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habitual miscarriage
Miscarriage successively occurring three times or more. Habitual miscarriage is attributable to qi vacuity, kidney vacuity, blood heat, blood vacuity, or external injury.
Medication: Treat with pills of ground eucommia (Eucommiae Cortex), dipsacus (Dipsaci Radix), dioscorea (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), and glutinous rice (Oryzae Glutinosae Semen) blended with jujube paste (Ziziphi Fructus Pasta). This formula can be taken as soon as pregnan
hacking of blood
Expectoration of blood in short frequent coughs. Compare expectoration of blood.
hair
The filamentous outgrowth from the scalp. The hair of the head is the external bloom of the kidney and is the surplus of the blood. Elementary Questions states ``... When kidney qi is replete, the hair grows and the teeth change...'' ``... When kidney qi is debilitated, the hair falls and the teeth desiccate.'' Diseases of the hair include dry hair; graying of the hair; hair loss.
hair loss
Falling out of the hair. The hair of the head is the external bloom of the kidney and is the surplus of the blood. Hair loss is attributed to kidney vacuity or blood vacuity depriving the hair of nourishment. It commonly is commonly the result of illness, childbirth, or malnutrition. The hair becomes sparse and sheenless, and may lighten in color (turning yellowish brown in Chinese people). In severe cases, the loss of hair may be complete.
Medication: Enrich the kidney and nourish the blood using Four Agents Decoction, Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill, or Flowery Knotweed Life-Extending Elixir.
hair needling
One of the nine needling methods; shallow needling of the skin with a short fine filiform needle.
hair of the head is the surplus of the blood
The hair is related to liver blood. The ancient Chinese observed that (Chinese) hair is black and bears a sheen when qi and blood are exuberant in youth, and loses its color and sheen with increasing kidney qi vacuity of advancing years, for which reason it is said that the kidney, its bloom is in the hair of the head. Since ``the liver and kidney are of the same source,'' and ``the liver stores the blood,'' the health of the hair is understood to be related not only to the kidney but also to the liver.
half exterior half interior pattern
Synonyms: midstage pattern.
half-body numbness
Numbness of half of the body, either the left or right side or upper or lower part. is due to vacuity of the blood in qi.
Medication: Spleen-Returning Decoction.
Use Astragalus Center-Fortifying Decoction.
Use Four Agents Decoction plus ginseng (Ginseng Radix), cyathula (Cyathulae Radix), and coix (Coicis Semen).
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points and CV. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge); needle with supplementation. is due to va
hall of impression
The region between the eyebrows.
han
Name of a dynasty (206 -- 220).
hand greater yang small intestine channel
One of the twelve channels; the channel that homes to the small intestine, nets the heart, and links with the stomach and nose, and whose external pathway runs from the end of the little finger up the posterior extensor aspect of the upper limb, over the should blade, up the neck, over the face, to terminate in the ear. The small intestine channel starts on the outside edge of the little finger tip and travels along the ulnar side of the hand to the wrist, emerging at the ulnar styloid process. Continuing up the posterior aspect of the ulna, it passes between the olecranon of the ulna and the medial epicondyle of the humerus on the medial side of the elbow. It then runs up the posteromedial side of the upper arm, emerging behind the shoulder joint and circling around the superior and inferior fossae of the scapula. At the top of the shoulder, it intersects the foot greater yang bladder channel at BL-36 (Support) and BL-11 (Great Shuttle), connecting with the governing vessel at GV-14 (Great Hammer) before turning downward into the supraclavicular fossa. Here it submerges at ST-12 (Empty Basin), nets the the heart, and follows the esophagus down through the diaphragm to the stomach. It then intersects with the controlling vessel internally at CV-13 (Upper Stomach Duct) and CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct) before homing to the small intestine. A branch separates from the channel at ST-12 (Empty Basin) and runs up the neck to the cheek. The channel then travels to the outer canthus of the eye where it meets the foot lesser yang gallbladder channel at GB-1 (Pupil Bone-Hole), and then turns back across the temple to enter the ear at SI-1 (Lesser Marsh). Another branch breaks off from the former branch on the mandible, rises to the infraorbital region, and continues to the inner canthus where it meets the foot greater yang bladder channel at BL-1, then crosses horizontally to the zygomatic region. The Magic Pivot claims that another branch descends internally from the small intestine to emerge at SI-9, the lower uniting point of the small intestine. Signs associated with the external course of the channel are: erosion of the glossal and oral mucosa, pain in the cheeks, sore pharynx, tearing, stiffness of the neck, pain on the lateral aspect of the shoulder and upper arm. Signs associated with the internal course of the channel are: lower abdominal pain and distention with the pain stretching around to the lumbus; lower abdominal pain radiating into the testicles; diarrhea; stomach pain with dry feces, and constipation.
hand greater yin lung channel
One of the twelve channels; the channel that homes to the lung, nets the large intestine, links with the stomach and throat, and whole external pathways runs from the superorlateral aspect of the chest down the anterior flexor aspect of the upper limb, to the end of the the thumb. The lung channel starts in the region of the stomach in the center burner and descends to connect with the large intestine. It then returns upward through the cardiac orifice, passes through the diaphragm, and homes to the lung. Continuing its ascendant path, it passes through the respiratory tract into the throat, then veers downward, following the clavicle to enter the axilla. From here, the channel runs down the anterior aspect of the upper arm, lateral to the heart and pericardium channels, traverses the cubital fossa, and continues along the anterior aspect of the forearm to the radial styloid process of the wrist. It crosses the radial pulse, traverses the thenar eminence, and travels along the radial side of the thumb to its tip. A branch leaves the main pathway proximal to the wrist, passes round to the dorsum of the hand, and then runs down the inside of the index finger to its tip. Signs associated with the external course of the channel are: heat~effusion and aversion to cold (with or without sweating), nasal congestion, headache, pain in the supraclavicular fossa, chest, shoulders, and back, and cold pain along the channel on the arm. Signs associated with the internal course of the channel are: cough, wheezing and panting, rapid breathing, fullness and oppression in the chest, expectoration of phlegm-drool, dry throat, change in urine color, heart vexation, spitting of blood, and heat in the palms. Other possible signs include fullness and distention in the abdomen and sloppy stool diarrhea.
hand lesser yang triple burner channel
One of the twelve channels; the channel that homes to the triple burner, nets the pericardiac network, and links with the ear and eye, and whose external pathway starts at the end of the ring finger, ascends the medial line of the extensor aspect line of the upper limb, across the shoulder, up the side of the neck, across the region of the ear to the eye. The triple burner channel starts at the ulnar side of the tip of the fourth finger and travels up between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones on the dorsum of the hand to the outside of the wrist. Proceeding up the posterior midline of the forearm between the radius and the ulna, it runs over the olecranon process of the elbow, and then travels up the posterior midline of the upper arm to the shoulder. Here, the channel meets the hand greater yang small intestine channel at SI-12 (Grasping the Wind) and then runs over to the back to meet the governing vessel at GV-14 (Great Hammer). It crosses back over the shoulder to intersect the foot lesser yang gallbladder channel at GB-21 (Shoulder Well) before running into the supraclavicular fossa, penetrating internally at ST-12 (Empty Basin) and traveling into the mid-chest region to meet the controlling vessel at CV-17 (Chest Center), where it links with the pericardium. It then descends internally, homing through each of the three burners successively. A branch breaks off from the mid-chest region at CV-17 (Chest Center), rises to emerge in the supraclavicular fossa, then runs up the neck and behind the ear to intersect with the foot lesser yang gallbladder channel at GB-6 (Suspended Tuft) and GB-14 (Yang White) on the forehead, before winding down around the cheek to return to the infraorbital region where it meets the hand greater yang small intestine channel at SI-18 (Cheek Bone-Hole). Another branch separates behind the ear, enters the ear to reemerge in front of it, and intersects with the hand greater yang small intestine channel at SI-19 (Auditory Palace). It then crosses in front of the foot lesser yang gallbladder channel at GB-3 (Upper Gate) and runs along the zygoma to terminate at the outer canthus at TB-23 (Silk Bamboo Hole). The Magic Pivot adds that an internal branch descends from the triple burner to emerge at its lower uniting point, BL-53 (Bladder Huang). Signs associated with the external course of the channel are: sore throat, pain in the cheeks, red eyes and pain, deafness; pain behind the ears and on the posterior aspect of the shoulder and upper arm. Signs associated with the internal course of the channel are: abdominal distention and fullness, or hardness and fullness in the lower abdomen; urinary frequency and distress, vacuity edema of the skin, water swelling, and enuresis.
hand lesser yin heart channel
One of the twelve channels; the channel that homes to the heart, nets the small intestine, and links with the throat and eyes, and whose external pathway runs from the the armpit, down the posterior flexor aspect of the upper limb, to the end of the little finger. The heart channel starts in the heart, and emerges through the blood vessels surrounding this organ. Traveling downward, it passes through the diaphragm to connect to the small intestine. Another branch separates from the heart, traveling upward along the side of the esophagus to meet the tissues surrounding the eye. A further channel separates from the heart and travels directly up into the lung, and then veers downward to emerge below the axilla. It travels down the medial aspect of the upper arm, medial to the hand greater yin lung and hand reverting yin pericardium channels, and passes over the antecubital fossa. It continues down the anteromedial margin of the forearm to the capitate bone on the wrist, traveling along the radial side of the fifth metacarpal bone to terminate at the tip of the little finger. Signs associated with the external course of the channel are: generalized heat~ effusion, headache, eye pain, pain in the chest and back muscles, dry throat, thirst with the urge to drink, and hot or painful palms; reversal coldof the limbs; or pain in the scapular region and/or the medial aspect of the forearm. Signs associated with the internal course of the channel are: heart pain, fullness and pain in the chest and rib-side, pain in the hypochondriac region; heart vexation; rapid breathing, discomfort in lying posture, dizziness with fainting spells; and mental diseases.
