL-60 (Kunlun Mountains), ouch points, GV-4 (Life Gate), and SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring). Needle with drainage and use large amounts of mox
cold-damp obstructing the center
Synonyms: cold-damp encumbering the spleen.
cold-heat complex
Any disease characterized by signs of both heat and cold. A common example of a cold-heat complex is upper body heat and lower body cold characterized by signs such as a sensation of heat and feverishness in the chest, pain in the stomach duct, clamoring stomach, and vomiting of sour and bitter matter, occurring at the same time as abdominal pain that likes warmth and pressure, rumbling intestines, and diarrhea with nontransformation of food (as seen from undigested food in the stool). See upper body heat and lower body cold; upper body cold and lower body heat; exterior heat and interior cold; exterior cold and interior heat.
cold-heat gan
Cold gan (also called lean cold gan) and heat gan (also called fat heat gan.) New gan disease (i.e., recent onset) tends to manifest in external and heat signs, whereas old gan disease tends to manifest in internal and cold signs. Hence, new gan tends to be heat gan, whereas old gan tends to be cold gan. The Level-Line of Pediatrics states, "Heat gan is mostly external; there is erosion under the nose, head sores and damp itch, vexing heat in the five hearts, rejection of clothing, rough breathing, thirst with intake of cold water, vexation and agitation, tendency to lie on the ground, hot belly and cold feet, and tidal heat~effusion. These signs all indicate heat gan. Cold gan is mostly internal. Signs include diarrhea of abnormal color with whitish green-blue foam, limp weak limbs, swollen eyes, and soot-black facial complexion. Another pattern is agitation and thirst with a tendency to lie on the ground like the heat pattern, but with inability to eat and continuous efflux diarrhea. This is also cold gan. The heat pattern is one of heat in vacuity; the cold pattern is one of cold in vacuity. In treating the heat pattern, one should not wildly apply cool medicinals for the exterior; in treating the cold pattern, one should not suddenly apply drastic supplementing medicinals." For heat gan, The Level-Line of Pediatrics prescribes a formula for Coptis Pill, which comprises coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma), trichosanthes root (Trichosanthis Radix), mume (Mume Fructus), apricot kernel (Armeniacae Semen), and lotus fruit (Nelumbinis Fructus) blended with ox's gallbladder (Bovis Vesica Fellea) and formed into pills. See gan.
collapse
Acute, critical forms of vacuity. High fever, great sweating, fulminant vomiting, fulminant diarrhea, and heavy bleeding may all lead to severe depletion of yang qi and yin blood. In such cases, both yang qi and yin humor are damaged. Since yin and yang are interdependent, when yin collapses yang has no support and scatters, and when yang collapses, yin humor is no longer produced and is gradually depleted. Thus, yin collapse may swiftly cause yang collapse, and yang collapse invariably causes damage to yin. See yang collapse; yin collapse; fluid collapse; blood collapse; exuberance and debilitation.
collect
Accumulation, as of water, in specific locations; e.g., water collecting around the stomach. See stoppage.
collecting rheum dizziness
Dizziness attributed to the nonmovement of center yang and internal gathering of water-rheum and characterized by fearful throbbing, heart palpitations, or palpitations below the umbilicus, and vomiting of foamy drool.
Medication: Treat by freeing yang and transforming rheum with Poria (Hoelen), Cinnamon Twig, Ovate Atractylodes, and Licorice Decoction, Minor Pinellia Decoction Plus Poria (Hoelen), or Alisma Decoction. See phlegm-rheum dizziness; dizziness.
collecting rheum heart palpitations
Heart palpitations attributable to water-rheum collecting internally. Apart from heart palpitations, other signs include glomus and fullness in the chest and stomach duct, dizziness, nausea, short voidings of scant urine, white tongue fur, and a stringlike pulse.
Medication: Free yang and transform rheum. Use Poria (Hoelen), Cinnamon Twig, Ovate Atractylodes, and Licorice Decoction combined with Major Pinellia Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, HT, PC, and ST. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), PC-6 (Inner Pass), BL-21 (Stomach Transport), BL-22 (Triple Burner Transport), CV-17 (Chest Center), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), CV-12 (Center S
collecting rheum rib-side pain
Synonyms: phlegm-rheum rib-side pain.
Rib-side pain attributed to water-rheum or phlegm-turbidity flowing into the liver channel and obstructing qi dynamic. The pain is a moving or flowing pain in severe cases associated with gurgling sounds. Other signs include cough, rapid breathing, and a stringlike sunken pulse.
Medication: Flush phlegm and free the network vessels using formulas such as Phlegm-Abducting Decoction or Drool-Controlling Elixir and variations.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB/TB and ST/LI. Select ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-4 (Union Valley), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), LR-14 (Cycle Gate), GB-24 (Sun and Moon), TB-6 (Branch Ditch), and GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring).
coma
Clouding of the spirit with complete or partial loss of consciousness; usually caused by evil obstructing the clear orifices and clouding the spirit light. Coma may be observed in cold damage, warm disease, wind stroke, inversion patterns, and epilepsy. Whether due to external contraction or to internal damage, it is always a critical sign.
Medication: Treatment should be determined according to cause, but the first step is to open the orifices and arouse the spirit using formulas such as Liquid Storax Pill, Supreme Jewel Elixir, Purple Snow Elixir, Peaceful Palace Bovine Bezoar Pill, and Bovine Bezoar
Acupuncture: To open the orifices and arouse the spirit, needle GV-26 (Human Center), KI-1 (Gushing Spring), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), and PC-8 (Palace of Toil), and prick Ten Diffusing Points to bleed. See opening the orifices.
combination
A two- or threefold concurrence of interior, exterior, cold, heat, vacuity and repletion, excluding cold with heat or vacuity with repletion, which, involving contradictions in the nature of the disease, are known as complexes rather than combinations. Most disease patterns are combinations. For example, initial-stage externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases manifest as exterior patterns, which must be further differentiated as exterior cold or exterior heat. Enduring diseases presenting as vacuity patterns must be further differentiated into vacuity cold and vacuity heat. Clearly the principles follow a strict order of importance. Exterior cold and exterior heat patterns are primarily exterior patterns, and secondarily cold or heat patterns. Vacuity cold and vacuity heat patterns are primarily vacuity patterns and secondarily cold or heat patterns. In interior-exterior combinations, principle precedence varies from case to case. Compare complex.
combination disease
Cold damage disease affecting two or three channels. Compare dragover disease.
combined treatment of lung and kidney
Simultaneous treatment of lung yin vacuity and kidney yin vacuity to treat cough with counterflow qi ascent, coughing of blood, loss of voice, steaming bone tidal heat~effusion, dry mouth, night sweating, seminal emission, aching lumbus and limp legs, emaciation, red tongue with scant fur, and rapid fine pulse.
