Chinese Medicine Dictionary

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There are 172 terms starting with "G"

gallbladder

The bowel that stands in interior-exterior relationship with the liver. The gallbladder's main function is to secrete bile, which is formed from an excess of liver qi. The gallbladder is also a curious organ since its bile is considered to be ``clear fluid'' rather than waste. A bitter taste in the mouth may be a sign of gallbladder disease. It is also said that the gallbladder governs decision, which means that the ability to maintain balanced judgment in the face of adversity is attributed to the gallbladder. When gallbladder qi is weak and timid, there are signs such as lack of courage and decision, timidity, doubt and suspicion, and frequent sighing. The ``gallbladder governs decision'' can be interpreted in modern terms to mean that certain aspects of the nervous system are traditionally ascribed in Chinese medicine to the gallbladder. More at gallbladder disease.

gallbladder channel

Synonyms: foot lesser yang gallbladder channel.

gallbladder cough

Cough with vomiting of bile or green-colored bitter tasting water. Gallbladder Disease Patterns Simple patterns gallbladder vacuity insufficiency of gallbladder qi gallbladder heat gallbladder repletion depressed gallbladder and harassing phlegm Complex patterns heart vacuity and gallbladder timidity liver-gallbladder damp-heat Cough with vomiting of bile or green-colored bitter tasting water.

gallbladder disease

Any morbidity of the gallbladder. The most common morbidities of the gallbladder are gallbladder heat (or exuberant gallbladder fire), constrained emotions causing inhibition of gallbladder qi, and gallbladder vacuity. Gallbladder disease manifests headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and profuse dreaming. It may also manifest as alternating heat~effusion and aversion to cold, bitter taste in the mouth, retching of bitter fluid, yellow eyes, rib-side pain, and qi fullness in the abdomen and inability to eat, or as dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia, susceptibility to fright and fear, and sighing.

Medication: Depending on the pattern, treat by draining the gallbladder and clearing heat or by warming the gallbladder and calming the spirit. See gallbladder heat and gallbladder vacuity

gallbladder distention

Pain and distention below the rib-side, with bitter taste in the mouth, and sighing. Gallbladder distention is usually the result of cold evil affecting the gallbladder. A distention pattern with the above-mentioned signs.

Medication: Use medicinals such as bupleurum (Bupleuri Radix), curcuma (Curcumae Tuber), tangerine peel (Citri Exocarpium), tangkuei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), poria (Poria), gardenia husk (Gardeniae Epicarpium), tribulus (Tribuli Fructus), bitter orange (Aurantii F

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, LR, GB, TB, PC, and SP. Select BL-19 (Gallbladder Transport) BL-20 (Spleen Transport) TB-6 (Branch Ditch), PC-6 (Inner Pass), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), LR-14 (Cycle Gate), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), CV-6 (Se

gallbladder fire sleeplessness

gallbladder governs decision

The ability to maintain balanced judgment in the face of adversity is attributed to the gallbladder. Strong gallbladder qi ensures greater invulnerability to such stimuli. When gallbladder qi is weak and timid, fear and fright may lead to disease. See gallbladder vacuity and qi timidity.

gallbladder heat

Heat in the gallbladder arising when evil heat invades the gallbladder channel, causing depression of channel qi. The main signs of gallbladder heat are headache on both sides of the head, pain in the canthi, dizziness, tinnitus, bitter taste in the mouth, dry throat, fullness and pain in the chest and rib-side, and alternating heat~effusion and aversion to cold. Other signs include vomiting of bitter water, vexation and agitation, and irascibility, as well as insomnia. In some cases, there is jaundice. The tongue is red with yellow fur. The pulse is stringlike, rapid, and forceful.

Medication: Clear heat and disinhibit the gallbladder. Use Sweet Wormwood and Scutellaria Gallbladder-Clearing Decoction.

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB and LR. Select GB-24 (Sun and Moon), LR-14 (Cycle Gate), PC-6 (Inner Pass), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring), LR-2 (Moving Between), and GB-43 (Pinched Ravine); needle with drainage. Selection of points accordin

gallbladder heat profuse sleeping

Increased sleep due to gallbladder repletion heat with phlegm in the chest and diaphragm. Gallbladder heat profuse sleeping is characterized by long periods of sleep between which the patient occasionally gets up. Other signs include ungratifying thought, head clouded and oppressed as though drunken, vexation and congestion in the heart and chest, bitter taste in the mouth, and heavy clouded head and vision.

Medication: Clear the gallbladder and discharge heat. Use Root Poria Powder.

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, SP, LR, GB, and ST. Select BL-19 (Gallbladder Transport), BL-18 (Liver Transport), BL-15 (Heart Transport), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), GB-34 (Yang Mound Spri

gallbladder holds the office of justice, from which decision emanates

gallbladder jaundice

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) that arises when gallbladder qi is damaged by great fright or fear or through injury from fighting. Gallbladder jaundice is characterized by a greenish-yellow coloring of the skin, and is accompanied by qi fullness or hardness in the chest, no thought of food or drink, and clouded head and fatigue.

Medication: Treat by supplementing qi with warm sweet medicinals, stemming desertion with sour constraining medicinals, assisted by quieting the spirit with heavy settlers.

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, ST, SP, and HT. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-19 (Gallbladder Transport), BL-15 (Heart Transport), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and GB-34

gallbladder lacking decisiveness

Failure of the gallbladder's function of governing decision-making.

gallbladder pure heat

A disease manifesting as bitter taste in the mouth and arising when depressed heat in the gallbladder that fails to be discharged by free coursing flows upward into the mouth. Elementary Questions. ``When there is illness marked by bitter taste in the mouth... the disease is called `gallbladder pure heat'.''

Medication: Use formulas such as Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction.

gallbladder qi vacuity

Synonyms: gallbladder vacuity.

gallbladder qi vacuity and timidity

Synonyms: insufficiency of gallbladder qi.

gallbladder qi vacuity cold

Synonyms: gallbladder vacuity.

gallbladder repletion

Inhibited gallbladder qi characterized by fullness and oppression in the chest and stomach duct, pain and distention in the rib-side, dry mouth with bitter taste, pain in the sides of the forehead and region of the outer canthus.

gallbladder timidity

Synonyms: gallbladder timidity and susceptibility to fright.