hand reverting yin pericardium channel
One of the twelve channels; the channel that homes to the pericardiac network, nets the triple burner, and links with the diaphragm, and whose external pathway starts on the lateral aspect of the chest, runs through the armpit, down the midline of the extensor aspect of the upper limb, to the tip of the middle finger. The foot reverting yin pericardium channel starts in the chest, where it homes to the pericardium. Descending through the diaphragm into the abdomen, it connects successively to the upper, middle, and lower burners. A branch runs out horizontally from the center of the chest, emerges at the rib-side three body-inches below the anterior axillary fold, and then skirts around the axilla to the upper arm. The channel runs down the midline of the ventral aspect of the upper arm between the hand greater yin lung channel and the hand lesser yin heart channel, crosses the center of the cubital fossa and then proceeds down the forearm between the tendons of the palmaris longus and flexor carpi radialis muscles. It travels through the palm and along the ulnar aspect of the middle finger until it reaches the tip. Another branch separates in the palm and proceeds along the lateral aspect of the fourth finger to its tip. Signs associated with the external course of the channel are: stiffness of the neck, spasm in the limbs, red facial complexion, pain in the eyes, subaxillary swelling, hypertonicity of the elbow and arm inhibiting movement, and hot palms. Signs associated with the internal course of the channel are: delirious speech, clouding reversal, heart vexation, fullness and oppression in the chest and rib-side, heart palpitations, heart pain, constant laughing.
hand standard
From A Thousand Gold Pieces Prescriptions. The breadth of the hand at the creases of the middle joints when the fingers rest together, taken as a standard for calculating three body-inches.
hand yang brightness large intestine channel
One of the twelve channels. The hand yang brightness large intestine channel begins at the radial side of the tip of the index finger and proceeds upward between the first and second metacarpal bones of the hand and between the tendons of the extensor pollicis longus and brevis muscles at the wrist. It continues along the radial margin of the forearm to the radial margin of the lateral aspect of the elbow, then up the lateral aspect of the upper arm and over the shoulder joint. After intersecting the hand greater yang channel at SI-12 (Grasping the Wind), the channel rises to just below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra, and intersects with the governing vessel at GV-14 (Great Hammer), where all six yang regular channels meet. It then travels straight into the supraclavicular fossa to ST-12, from where it connects through to the lung, passes through the diaphragm, and homes to the large intestine. A branch separates from the main channel at ST-12 (Empty Basin) in the supraclavicular fossa, passes up the neck, and traverses the cheek before entering the lower gum. From here it skirts around the lips, passes the foot yang brightness channel at ST-4 (Earth Granary), and then meets the same channel coming from the other side of the body at the philtrum. It then continues around the nostril of the opposite side to terminate at the side of the nose. In other words, right and left channels cross over at the philtrum and run for the last short stretch on the opposite side of the body from which they originated. The Magic Pivot describes yet another branch that separates from the main channel at ST-12 (Empty Basin), descends past ST-13 (Qi Door) and penetrates the lung, passes through the diaphragm, homes to the large intestine, and descends to the lower limb to emerge at ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow), which is the lower uniting point of the large intestine. Signs associated with the external course of the channel are: heat~effusion, parched dry mouth and thirst, sore throat, nosebleed, toothache, red sore eyes, swelling of the neck, palpable red swelling and inhibited bending and stretching of the fingers. There may also be pain, sensation of cold, or painful and palpably hot, red swelling in the region of the shoulder and upper arm. Signs associated with the internal course of the channel are: lower abdominal pain, wandering abdominal pain, rumbling intestines, sloppy stool, and excretion of thick, slimy yellow matter. There may also be rapid panting respiration.
harass
Trouble, worry, torment (as by phlegm and phlegm fire). ``Harass'' occurs in the terms phlegm-fire harassing the heart and phlegm turbidity harassing the upper body.
hard glomus below the heart
Blockage and fullness below the heart (i.e., the pit of the stomach) with palpable hardness. Hard glomus between the stomach arises when evil heat causes obstruction in the stomach duct.
hard glomus in the chest
From On Cold Damage. Hard fullness and sense of blockage in the chest. Hard glomus in the chest is attributable to phlegm-drool obstructing the diaphragm and cold evil congesting the upper body. If there are signs of qi surging up into the throat and labored breathing, it can be treated by ejection with Melon Stalk Powder according to the principle of ``what is high is brought up.''
hard tetany
A tetany pattern characterized by heat~effusion, absence of sweating, aversion to cold, rigidity of the neck, shaking heat, clenched jaw, and hypertonicity or convulsions of the extremities (in severe cases, arched-back rigidity), and a tight stringlike pulse.
Medication: Use Duhuo and Pueraria Decoction. Compare soft tetany; yang tetany.
hardness
Any hard swelling or mass, treated by the method of softening.
harelip
A congenitally cleft lip. Surgical treatment of this deformity was recorded in the Jin dynasty ( 265--420).
harmonious flow of qi and blood
Coordinated action and free movement of qi and the blood. Qi and blood are mutually dependent. Qi relies on the blood for nourishment, and the blood relies on qi for propulsion. Hence, it is traditionally said that qi is the commander of the blood and blood is the mother of qi. Harmonious flow of qi and blood is the maintenance of balance and harmony in this relationship.
harmonization
One of the eight methods. A method of adjusting functions within the human body, that is used when an evil is at midstage penetration or there is disharmony between qi and blood or between the organs, and such methods as sweating (diaphoresis), ejection, precipitation, warming, clearing, dispersion, and supplementation cannot be applied.
harmonize
To coordinate one element of the body with the rest of the body, e.g., harmonizing the stomach and harmonizing the liver, or coordinate two elements of the body, e.g., harmonizing the liver and stomach; harmonizing the liver and spleen; harmonizing the spleen and stomach; harmonizing the stomach and intestines; harmonizing the exterior and interior (usually called harmonizing lesser yang); harmonizing construction and defense. All of these fall within the range of harmonization, with the exception of harmonizing construction and defense, which falls in the category of exterior resolution.
harmonizing construction and defense
A method of treatment used to address construction-defense disharmony characterized by heat~effusion, sweating, aversion to cold, noise in the nose, dry retching, and a weak floating pulse.
Medication: The major formula for harmonizing construction-defense disharmony is Cinnamon Twig Decoction, in which cinnamon twig (Cinnamomi Ramulus) resolves the flesh and dispels wind, whereas peony (Paeoniae Radix) constrains yin, thereby bringing construction into
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB, BL, SI, and ST. Needle with drainage at GB-20 (Wind Pool), GV-16 (Wind Mansion), GV-14 (Great Hammer), and BL-64 (Capital Bone); needle with even supplementation and drainage at BL-62 (Extending Vessel), SI-3 (Back Ravine), an
harmonizing lesser yang
Synonyms: harmonizing the exterior and interior; harmonizing midstage patterns.
A method of treatment used to resolve the exterior and harmonize the interior to treat lesser yang midstage patterns in externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases, which are characterized by alternating heat~ effusion and aversion to cold, oppression and fullness in the chest and rib-side region, bitter taste in the mouth and dry pharynx, and nausea and vomiting.
Medication: The main medicinals used to harmonize lesser yang are bupleurum (Bupleuri Radix) or sweet wormwood (Artemisiae Apiaceae seu Annuae Herba), which outthrust exterior evils, combined with scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), which clears interior heat. These a
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB, TB, LR, and PC. Select GB-20 (Wind Pool), TB-5 (Outer Pass), TB-4 (Yang Pool), PC-6 (Inner Pass), GB-40 (Hill Ruins), and LR-5 (Woodworm Canal); needle with even supplementation and drainage.
harmonizing midstage patterns
Synonyms: harmonizing lesser yang.
harmonizing the blood and extinguishing wind
A method of treatment used to treat liver wind stirring internally in patients with blood vacuity from damage to yin-blood in febrile disease characterized by parched lips and dry tongue, hypertonicity of the sinews, wriggling of the extremities, dizziness, and a rapid fine pulse.
Medication: Commonly used blood-harmonizing wind-extinguishing medicinals include ass hide glue (Asini Corii Gelatinum), dried/fresh rehmannia (Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens), raw white peony (Paeoniae Radix Alba Cruda), egg yolk (Galli Vitellus), crude oyste
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, and points of the three yin channels of the foot and GB. Needle with supplementation at BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-18 (Liver Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), KI-6 (Sh
harmonizing the center
Synonyms: harmonizing the stomach.
harmonizing the exterior and interior
Synonyms: harmonizing lesser yang.
harmonizing the liver
Synonyms: enriching yin and coursing the liver.
A method of treatment used to free the movement of liver qi using yin-enriching and liver-coursing medicinals in the treatment of liver-kidney yin vacuity with qi stagnation characterized by scurrying pain in the chest and rib-side, abdominal distention, no fluid on the tongue, dry throat, thin weak or vacuous stringlike pulse.
Medication: A representative liver-harmonizing formula is All-the-Way-Through Brew, comprising glehnia (Glehniae Radix), ophiopogon (Ophiopogonis Tuber), tangkuei body (Angelicae Sinensis Radicis Corpus), dried rehmannia (Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata), lycium berry (Ly
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, KI, and LR. Select BL-18 (Liver Transport), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), KI-3 (Great Ravine), PC-6 (Inner Pass), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring); needle with
harmonizing the liver and spleen
Synonyms: liver-spleen harmonization.