Medication: Medicinals used include adenophora/glehnia (Adenophorae seu Glehniae Radix), asparagus (Asparagi Tuber), ophiopogon (Ophiopogonis Tuber), Solomon's seal (Polygonati Yuzhu Rhizoma), dried/fresh rehmannia (Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens), cooked reh
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly LU and KI. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), BL-43 (Gao-Huang Transport), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), KI-6 (Shining Sea), and KI-3 (Great Ravine); needle with supplementation.
combining front and back points
Synonyms: combining transport and alarm points.
combining guest and host points
combining left and right points
Combining the corresponding points on either side of the body. For example, bilateral ST-36 (Leg Three Li) points can be needled for stomach pain; bilateral Greater Yang or LU-7 (Broken Sequence) points can be needled for headache; and bilateral SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection) points can be needled for some women's problems. See point combination.
combining local and distant points
Combined needling of points close to the affected area with others at a distance from it. For example, stomach pain can be treated with local points such as CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct) and BL-21 (Stomach Transport) combined with distant points such as PC-6 (Inner Pass) and ST-36 (Leg Three Li).
combining same-name channel points
Combined needling of points on the hand and foot channels with the same yin-yang name (e.g., the foot lesser yang gallbladder channel and the hand lesser yang triple burner channel). Combining same-name channel points is based on the rationale that the channels of the same name are linked to each other (the hand and foot yang brightness channels at the side of the nose, the hand and foot lesser yang channels at outer canthus, hand and foot greater yang channels at the inner canthus, the hand and foot greater yin channels in the chest, the hand and foot reverting yin channels in the chest, and the hand and foot lesser yin channel in the heart region). Examples of same-channel point combinations include: LI-4 (Union Valley) and ST-41 (Ravine Divide) or the yang brightness for frontal headache; TB-5 (Outer Pass) and GB-41 (Foot Overlooking Tears) of the lesser yang for hemilateral headache; SI-3 (Back Ravine) and BL-62 (Extending Vessel) for posterior headache; LU-11 (Lesser Shang) and SP-1 (Hidden White) of the lesser yin for mania and withdrawal; PC-6 (Inner Pass) and LR-3 (Supreme Surge) of the reverting yin for epilepsy; and HT-7 (Spirit Gate) and KI-6 (Shining Sea) of the lesser yin for insomnia. See point combination.
combining source and network points
Synonyms: combining guest and host points Simultaneous needling of source points and network points.
bowel and viscus an exterior-interior pair are diseased, the source of the channel of the one is combined with the network point of the channel associated with the other. The general rule is that the source point of the more severely or more chronically involved organ is coupled with the network point of the less involved organ. For example, severe panting with mild constipation can be treated by needling the source point of the lung, LU-9 (Great Abyss), and the network point of the large intestine, LI-6 (Veering Passageway). The less involved channel is termed the guest, and the more involved channel is termed the host, so this method of treatment is sometimes called guest-host treatment.
combining transport and alarm points
Synonyms: combining front and back points.
Simultaneous needling of transport points on the back and alarm points on the chest and abdomen for specific therapeutic purposes. For example, BL-13 (Lung Transport), the transport point of the lung, is combined LU-1 (Central Treasury), with the alarm point of the lung, to treat respiratory problems such as cough, panting, fullness in the chest. See the list below and point combination.
Acupuncture: Combining Transport T and Alarm A Points
Lung
T: BL-13 (Lung Transport) Treasury
A: LU-1 (Central TreasuryPericardium
T: BL-14 (Reverting Yin Transport)
A: CV-17 (Chest Center)
Heart
T: BL-15 (Heart Transport)
A: CV-14 (Great Tower Gate)
Spleen
combining transport points
combining upper and lower body points
Simultaneous needling of points above and below the waist. For example, stomach pain can be treated by combining PC-6 (Inner Pass) on the upper body and ST-36 (Leg Three Li) on the lower body. Sore throat or toothache can be treated with LI-4 (Union Valley) on the upper body and ST-44 (Inner Court) on the lower body. Insomnia can be treated by combining HT-7 (Spirit Gate) on the upper body and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection) on the lower body. Constipation can be treated by combining TB-6 (Branch Ditch) on the upper body and KI-6 (Shining Sea) on the lower body. See point combination.
coming and going heart pain
From A Thousand Gold Pieces Prescriptions. Heart pain that comes and goes abruptly, sometimes up to ten times a day; attributed to insufficiency of yang qi and damp phlegm stagnating internally.
Medication: Supplement qi and warm yang; eliminate dampness and disperse phlegm. Use Coming and Going Decoction. See heart pain.
common cold
A disease that is attributed to contraction of wind-cold or other untimely seasonal qi, and that forms an exterior pattern characterized by nasal congestion, runny nose, headache and distention in the head, fear of wind, pain in the joints, aversion to cold and heat~effusion, and in some cases cough and sore throat.
Medication: Treat variously according to the nature the offending evil, severity of the condition, constitution of the patient, and climate. For wind-heat, course exterior and discharge heat with Lonicera and Forsythia Powder or Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Bevera
Acupuncture: For wind-cold, base treatment mainly on LU, LI, and BL. Select LU-7 (Broken Sequence), LI-4 (Union Valley), BL-12 (Wind Gate), and GB-20 (Wind Pool). Needle with drainage and, if necessary, moxa. For wind-heat, base treatment mainly on LU, LI and TB. Sele
common cold headache
Headache due to contraction of wind evil. Common cold headache is associated with nasal congestion that makes the voice sound heavy, spontaneous sweating, aversion to wind, and a moderate floating pulse. Wind evil in common-cold is usually combined with cold, heat, or dampness. See wind-cold headache; wind-heat headache; and wind-damp headache.
communicating bowels
A fistula between the rectum and bladder or between the rectum and the vagina. Compare anal fistula.
completion bone
Synonyms: longevity platform bone.
The protuberant bone behind the ear.
complex
The simultaneous appearance of signs of the paired principles cold and heat, or vacuity and repletion. The simultaneous appearance of interior and exterior signs, which is referred to as a combination rather than a complex, is an exception. See cold-heat complex; vacuity-repletion complex. Compare combination.
complexion
The color and sheen of the skin, especially that of the face, as reflecting health or disease. See facial complexion.
conception vessel
Synonyms: controlling vessel.
concretion
concretions and gatherings
concretions, conglomerations, accumulations, and gatherings
Four kinds of abdominal masses associated with pain and distention. Concretions and accumulations are masses of definite form and fixed location, associated with pain of fixed location. They stem from disease in the viscera and blood aspect. Conglomerations and gatherings are masses of indefinite form, which gather and dissipate at irregular intervals and are attended by pain of unfixed location. They are attributed to disease in the bowels and qi aspect. Accumulations and gatherings chiefly occur in the center burner. Concretions and conglomerations chiefly occur in the lower burner, and in many cases are the result of gynecological diseases. In general, concretions and gatherings arise when emotional depression or dietary intemperance causes damage to the liver and spleen. The resultant organ disharmony leads to obstruction and stagnation of qi, which in turn causes static blood to collect gradually. Most often the root cause is insufficiency of right qi. See Table . Concretions, conglomerations, accumulations, and gatherings also include other specific masses such as strings and aggregations.
conductor
confined pulse
Synonyms: firm pulse.
confluence of the yang channels
The place through which all the yang channels pass, i.e., the head.
confluence points of the eight vessels
Synonyms: master points of the eight vessels.