Fear in the heart with no courage to face people. This is poorly distinguished from heart vacuity and gallbladder timidity.

gallbladder timidity and susceptibility to fright

Synonyms: gallbladder timidity.

gallbladder vacuity

Synonyms: gallbladder vacuity and qi timidity; insufficiency of gallbladder qi; gallbladder qi vacuity; gallbladder qi vacuity cold.

A pattern of gallbladder vacuity and failure of the decision-making capacity. The chief signs are anxiety and indecision, clouded vision, tinnitus and poor hearing, dizzy head, ``timid gallbladder'' (lack of courage) and susceptibility to fright. Other signs include lassitude of spirit, insomnia, sighing, distention and fullness under the rib-side, and sloppy diarrhea. The tongue fur is thin, white, and glossy. The pulse is stringlike, fine, and slow. The Pulse Canon gives a somewhat different list of signs: ``In gallbladder vacuity... dizziness, reversal, wilting, inability to the shake the toes, crippling, inability to sit but not stand, sudden collapse, yellow eyes, seminal emission, and blurred vision.''

Medication: Boost qi and warm the gallbladder. Use Ten-Ingredient Gallbladder-Warming Decoction.

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, GB, and HT. Select BL-19 (Gallbladder Transport), BL-15 (Heart Transport), GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring), GB-40 (Hill Ruins), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li); needle with supplem

gallbladder vacuity and qi timidity

Synonyms: gallbladder vacuity.

gallbladder vacuity sleeplessness

Sleeplessness (insomnia) due to gallbladder vacuity and the presence of evils causing disquietude of the spirit. Gallbladder vacuity insomnia is characterized by waking with a sudden fright or start after falling asleep and is accompanied by heart vexation, heart palpitations, and disquieted spirit.

Medication: Warm the gallbladder using Gallbladder-Warming Decoction or ground stir-fried spiny jujube (Ziziphi Spinosi Semen) taken with wine.

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT, GB, and LR. Select Alert Spirit Quartet, HT-7 (Spirit Gate), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-19 (Gallbladder Transport), BL-14 (Reverting Yin Transport), GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring), and GB-40 (Hill R

gallbladder wind toxin qi

Wind-toxin qi invading the gallbladder and causing clouded head and profuse sleeping.

galloping gan

Synonyms: galloping gan of the teeth and gums.

galloping gan of the teeth and gums

Synonyms: galloping gan.

Rapidly developing gan of the teeth and gums. Galloping gan of the gums begins with soreness, reddening, swelling, and hardening of the edges of the gum, in severe cases with whitening and putrefaction of the gums. The white color of the gum can easily turn black, and exude a purple-black bloody discharge that is accompanied by a foul smell. The ulcerated area is sore and slightly itchy. If the ulceration is deep, the wings of the nose and surrounding area assume a green-blue or brown color. In the worst cases, the lips are affected, the teeth may drop out, the ulceration may pierce the cheeks, and the bridge of the nose may collapse.

Medication: Clear heat, resolve toxin, and dispel putridity, using Aloe Gan-Dispersing Beverage. For spleen vacuity, Ginseng and Poria Gruel ren2 shen1 fu2 ling2 zhou1, which consists of ginseng (Ginseng Radix) and poria (Poria) ground to a powder and cooked as a gru

gan

Synonyms: gan pattern, gan disease.

Definition: A disease of infancy or childhood characterized by emaciation, dry hair, heat~effusion of varying degree, abdominal distention with visible superficial veins, yellow face and emaciated flesh, and loss of essence-spirit vitality. Pathomechanically, it essentially involves dryness of the fluids due to damage to spleen and stomach owing to dietary factors, evils, and in particular, worms. Other viscera besides the spleen may be affected, hence there are the five gan (i.e., gan of the heart, gan of the lung, gan of the liver, gan of the spleen, and gan of the kidney). Gan disease is also labeled differently according to the specific area affected, e.g., gan of the brain and gan of the spine. Signs specifically attributed to gan include gan diarrhea, gan dysentery, gan heat~effusion, gan swelling and distention, and gan thirst. Various kinds of ulcerations and sores, e.g., child eye gan, gan of the teeth and gums, fire gan, lower body gan, and gan of the nose.

gan accumulation

Gan of the spleen. Gan pattern.

gan consumption

A severe form of gan of the lung, characterized by bright white complexion, steaming bone tidal heat~effusion, postmeridian reddening of both cheeks caused by spleen-lung vacuity, lassitude of essence-spirit, periodic dry cough and throat diseases, and night sweating. Traditionally, conditions of this nature were considered as consumption in patients over fifteen years of age and gan in patients under fifteen years of age.

Medication: Chinese medicine treats gan consumption by boosting qi and fostering yin, and by supplementing the lung and nourishing the spleen. Representative formulas include Adenophora/Glehnia and Ophiopogon Decoction or Turtle Shell Powder, which can be varied acco

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU, SP, ST, KI, and back transport points. Select LU-9 (Great Abyss), BL-13 (Lung Transport), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-43 (Gao-Huang Transport), CV-10 (Lower Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-5 (Shang Hill), Four Seams,

gan diarrhea

Gan disease with diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common phenomenon in gan disease, and is related to morbidity of the stomach and spleen.

Medication: Support the spleen and harmonize the stomach. Use formulas devised to take account of the root and tip of the disease, such as Ginseng, Poria (Hoelen), and Ovate Atractylodes Powder varied according to signs.

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on SP and ST. Select CV-10 (Lower Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-5 (Shang Hill), Four Seams, CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), and BL-21 (Stomach Transport). Needle with supplem

gan disease

gan disease ascending to the eye

gan dysentery

Gan disease complicated by dysentery. Gan dysentery is usually caused by unclean food. Treatment should take account of the guiding principle ``in acute conditions treat the tip; in moderate (i.e., chronic) diseases treat the root'' and ``acting in accordance with personal factors.'' See child dysentery.

gan heat~effusion

Gan disease with heat~effusion. Gan disease is related to insufficiency of the fluids, and hence one common sign is heat~effusion. The fever may be high or low, enduring or short-lived. There may be morning heat~effusion abating in the evening, night heat~effusion abating in the daytime, hot head without hot body, or tidal heat~effusion in the five hearts. Since gan disease can manifest in different patterns, the heat~effusion is explained and treated in different ways.

gan of the bone

gan of the kidney.

gan of the brain

Sores of the head or dryness of the hair in gan disease. Gan of the brain is at root attributable to insufficiency of qi and blood. Although it is called gan of the brain, it is not to be confused with other diseases involving the brain proper.

gan of the heart

One of the five gan; a pattern of depressed heat in the heart channel attributed to breast-feeding difficulties. Gan of the heart is characterized by generalized heat~effusion, yellow face with reddening of the cheeks, mouth and tongue sores, vexing oppression in the chest and diaphragm, thirst and desire for cold drinks, dysentery with stool containing pus and blood, night sweating, grinding of teeth, and susceptibility to fright.