A method of treatment used to address liver-spleen disharmony attributed to liver qi depression and impaired spleen movement and transformation and marked by such as abdominal distention, abdominal pain, rumbling intestines, and diarrhea, which occur in episodes association with emotional depression.
Medication: Liver-coursing medicinals such as bupleurum (Bupleuri Radix) and white peony (Paeoniae Radix Alba) are combined with spleen-fortifying medicinals such as ovate atractylodes (Atractylodis Ovatae Rhizoma), poria (Poria), and tangerine peel (Citri Exocarpium
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, SP, and ST. Needle with supplementation at BL-20 (Spleen Transport), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-3 (Supreme White), and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and
harmonizing the liver and stomach
A method of treatment used to address disharmony between the liver and stomach from impaired liver free coursing and stomach qi downbearing, characterized by the classic liver sign of distending pain in the chest and rib-side, and by stomach signs such as pain, fullness, and distention in the stomach duct, poor appetite, belching, vomiting of sour matter, or retching and nausea.
Medication: Liver-coursing medicinals such as evodia (Evodiae Fructus) and perilla (Perillae Folium, Caulis et Calyx) are used in combination with stomach-harmonizing medicinals such as pinellia (Pinelliae Tuber) or fresh ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), or with s
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST, LR, and PC. Needle with supplementation at BL-21 (Stomach Transport), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and with drainage or with even supplementati
harmonizing the spleen and stomach
Synonyms: fortifying the spleen and harmonizing the stomach.
harmonizing the stomach
Synonyms: harmonizing the center.
A method of treatment used to address stomach qi disharmony characterized by distention and oppression in the stomach duct, belching, vomiting of sour fluid, and pale tongue with white fur.
Medication: Stomach-harmonizing medicinals include tangerine peel (Citri Exocarpium), ginger pinellia (Pinelliae Tuber cum Zingibere Praeparatum), saussurea (Saussureae (seu Vladimiriae) Radix), and amomum (Amomi Semen seu Fructus). Use formulas such as Stomach-Calmi
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST and PC. Select ST-36 (Leg Three Li), PC-6 (Inner Pass), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), and CV-6 (Sea of Qi). Needle with even supplementation and drainage.
harmonizing the stomach and checking vomiting
harmonizing the stomach and downbearing qi
harmonizing the stomach and intestines
A method of treatment used to address gastrointestinal disharmony with disrupted upbearing and downbearing and cold-heat complexes presenting with glomus and fullness below the heart, vomiting, rumbling intestines, and diarrhea.
Medication: Cold bitter medicinals such as coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma) and scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix) are used with warm acrid medicinals such as dried ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Exsiccatum) and pinellia (Pinelliae Tuber). The cold bitter medicinals drain heat, w
Acupuncture: Base treatment on CV and ST. Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and PC-6 (Inner Pass). Needle with even supplementation and drainage.
harmonizing the stomach and rectifying qi
A method of treatment used to address qi and phlegm-damp stagnating in the stomach duct, characterized by distention and oppression in the stomach duct, swallowing of upflowing acid, vomiting of sour fluid, and belching.
Medication: Commonly used stomach-harmonizing qi-rectifying medicinals include unripe bitter orange (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus), tangerine peel (Citri Exocarpium), ginger pinellia (Pinelliae Tuber cum Zingibere Praeparatum), bamboo shavings (Bambusae Caulis in Taen
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST, PC, CV, and SP. Main points: ST-36 (Leg Three Li), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and ST-25 (Celestial Pivot); needle with even supplementation and drainage. For qi stagnation, drain CV-6 (Sea of Qi) and LR-3 (Supreme Surge). For phlegm e
harmonizing the stomach and resolving liquor
Synonyms: harmonizing the stomach and restoring soberness.
harmonizing the stomach and restoring soberness
A method of treatment used to dispel the effects of liquor and relieve the nausea, vomiting, and retching that it causes.
Medication: A representative stomach-harmonizing soberness-restoring formula is Pueraria Flower Liquor-Resolving Decoction.
harmonizing the stomach and transforming phlegm
A method of treatment used to address cough with copious phlegm, oppression in the chest, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, and heart palpitations.
Medication: Use phlegm-transforming medicinals such as pinellia (Pinelliae Tuber), tangerine peel (Citri Exocarpium), and poria (Poria). Damp turbidity harassing the upper body, characterized by dizziness and headache, is treated with ovate atractylodes (Atractylodis
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU, ST, CV, and back transport points. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), LU-9 (Great Abyss), LI-4 (Union Valley), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-21 (Stomach Transport) and ST-40 (Bount
harmony of mouth
A normal taste in the mouth and absence of dryness and thirst or sliminess. Harmony of mouth is observed in healthy individuals, and in patients suffering from mild disease
hasty breathing
Rapid breathing with short breaths. See shortness of breath; panting.
hasty panting
hauling the boat upstream
A method of treatment used to address dysentery due to externally contracted evil complicated by dampness, which, in addition to the main signs of dysentery (tenesmus and the passing of blood and stool), is marked by exterior signs such as aversion to cold, heat~effusion, headache, generalized pain, and absence of sweating. The method of hauling the boat upstream is so named because it treats conditions of inward fall from the exterior by bringing the evil back out of the interior like hauling a boat upstream.
Medication: Use Ginseng Toxin-Vanquishing Powder. This formula courses the exterior and eliminates dampness. It combines a dissipating action with a freeing action so that it resolves the exterior and eliminates the interior stagnation. This formula is very dry and a
head
The uppermost part of the body that contains the brain, and houses the five offices (nose, eyes, lips, tongue, and ears), which partly overlap with the seven orifices, the two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, and the mouth. The head is the confluence of the yang channels and the dwelling place of bright essence. See face; facial complexion; ear; nose; mouth; hair; spirit; tongue; throat; teeth. Diseases affecting the head are listed under disease.
head fire cinnabar
Cinnabar toxin affecting the head. See cinnabar toxin.
head heavy as if swathed
Heavy-headedness characterized by a feeling of encumbrance, as though the head were swathed in cloth or bandages.
head marrow
Synonyms: brain.
head wind
Persistent remittent, usually intense headache attributed to wind-cold or wind-heat invasion and obstruction of the channels by phlegm or static blood. Head wind may be accompanied by various other signs such as eye pain and loss of vision, runny nose, nausea, or dizziness, numbness of the head, or stiffness of the neck.
Any condition characterized by the contraction of wind evil in the head and that causes headache, dizziness, deviated eyes and mouth, itching and scaling of the scalp, etc.
Medication: Treat mainly by dispelling wind and freeing the network vessels, adding cold-dispelling, fire-clearing, phlegm-transforming, and stasis-expelling action as needed. Formulas used include Wind-Dispersing Powder, Ligusticum and Asarum Phlegm-Abducting Decoct
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on points of the three yang channels, GV, and LU. Main points: GB-20 (Wind Pool), GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), Greater Yang, LI-4 (Union Valley), LU-7 (Broken Sequence), and SI-3 (Back Ravine). Selection of points according to cause
head-wind white scaling
Synonyms: white scaling wind.
headache
Pain in the head. The head is the confluence of yang, and the brain is the house of clear essence. Distinction is also made between medial headache and hemilateral headache, although the term headache usually refers to medial headache. The qi and blood of the five viscera and six bowels ascend to the head. Headache may be attributable to the six excesses or to internal damage, and arises by pathomechanisms such as obstruction of yang qi, lodging of turbid evil in the upper body, ascendant liver yang, and essence-marrow or qi-blood depletion, etc. The nature, severity, and duration of headaches are all important factors in diagnosis. New headaches (headaches of recent onset) often indicate external disease. Distinction is also made according to the exact location of the pain. The location of the headache can show which channel is affected, and hence which channel should be treated.
Greater yang tai4 yang2 headache: Pain reaches from the head down the neck and back.
Yang brightness yang2 ming2 headache: Pain in the anterior forehead, sometimes stretching down to the eyebrow bone (superciliary arch).
Lesser yang shao4 yang2 headache: Pain on the sides of the head or in the temporal region. Greater yin tai4 yin1 headache: Pain and heaviness in the head accompanied by abdominal fullness and spontaneous sweating. Lesser yin shao4 yin1 headache: Pain stretching into the teeth and deep into the brain. Reverting yin jue2 yin1 headache: Pain at the vertex stretching to the corners of the forehead, accompanied by a subjective feeling of counterflow qi ascent with retching in severe cases.
Headache
External contraction
common cold headache
wind-cold headache
wind-heat headache
wind-damp headache
Internal damage
qi vacuity headache
yang vacuity headache
blood vacuity headache
yin vacuity headache
liver yang headache
food damage headache
liquor damage headache
Six-Channel
greater yang headache
yang brightness headache
lesser yang headache
greater yin headache
lesser yin headache
reverting yin headache
Miscellaneous
true headache
head wind
hemilateral headache
thunder head wind
brain wind
vertex headache
Acupuncture: Select points given under individual types and add the following points according to the location of pain. For frontal headache, add GV-23 (Upper Star), GB-14 (Yang White), and ST-41 (Ravine Divide). For hemilateral headache, add Greater Yang, GB-8 (Valle
headache and stiff painful nape
A condition usually caused by obstruction of the channels by an externally contracted evils (the six excesses), usually forming exterior patterns. Occurring in enduring disease, it is a sign of wind-damp impediment .
Medication: Treat exterior patterns by effusing and dissipating exterior resolution. Treat wind-damp impediment by dispelling wind-damp and freeing the channels and network vessels.