Any of eight regular channel points located on the four limbs, each linked, via its home channel, with one of the eight extraordinary vessels. The points are listed below:
Acupuncture: The Confluence Points of the Eight Vessels
Yin linking vessel: PC-6 (Inner Pass)
Thoroughfare vessel: SP-4 (Yellow Emperor)
Yang linking vessel: TB-5 (Outer Pass)
Girdling vessel: GB-41 (Foot Overlooking Tears)
Controlling vessel: LU-7 (Broken S
confound
To render stuporous; to cloud severely; occurs in the term phlegm confounding the orifices of the heart, which denotes a condition characterized, among other signs, by stupor or coma. See exuberance and debilitation
confounding phlegm
Phlegm congesting the orifices causing noisy breathing and stupor.
Medication: Sweep phlegm and open the orifices using Phlegm-Flushing Decoction
Acupuncture: Needle CV-22 (Celestial Chimney) and PC-6 (Inner Pass).
confused spirit-mind
A confused, stuporous state of mind.
congealed-fat screen
An external obstruction of the eye that has the appearance of congealed lard and that in severe cases can cause loss of sight. Congealed-fat screen develops swiftly and is attended by acute eye pain and pain in the brow, redness of the eyes, hot tears, and copious discharge. It is attributable to externally contracted wind-heat toxin invading and contending contending with intense internal liver-gallbladder fire and binding in the eye.
Medication: Use Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction plus dandelion (Taraxaci Herba cum Radice), antelope horn (Antelopis Cornu), rhubarb (Rhei Rhizoma), and moutan (Moutan Radicis Cortex).
Acupuncture: Select BL-2 (Bamboo Gathering), BL-1 (Bright Eyes), GB-1 (Pupil Bone-Hole), GB-20 (Wind Pool), GB-41 (Foot Overlooking Tears), Thumb Bone Hollow, Little Finger Bone Hollow, LR-2 (Moving Between), GB-43 (Pinched Ravine), and GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring). Need
congealing
Viscid, or becoming or making viscid; describes the viscid nature of evils such as dampness and their inhibitive effect on normal flow of blood and qi. When applied to the blood, this term denotes thickening but not necessarily coagulation.
congealing cold and stagnant qi
Cold giving rise to qi stagnation. Cold tends to congeal and obstruct qi transformation. It is a yin evil that causes congealing and stagnation, contracture and tautness, and easily damages yang qi. Elementary Questions states, "When cold qi enters the channels, there is a slowing down, congealing, and nonmovement. When it settles outside the vessels, then blood is scant; when it settles inside the vessels, qi is blocked and there is sudden pain." Thus when cold causes illness, there is pain, abdominal distention, swelling of the lower leg, hypertonicity, paralysis, and reversal cold.
congealing cold-damp menstrual block
Menstrual block due to cold-damp contending and binding with the blood and blocking the thoroughfare and controlling vessels. Congealing cold-damp menstrual block is characterized by smaller-abdominal cold pain, physical cold and cold limbs, and copious white vaginal discharge. Where cold is prevalent, it is associated with thin watery vaginal discharge and a slow pulse. Where dampness is prevalent, it is usually associated with abdominal distention and sloppy stool, in some cases with swelling of the lower limbs.
Medication: Cold patterns are treated by warming the channels and dissipating cold with Channel-Warming (Menses-Warming) Decoction, whereas dampness patterns are treated by drying dampness and transforming turbidity with Zhu Dan-Xi's Damp Phlegm Formula, which contai
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, SP, and ST. Select CV-3 (Central Pole), GB-26 (Girdling Vessel), LI-4 (Union Valley), SP-10 (Sea of Blood), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge). Needle with dr
congealing cold-damp menstrual pain
Menstrual pain attributable to cold-damp damaging the thoroughfare and controlling vessels and the uterus, congealing the blood and blocking its downward movement to the uterus. Congealing cold-damp menstrual pain is characterized by cold or gripping pain in the lower abdomen that likes warmth, and dark clotted inhibited flow.
Medication: Use formulas such as Lesser Abdomen Stasis-Expelling Decoction or a decoction of leonurus (Leonuri Herba), dried ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Exsiccatum), and pepper (Piperis Fructus). Vacuity cold with thin pale flow and dull abdominal pain that likes warm
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV and SP. Select CV-3 (Central Pole), SP-8 (Earth's Crux), and ST-28 (Waterway); needle with drainage and add moxa. Selection of points according to signs: For abdominal distention stretching into the lumbus, add GV-4 (Life Gate)
congealing yin cold
A cold pattern arising from debilitation of yang qi and stagnation of cold evil. Signs include somber white facial complexion, aversion to cold and desire for warmth, lack of warmth in the limbs, abdominal pain and bound stool, menstrual irregularities, and local hypertonicity and pain. Enduring cold impediment and yin flat-abscess also fall within the scope of congealing yin cold.
congenital constitution
Synonyms: earlier heaven.
congest
To clog (the lung, the throat, the channels, etc.). See stoppage.
conglomeration
A type of abdominal lump. See concretions, conglomerations, accumulations, and gatherings.
conglomeration-mounting
Synonyms: mounting-conglomeration.
consolidating yin
A method of treatment used to secure kidney essence and calm the ministerial fire. The method of consolidating yin is used in the treatment of frenetic stirring of the ministerial fire and insecurity of kidney qi characterized by seminal emission while dreaming. This condition can be treated with Marrow-Sealing Elixir, a formula whose chief ingredient is phellodendron (Phellodendri Cortex), which both calms the ministerial fire and secures kidney essence. Compare supplementing yin; strengthening yin.
constipation
Synonyms: fecal block; fecal stoppage.