Medication: Clear the heart and drain fire using formulas such as Heart-Draining Red-Abducting Decoction.

gan of the kidney

Synonyms: gan of the bone.

One of the five gan; a pattern of deep-lying heat attributed to breast-feeding difficulties or to insufficiency of kidney qi. Gan of the kidney is characterized by emaciation, blackish complexion, gum sores, upper body heat and lower body cold heat~effusion and aversion to cold, vomiting, reduced suckling, efflux diarrhea with prolapse of the anus in severe cases, ulceration of the anus, often together with signs of insufficiency of kidney qi such nonclosure of the fontanels, slowness to teethe, and slowness to walk.

Medication: Enrich the kidney and supplement the spleen using Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill supplemented with other medicinals.

gan of the liver

Synonyms: wind gan; gan of the sinew.

One of the five gan; a pattern of heat invading the liver channel owing to breast-feeding problems; characterized by emaciation, abdominal distention, green-yellow face, dysentery with frequent defecation and stool containing blood or mucus, shaking of the head and rubbing of the eyes, night blindness, and reluctance to open the eyes.

Medication: Clear the liver and drain heat with Bupleurum Liver-Clearing Beverage.

gan of the lung

One of the five gan; a pattern of damage to the lung by depressed heat usually stemming from breast-feeding problems. Gan of the lung is characterized by cough, inhibited throat, copious snivel making the child cry, abdominal distention, diarrhea with stool like rice water, reduced suckling, fishy smell in the mouth, dry skin, and emaciated limbs. In some cases, sores under the nose, vigorous heat~effusion, and abhorrence of cold are observed.

Medication: Clear the lung and drain heat using formulas such as White-Draining Powder supplemented with other medicinals.

gan of the mouth

Gan disease with sores of the mouth. Gan of the mouth is attributed to damp-heat brewing internally and insufficiency of liver yin.

Medication: Clear heat and disinhibit dampness using Indigo Powder and variations taken orally.

gan of the nose

A disease characterized by redness, itching, and sores of the nose spreading to the lips associated with copious yellow snivel (nasal mucus), dry skin and hair, dry skin, and tidal heat~effusion in the extremities. Gan of the nose is attributed to accumulated upper burner heat scorching and congesting in the lung. In some cases, attributable to damp-heat heat, the sides of the nose are purple, ulcerated, exude pus, and are itchy but not painful.

Medication: Clear heat and cool the blood with formulas such as Five Happinesses Toxin-Transforming Elixir. Damp-heat is treated by clearing heat and disinhibiting dampness with Red-Abducting Powder plus gardenia (Gardeniae Fructus) and alisma (Alismatis Rhizoma). In

gan of the sinew

Synonyms: gan of the liver.

gan of the spine

Gan disease with emaciation of the back and protrusion of the bones of the spine.

gan of the spleen

Synonyms: gan accumulation.

One of the five gan; a condition characterized by a yellow facial complexion, emaciation, ability to take food with rapid hungering, stool sometimes hard sometimes thin, unquiet sleep, copious sweating, grinding of the teeth, and tendency to lie face downward. Spleen gan is attributed to enduring food accumulation and stagnation and spleen-stomach vacuity and malnutrition stemming from breast-feeding difficulties; hence the alternate name gan accumulation.

Medication: In the early stages, it can be treated by regulating the spleen and stomach using formulas such as Harmony-Preserving Pill. In advanced stages, there are pronounced signs of gan accumulation such as withered-yellow facial complexion, congestion and oppres

gan of the teeth and gums

A condition of red swollen gums, in severe cases with putrefaction, suppuration, and ulceration, and bleeding. See wind-heat gan of the teeth and gums; green-leg gan of the teeth and gums; galloping gan of the teeth and gums.

gan pattern

gan sore

Synonyms: lower body gan.

gan swelling and distention

Gan disease with swelling and distention. Gan swelling and distention is caused by nondiffusion of lung qi, splenic movement and transformation failure, and kidney vacuity.

Medication: Medication: If swelling and distention of the abdomen is accompanied by signs such as qi counter cough and panting, glomus and oppression in the chest and diaphragm, treatment should aim to diffuse the lung and dispel dampness, using Imperial Garden Qi-Ev

gan thirst

Gan disease with thirst and desire for fluids. Gan thirst is usually caused by stomach heat or insufficiency of the fluids.

Medication: Stomach heat should be treated by clearing heat and harmonizing the stomach, whereas insufficiency of the fluids should be treated by boosting qi and engendering liquid. Formulas such as Sweet Dew Beverage plus gypsum (Gypsum) and anemarrhena (Anemarrhena

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on SP and ST. Main points: CV-10 (Lower Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-5 (Shang Hill), Four Seams, and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection). For stomach heat, add ST-44 (Inner Court) and LI-4 (Union Valley); needle with drainage.

gan toxin eye

Synonyms: child eye gan.

gao

The region below the heart.

gao-huang

The region below the heart and above the diaphragm. When a disease is said to have entered the gao-huang, it is difficult to cure.

gaping gums

Exposure of the roots of the teeth, often associated swelling, bleeding, putrefaction, etc. Gaping gums are usually caused by stomach channel heat accumulation, but especially in the elderly it may be the result of insufficiency of kidney qi.

gaping mouth and raised shoulders

A sign of severe panting in which the patient opens his mouth wide and lifts his shoulders in order to facilitate respiration.

gastric

Of or relating to the stomach.

gastric disharmony

Synonyms: disharmony of stomach qi.

gastric dispersion

Synonyms: stomach dispersion.

gastric harmonization

Synonyms: harmonizing the stomach.

gastric juices

Synonyms: stomach yin.

gastric pain

Synonyms: stomach pain.

gastric stagnation

Synonyms: stomach qi stagnation.

gastro-

A combining form meaning ``stomach,'' used in combinations such as gastrointestinal, of or pertaining to the stomach and/or intestines.

gastrointestinal accumulation

Accumulation of food in the stomach and intestines.