Acupuncture: Select GV-16 (Wind Mansion), GB-20 (Wind Pool), LI-4 (Union Valley), LU-7 (Broken Sequence), and ST-8 (Head Corner). Needle with drainage.
headache with pulling sensation
Synonyms: iron-band headache.
Headache characterized by pressure or tension as though the head were squeezed by a tight iron band. Headache with pulling sensation is observed in liver wind stirring internally.
headed flat-abscess
Synonyms: flat-abscess.
A yang-type sore on the surface of the body. A headed flat-abscess is characterized in the initial stage by single or multiple white sores the size of millet seeds. Headed flat-abscesses may be named according to its location, e.g., effusion of the brain or effusion of the back. They are caused by external contraction of wind-damp fire toxin, or damp-heat fire toxin brewing in the interior causing accumulation of heat in the viscera, construction-defense disharmony, and evil causing blockage in the flesh and skin. Distinction is made between vacuity and repletion. Repletion patterns are characterized by local redness and heat, a large swelling with one or several white heads, pain that in severe cases is acute, generalized heat~effusion, thirst, constipation, reddish urine, a surging rapid pulse, and a red tongue with yellow fur.
Medication: Clear heat and course wind; resolve toxin and quicken the blood. Immortal Formula Life-Giving Beverage or Coptis Toxin-Resolving Decoction can be taken as oral medication; Golden Yellow Powder can be applied topically. If, after bursting, the putrid flesh
headless flat-abscess
A yin sore growing between sinew and bone or deep in the flesh. A headless flat-abscesses are attributed to the inward fall of toxin, congealing cold and stagnant qi, and are characterized by diffuse swelling and dull skin coloring. They are persistent, take a long time to burst and a long time to heal, and can cause rotting of the sinew and flesh.
Medication: Warm the channels and dissipate cold; quicken the blood and transform stasis. Take Harmonious Yang Decoction, Awake to Dispersion Pill, or Minor Golden Elixir orally and apply Harmonious Yang Decongealing Plaster topically. The headless flat-abscess inclu
hearing impairment
Poor hearing with incorrect perception of sounds. See deafness.
heart
The organ located in the chest, and surrounded by the pericardium. The heart governs the blood and vessels, stores the spirit, and opens at the tongue. Its associated channel connects with the small intestine, which is its corresponding exterior organ. It belongs to fire in the five phases. The heart's principal functions are summed up in the phrases the heart governs the blood and vessels and the heart stores the spirit, i.e., the heart is responsible for moving the blood around the body and is the seat of consciousness and mental vitality. The importance of the heart and spirit is emphasized in The Magic Pivot, where it states, ``The heart is governor of the five viscera and the six bowels, and is the abode of the spirit,'' and in Elementary Questions, which states, ``heart holds the office of monarch, whence the spirit light emanates.'' The heart governs the tongue, (or the heart is the sprout of the tongue) i.e., some diseases are reflected in reddening of the tip of the tongue. The heart governs speech, i.e., clear speech is only possible when The heart region, i.e., the upper stomach duct (the upper part of the stomach and lower section of the esophagus).the heart spirit is unclouded. Finally, the heart governs sweat and heart, its bloom is in the face. For the main disease patterns of the heart, see heart disease.
heart accumulation
Synonyms: deep-lying beam.
heart and kidney interact
The heart and kidney balance and complement each other. The heart is in the upper burner, and belongs to fire. The kidney is in the lower burner and belongs to water. The yang in the heart descends to the kidney to warm and nourish kidney yang. The yin of the kidney ascends to the heart, and nourishes heart yin. Under normal circumstances, heart fire and kidney water interact in this way and maintain a balance. This is referred to as the heart and kidney interacting, or fire and water aiding each other. Kidney yin depletion or intense heart fire can upset this balance, causing signs such as heart vexation, fearful throbbing, and insomnia, a pattern referred to as noninteraction of the heart and kidney.
heart and small intestine stand in interior-exterior relationship
heart blood
heart blood vacuity
The manifestation of insufficiency of heart blood; a disease pattern characterized by disquieting of the heart spirit and yin-blood insufficiency. It may occur when fire forming as a result of excess among the five minds (emotions) damages yin, or when enduring illness causes damaging wear on yin-blood. Heart blood vacuity is often accompanied by signs of spleen vacuity, and the combined pattern is known as heart-spleen blood vacuity. The chief signs of heart blood vacuity are heart palpitations or fearful throbbing, insomnia, profuse dreaming, and forgetfulness. Other signs include dizziness, a lusterless withered-yellow or pale white complexion, pale lips, and night sweating. The tongue is pale white. The pulse is fine and weak or fine and rapid.
Medication: Nourish the blood and quiet the spirit. Use Four Agents Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, PC, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), and PC-6 (Inner Pass); needle with
heart blood vacuity sleeplessness
Internal damage sleeplessness resulting from wear on heart blood by excessive thinking. Heart blood vacuity insomnia is characterized by awakening with fright during the night and is associated with vexing heat in the five hearts, dry mouth and tongue, and rapid fine pulse.
Medication: Use formulas such as Celestial Emperor Heart-Supplementing Elixir.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT, back transport points, and the three yin channels of the foot. Select Alert Spirit Quartet, HT-7 (Spirit Gate), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), and
heart channel
hand lesser yin heart channel.
heart channel cough
heart cough.
heart construction
Synonyms: heart channel cough.
heart yin.
heart cough
Cough accompanied by pain in the heart, swollen throat.
Medication: Use Platycodon Decoction or Diaphragm-Cooling Powder minus rhubarb (Rhei Rhizoma) and mirabilite (Mirabilitum) and plus coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma) and bamboo leaf (lophatherum) (Lophatheri Folium).
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU, PC, CV, and HT. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass) CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), LU-1 (Central Treasury), LI-4 (Union Valley), and PC-8 (Palace of Toil); needle with drainage
heart disease
A disease of the heart. The main functions of the heart are to govern the blood and vessels and to govern the spirit; hence heart disease manifests primarily in signs such as heart palpitations or fearful throbbing, heart pain, oppression in the chest and shortness of breath on the one hand, and signs such as forgetfulness, abstraction (absence of mind), flusteredness, insomnia, and susceptibility to fright on the other.
heart dispersion
center dispersion.
heart distention
A condition attributable to insufficiency of heart yang or cold evil invading the heart, characterized by heart vexation, shortness of breath, and unquiet sleep.
Medication: Heart distention can be treated with medicinals such as amber (Succinum), salvia (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix), cinnabar (Cinnabaris), root poria (Poria cum Pini Radice), biota seed (Biotae Semen), aquilaria (Aquilariae Lignum), unripe tangerine peel (Ci
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass), CV-4 (Pass Head), and GV-4 (Life Gate); needle with even supplementation and drainage and moxa.
heart fire
Synonyms: sovereign fire.
The heart as an active force. Pathological fire in the heart forming either vacuity or repletion patterns.
heart fire deflagrating internally
Synonyms: intense internal heart fire.
heart fire flaming upward
Synonyms: upflaming heart fire.
A vacuity or repletion pattern of the heart characterized by upper body signs. Signs mainly associated with heart fire flaming upward include reddening of the tip of the tongue, vexation, cracking of the tongue, and erosion of the oral and glossal mucosa. The pulse is rapid. Heart fire flaming upward is the result of hyperactive heart fire or heart yin vacuity. It may occur with liver fire in effulgent heart-liver fire, which is a repletion pattern, or with kidney yin vacuity in noninteraction between the heart and kidney, which is an effulgent yin vacuity fire pattern. Sometimes, heart fire may spread to the small intestine. Signs associated with effulgent heart-liver fire include headache, reddening of the eyes, agitation, and irascibility, in addition to the general signs of heart fire flaming upward. Noninteraction between the heart and kidney is characterized by vexation, insomnia, and occasionally by dryness of the pharynx and mouth, upbearing fire flush, a red, mirror tongue, and a fine, rapid pulse. Heart fire spreading to the small intestine is characterized by painful dribbling urination with reddish urine.
Medication: Clear heat and drain fire. Use coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma), lotus embryo (Nelumbinis Embryo), forsythia (Forsythiae Fructus), licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix), raw licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix Cruda), bamboo leaf (lophatherum) (Lophatheri Folium), mutong (Muto
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT, PC, and GV. PC-8 (Palace of Toil), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion), PC-9 (Central Hub), HT-9 (Lesser Surge), and GV-26 (Water Trough) can all be used to treat heart fire flaming upward. Select two or three of these points and needle wi
heart fire spreading heat to the small intestine
Effulgent heart fire affecting the small intestine's function of separating the clear and the turbid. The heart and small intestine stand in interior-exterior relationship to each other. When there is effulgent heart fire, the heart can pass on the heat to the small intestine, causing short voidings of reddish urine, burning pain on urination, or blood in the urine, urinary diseases often being associated with the small intestine (see small intestine). This pattern is the principal manifestation of the interior-exterior relationship between the heart and the small intestine
Medication: Use Red-Abducting Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT, and its alarm and lower uniting points. Select PC-8 (Palace of Toil), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion), CV-4 (Pass Head), ST-39 (Lower Great Hollow), and SI-2 (Front Valley); needle with drainage.
heart forms sweat
From Elementary Questions. Sweat comes from the blood, which is ruled by the heart; hence it is said that the heart forms sweat. Same in meaning as sweat is the humor of the heart.
heart governs speech
The heart spirit determines the clarity of speech. When heat enters the pericardium, the outer protection of the heart, one sign is delirious speech.