Stagnation in the intestines lengthening the interval between bowel movements to three or four days or more. Constipation occurs in the following patterns.
constitutional body
The human body in its constitutional aspect, as opposed to the physical body, which denotes the purely physical manifestation of human life.
constrain
Astringe, especially of the lung, as in the terms constrain the lung and suppress cough and constrain sweat.
constrained liver qi
Deficiency of the liver's free coursing action, usually caused by affect-mind binding depression, and characterized distention and pain in the rib-side, constrained sensation in the chest, sighing, mental depression, and no desire for food and drink. There may be bitter taste in the mouth and retching. The pulse is stringlike. Constrained liver qi is treated by coursing the liver and resolving depression. Compare binding depression of liver qi and disharmony of liver qi.
constrained spleen qi
Nonmovement of spleen qi caused by impaired liver free coursing, dampness encumbering spleen yang, or congestion of food. Constrained spleen qi is characterized by distention and oppression in the stomach duct and abdomen, nontransformation of food, aversion to food, and hiccough.
constraining sweat
A method of treatment used to address spontaneous or night sweating using securing astringents combined with
Medication: Spontaneous sweating is usually attributable to qi vacuity, and is therefore primarily treated by boosting qi and securing the exterior with medicinals such as astragalus (Astragali (seu Hedysari) Radix). Night sweating is usually a consequence of yin vac
Acupuncture: LI-4 (Union Valley), KI-7 (Recover Flow), SI-3 (Back Ravine), and HT-6 (Yin Cleft) can all be used to constrain sweating. The first two are used in particular for spontaneous sweating, and the last two for night sweating.
constraining sweat and securing the exterior
A method of treatment used to address exterior vacuity with copious sweating. Exterior vacuity may take the form of qi vacuity or yin vacuity.
constraining the lung
constraining the lung and suppressing cough
A method of treatment used to address enduring cough and lung vacuity characterized by scant phlegm, hasty breathing, spontaneous sweating, dry mouth and tongue, and vacuous rapid pulse.
Medication: Lung-constraining cough-suppressing medicinals such as schisandra (Schisandrae Fructus), chebule (Chebulae Fructus), and poppy husk (Papaveris Pericarpium) can be combined with general cough-suppressing medicinals such as stemona (Stemonae Radix), aster (
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU, LI, and back transport points. Main points: LU-7 (Broken Sequence), LU-9 (Great Abyss), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), and BL-13 (Lung Transport). For exterior vacuity, add LI-4 (Union Valley) and ST-36 (Leg Three Li). For yin vacuity, a
constraining yin
A method of treatment used to prevent loss of yin qi from the body, as in night sweating or after abatement of heat~effusion in heat (febrile) disease. Yin-constraining medicinals include cornus (Corni Fructus) and schisandra (Schisandrae Fructus).
constricting throat wind
Synonyms: acute throat wind.
construction
An abbreviation for construction qi, which is an essential qi formed from the essence of food and which flows in the vessels. Construction is considered to be an aspect of the blood.
construction aspect
Synonyms: defense, qi, construction, and blood.
construction qi
The qi that forms the blood and flows with it in the vessels, helping to nourish the entire body, is known as construction qi. As The Magic Pivot points out: "Construction qi secretes fluids, discharges them into the vessels, and turns them into blood to nourish the limbs and supply the bowels and viscera." More at construction.
construction, defense, qi, and blood
Four basic aspects of human physiology. These four aspects were adopted by the warm disease school as the basis of pattern identification in febrile disease. Compare defense, qi, construction, and blood.
construction-aspect pattern
Warm disease one stage more advanced than a qi-aspect pattern, characterized by red or crimson tongue, a rapid pulse, generalized heat~ effusion, heart vexation, and unquiet sleep. The essential characteristic of construction-aspect patterns is a red or crimson tongue, which indicates that evil heat has entered the construction aspect. Identification of construction-aspect patterns poses two requirements. (1) It is important to determine whether the evil entering the construction aspect is warm heat, wind-heat, or damp-heat. Warm heat and wind-heat evils entering the construction aspect are characterized by a red or crimson tongue with either no fur or a very thin fur. Damp-heat evil entering construction is characterized by a red or crimson tongue with a thick slimy or turbid tongue fur (indicating that the dampness evil has not transformed dryness), or a parched, black tongue fur (indicating that dryness formation has occurred). (2) It is essential to determine the degree to which the construction aspect has been penetrated. Initial-stage construction-aspect patterns invariably include qi-aspect signs, such as red to sunken red tongue with a yellow, or mixed yellow-and-white tongue fur. Deep penetration of construction aspect is characterized by a dry sunken red tongue, as well as such signs as clouded spirit-mind (see pericardiac pattern) and stirring wind and tetanic reversal. See clearing construction.
construction-defense disharmony
Exterior patterns characterized by spontaneous sweating and occurring in one of two forms: (1) strong defense and weak construction, where yang qi is depressed in the fleshy exterior and forces sweat out of the pores, giving rise to sweating whenever, but only when, heat~effusion occurs; and (2) weak defense and strong construction, characterized by spontaneous sweating without heat~effusion, where sweat flows forth unconstrained by defense qi.
consumption
Synonyms: pulmonary consumption; corpse transmission; flying corpse; corpse influx; demonic influx.
A contagious disease characterized by cough with expectoration of blood, tidal heat~effusion, night sweating, emaciation. The cough is persistent and chronic, producing blood-flecked phlegm or in severe cases mouthfuls of blood. The tidal heat~effusion comes in the afternoon and evening, and abating in B1 watch (11 p.m. to 1 a.m.). Emaciation develops with reduced food intake and fatigue and lack of strength. The pulse is fine and rapid. Consumption begins with yin depletion, which causes vacuity fire, and finally, when damage to yin affects yang, dual depletion of yin and yang. As early as the Western Jin Dynasty ( 265--316), consumption was recognized to be contagious, and by the Song Dynasty (960--1279), it was posited to be caused by "consumption worms." Predisposing factors include constitutional insufficiency (especially in children), excesses of drink and sex, taxation fatigue from thought and anxiety, as well as poverty poverty and poor living conditions. This disease and the specific forms in which it manifests have been variously labeled over the history of Chinese medicine: The terms corpse transmission, flying corpse, corpse influx, and demonic influx emphasize the contagious and deathly nature of the disease (see influx); worm infixation indicates knowledge or intuition that the disease was caused by "worms" (see infixation); taxation influx emphasizes the weakening of the lung and wasting of the body. Since the late Qing Dynasty in China, consumption has been called popularly called (pulmonary consumption), identified with pulmonary tuberculosis of Western medicine. In traditional literature, consumption is not always clearly differentiated from lung wilting, steaming bone, and taxation cough, although these three conditions are not only observed in the contagious disease consumption; they may be the result of other causes. Severe vacuity taxation.