Medication: Use offensive precipitation in accordance with the principle that ``lodging is treated by attack.'' Both abductive dispersers and offensive precipitants are used. Commonly used formulas include Minor Qi-Coordinating Decoction, Unripe Bitter Orange Stagnat

gastrointestinal disharmony

Any disturbance of the function of the stomach and/or intestine; characterized by any of a variety of signs such as glomus and fullness, nausea, vomiting, belching, hiccough, diarrhea, constipation, etc. Gastrointestinal disharmony is attributable to pathologies of the stomach, spleen, intestines, liver, kidney, and lung.

gastrointestinal harmonization

gastrointestinal heat bind

Synonyms: heat binding in the stomach and intestines.

gastrointestinal qi distention

gate tower

The glabella, or region between the eyebrows.

gathering

A type of abdominal lump. See concretions, conglomerations, accumulations, and gatherings.

gathering place of the ancestral sinews

The anterior yin; the penis. See ancestral sinew.

gathering place of the ancestral vessels

The ears or eyes.

gathering qi

Synonyms: ancestral qi.

gb

Abbreviation for the gallbladder or foot lesser yang gallbladder channel.

gelatin

Synonyms: glue.

generalized heat~effusion

Synonyms: hot body.

A condition in which the whole of the body is is hot.

generalized heaviness

Synonyms: heavy body.

generalized impediment

Generalized wandering pain, heaviness, and numbness due to wind-cold-damp evil invading the blood vessels.

generalized pain

Pain felt in all four limbs, the back, and the lumbus. It may occur in externally contracted disease or when enduring disease causes damage to qi and blood. Generalized aching accompanied by heat~effusion and aversion to cold generally occurs in exterior patterns such as wind-cold fettering the exterior, or damp in the fleshy exterior.

generalized slimy tongue fur

genital cold

Synonyms: yin cold.

A subjective feeling of cold in the anterior yin (i.e., the external genitals). Genital cold occurs in patterns of vacuity cold of the lower origin, liver channel damp-heat, and damp phlegm pouring downward.

genital erosion

Synonyms: invisible worm sore of the genitals.

From The Divine Husbandman's Herbal Foundation Canon. Erosion of the genitals arising when affect-mind depressed fire damages the liver and spleen, causing damp-heat to pour downward to the lower body, where it lies depressed and steams, thereby engendering worms. Genital erosion is characterized by ulceration of the external genitals exuding pus and blood, possibly with itching and soreness, swelling, and sagging sensation. It is usually associated with red and white vaginal discharge and dribbling urination.

Medication: Clear heat, disinhibit dampness, and kill worms. Use Fish Poison Yam Dampness-Percolating Decoction. Decoct Itch-Soothing Decoction as a steam-wash.

genital sweating

ghost gate

Sweat pore.

ghost talk

Speaking as if possessed by a ghost.

ginkgo poisoning

A condition resulting from excessive consumption of raw ginkgo nuts and characterized by heat~effusion, vomiting, diarrhea, fright reversal, convulsions, rigidity of the limbs, green-blue or purple skin complexion, weak chaotic pulse, and in severe cases, coma and death.

Medication: Take a decoction of 30~g licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix) or 30--60~g ginkgo husk (Ginkgo Testa).

girdling fire cinnabar

Synonyms: girdling snake cinnabar; fire-girdle sore.

A sore on one side of the chest, rib-side, or abdomen characterized initially by pain and reddening of the skin and in advanced stages by blisters containing clear fluid in a long belt formation. It usually starts with a stabbing pain, slight heat~effusion, and fatigue, developing from one side of the trunk, and gradually turning from a bright to a turbid red color. It is attributed to wind-fire in the heart and liver channels, or to spleen-lung channel damp-heat. It usually only affects one side of the body. In older patients, it can last 1--2 months, or even longer.

Medication: Clear heat, disinhibit dampness, and resolve toxin. In the early stages, with burning pain and itching, take Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction; if there are blisters, ulceration, and exudation, and severe pain, take Dampness-Eliminating Stomach-Calming Por

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on points surrounding the affected area, LI, LR, and SP. Select LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), SP-10 (Sea of Blood), TB-5 (Outer Pass), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and points surrounding the affected area; needle

girdling snake cinnabar

Synonyms: girdling fire cinnabar.

girdling vessel

Abbreviation: GIV. One of the eight extraordinary vessels; the vessel that encircles the body at the waste. Starting below the lateral tip of the tenth rib, the girdling vessel encircles the trunk like a belt, dipping down into the lower abdominal region anteriorly, and running across the lumbar region posteriorly. The girdling vessel has no points of its own, but it intersects with three points on the foot lesser yang gallbladder channel, GB-26 (Girdling Vessel), GB-27 (Fifth Pivot), and GB-28 (Linking Path). Some books also give LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate). This channel serves to bind up all the channels running up and down the trunk, thus regulating the balance between upward and downward flow of qi in the body. (White) vaginal discharge, prolapse of the uterus, abdominal distention and fullness, limp lumbus.

giv

Abbreviation for the girdling vessel.

glabella

The region between the eyebrows. Also called the gate tower; middle gate tower.

glans penis

Synonyms: yin head.

glomus

A localized subjective feeling of fullness and blockage. In the chest ( glomus in the chest), it can be associated with a feeling of oppression in severe cases; hence the terms fullness in the chest, distention in the chest, glomus in the chest, and oppression in the chest are largely synonymous. In the abdomen, glomus is the sensation of a lump that cannot be detected by palpation. Hard glomus below the heart, which can be subjectively felt and objectively palpated, is a sign of evil heat with water collecting in the stomach. Any palpable abdominal mass is referred to as glomus lump, although in texts predating On Cold Damage, these were referred to as glomus. Lump glomus in traditional literature are labeled differently, according to shape, behavior, and pathomechanism; see concretions, conglomerations, accumulations, and gatherings; deep-lying beam; strings and aggregations; inquiry; palpation.

glomus below the heart

Feeling of fullness and oppression, and sensation of blockage below the heart, i.e., in the stomach duct. See glomus.

glomus blockage

Glomus with a sensation of blockage. See glomus.

glomus in the chest

Synonyms: thoracic glomus.