heart governs sweat
``Sweat is the humor of the heart,'' i.e., it is one of the five humors (sweat, snivel, tears, drool, spittle) and is associated with the heart. In clinical practice, sweating is often observed in heart patterns, e.g., in heart yin vacuity with heart fire harassing the inner body, in heart yang vacuity with insecurity of defense yang, and in heart qi heat. Oily sweat is associated with debilitation of heart qi. Conversely, sweating can affect the heart, since excessive sweating can damage heart qi and lead to yang collapse. The heart governs the blood, which is closely related to sweat. Excessive sweating can damage the blood, and blood vacuity reduces the source of sweat. Hence it is said, `` when blood is despoliated, there is no sweat; when sweat is despoliated, there is no blood.''
heart governs the blood and vessels
All the blood and vessels of the body are subordinate to the heart. Elementary Questions states, ``All blood belongs to the heart.'' Elementary Questions says, ``The heart governs the blood and vessels of the whole body.'' In Wang Bing's annotations of Elementary Questions, we find the statement ``The liver stores the blood, and the heart moves it; when a person moves, blood moves through all the channels, whereas when he rests, the blood returns to the liver.'' This statement shows with greater clarity than the original statements of The Inner Canon that the speed of the heartbeat was understood to be related to exertion. It would also appear to indicate that heart was understood to pump (move) the blood around the body, although the modern notion of blood circulation is not implicit here. Note that although the blood is ``governed'' by the heart, it is intimately related to the liver and the spleen.
heart governs the spirit light
Synonyms: heart stores the spirit.
heart governs the tongue
The Magic Pivot states, ``Heart qi flows through to the tongue; when the heart is in harmony, the tongue can distinguish the five flavors.'' When the heart and spirit are healthy, the tongue can move normally and speech is fluent. When the heart spirit is unclear, as when the heart (or pericardium) is affected by an evil, the tongue becomes sluggish or develops a tremor and speech is impeded. Sufficiency of heart blood is reflected in a fresh vital appearance of the tongue, whereas heart blood vacuity is reflected in a pale dull tongue. In heart yin vacuity or effulgent heart fire, the tip (or the whole body) of the tongue is red, prickly, or eroded. Stagnation of the heart blood is characterized by a purple tongue with dark blood stasis speckles. For these reasons, it is also said that the ``tongue is the sprout of the heart'' and the ``heart opens at the tongue.'' Despite the special relationship between the heart and tongue, the condition of all the other organs, particularly the spleen, is reflected in the state of the tongue and its fur.
heart governs the vessels
heart heat
Synonyms: heart qi heat.
Any externally contracted heat (febrile) disease pattern of the heart, manifesting in a red facial complexion, heat vexation in the heart, unquiet sleep, and reddish urine. In some cases there may be manic delirious speech, blood ejection, or spontaneous external bleeding.
heart heat susceptibility to fright
A condition of dream talking, vexation, oppression and fright crying in infants and children that is attributable to depressed heat causing congestion and stagnation in the bowels and viscera and disharmony of qi and blood. Heart heat susceptibility to fright is characterized by dream talking, vexation and oppression, and crying from fright.
Medication: Clear heat and settle fright using variations of Red-Abducting Powder with Bovine Bezoar Heart-Clearing Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT and PC. Select HT-7 (Spirit Gate), PC-6 (Inner Pass), BL-15 (Heart Transport), PC-8 (Palace of Toil), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion), and HT-9 (Lesser Surge). Needle with drainage or prick to bleed.
heart holds the office of monarch, whence the spirit light emanates
From Elementary Questions. The heart is to the body as the monarch is to the nation; it is the seat of the spirit. The Inner Canon describes the functions of the internal organs by analogy to government. Just as the monarch leads the nation and embodies its consciousness, so the heart is considered to be the seat of consciousness in the body. By a similar metaphor, it is sometimes referred to as the ``palace.''
heart impediment
A disease of the heart characterized by pain and suffocating oppression and caused by stasis obstruction of the heart vessels. Elementary Questions states, ``Heart impediment is stoppage in the vessels... '' The stoppage may actually be due to either a)~an inadequate warming and propulsion of the blood as a result of insufficiency of yang qi or b)~an obstruction of the heart vessels by static blood forming when internal phlegm turbidity impedes blood flow. Signs of heart impediment include dull pain and oppression in the area anterior to the heart, which is attributed to impaired yang qi perfusion or obstruction of the network vessels by phlegm stasis (blood stasis resulting from the presence of phlegm). Attacks are characterized by gripping pain in the heart (angina pectoris), green-blue or purple complexion, cold limbs, and a faint fine pulse verging on expiration, indicating severe obstruction of heart qi and heart yang. Heart palpitations, fearful throbbing, fatigued spirit, and shortness of breath are general signs of heart qi vacuity between attacks.
Medication: Nourish the heart and dispel the evil, quicken the blood and free the vessels. Use Heart-Supplementing Elixir or a combination of Pulse-Engendering Powder and Spleen-Returning Decoction. If obstruction is pronounced, use Coronary No.2 to quicken the blood
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, back transport points, HT, PC, and SP. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), BL-14 (Reverting Yin Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), CV-17 (Chest Center), H
heart is averse to heat
The heart is vulnerable to heat. The heart is the fire viscus; it governs the blood and vessels. When heat is pronounced, heart blood is easily damaged. Also, the heart governs the spirit light; high fever is often accompanied by clouded spirit, delirious speech, and mania. This is why the heart is averse to heat.
heart is connected with the small intestine
The heart stands in exterior-interior relationship with the small intestine, the heart being interior and the small intestine exterior. The heart channel connects with the small intestine, and the small intestine channel connects with the heart. This relationship is manifest in heart heat spreading to the small intestine, which is characterized by bloody urine.
heart is connected with the vessels
Phrase from Elementary Questions.
heart mounting
A mounting pattern of abdominal pain with a bulge in the abdomen and a subjective sensation of qi surging up from the umbilicus to the heart. Heart mounting is attributed to cold affecting the heart channel.
Medication: Warm the channels and dissipate cold; harmonize the blood and relieve pain.
Acupuncture: Base treatment on back transport points, HT, PC, and ST. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), PC-6 (Inner Pass), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and ST-25 (Celestial Pivot); needle with supplementation and add moxa.
heart opens at the tongue
Synonyms: tongue is the sprout of the heart.
heart pain
Pain in the heart itself.
Heart pain includes the true heart pain spoken of in The Magic Pivot, the coming and going heart pain and influx heart pain spoken of in A Thousand Gold Pieces Prescriptions.
Pain in the pit of the stomach or heart region.
heart pain stretching to the back
Heart pain with pain also felt in the back; a sign of heart impediment.
heart palpitations
Rapid throbbing of the heart. Distinction is made between fright palpitations (`heart palpitations' in the narrow sense) and fearful throbbing. Fright palpitations are brought on by fright or emotional stimulus, and are therefore clearly paroxysmal in nature. They occurs in both vacuity and repletion patterns. In Western medicine, they are often found to be a nervous disorder. Fearful throbbing occurs continually, and although it is associated with a feeling of fear, it is not brought on by emotional stimulus. It is more severe than fright palpitations, and is experienced as a violent throbbing felt not only in the chest, but even as low as the umbilical region. It is observed in patients in a poor state of health and always forms part of vacuity patterns. From the Western medical perspective, it is usually the manifestation of organic rather than nervous disease. In some older books the terms ``fright palpitations'' and ``fearful throbbing'' were used interchangeably. Heart palpitations occur in a wide variety of patterns and combinations of patterns. The basic patterns include heart-gallbladder vacuity timidity; dual vacuity of the heart and spleen; effulgent yin vacuity fire; insufficiency of heart qi; insufficiency of heart yang; dual vacuity of qi and yin; water-rheum intimidating the heart; blood stasis obstruction; phlegm-fire harassing the heart.
heart pulse is surging
A surging pulse is associated with heart disease and the season summer. Elementary Questions states, ``The heart pulse is hook-like.'' The Classic of Difficult Issues states, ``The summer pulse is hook-like.'' The hook-like pulse is now usually referred to as the surging pulse.See surging pulse.
heart qi
heart qi and heart blood
Heart qi and heart blood form part of the blood and qi of the whole body, and are the basis for the physiological activity of the heart. When heart qi and heart blood are abundant, the heartbeat is regular, the pulse is moderate and forceful, and the complexion is healthy and lustrous. Insufficiency of heart qi and depletion of heart blood are characterized by a lusterless complexion, heart palpitations, and a slow, rapid or interrupted ( jie2 dai4) pulse. Heart blood and heart qi are greatly interdependent. Insufficiency of heart qi may lead to blood stagnation characterized by a green-blue or purple complexion and lack of warmth in the extremities. Heart blood depletion leads to impairment of the blood's nourishing function. It may also deprive heart qi of support, causing dizziness, fatigued spirit, shortness of breath, and copious sweat.
heart qi heat
Synonyms: heart heat.
heart qi repletion
Synonyms: exuberant heart qi.
heart qi vacuity
The manifestation of insufficiency of heart qi; a disease pattern characterized by heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and lack of strength, reflecting general qi vacuity and inhibited movement of blood. Heart qi vacuity usually appears in gradually developing, enduring illness. Pathomechanisms include: (1) insufficiency of ancestral qi preventing it from adequately penetrating the heart and vessels and driving respiration; (2) water qi intimidating the heart, which results from kidney yang vacuity; (3) wind-cold-damp impediment settling in the heart; (4) damp turbidity or static blood obstructing the heart and vessels; (5) acute forms of heart qi vacuity resulting from fulminant desertion of yang qi. Heart qi vacuity may occur with lung qi vacuity, the resulting condition being referred to as heart-lung qi vacuity. Heart qi vacuity may also present with cold-damp, damp turbidity, and static blood complications. The chief signs of heart qi vacuity are heart palpitations or fearful throbbing and shortness of breath exacerbated by exertion, and fatigue and lack of strength. Other signs include oppression in the chest, white face, and spontaneous sweating. In some cases, there may be sleeplessness or profuse sleep, forgetfulness, chest pain, tendency to sorrow and weepiness, abstraction, convulsions, and susceptibility to fright. The pulse is weak and fine, or interrupted (bound, skipping, or intermittent).