Medication: Enrich yin and downbear fire; clear the lung and kill worms, using formulas such as Spirit-Moistening Powder, Stemona Metal-Clearing Decoction, and Turtle Shell and Rehmannia Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU and back transport points. Select LU-9 (Great Abyss), BL-13 (Lung Transport), BL-43 (Gao-Huang Transport), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and KI-3 (Great Ravine); needle with supplementation. Selection of
contain
To hold in; in physiology, specofically denotes qi's action of keeping the blood flowing within the vessels, and in therapy, the promotion of this and similar functions.
containing the blood
Synonyms: stanching bleeding.
contend
Struggle, especially of two evils simultaneously present in the body, such as contention of wind and dampness. See exuberance and debilitation.
contracted tongue
Contraction of the tongue preventing it from being extended. A contracted tongue is a critical sign in most cases. The cause is either damage to yin by extreme heat or fulminant (sudden and violent) yang qi desertion. A congenitally short frenulum may also prevent extension.
contraction
The act of contracting or state of having contracted (an external evil), e.g., wind-cold contraction, a disease caused by external wind-cold.
contraction
Drawing together, shrinking, withdrawing.
contracture and tautness
Enduring contraction or hypertonicity of the sinews, generally associated with kidney yang vacuity.
contraindications of medicinals in pregnancy
Inappropriateness or inadvisability of taking or prescribing certain medicinals during pregnancy since they may cause miscarriage or harm both the mother and child.
controlling malaria
controlling vessel
Synonyms: conception vessel .
One of the eight extraordinary vessels; the vessel whose principal course ascends from the pelvis along the midline of the body, and splits to skirt around the mouth and nose, and which is the sea of the yin channels, regulates menstruation, and matures the fetus. The controlling vessel originates in the pelvic cavity, connects with the internal genitourinary organs, and emerges in the perineum at CV-1 (Meeting of Yin). It ascends through the pubic hair region and then runs up the midline of the abdomen, chest, and neck to the depression below the lower lip (sauce receptacle). Here it splits into two branches that contour the mouth and ascend to the infraorbital region. A second course arises in the pelvic cavity, enters the spine and ascends up the back. The controlling vessel is the sea of the yin channels. The three yin channels of the foot all join the controlling vessel, allowing their bilateral courses to communicate. In this way, the controlling vessel has a regulating effect on the yin channels, for which reason it is said that it regulates all the yin channels of the body. The controlling vessel regulates menstruation and nurtures the fetus. Thus it is said, "The controlling vessel governs the fetus." Menstrual irregularities, menstrual block, white vaginal discharge, miscarriage, infertility, mounting qi , enuresis, and abdominal masses. See uterus.
controlling wind and transforming phlegm
Synonyms: extinguishing wind and transforming phlegm.
To eliminate internal wind-phlegm. Phlegm may arise when damp turbidity fails to transform and congeals or when intense internal fire heat condenses humor. It may rise with wind and penetrate the channels and network vessels, causing, in mild cases, numbness or dizziness and headache with spinning head and black vision and, in severe cases, paralysis. It is for this condition that the method of controlling wind and transforming phlegm is used.
A method of treatment used to eliminate externally contracted wind evil causing expectoration of phlegm. The method of controlling wind and transforming phlegm addresses copious phlegm from wind evil fettering the exterior disinhibiting lung qi and causing qi congestion that cause phlegm.
A method of treating round or oval lumps at the surface of the body that are soft to the touch and
Medication: A representative formula is Pinellia, Ovate Atractylodes, and Gastrodia Decoction.
A representative formula is Cough-Stopping Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST, and LR. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), LI-4 (Union Valley), ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge), GB-20 (Wind Pool), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge); needle with even supplementation and drainage. For dizziness and headache, add ST-8 (Head C
conversion
In the doctrine of yin and yang, change from yin or yang to its complement. In eight-principle pattern identification, displacement of signs of one principle by those of its opposite. Any pattern may, under given circumstances, convert into its opposite principle. Conversion is often observed in externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases. Such diseases are characterized in the initial stages by signs such as headache, body pain, aversion to cold, and heat~effusion. If in such cases the evil enters the interior, either as a result of its own strength, vacuity of right qi, or as a result of inappropriate treatment, the original exterior pattern converts into an interior pattern. Patterns of all the other principles may similarly convert in specific circumstances. The aim of treatment is therefore to foster favorable and prevent unfavorable conversion.
convulsions
Synonyms: tugging and slackening.
cool
Not hot, e.g., cool body, i.e., absence of generalized heat~effusion. Of a nature mildly tending to reduce heat, e.g., cool medicinal. See four qi.
To make cold or cool, e.g., cool the blood. See drain.
cool acrid exterior resolution
cool dryness
A disease pattern attributable to contraction of dryness evil in the colder weather of autumn, taking the form of dry nose and throat, dry cough with little phlegm, and dry skin with cold signs. Compare warm dryness. See autumn dryness.
cool opening
clearing heat and opening the orifices.
cooling and dissipating the blood
A method of treatment used to clear and resolve blood-aspect heat evil using blood-cooling and blood-quickening products. Cooling and dissipating the blood is used to treat evil heat penetrating deep into the blood aspect and stirring the blood, causing signs such as scorching heat~effusion, agitation, in severe cases with manic derangement and delirious raving, dense maculopapular eruption, blood ejection and bloody stool, a deep crimsom or purple crimsom tongue.
Medication: Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction.
cooling dryness
Moistening dryness in the treatment of warm dryness.
cooling the blood
Synonyms: clearing blood heat.
A method of treatment used to address heat penetrating construction-blood in heat diseases with general signs such as high fever, clouded spirit, and crimson tongue, and specific signs of frenetic movement of hot blood (blood ejection, spontaneous external bleeding, bloody stool, or bloody urine).
Medication: A commonly used blood-cooling formula is Rhinoceros Horn and Rehmannia Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT and PC. Select PC-3 (Marsh at the Bend), PC-9 (Central Hub), HT-9 (Lesser Surge), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), and BL-40 (Bend Center); needle with drainage and, if appropriate, prick to bleed. The following points are all blood-c
coolness
Mild cold. One of the four qi. A quality mildly tending to produce cold
copious sweat
Large amounts of sweat. See sweating.
copious urine
Discharge of urine in greater quantities than normal.
cormorant cough
Synonyms: whooping cough.
corn
A local thickening and hardening of the skin of the foot such as at the distal edge of the sole or between the toes and especially at the base joint of the great toe. A corn is called a "flesh spike" ( rou4 ci4) or "chicken's eye" ( ji1 yan3) in Chinese; it has a deep root and a hard hollow head, is painful when pressed, and affects walking. It is produced by friction and pressure from footwear, occurring especially in cases where the affected part is abnormally protuberant.
Medication: Treat by paring away the dead skin down to red flesh and applying Elephant Skin Paste.
Acupuncture: One method is to apply the fire needle in the center of the corn and four surrounding points, pointing into the root. In mild cases, a week of such treatments performed daily is sufficient; in severe cases, two weeks may be necessary. Alternatively, direc
corporeal soul
Synonyms: animal soul.