A localized feeling of fullness in the chest, often associated with oppression. Glomus in the chest is observed in pulmonary welling-abscess, external contraction, heart impediment, and liver qi depression. In pulmonary welling-abscess, it is a manifestation of lung qi congestion and is associated with dull pain and ejection of turbid, fishy-smelling phlegm or pus and blood. In externally contracted wind-cold or wind-heat that has entered the interior before the exterior pattern of heat~effusion and aversion to cold has been resolved it also indicates lung qi congestion. In heart impediment, characterized by dull pain radiating into the shoulder and arm and attacks of gripping heart pain (angina pectoris), glomus in the chest is caused by blood stasis, which can further be observed from stasis speckles on the tongue and interrupted ( jie2 dai4) pulses. Finally, glomus in the chest can be a manifestation of liver qi depression, always readily identifiable by its classic signs---sighing, rib-side distention, menstrual irregularities, and irascibility.

Acupuncture: CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), and PC-6 (Inner Pass), can be selected to treat glomus in the chest. Points may be added on the basis of pattern identification.

glomus lump

Any palpable abdominal mass. These are classified in ancient literature as concretions, conglomerations, accumulations, and gatherings, sometimes being given more specific names as strings and aggregations or deep-lying beam. The presence of a glomus lump invariably heralds pronounced abdominal distention.

glomus qi

One of the five accumulations, the accumulation of the spleen; a prominent mass in the stomach duct shaped like an upturned dish, accompanied by emaciation of the flesh and lack of strength in the limbs, and if persistent, may also be associated with jaundice. Glomus qi is attributable to spleen vacuity and qi depression causing glomus blockage and binding accumulation. Fullness and discomfort in the anterior chest, mostly arising after inappropriate precipitation cold damage when the disease evil fails to disperse and turbid qi gathers and binds.

Medication: Treat by fortifying the spleen and dissipating stagnation. Use Glomus Qi Pill from Three Causes Formulary, which contains aconite main tuber (Aconiti Tuber), aconite (Aconiti Tuber Laterale), halloysite (Halloysitum Rubrum), zanthoxylum (Zanthoxyli Perica

glossy scalp wind

Synonyms: demon-licked head.

A disease of sudden onset marked by dryness and falling of the hair in patches leaving the scalp red, smooth, and lustrous, with or without itching.

Medication: Nourish the blood and dispel wind. Wondrous Response True-Nourishing Elixir. Rub slices of fresh ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) on the affected area. For persistent conditions, perform tapping with a seven-star needle once a day.

glossy tongue fur

A moist shiny tongue fur. A glossy thin white tongue fur is a sign of cold or cold-damp. A glossy thick white tongue fur is a sign of internally exuberant damp turbidity. A glossy sticky white tongue fur indicates phlegm-damp. A glossy thin yellow tongue fur indicates damp-heat, or an external evil starting to transform into heat and enter the interior before damaging the fluids. A glossy thick yellow tongue fur indicates severe damp-heat or phlegm-heat.

glue

The reduced extract of boiled skins, bone, shells or horns. Glues are hard and even somewhat brittle at normal temperature, their gluey quality only becoming fully apparent when heated. Most are supplementing medicinals. Examples include ass hide glue (Asini Corii Gelatinum), tiger bone glue (Tigris Gelatinum Ossis), turtle shell glue (Amydae Carapacis Gelatinum), tortoise plastron glue (Testudinis Plastri Gelatinum), and deerhorn glue (Cervi Gelatinum Cornu).

going alone

goiter

Swelling at the front and sides of the neck that moves up and down as the patient swallows. Goiter largely corresponds in Western medicine to enlargement of the thyroid gland. Records of it in Chinese literature first appeared in the 3rd century The disease is mentioned in Zhuang Zi, and in L" u's Spring and Autumn. The latter text states, ``In places of light »´ water, there is much baldness and many people with goiters,'' which indicates that a connection between goiter, environmental factors, and baldness had been observed. In A Thousand Gold Pieces Prescriptions for Emergencies by Sun Si-Miao ( 581--682) of the Tang Dynasty, many formulas contain kelp (Algae Thallus), sargassum (Sargassi Herba), and pig's thyroid gland (Suis Glandula Thyroidea), now all known to be rich in iodine, deficiency of which is now known to be a major cause. A Unified Treatise on Diseases, Patterns, and Remedies According to the Three Causes of the Song classifies goiter into five kinds, stone, flesh, sinew, blood, and qi goiter. is marked by hard, fixed lumps in the neck that feel uneven to the touch. It is accompanied by irascibility, profuse sweating, oppression in the chest, and heart palpitations. In advanced cases, the wind-pipe, gullet, and vocal chords are all subjected to pressure. Stone goiter is attributed to qi depression, damp phlegm, and static blood congealing and stagnating.

Medication: Transform phlegm and relieve depression; move stasis and soften hardness. Use Sargassum Jade Flask Decoction. Apply Harmonious Yang Decongealing Plaster and dab on powdered asafetida (Asafoetida). is characterized by single or multiple lumps like upturn

goose-claw wind

ashen nail.

goose-foot wind

A skin disease of the hand characterized by vesicles, itching, and thickening of the skin. Goose-foot wind is caused by wind toxin or dampness invading the skin. In the initial stages, it is characterized by small vesicles and itching. Later, the white skin sheds. When it persists for long periods, the skin becomes thick and rough and tends to crack, especially in winter, and, in severe cases, the nails may thicken, turn gray, and crack.

Medication: Use Vinegar Soaking Formula. This formula is is made by soaking schizonepeta (Schizonepetae Herba et Flos), ledebouriella (Ledebouriellae Radix), lycium root bark (Lycii Radicis Cortex), carthamus (Carthami Flos), gleditsia (Gleditsiae Fructus), hydnocarp

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LI, SI, and PC. Select LI-4 (Union Valley), SI-3 (Back Ravine), PC-8 (Palace of Toil), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion), PC-7 (Great Mound), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), and Eight Evils. Needle with drainage.

goose-mouth sore

Synonyms: snow mouth.