Medication: Heart qi vacuity is treated by supplementing heart qi with medicinals such as mix-fried licorice (mix-fried Glycyrrhizae Radix), astragalus (Astragali (seu Hedysari) Radix), codonopsis (Codonopsitis Radix), and ginseng (Ginseng Radix). Appropriate formul
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT, back transport points, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), CV-4 (Pass Head), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li); needle with supplementation a
heart qi vacuity sleeplessness
An internal damage sleeplessness pattern attributed to heart qi vacuity and the heart spirit failing to contain itself and characterized by unquiet sleep, sudden waking from sleep, heart palpitations, lassitude of spirit and lack of strength, desire for heat and aversion to cold, and a forceless pulse that may be slow.
Medication: Boost qi and nourish the heart using formulas like Ginseng Construction-Nourishing Decoction and Spleen-Returning Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT and back transport points. Select Alert Spirit Quartet, HT-7 (Spirit Gate), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and CV-6 (Sea of Qi). Needle with supplementati
heart region and abdomen
The heart region (the pit of the stomach, and the abdomen as a whole).
heart spirit
The spirit that is governed by the heart
heart spirit failing to contain itself
Synonyms: spirit failing to keep to its abode.
heart stores the spirit
Synonyms: heart governs the spirit light.
This phrase comes from Elementary Questions. The heart is the seat of consciousness and mental function. If the heart fulfills its functions normally and blood and qi are abundant, the mind is lucid, alert, and responsive to the environment. If, however, the heart is diseased, the heart spirit may be disquieted, causing signs such as heart vexation, susceptibility to fright palpitations (heart palpitations due to emotional stimulus), diminished sleep, or profuse dreaming. In severe cases, there may be signs either of loss of sensibility, such as clouding sleep (hypersomnia) or coma, or of mental diseases, delirious speech, or manic agitation.
heart sweating
Sweating in the heart region, i.e., in the pit of the stomach (scrobiculus cordis). Heart sweating is associated with damage to the heart and spleen by anxiety, thought, fright, or fear.
Medication: Supplement the heart and spleen; constrain the spirit and boost qi. Use formulas such as Pulse-Engendering Powder, Spleen-Returning Decoction, or Heart-Supplementing Elixir.
Acupuncture: Base treatment on back transport points, HT, LI, and SI. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-15 (Heart Transport), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), LI-4 (Union Valley), SI-3 (Back Ravine), and HT-6 (Yin Cleft). Needle with supplementation.
heart tie
The large blood vessels communicating directly with the heart.
heart vacuity
Heart qi vacuity, heart yang vacuity, heart blood vacuity, or heart yin vacuity; characterized by heart palpitations or fearful throbbing, insomnia, and dizziness. Heart qi vacuity is characterized by general qi vacuity signs such as fatigue, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, a pale enlarged tongue, and heart-specific qi vacuity signs such as interrupted pulses ( jie2 dai4), and pain in the heart itself. Heart yang vacuity is the same as heart qi vacuity, but is differentiated by the addition of pronounced cold signs such as somber white complexion and blue lips, reversal cold of the limbs, and, in severe cases, vacuity desertion signs such as clouded spirit, fine pulse on the verge of expiration, and great sweating. Heart blood vacuity is characterized by general blood vacuity signs such as pale lusterless complexion, pale tongue, and fine pulse, together with general heart vacuity signs.
heart vacuity and gallbladder timidity
Synonyms: heart-gallbladder vacuity timidity.
A feeling of emptiness in the heart and susceptibility to fright and fear. Vacuous heart and timid gallbladder usually occurs in insufficiency of heart blood and heart qi debilitation, and is partly related to mental factors.
Medication: Nourish the heart and quiet the spirit, or warm the gallbladder and quiet the spirit. Compare gallbladder vacuity.
heart vessel obstruction
A disease pattern characterized by stifling oppression and pain in the heart and chest that arises when heart qi vacuity or heart yang vacuity allow phlegm and blood stasis to cause obstruction of the heart vessels. The chief signs are stifling oppression and pain (sometimes stabbing) in the heart and chest that may stretch to the shoulder, back, or inner arm, as well as heart palpitations and fearful throbbing, and panting. There may be attacks of cutting or stabbing pain, in severe cases with clouding reversal. Other signs include dark, stagnant green-blue or purple facial complexion, green-blue or purple lips, lassitude of spirit and lack of strength, shortage of qi and laziness to speak, fear of cold and cold limbs, glomus lump under the rib-side, water swelling, drum distention (ascites), and expectoration of blood. The tongue is pale green-blue sometimes with stasis speckles or macules. The pulse is sunken and slow or sunken and rough. It may also be skipping, bound, or intermittent.
Medication: Warm yang and boost qi; dispel phlegm and expel stasis. Use Peach Kernel and Carthamus Brew, House of Blood Stasis-Expelling Decoction, or Trichosanthes, Chinese Chive, and White Liquor Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, SP, and LR. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass), SP-10 (Sea of Blood), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and LR-3 (
heart vexation
Synonyms: heart vexation .
A feeling of unrest or irritability that focuses in the heart region. Vexation is commonly observed in either vacuity or repletion heat. In severe cases, it is associated with agitation, i.e., increased physical movement.
heart water
One of the five waters spoken of in Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer, characterized by generalized swelling and shortage of qi, vexation and agitation with inability to rest, and swelling of the lower yin.
heart wilting
vessel wilting.
heart worm disease
heart yang
heart yang vacuity
Synonyms: devitalization of heart yang.
Heart qi vacuity with pronounced cold signs and blood stasis signs. The chief signs are heart palpitations, shortness of breath, stifling oppression and possibly pain in the chest exacerbated by exertion, as well as aversion to cold and cold limbs. Other signs include lassitude of spirit and lack of strength, shortage of qi and laziness to speak, spontaneous sweating, and bright white or dark stagnant complexion. In some cases, there may be profuse sleeping. The tongue is pale and soft, or pale green-blue. The pulse is slow, possibly faint, or rapid and forceless. It may be skipping, bound, or intermittent. Heart yang vacuity often occurs in conjunction with kidney yang vacuity, the combined pattern being referred to as heart-kidney yang vacuity, in which physical cold and cold limbs are more pronounced, and are accompanied by kidney yang vacuity signs such as scant urine or water swelling.
Medication: Warm and supplement heart yang. Use Origin-Preserving Decoction or Cinnamon Twig, Licorice, Dragon Bone, and Oyster Shell Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), CV-17 (Chest Center), CV-4 (Pass Head), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), GV-4 (Life Gate), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and HT-7 (Spirit Gate), needle with supple
heart yin
Synonyms: heart construction.
heart yin and heart yang
Heart yin and heart yang refer to the complementary aspects of the heart's functions. Heart yang refers to a strong heartbeat, smooth blood flow, and the lively, expansive aspect of mental activity. Heart yin refers to a regular, moderate heartbeat and the calm, passive aspect of mental activity. Yin and yang complement and counterbalance each other, ensuring that the heart beats forcefully and regularly, and performs all its normal functions. An essential prerequisite of normal function is an abundance of heart blood and exuberance of heart qi. Insufficiency of heart blood or heart qi may debilitate heart yin or yang. Since ``when yang is vacuous, there is cold,'' and ``when yin is vacuous, there is heat,'' such cases present with signs not only of qi or blood vacuity, but also of vacuity cold and vacuity heat.
heart yin vacuity
The manifestation of insufficiency of heart yin, characterized chiefly by heart palpitations, heart vexation, insomnia, and profuse dreaming. Other signs include vexing heat in the five hearts, postmeridian tidal heat~effusion, reddening of the cheeks, night sweating, dry mouth and throat, and forgetfulness. The tongue is red with little liquid and little or no fur. The pulse is fine and rapid. Heart yin vacuity regularly occurs in conjunction with kidney yin, the combined pattern being called heart-kidney yin vacuity.
Medication: Enrich yin and quiet the spirit. Use Heart-Supplementing Elixir or Cinnabar Spirit-Quieting Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, PC, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), PC-6 (Inner Pass), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), KI-3 (Great Ravine), and KI-6 (Shi
heart, its bloom is in the face
The health of the heart is reflected in the face. The heart governs all the blood vessels of the body, ensuring that blood reaches all parts of the body. The face is particularly rich in blood vessels, and reflects the state of qi and blood, and the organs.
heart-covering bone
The bone that covers the heart (see heart), i.e., turtle-dove's tail (xiphoid process) or the breastbone (sternum) as a whole.
heart-fire
The heart viewed as belonging to fire in the doctrine of the five phases.
heart-gallbladder vacuity timidity
Synonyms: heart vacuity and gallbladder timidity.
heart-kidney qi vacuity
A disease pattern characterized by signs of both heart qi vacuity and kidney qi vacuity. The chief signs of heart-kidney qi vacuity are heart palpitations, seminal efflux, and premature ejaculation. Other signs include shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, limp aching lumbus, reduced visual acuity, bright white facial complexion, and fatigue and lack of strength. Urinary signs include incontinence, dribble after voiding, or frequent voidings of clear urine.