A nonphysical aspect of the human being. Po4 is the corporeal soul stored by the lung, as distinct from hun2, the ethereal soul, stored by the liver. The Magic Pivot states, "that which enters and exists with essence is called the corporeal soul." The Classified Canon states, "The function of the corporeal soul is to enable the body to move and perform its function; pain and itching are felt by it." These descriptions suggest that the corporeal soul is the animating and sensitizing principle that gives humans the ability of movement and physical sensation. The ability of the newborn to cry and take milk is understood as a manifestation of the corporeal soul. The corporeal soul is believed to be closely related to essence, which in the traditional view, is the foundation of human life. Compare lung stores the corporeal soul; kidney holds the office of labor, whence agility emanates; ethereal soul.
corporeal soul gate
The anus. One of the seven gates.
corporeal soul sweating
From Elementary Questions. Sweat emanating from the lung. According to traditional understanding, the lung stores the corporeal soul, and governs the skin and hair; hence the name.
corpse influx
Synonyms: consumption.
corpse transmission
Synonyms: consumption.
cough
Sudden expulsion of air from the lung with an explosive noise, usually in a series of efforts. The Chinese term is composed of two characters, and. In The Inner Canon, these two characters have the same meaning, and this usage prevailed until the Song Dynasty ( 960--1279), when Liu Wan-Su He-Jian (c. 1120--1200) introduced a distinction: " Ke2 sonorous cough means a cough that produces sound but no matter, and arises when lung qi is damaged and loses its clarity; sou4 productive cough is a cough that produces matter without sound, and is attributed to spleen dampness stirring to form phlegm; ke2 sou4 sonorous and productive cough, is one with phlegm and sound, and arises when damage to lung qi stirs dampness in the spleen, so that the ke2 becomes sou4." From that time on, some followed The Inner Canon in treating the characters as synonymous, whereas others adopted the distinction made by Liu Wan-Su. In modern literature, the distinct forms are often referred to as gan1 ke2, dry cough, and tan2 ke2, phlegm cough, and both are referred to together by the combined form ke2 sou4. Cough can be caused by external evils invading the lung or by internal damage to organs affecting the lung; hence the notion that "Cough does not stop at the lung; but never leaves the lung." In other words the pathomechanisms of cough are not limited to the lung but always involve it. Cough may be attributable to an exuberant evil (external evils or phlegm-damp) or to vacuity. External contraction cough may be caused by wind-cold, wind-heat, or dryness. The cough itself can in some cases indicate the cause. For example, a cough that is pronounced in the daytime is usually attributed to heat or dryness; one that gets worse at night is more likely to be attributable to spleen-kidney debilitation or to exuberant phlegm-damp. However, correlation with other signs is necessary for accurate diagnosis. The main patterns can be diagnosed as follows.
cough and panting
cough of pregnancy
Cough during pregnancy. Cough of pregnancy is attributable to impaired depurative downbearing and inhibited qi dynamic arising when blood gathers to nourish the fetus and allows yin vacuity fire stir, or when phlegm-rheum ascends counterflow, or when wind-cold is contracted.
coughing of blood
The coughing up of pure blood or blood-flecked phlegm; usually attributable to externally contracted wind evil that fails to resolve, transforms into heat and dryness, and damages the network vessels of the lung, or to liver fire invading the lung.
counteracting treatment
Synonyms: straight treatment.
counterflow
Flow counter to the normal direction. See qi counterflow; reversal and following entries.
counterflow cold of the extremities
Synonyms: reversal cold of the extremities.
counterflow cold of the limbs
Synonyms: reversal cold of the extremities.
counterflow fullness below the heart
Fullness below the heart with a sensation of counterflow qi ascent.
counterflow liver qi
Synonyms: liver qi ascending counterflow.
counterflow lung qi
Synonyms: lung qi ascending counterflow.
counterflow menstruation
Synonyms: inverted menstruation.
Passing of blood through the mouth or nose during or around menstruation; includes menstrual spontaneous external bleeding and menstrual blood ejection.
counterflow qi ascent
A sensation of qi rising in the stomach or chest.
counterflow qi ascent cough
Synonyms: cough and panting.
Cough and counterflow qi giving rise to panting. Counterflow qi ascent cough stemming from contraction of one or more of the six excesses or from phlegm-rheum collecting internally forms a repletion pattern. Occurring in enduring illness or as a result of major damage to original qi, it takes the form of a vacuity pattern. In all cases, it is associated with disease of the lung, spleen, and kidney, since it can result from congestion or vacuity of lung qi, from impaired splenic movement and transformation, and from the kidney failing to absorb qi. Persistent counterflow qi ascent cough can gradually give rise to debilitation of heart qi.
counterflow stomach qi
Synonyms: stomach qi ascending counterflow.
courier
course
To enhance flow (of qi, especially depressed liver qi); to free (the liver, digestive tract of qi stagnation and depression); to eliminate (evils such as wind in the exterior); to free (the exterior or channels from evils such as wind). Compare soothe.
coursing and dissipating external wind
Any of a number of methods of treatment using mainly acrid dissipating wind-coursing medicinals to treat external wind invading the channels, the flesh, the sinew and bone, and joints. It includes: coursing wind and relieving pain to treat headache or dizziness due to wind invading the head; coursing wind and relieving itching, and clearing heat and eliminating dampness to treat itching, wind papules, or eczema due to wind-heat or wind-damp becoming depressed in the skin and spreading through the blood vessels; dispelling wind and transforming phlegm to treat deviated eyes and mouth due to wind evil with phlegm obstructing the channels network vessels of the face and head; dispelling wind and checking tetany to treat lockjaw arising when "wind evil toxic qi" invades through a wound; dispelling wind and eliminating dampness, quickening the blood and freeing the network vessels to treat numbness of the extremities with inhibited bending and stretching due wind, phlegm-damp, and static blood obstructing the network vessels. The main medicinals used as notopterygium (Notopterygii Rhizoma), duhuo (Angelicae Duhuo Radix), ledebouriella (Ledebouriellae Radix), angelica (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), schizonepeta (Schizonepetae Herba et Flos), and ligusticum (Ligustici Rhizoma). See coursing wind.
coursing and dissipating wind-heat
coursing depression and rectifying qi
Synonyms: resolving depression; loosening the chest; loosening the center.
A method of treatment used to address qi stagnation due to emotional depression characterized by glomus and oppression in the chest and diaphragm, and pain and distention in the both rib-side and lesser abdomen.
Medication: Medicinals that course depression and rectify qi include cyperus (Cyperi Rhizoma), Buddha's hand (Citri Sarcodactylidis Fructus), lindera (Linderae Radix), and amomum (Amomi Semen seu Fructus).