A mouth disease in the newborn, caused by accumulated heat in the spleen and heart channels and characterized by ulceration of the mouth, white scales all over the tongue, sore mouth and tongue, and, in severe cases, vexation and agitation. This disease is one form of fetal heat.

gourd tongue

Synonyms: phlegm pouch.

govern

To control or be closely associated with. Early texts commonly use political government as a source of metaphors to express physiological activity and relationships. For example, The Inner Canon states, ``The stomach and spleen hold the office of the granaries; they manage the five flavors i.e., food.'' Thus, ``the stomach governs intake of food'' and ``the spleen governs movement and transformation of the essence of grain and water.''

governing complexion

governing vessel

One of the eight extraordinary vessels; a vessel whose main pathway ascends the spine, and whose main function is regulate the yang channels. The governing vessel has four courses. According to The Magic Pivot, the main course of this vessel originates in the pelvic cavity. Emerging in the perineum at CV-1 (Meeting of Yin), it then passes posteriorly to GV-1 (Long Strong) at the tip of the coccyx. From this point, it ascends along the spine to GV-16 (Wind Mansion) in the nape of the neck. It enters the brain and ascends to the vertex, emerging at GV-20 (Hundred Convergences) and continuing forward along the midline to the forehead, running down the nose and across the philtrum to terminate in the upper gum. The second channel starts in the lower abdomen and runs down through the genitals into the perineal region. From here it passes through the tip of the coccyx, where it diverts into the gluteal region. Here it intersects both the leg lesser yin kidney channel and the leg greater yang tai4 yang2 bladder channel before returning to the spinal column. It then travels up the spine and links through to the kidney. A third path starts at the same two bilateral points as the foot greater yang bladder channel at the inner canthi of the eyes. The branches rise up over the forehead to meet at the vertex. The channel then enters the brain and splits into two channels that descend along opposite sides of the spine to the waist, to join with the kidney. The fourth path starts in the lower abdomen, travels up past the navel, continues upward to join with the heart, then enters the throat, crosses the cheek, splits into two and rounds the lips, and runs up the cheek to the center of the infraorbital region. The governing vessel is the sea of the yang channels. All six yang channels converge at the point GV-14 (Great Hammer). The governing vessel has a regulating effect on the yang channels, so it is said that it governs all the yang channels of the body. The governing vessel homes to the brain and nets the kidney. The kidney engenders marrow and the brain is known as the ``sea of marrow.'' Therefore, the governing vessel reflects the physiology and pathology of the brain and the spinal fluid, as well as their relationship with the reproductive organs. Arched-back rigidity, pain and stiffness in the back, child fright reversal, heavy-headedness, hemorrhoids, infertility, malaria, mania and withdrawal, and visceral agitation (mental disorders).

governings of the five viscera

Synonyms: five governings.

The specific parts of the body governed by the viscera. The heart governs the vessels; the lung governs the skin and body hair; the liver governs the sinew; the spleen governs the flesh; the kidney governs the bone. Note that the flesh overlaps the category of the sinews, and therefore these are not strict anatomical categories. See sinew.

governor

The (organ) that governs.

grain and water

Food.

grand cleft

The depression between the nose and the upper lip. In Western medicine, this is called the nasolabial groove or sulcus nasolabialis.

grandchild network vessel

Synonyms: grandchild vessel.

Any of the finer network vessels. The Magic Pivot states, ``The channels are in the interior; the lateral branches are the network vessels; the branches of the network vessels are the grandchildren.''

grandchild vessel

Synonyms: grandchild network vessel.

grande piqure

Synonyms: great needling.

grating

Some hard, bony materials such as antelope horn (Antelopis Cornu), and rhinoceros horn (Rhinocerotis Cornu) are grated in small particles using a steel rasp.

graying of the hair

Partial or complete whitening of the hair in youth or middle age; attributable to liver-kidney depletion and insufficiency of yin-blood depriving the hair of nourishment.

Medication: Enrich the liver and kidney; boost qi and nourish the blood. Use Flowery Knotweed Life-Extending Elixir or a decoction of pure flowery knotweed (Polygoni Multiflori Radix). Mulberry Paste can be taken as a regular drink.

great heat in the qi aspect

The equivalent in doctrine of warm diseases of the yang brightness channel pattern in the doctrine of cold damage. See qi-aspect pattern; yang brightness channel pattern.

great heat~effusion

High fever in either exterior or interior patterns. For example, On Cold Damage states, ``If there is sweating and panting and absence of great heat~effusion, one can give On Cold Damage.

great needling

One of the nine needling methods; an acupuncture method involving the deep needling of channel points on the side of the body opposite to the side affected. It is normally used to treat disease of the channels. Compare cross needling, which involves the shallow needling of network vessels on the opposite side of the body.

great network vessel of the spleen

A large network vessel that branches off directly from the spleen, issues at SP-21 (Great Embracement), and disperses over the chest and rib-side.

great network vessel of the stomach

A large network vessel that branches direct from the stomach, passes up the stomach, traverses the diaphragm, and after connecting with the lung, turns outward to exit below the left breast, at the apical pulse , roughly corresponding to ST-18 (Breast Root).

great numbing wind

Synonyms: pestilential wind.

great qi

The qi of the environment, air.

great respiration

Periodic extended exhalation to relieve oppression in the chest. In normal people one inhalation and one exhalation forms ``one respiration'' equal to four beats of the pulse. When every fourth respiration is a deep inhalation equal to five beats of the pulse, this is called ``intermittent great respiration.'' sighing.

great seminal discharge

Continuous seminal efflux; the most severe form of seminal loss.

great sweating

The flow of sweat in large amounts. Great sweating in yang collapse is called desertion sweating; great sweating due to inappropriate sweating (diaphoresis) is called leaking sweat.

great sweating

One of the four greatnesses associated with yang brightness channel patterns.

great vexing thirst

One of the four greatnesses associated with yang brightness channel patterns.

great wind

Synonyms: pestilential wind.

greater abdomen

The part of the abdomen above the umbilicus.

greater yang

The hand greater yang small intestine and foot greater yang bladder channels. Greater yang is the exuberance of yang qi. The greater yang channels are the most exterior of all the yang channels, and are most susceptible to contraction of external evils; hence it is said that ``greater yang governs openness.'' temple.

greater yang bowel disease

In six-channel pattern identification, disease of the bladder. Greater yang bowel patterns arise when evil passes into the bladder, which is the bowel of the greater yang. Distinction is traditionally made between water amassment and blood amassment patterns. Blood amassment is characterized by smaller-abdominal pain and distention, and manic states. It is distinguished from the water amassment by uninhibited urination. However, according to Medical Insights the Poria (Hoelen) Five Powder pattern of water amassment is the only greater yang bowel pattern, whereas blood amassment is a lower burner pattern because the pathology is not located in the bladder.