Medication: Boost qi and nourish the heart; supplement the kidney and secure essence. Golden Coffer Kidney Qi Pill with additions.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, KI, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), CV-4 (Pass Head), KI-3 (Great Ravine), BL-52 (Will Chamber), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and HT-7 (Spirit Gate); nee
heart-kidney yang vacuity
A disease pattern characterized by signs of both heart yang vacuity and kidney yang vacuity. The chief signs are heart palpitations and scant urine. Others include stifling oppression in the heart and chest, green-blue or purple lips, fear of cold and cold limbs, inhibited urination, jerking sinews and twitching flesh, and puffy swelling of the limbs. The tongue is pale with a glossy white fur. The pulse is sunken and faint.
Medication: Warm yang and dissipate cold; disinhibit water and disperse yin. Use True Warrior Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, KI, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), CV-17 (Chest Center), GV-4 (Life Gate), CV-4 (Pass Head), PC-6 (Inner Pass), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), KI-3 (Grea
heart-kidney yin vacuity
A condition characterized by signs of heart yin vacuity and kidney yin vacuity. The main signs of heart-kidney yin vacuity are heart palpitations or fearful throbbing, and seminal emission. Other signs include insomnia, forgetfulness, heart vexation, aching lumbus, loosening of the teeth, yellow urine, dry stool, and night sweating. The tongue is red with scant fur. The pulse is fine and rapid.
Medication: Enrich the kidney and nourish the heart; downbear fire and quiet the spirit. Use Celestial Emperor Heart-Supplementing Elixir.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, KI, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), PC-6 (Inner Pass), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), KI-3 (Great Ravine), BL-52 (Will Chambe
heart-level effusion
An effusion of the back, at the level of the heart.
heart-liver blood vacuity
A condition characterized by signs of liver blood vacuity and heart blood vacuity arising when a)~insufficient blood production, b)~excessive loss of blood, c)~construction-yin depletion in enduring disease, or d)~damage to yin in heat (febrile) disease causes the heart to have nothing to govern and the liver to have nothing store. The main signs are heart palpitations and fearful throbbing, forgetfulness, insomnia possibly with profuse dreaming, dizzy head and clouded vision, and numbness of the limbs. Other signs include pale white facial complexion, susceptibility to fright, hypertonicity of the sinews, night blindness, and lusterless nails. The tongue is pale, and the pulse is fine and forceless.
Medication: Supplement heart blood and nourish liver blood. Use Four Agents Decoction or Liver-Supplementing Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, LR, SP, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-18 (Liver Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), PC-6
heart-lung qi vacuity
A disease pattern arising when enduring cough and panting causes lung vacuity that affects the heart, or when insufficiency of heart qi causes lung qi vacuity. The chief signs are heart palpitations, shortness of breath, cough, and panting on exertion. Other signs include pale white lusterless facial complexion, lassitude of spirit with lack of strength, coughing of thin clear phlegm, stifling oppression in the heart and chest, low timid voice, and spontaneous sweating. The tongue is pale with thin white fur. The pulse is fine and weak.
Medication: Supplement the heart and lung. Four Gentlemen Decoction plus astragalus (Astragali (seu Hedysari) Radix) and dioscorea (Dioscoreae Rhizoma), or use Origin-Preserving Decoction plus calcined dragon bone (Mastodi Ossis Fossilia Calcinata), aster (Asteris Ra
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, and LU. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-13 (Lung Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), BL-43 (Gao-Huang Transport), CV-4 (Pass Head), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), LU-9 (Great Abyss), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li); ne
heart-lung yang vacuity
A disease pattern characterized by signs of both heart yang vacuity and lung yang vacuity. The main signs are stifling oppression and pain in the heart and chest. Other signs include heart palpitations, forceless cough and panting, fear of cold, lack of warmth in the hands and feet, and dark purple lips. The tongue is dark in color and enlarged. The tongue fur is white and glossy. The pulse is sunken, slow, and forceless.
Medication: Boost qi and assist yang; loosen the chest and relieve pain. Use Origin-Preserving Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, CV, GV, and LU. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-13 (Lung Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), LU-9 (Great Abyss), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), CV-4 (Pass Head), GV-4 (Life Gate), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li); needle wi
heart-lung yin vacuity
A disease pattern characterized by signs of both heart yin vacuity and lung yin vacuity. The chief signs are dry cough, heart palpitations, and tidal heat~effusion. Other signs include cough with scant sticky phlegm that is not easy to expectorate, heart vexation, reduced sleep, profuse dreaming, dry lips, dry throat, scant urine, postmeridian tidal heat~effusion, vexing heat in the five hearts, and night sweating. The tongue is red and dry with scant fur. The pulse is fine and rapid. Lung yin vacuity with fire that scorches the liquid causes counterflow qi and dry cough or cough with scant sticky phlegm that is difficult to expectorate. Heart yin vacuity with blood failing to nourish the heart and depriving the spirit of nourishment explains the reduced sleep and sleeplessness. The dry lips, dry throat, scant urine, postmeridian tidal heat~effusion, vexing heat in the five hearts, and night sweating are all signs of effulgent yin vacuity fire. Yin vacuity explains the dry scant tongue fur and fine pulse; vacuity fire flaming upward explains the red tongue and rapid pulse.
Medication: Enrich vacuity and downbear fire; moisten the lung and quiet the spirit. Use variations of Aster Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, LU, and KI. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-13 (Lung Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), BL-43 (Gao-Huang Transport), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), PC-6 (Inner Pass), HT-7 (S
heart-spleen blood vacuity
A disease pattern of heart blood vacuity and spleen vacuity (splenic transformation failure and the spleen failing to manage the blood). The main signs are heart palpitations and insomnia. Other signs may include fearful throbbing, forgetfulness, profuse dreaming, lusterless complexion, pale lips, and pale scant menstrual flow. The tongue is pale with scant fur. The pulse is fine, bound or intermittent.
Medication: Boost qi and supplement the blood; fortify the spleen and quiet the heart. Use Spleen-Returning Decoction. Compare dual vacuity of the heart and spleen; heart-spleen qi vacuity.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, SP, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), PC-6 (Inner Pass), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-10 (Sea of Blood), and SP-6 (Three Yin I
heart-spleen qi vacuity
A disease pattern of spleen qi vacuity and heart qi vacuity. The main signs are heart palpitations, reduced eating, and abdominal distention. Other signs include white facial complexion, spontaneous sweating, fatigue and lack of strength, and shortness of breath with rapid breathing on exertion. The tongue is pale with a white fur. The pulse is forceless and vacuous.
Medication: Supplement the heart and spleen. Use Ginseng Spleen-Returning Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, SP, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), CV-4 (Pass Head), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), PC-6 (Inner Pass), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), SP-3 (Supr
heart-spleen vacuity
Synonyms: dual vacuity of the heart and spleen.
heart-spleen yang vacuity
A disease pattern characterized by heart yang vacuity and spleen yang vacuity signs. The chief signs are stifling oppression and pain in the heart and chest and thin sloppy stool. Other signs include heart palpitations, reduced eating, rumbling intestines, somber white facial complexion, shortage of qi and laziness to speak, spontaneous sweating, lassitude of spirit, somnolence, and physical cold and cold limbs. The tongue is pale or dark and purple; the tongue fur is white; and the pulse is weak.
Medication: Assist yang and boost qi; fortify the spleen and nourish the heart. Use Origin-Preserving Decoction plus tangkuei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), ovate atractylodes (Atractylodis Ovatae Rhizoma), tangerine peel (Citri Exocarpium), and schisandra (Schisandrae
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, HT, SP, and CV. Select BL-15 (Heart Transport), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), CV-4 (Pass Head), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), GV-4 (Life Gate), PC-6 (Inner Pass), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), CV-12 (Cen
heart-stomach repletion fire
Synonyms: exuberant heart-stomach fire.
heat
Synonyms: yang bind.
The opposite of cold. Heat is the manifestation of the sun and fire. Hot weather (and artificially heated environments) cause sweating, and without an adequate increase in fluid intake, thirst. There may be vexation and other discomforts naturally attributed to heat by the individual. In the healthy individual, these natural responses abate on exposure to cooler temperatures.
The external evils fire and summerheat manifesting in the body in pathological signs such as high fever, fear of heat, desire for coolness, thirst, red face, red eyes, reddish urine, red tongue with yellow fire, and rapid pulse. Fire and summerheat are two of the six excesses. They result from exposure to heat in the environment or to spells of weather that are abnormally hot for the season.
Any condition manifesting in signs similar to those of fire and summerheat that are the result of a)~yin vacuity or b)~the transformation of either external evils passing into the interior or of the transformation of yang qi as a result of affect damage (physiologically disruptive effects of emotional and mental states). See fire.
One of eight parameters under which any of the above pathological conditions are classified. The terms that describe the action of heat in the body that produces heat patterns include:
heat bind
Synonyms: yang bind.
Heat gathering and binding in a particular location. When heat binds in the stomach and intestines, there is dry bound stool, and a sunken replete pulse; in severe cases, there may be tidal heat~effusion and delirious speech. See yang brightness disease. When heat binds in the blood aspect, a blood amassment pattern emerges. Systematized Identification of Warm Diseases states, ``Heat bind with circumfluence is not a stoppage of qi. There is no need for unripe bitter orange (Aurantii Fructus Immaturus) and magnolia bark (Magnoliae Cortex); simply use mirabilite (Mirabilitum) to enter yin and resolve the heat bind.'' According to On Cold Damage, in greater yang heat that fails to resolve, heat binds in the bladder, and the patient becomes manic, and passes blood. If blood is passed, the patient will recover.