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on PC, LR, and ST. Select PC-6 (Inner Pass), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), BL-18 (Liver Transport), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li); needle with even supplementation and drainage.
coursing the exterior
A method of treatment used to free the exterior of evil without necessarily making the patient sweat.
Medication: Medicinals used to course the exterior are mild exterior-resolving medicinals such as warm acrid perilla leaf (Perillae Folium) and ledebouriella (Ledebouriellae Radix), and cool acrid mint (Menthae Herba), mulberry leaf (Mori Folium), and pueraria (Puera
Acupuncture: See resolving the exterior.
coursing the exterior and transforming dampness
A method of treatment used to address dampness in the upper burner and defense aspects, characterized by distention in the head and heavy-headedness, heavy aching body, slimy sensation in the mouth without thirst, slimy white tongue fur, and a soggy floating pulse.
Medication: Use Notopterygium Dampness-Overcoming Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LI, LU, SP, and ST. Select GB-20 (Wind Pool), LI-4 (Union Valley), LU-7 (Broken Sequence), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), LI-10 (Arm Three Li), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li); needle with drainage and moxa, if necessary.
coursing the liver
Synonyms: coursing the liver and rectifying qi.
coursing the liver and rectifying qi
Synonyms: coursing the liver; soothing the liver; discharging the liver.
To restore the normal free coursing of liver qi in the treatment of depression of liver qi, which is characterized by rib-side pain and distention, oppression in the chest, mental depression, pain and distention in the stomach duct, nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, menstrual irregularities, bitter taste in the mouth, stringlike pulse, and thin tongue fur.
Medication: Medicinals that course liver and rectify qi include bupleurum (Bupleuri Radix), tangkuei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), white peony (Paeoniae Radix Alba), cyperus (Cyperi Rhizoma), toosendan (Toosendan Fructus), corydalis (Corydalis Tuber), and magnolia bark
Acupuncture: See binding depression of liver qi.
coursing the liver and resolving depression
coursing wind
A method of treatment used to dissipate wind evil with wind-eliminating exterior-resolving medicinals. Wind is a major cause of externally contracted exterior patterns because other evils easily combine with it to enter the body. Hence, treatment of exterior patterns frequently requires wind-coursing action.
Medication: Wind-coursing medicinals used for wind-cold include ledebouriella (Ledebouriellae Radix), cinnamon twig (Cinnamomi Ramulus), and Chinese lovage (Ligustici Sinensis Rhizoma et Radix); ones used for wind-heat include mint (Menthae Herba) and arctium (Arctii
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB, TB, LU, and LI. Main points: GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), GB-20 (Wind Pool), and TB-5 (Outer Pass). Point selection according to signs: For wind-cold, add LI-4 (Union Valley) and LU-7 (Broken Sequence); needle with drainage
coursing wind and discharging heat
A method of treatment used to address exterior wind-heat with interior heat in colds and flu with sore throat, dry mouth, red tongue, and thin yellow fur.
Medication: Representative wind-coursing heat-discharging formulas include Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Beverage and Lonicera and Forsythia Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB, GV, TB, LU, and LI. Select GB-20 (Wind Pool), GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), TB-5 (Outer Pass), GV-14 (Great Hammer), LI-4 (Union Valley), LU-11 (Lesser Shang), and LI-1 (Shang Yang); needle with drainage. See cool acrid exteri
court
Center of the forehead.
covered moistening
To allow materials that have been washed or steeped to stand in a receptacle covered with hemp sacking or a bag of moist straw and frequently sprinkle them with water so that they gradually become thoroughly moistened.
covering bone
Synonyms: lower transverse bone.
crab claw markings
Unnatural lines in the skin like those observed on crab claws; a sign of blood stasis.
crab's-eye
A condition characterized by an erosive screen on the dark of the eye (iris and cornea) from which a bead-like formation resembling the eye of a crab emerges. It is caused by accumulated heat in the liver surging up into the eyes or by external injury. The bead-like formation is surrounded by a white screen and is associated with acute eye pain, aversion to light, and tearing. It leaves a scar on healing, and if the "spirit jelly" (vitreous humor) of the eye escapes, blindness usually ensues.
Medication: Clear the liver and drain fire. Use variations of Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction. When the redness and pain has abated, treat by nourishing yin and clearing fire with Kidney-Settling Abalone Shell Pill and Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill
cracked dry lips
cracked lips
Synonyms: cracked parched lips.
Dryness and cracking of the lips with bleeding in severe cases. It is observed in exuberant spleen-stomach heat (yang brightness repletion heat) and effulgent yin vacuity fire.
cracked nipple
Synonyms: nipple wind.
cramp
Painful contraction and contortion of the sinews due to insufficiency of qi and blood, fatigue, dampness, or cold. It usually affects the sinews of the calf, and, in severe cases, can affect those of the abdomen, as is commonly the case after vomiting and diarrhea in cholera. See cholera cramps.
crane's-knee phlegm
Flowing phlegm of the knee. See flowing phlegm.
crane's-knee wind
Synonyms: knee's eye wind; wandering knee wind.
A disease marked by a painful suppurative swelling of the knee associated with emaciation of the lower leg. Crane's-knee wind is attributed to depletion of kidney yin and to depletion of the three yang channels allowing the invasion of cold-damp, which causes congealing stagnation; in most cases it develops from joint-running wind. Crane's-knee wind starts with physical cold and heat~effusion, slight swelling of knee, difficulty walking, and local pain. As is progresses, the knee becomes red, swollen, and hot or white with diffuse swelling. The thigh and calf become thin, and the swelling at the knee bursts to produce fluid pus or a thick yellow humor. Crane's-knee wind heals with difficulty.
Medication: In the initial stage, use Five Accumulations Powder and apply white mustard (Brassicae Albae Semen) topically and apply a scallion hot pack. Alternative topical treatments include moxibustion or application of Yang-Returning Jade Dragon Paste. In enduring
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB and local points. Select GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB-30 (Jumping Round), GB-31 (Wind Market), ST-34 (Beam Hill), Eye of the Knee GB-33 (Knee Yang Joint), and SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring); needle with drainage and add moxa. Selecti
crevice
A parting or opening in flesh, sinew, and bone that can be felt by palpation.
crick in the neck
Stiffness of the neck that results from taxation fatigue (overwork etc.) twisting, sleeping in the wrong posture or from exposure to a draft (wind-cold).