Medication: Water amassment is treated by freeing yang and disinhibiting water with Poria (Hoelen) Five Powder, whereas blood amassment is treated by moving blood and dispelling stasis with Peach Kernel Qi-Coordinating Decoction. See cold damage water amassment patte

greater yang channel

greater yang channel disease

Synonyms: greater yang exterior pattern.

Disease characterized by aversion to cold or wind, headache, and a floating pulse. On Cold Damage states, ``In disease of greater yang, the pulse is floating, the head and nape are rigid and painful, and there is aversion to cold.'' Usually there is heat~effusion. Other possible signs include generalized pain, together with tension and stiffness in the neck and back. This pattern is seen in many initial-stage externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases, and in terms of eight-principle pattern identification, it is an exterior cold pattern. According to the doctrine of cold damage, externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases are mostly attributable to contraction of wind-cold evil, which first affects the yang channels. Of the yang channels, the greater yang is the first to be affected; consequently, it is said to govern the exterior of the body. The greater yang channel passes through the head and neck, so that when its qi is depressed by an invading wind-cold evil, stiffness and pain occur in this region. Aversion to cold or wind and heat~effusion are the pathological reactions of a body whose right qi (construction and defense) is struggling to resist evil qi. The floating pulse reflects disease in the exterior. Although On Cold Damage makes no reference to the tongue or its fur, it is important to note that in most cases the tongue fur is thin, white, and moist. Differentiation between vacuity and repletion of the exterior is of crucial importance in identifying greater yang diseases. Judgment rests largely on the following factors: the presence or absence of aversion to cold or wind; whether the floating pulse is tight or moderate; and most crucially, the presence or absence of sweating. Exterior vacuity patterns involve sweating. They most commonly occur where, owing to construction-defense disharmony, the interstices are unsound and allow sweat to flow, whereas resistance is inadequate to expel the evil. In exterior repletion patterns, which occur when cold evil invades greater yang, sweating does not occur since the evil impedes construction qi, leading to blockage of the interstices.

Medication: The principal method used to treat greater yang diseases is sweating, i.e., exterior resolution. Its effect is to free defense qi, open the interstices, and expel the evil from the body through sweating. Greater yang diseases characterized by the cold ev

greater yang disease

Any of a number of diseases affecting greater yang .

greater yang exterior pattern

Synonyms: greater yang channel disease.

greater yang headache

Headache occurring in greater yang disease in cold damage, attended by stiffness of the neck and accompanied by aversion to cold, heat~effusion, and floating pulse. Headache characterized by pain on the path of the greater yang channel, i.e., one that runs over the vertex and that is associated with stiffness of the neck, back, and lumbus.

Medication: Classically, greater yang headache without sweating is treated with Ephedra Decoction, whereas with sweating it is treated with Cinnamon Twig Decoction. It can also be treated with formulas containing ligusticum (Ligustici Rhizoma), notopterygium (Notopte

Acupuncture: Select GB-20 (Wind Pool), GV-16 (Wind Mansion), ST-8 (Head Corner), TB-5 (Outer Pass), LI-4 (Union Valley), GB-12 (Completion Bone), and BL-64 (Capital Bone). Select BL-10 (Celestial Pillar), GV-14 (Great Hammer), SI-3 (Back Ravine), and BL-60 (Kunlun Mo

greater yin

The hand greater yin lung and foot greater yin spleen channels. Greater yin is characterized by an exuberance of yin qi. Among the yin channels, the greater yin are the most closely associated with the exterior; hence it is said that ``greater yin governs opening.''

greater yin channel

greater yin disease

Greater yin disease is characterized by abdominal fullness with periodic pain, vomiting, diarrhea, nonmovement of ingested food, absence of thirst, and a weak, moderate pulse. The pathomechanism of greater yin disease is failure of movement and transformation of the food, resulting from devitalization of spleen yang, and manifesting as vomiting and diarrhea. The abdominal distention is explained by spleen vacuity qi stagnation, whereas the abdominal pain results from vacuity cold. Although it rarely occurs naturally in the progression of externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases, it may arise when incorrect treatment of yang diseases, such as inappropriate precipitation in greater yang and lesser yang disease, or excessive use of cold and cool freeing precipitants in yang brightness disease, damages spleen yang. It may also occur when, owing to a regular spleen qi vacuity, cold evil enters the greater yin directly. This is known as a direct strike on greater yin. Like the yang brightness bowel pattern, greater yin disease is a digestive tract disease, but presents as vacuity rather than as repletion. It is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea, absence of thirst, vacuity fullness and pain, and a weak, moderate pulse, whereas yang brightness bowel patterns are identified by the presence of constipation, thirst, great repletion and fullness, and a sunken replete pulse. It is said, ``Greater yin disease is associated with vacuity, and yang brightness disease is associated with repletion.''

Medication: Since greater yin disease is attributable to damage to spleen yang by cold, it is treated by warming the center and dissipating cold, and by restoring the correct and fortifying the spleen. The principal formula is Center-Rectifying Pill. Where interior c

greater yin headache

Headache attributed to phlegm-damp encumbering the spleen and preventing the normal upbearing of clear yang. Greater yin headache is characteristically attended by heavy-headedness, copious phlegm, generalized heaviness, and in some cases abdominal pain and fullness, and is associated with a moderate sunken pulse.

Medication: Dry dampness and transform phlegm using Atractylodes Dampness-Eliminating Decoction.

Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV and ST. Select ST-8 (Head Corner), Greater Yang, CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-4 (Union Valley), and ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge); needle with drainage. For abdominal pain and fullness, add ST-25 (Celestial P

green herbs

Fresh medicinal plant products, usually picked in the wild. See herbal medicinal.

green water pouring into the eye

Synonyms: green wind internal obstruction.

green wind

Synonyms: green wind internal obstruction.

green wind internal obstruction

Synonyms: green wind; green water pouring into the eye.

A disease of the eye in which the pupil becomes turbid and light green in color, causing loss of visual acuity and giving lights the appearance of being surrounded by a rainbow-like halo. Other signs include distended pain stretching into the eye sockets, forehead, nose and jaw, nausea and vomiting, and faint red areola surrounding the dark of the eye (ciliary congestion). Green wind internal obstruction is caused by liver-gallbladder wind-fire harassing the upper body, or hyperactivity of yang due to yin vacuity and disharmony of the qi and blood.