Medication: For twisting, use Sinew-Soothing Decoction. For wind-cold, use Pueraria Decoction. For kidney vacuity in run-down patients, use Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV, hand and foot greater yang SI/BL, and hand and foot lesser yang TB/GB. Select GV-14 (Great Hammer), ouch points, SI-3 (Back Ravine), Crick in the Neck Point (0.5 body-inches above the posterior hairline, 1.3 body-inches latera
crimson
A deep shade of red indicating severe heat. Usually describes the tongue body. See crimson tongue.
crimson tongue
A crimson tongue is deep red tongue. Like the red tongue, it is associated with heat, but the added depth of color indicates a warm evil that has penetrated to the construction or blood aspect.
crippling wilt
critical measles pattern
The manifestation of a measles marked by exuberant evil and debilitation of right. See unfavorable measles pattern; measles toxin falling into the lung.
cross moxa
Applying moxa pole moxibustion at five points that form a cross: CV-8 (Spirit Gate Tower), which is the umbilicus, CV-6 (Sea of Qi) just above it, bilateral ST-25 (Celestial Pivot) beside it, and CV-9 (Water Divide) below it. Cross moxa is used to treat enduring spleen vacuity diarrhea and cold-damp diarrhea with abdominal pain. Compare five pillar points.
cross needling
A needling method involving the needling of one side of the body to treat disease affecting the other side. It differs from the great needling in that it involves shallow needling of the network vessels, and in practice mainly involves shallow needling of the well points or pricking of network vessels showing visible blood stasis to bleed. It may also include needling of points at the contralateral point in the position corresponding to that of the affected area. The cross needling method is used in the treatment of disease of the network vessels. Compare great needling and selection of contralateral points.
crossed menstruation
Synonyms: menstrual bloody stool.
crude
Synonyms: raw. Uncooked or unprocessed.
crushing
Synonyms: pounding.
To damage or destroy the structure of medicinal materials such as with a pestle and mortar. Some small fruits and seeds are crushed just before with a pestle and mortar. Gardenia (Gardeniae Fructus), amomum (Amomi Semen seu Fructus), and Katsumada's galangal seed (Alpiniae Katsumadae Semen), are crushed in small quantities before decoction to ensure that the active constituents are extracted. Medicinals should not be stored for long periods after crushing since they may lose their oil content and other constituents, thus becoming less effective.
crust
A scab. To form a scab.
cubit
A unit of measure equal to ten inches.
Of the three positions of the wrist pulse, the one closest to the elbow. See wrist pulse.
cubit pulse
A position of the wrist pulse, one inch behind the bar on the line running from the bar to the transverse crease at LU-5 (Cubit Marsh). See wrist pulse.
cubit skin
The area from LU-5 (Cubit Marsh) to the wrist pulse. Formerly, examination of the cubit skin was a part of diagnosis, and attention was paid to whether the cubit skin was moist or dry and hot or cold. See body palpation
cumbersome
Heaviness and fatigue felt in the limbs, particularly when the spleen fails to transform water-damp. See spleen vacuity with damp encumbrance.
cupping
Synonyms: horning; fire cupping.
A method of treatment involving the application of suction to skin to draw out blood and sometimes pus. Cupping is also called fire cupping because the suction is produced when, for example, a lighted alcohol swab placed inside the cup burns the oxygen to create a vacuum after the cup has been placed on the skin. The method of treatment now called cupping was mentioned in Emergency Standby Remedies by Ge Hong (c. 281--361) as horning. Fire cups used to be made of animal horn, bamboo, or earthenware, but globe-shaped glass ones are now preferred because they enable the practitioner to see the flame and so prevent it from burning the patient. The recent development of cups with suction pumps (suction cups) makes cupping safer and more convenient than before.
cutaneous
Of or relating to the skin.
cutaneous needle
An instrument traditionally made by binding five or seven sewing needles to a bamboo stick (traditionally called plum-blossom needle and seven-star needle, now made by mounting needles on a metal or plastic hammer), and used to tap the skin to move qi and quicken the blood in the affected area or on the pathway of an affected channel. The cutaneous needle is especially suitable for treating children and others where pain or fear of needle insertion may be a necessary consideration. The tapping can be light (no bleeding) or heavy (slight bleeding) depending on the patient's condition and the disease being treated. Nowadays in China, heavy tapping is employed to move stagnant blood in a local area. Cupping can be used to treat a number of internal medical diseases including digestive disorders, headache, menstrual pain and some skin diseases. Legal factors limit the applicability of this method in the West since cutaneous needles are difficult to sterilize. The needle should be held about two inches above the skin and manipulated by a loose movement of the wrist. The needle must strike the skin perpendicularly and without excessive force to prevent bleeding. In general, tapping is performed from the top downward and from the medial toward the lateral aspect. Cutaneous tapping is contraindicated on ulcerations or external injuries. The two most common types of cutaneous needle now used are the plum blossom and the seven-star needle.
cutaneous region
Any of the twelve cutaneous regions.
cutting
Dividing (medicinal materials) with a knife into two or more pieces. Cutting is a commonly used basic method of medicinal processing. It facilitates drying and storage, increases weighing accuracy, and makes it easier for active constituents to be extracted during preparation processes such as decoction. Cutting is often facilitated by soaking or steeping. Kitchen knives, herb knives, guillotines, and nowadays, cutting machines, are used to cut materials into lumps, slices of various sizes, usually known as decocting pieces. Herb cutters save labor time, but cut less cleanly than an experienced hand cutter using a sharp knife. Cutting includes cross-cutting ( heng2 qie1), oblique cutting ( xie2 qie1), and lengthwise cutting ( zong4 qie1). The length or thickness and shape to which materials are cut depends on the material. Roots, rhizomes, stems, vines, and woody materials that are hard in substance are cut into thin slices, i.e., about 0.15~cm, whereas softer, less dense materials are cut into thick slices (about 0.3 cm) slices or in lengths of 1--1.5~cm. Materials that are long and thin, such as imperata (Imperatae Rhizoma) can be cut into lengths of 1--1.5~cm. Skins and barks, such as phellodendron (Phellodendri Cortex), that are hard and thick can be cut into shreds of 0.6~cm. Thinner, less dense barks, such as eucommia (Eucommiae Cortex) are cut into broad strips of 1--1.5~cm. Brittle, fragile materials like lycium root bark (Lycii Radicis Cortex) need not be cut. Leaves that are thick and flexible, such as pyrrosia (Pyrrosiae Folium) are cut into strips of 1--1.5~cm. Thick ones that are brittle after drying, such as mulberry leaf (Mori Folium) and perilla leaf (Perillae Folium) are either not cut or are simply rubbed between the hands. Whole plants with thin stems are cut into lengths of 1.5~cm; ones with thicker stems are cut into shorter lengths. Flowers and small fruits and seeds are generally not cut. Large fruits or ones that do not dry easily, such as crataegus (Crataegi Fructus) are cut into three or four slices. Some pericarps such as trichosanthes rind (Trichosanthis Pericarpium) are roughly shredded.
cv
Synonyms: controlling vessel.