Medication: Clear heat, calm the liver, and extinguish wind. Use Green Wind Antelope Horn Beverage and variations. Alternatively, it can be treated by enriching water and moistening wood with Eye Brightener Rehmannia Pill and variations.

green-blue

Green, blue, or greenish blue. This color is classically described as ``the color of new shoots of grass,'' but in context of the complexion, for example, it is more often than not a color that would be more naturally described in English as blue.

green-blue face

Synonyms: green-blue facial complexion.

green-blue facial complexion

Synonyms: green-blue face.

A sign of wind-cold, blood stasis, pain, and qi-block patterns. Child fright wind and epilepsy are characterized by a somber green-blue complexion. A grayish green-blue complexion with green-blue or purple lips is associated with internal blood stasis and impaired flow of qi and blood, and occurs in diseases classified in Western medicine as cirrhosis of the liver and cardiac failure. In severe wind-cold headaches and abdominal pain due to interior cold, impeded flow of yang qi may be reflected in a bluish somber white complexion. In cases of blocked lung qi, a dark green-blue or purple complexion may result from obstructed flow of blood and qi. This corresponds to conditions such as pulmogenic heart diseases and asphyxia in Western medicine.

green-blue vaginal discharge

green-blue wind

Synonyms: green-blue wind internal obstruction.

green-blue wind internal obstruction

Synonyms: green-blue wind.

A disease of the eye in which the pupil takes on a green-blue color and is sometimes dilated, accompanied by a faint red areola surrounding the dark of the eye (ciliary congestion). Green-blue wind internal obstruction is accompanied by mild distention in the head, mild aversion to light and tearing, and gradual decrease in visual acuity. If appropriate treatment is not given, it can turn into green wind internal obstruction. It is caused by liver-kidney yin vacuity with wind-fire harassing the upper body.

Medication: Nourish yin and clear heat; calm the liver and extinguish wind. Use formulas like Green Wind Antelope Horn Beverage.

green-leg gan of the teeth and gums

Gan of the teeth and gums accompanied by green-blue swelling of the lower limbs. Green-leg gan of the teeth and gums is attributed to cold-damp qi stagnating in the channels, causing inhibited flow of qi and blood, and resulting in stasis in the lower body. With depressed heat in the stomach and intestines, heat toxin surges upward to scorch the teeth and gums, causing sore swollen gums, and gradual ulceration, putrefaction, and bleeding. In severe cases, the ulceration can pierce the cheek and spread to the lips, whereas the green-blue coloring of the legs forms into pronounced cloud-like patches the color of eggplants, with painful hard swelling of the sinews and flesh that makes walking difficult.

Medication: Dissipate cold, quicken the network vessels, and resolve toxin. Use formulas such as Network-Quickening Qi Flow Beverage.

grimy

Dirty, turbid, and unclean (in appearance); applied to tongue fur and facial complexion.

grimy face

From On Cold Damage. A facial complexion that looks dirty as if covered with dust and grime that cannot be washed away. Grimy face is usually attributed to contraction of summerheat evil, stomach heat sweltering upward, or to internal accumulation and stagnation.

grimy tongue fur

A dirty-looking tongue coating. It indicates, on the one hand, the presence of turbid evils such as turbid damp and turbid phlegm, and on the other, stomach qi vacuity. In stomach qi vacuity attention must be paid to safeguarding stomach qi when dispelling the evil.

grinding

Reduction to powder in pestle and mortar. Cinnabar (Cinnabaris) and pearl (Margarita) are processed in this way.

grinding of the teeth

Synonyms: bruxism.

Involuntary grinding of the teeth, especially in sleep. In children, it is a sign of stomach heat, intestinal parasites, or gan accumulation.

gripping pain

A pain over a large area that feels as if the affected area is being wrung or gouged. Gripping pain is attributable to tangible evils or congealing cold, and is observed in heart pain due to heart blood stasis obstruction, smaller abdominal or lumbar pain due to stone strangury, or stomach duct pain and abdomen in roundworm reversal.

gripping pain in the abdomen

Acute wringing or cutting pain over a large area of the abdomen. Gripping pain in the abdomen observed in roundworm reversal and heat cholera

groin

The depression between the lower abdomen and the thigh.

groping in the air and pulling at invisible strings

grossness

Severe obesity.

gu

Toxin of poisonous chong2 (insects, reptiles, etc.) damaging the liver and spleen and causing blockage of the network vessels and manifesting in the form of drum distention (gu distention). Sexual taxation in males. Lesser-abdominal heat pain with white turbid urine. Poison derived from insects used in ancient times to harm others, as mentioned in the Zhou Book of Rites.

gu distention

drum distention. Drum distention due to gu toxin. Simple abdominal distention.

gu toxin

Ancient disease name denoting various severe conditions that have been equated with scrub typhus, chronic blood fluke infestation, severe hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, and severe bacillary or amebic dysentery of modern medicine.

gua-sha

Synonyms: sand scraping.

A method of treating repletion heat sand distention patterns whereby the skin on the back, limbs, and other parts of the body is lubricated and then scraped with a ceramic spoon, the edge of a rice bowl, or similar object (purpose-made scrapers are available). The area to be treated is first lubricated with oil such as sesame oil, or nowadays often petroleum jelly (Vaseline). The area is scraped until the red papules become fully visible and coalesce. Gua-sha is usually applied to the back. Here, the area either side of the spine is scraped, working from shoulders downward. The papules may then be pricked with a three-edged needle to drain blackish purple blood and allow the the sand toxin to escape. For the head, forehead, elbows, wrists, legs, and knees, etc., flax yarn or hair dipped in sesame oil can be used. Soft parts of the abdomen may be rubbed with salt. More at sand.

gum

The flesh surrounding the teeth. The upper gum belongs to the foot yang brightness stomach channel, whereas the lower gum belongs to the hand yang brightness large intestine channel. Gum problems include: spontaneous bleeding of the gums; gaping gums; gan of the teeth and gums; galloping gan of the teeth and gums; bone trough wind. Patterns in which gum problems may occur include exuberant stomach heat; kidney yin vacuity; spleen failing to manage the blood; upcast yang; cold enveloping fire; dryness-heat.