Acupuncture: For gastrointestinal heat bind, see heat constipation. See yang brightness bowel pattern; qi-aspect pattern; heat constipation; cold damage blood amassment pattern.
heat bind with circumfluence
Hard stool in the intestines, allowing looser stool to pass around it, manifesting in constipation followed by foul-smelling diarrhea. It is associated with abdominal fullness and distention with pain that refuses pressure, a red tongue with thick dry yellow, possibly gray fur with prickles, a sunken replete rapid pulse. In some cases, there may be vexation and agitation, clouded spirit, and delirious raving. On Warm Epidemics states: ``Heat bind with circumfluence, is due to stomach domain repletion with internal heat congestion. There is first constipation, and then diarrhea that is pure fetid water completely without feces, three or four, or up to ten times a day. The appropriate treatment is Major Qi-Coordinating Decoction. When bound stool appears, the diarrhea will stop. If taking the decoction fails to produce bound stool, and there is diarrhea with fetid water and the ingested decoction, this is because the evil in the large intestinal is exuberant, causing it to fail to perform the office of conveyance. Thus, one knows that the evil is still present, and the illness will not be alleviated. [In such cases,] it is appropriate to precipitate again.'' See yang brightness bowel patterns.
heat binding in the bladder
Synonyms: bladder heat bind.
A repletion pattern of contention between blood and heat. Heat binding in the bladder develops when greater yang disease fails to resolve, transforms into heat, and enters the interior. The heat then binds in the bladder causing hard fullness of the lower abdomen, uninhibited urination, heat~effusion without aversion to cold, and manic mental states.
heat binding in the stomach and intestines
Synonyms: gastrointestinal heat bind.
heat block
A pathology in which heat evil congests in the bowels and viscera and in the channels and network vessels, blocking normal movement out of the body. When in measles, for example, the heat toxin is not thrust outward to produce a maculopapular eruption but instead falls inward to block the lung and cause cough and hasty panting, the resulting condition is described as an internal heat toxin block. When in strangury patterns heat hampers bladder function causing painful rough (disfluent) urination, the condition is often described as a bladder heat block.
heat chest bind
Synonyms: heat repletion chest bind.
heat cholera
Synonyms: heat qi cholera.
Cholera arising when obstruction of center burner after internal damage by rich food or external contraction of summerheat-heat or damp-heat. In addition to the principal signs of cholera (simultaneous vomiting and diarrhea), there is gripping pain in the abdomen, hot malodorous stool, oppression in the chest, heart vexation, heat~effusion, thirst, yellow or reddish urine, a yellow slimy tongue fur, and a rapid surging or rapid sunken pulse.
Medication: Clear heat and transform dampness; repel foulness and drain turbidity. Use Coptis and Magnolia Bark Beverage or Coptis and Elsholtzia Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LI, ST, SP, and PC. Select LI-4 (Union Valley), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), ST-44 (Inner Court), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and PC-7 (Great
heat constipation
Constipation due to heat binding in the large intestine (see heat bind). Heat constipation is accompanied by generalized heat~effusion, red facial complexion, aversion to heat and desire for coolness, mouth and tongue sores, dry mouth and parched lips, yellow or reddish urine, yellow tongue fur, and a rapid replete pulse
Medication: Treat by clearing heat and draining precipitation using Diaphragm-Cooling Powder, Three Yellows Bitter Orange and Ovate Atractylodes Pill, or Saussurea and Areca Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on the alarm, back transport, and lower uniting points of LI, and on ST and 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 (Inne
heat cough
Cough attributed to depressed heat damaging the lung. Heat cough is treated in different ways depending on the quantity of phlegm. Heat cough is usually associated with scant thick sticky yellow phlegm that takes repeated coughing to expectorate and that may be flecked with blood, and attended by a dry sore throat, hot breath issuing from the nose, and sometimes heat~effusion.
Medication: Clear heat and moisten the lung using formulas such as Coptis Phlegm-Transforming Beverage.
Treat by clearing heat and sweeping phlegm with formulas such as Minor Chest Bind Decoction or Scutellaria and Pinellia Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment on LU and LI. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LI-4 (Union Valley), LU-10 (Fish Border), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), and GV-14 (Great Hammer); needle with drainage. Prick LU-11 (Lesser Shang) to bleed. In some cases, heat c
heat damages qi
Heat and summerheat cause the interstices to open and let sweat flow, thereby damaging liquid and wearing qi.
heat damaging the network vessels of the lung
Heat in the lung causing bloody expectorate. Both repletion heat and vacuity heat can damage the network vessels of the lung.
heat damaging the sinews
High or enduring heat~effusion scorches construction-yin, depriving the sinews of nourishment and thereby causing hypertonicity of the limbs, wilting and limpness, or paralysis.
heat damaging the spirit light
Heat causing spirit-mind signs such as clouded spirit, mania etc. Heat damaging the spirit light is most commonly observed in heat entering the pericardium in warm disease.
heat depression
A condition that arises when any persistent depression (damp depression, qi depression, etc.) transforms into heat, and that is characterized by clouded head and dizzy vision, thirst with desire for fluid, dry lips and tongue, yellow or reddish urine, and a rapid sunken pulse. Sometimes the flesh is scorching hot to the touch. Qi depression is the underlying cause of all of the six depressions, and is attributed to constrained affect-mind causing binding depression of liver qi. Whatever other forms of depression liver qi depression causes, it can always transform into heat.
Medication: Use Heat Depression Decoction.
heat diarrhea
Synonyms: fire diarrhea.
Diarrhea caused by heat distressing the stomach and intestines. Heat diarrhea patterns are marked by abdominal pain and rumbling intestines. Pain comes in bouts with diarrhea. The stool is thick and sticky, or watery, or containing untransformed food. Other signs include burning pain in the anus, tenesmus, thirst with desire for cold drinks, and rough voidings of reddish urine.
Medication: Clear heat and drain fire with formulas such as Scutellaria Decoction, Pueraria, Scutellaria, and Coptis Decoction, or Saussurea and Coptis Pill
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, ST, and SP.
Select CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), ST-44 (Inner Court), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and ST-37 (Upper Great Holl
heat disease
Synonyms: febrile disease.
Any disease characterized by heat~effusion (fever), caused by externally contracted evil. Compare heat disease. See externally contracted heat febrile disease; cold damage; warm disease.
Febrile disease in summer caused by latent qi.
heat distention
Distention arising when damage by liquor and rich food causes damp-heat to brew in the center or when depressed qi transforms into fire. Heat distention is characterized by abdominal fullness and distention, dry bound stool, yellow or reddish urine, and a rapid surging pulse. In some cases there is heat~effusion.
Medication: Drain fire and dry dampness using Center Fullness Separating and Dispersing Pill or Tangkuei, Gentian, and Aloe Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST, CV, PC, SP, and LI. Select ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), PC-6 (Inner Pass), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-4 (Union Valley), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), ST-44 (Inner Court), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), and SP-6 (Three Yin In
heat distressing the large intestine
Impairment of the large intestine's governing of conveyance and transformation manifesting in abdominal pain, diarrhea with malodorous yellow stool, burning pain in the anus, short voidings of yellow urine, dry yellow tongue fur, and a slippery rapid pulse.
heat dysentery
Dysentery forming a heat pattern. Heat dysentery is usually attributable to exuberant heat in the intestines causing accumulation and stagnation. It is characterized by the general signs of dysentery (abdominal pain, tenesmus, and red and white stool) in addition to generalized heat~effusion, vexation and thirst with intake of fluid, hot reddish urine, slimy yellow tongue fur, and a forceful rapid slippery pulse.
Medication: Clear heat, cool the blood, and resolve toxin. Use formulas such as Pulsatilla Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment on ST and LI. Select LI-4 (Union Valley), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), ST-44 (Inner Court), and GV-14 (Great Hammer); needle with drainage.
heat entering construction-blood
In warm disease, heat evil entering the construction aspect or blood aspect.See construction-aspect pattern; blood-aspect pattern; clearing construction; cooling the blood.
heat entering the blood aspect
Heat evil invading the blood aspect in warm heat disease. Heat entering the blood aspect easily causes wear on the blood and causes it to move frenetically. Signs include heat~effusion becoming more pronounced at night, clouded spirit, agitation, or convulsions, patches and macules, bleeding, and a deep crimson tongue. On Warm Heat says that ``Entry into the blood poses the danger of wear on the blood and stirring of the blood. It calls for cooling and dissipating blood.'' See cooling the blood.
heat entering the blood chamber
Evil heat exploiting vacuity during menstruation or after childbirth to enter the blood chamber (thoroughfare vessel and uterus) to contend with the blood. Heat entering the blood chamber is characterized by hard fullness in the lower abdomen or chest and rib-side, alternating heat~effusion and aversion to cold, and nonsensical talk at night.
Medication: Treat with Minor Bupleurum Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment on GB, LR, and SP. Select GB-20 (Wind Pool), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), LR-14 (Cycle Gate), CV-6 (Sea of Qi), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), SP-10 (Sea of Blood), and SP-8 (Earth's Crux); needle with drainage. On Col
heat entering the pericardium
A warm heat disease pattern characterized by high fever, clouded spirit, delirious speech, reversal cold of the limbs, and convulsions.
heat epilepsy
Epilepsy due to accumulated heat. Heat epilepsy occurs in infants when feeding damages the stomach, heat accumulates in the stomach and gives rise to wind phlegm. It is characterized by drawing together of mouth and eye, jerking of the limbs, rigid lumbus and back, arched rigidity of the neck, foaming at the mouth, sound in the nose, vigorous heat~effusion, and crying.
Medication: Abate heat~effusion and eliminate epilepsy using formulas such as Uncaria Beverage and variations.
Acupuncture: Use the general points given for fits under epilepsy, and needle GV-14 (Great Hammer), ST-44 (Inner Court), and ST-45 (Severe Mouth). Prick Twelve Well Points to bleed.
heat evil
Heat as a disease-causing agent, causing repletion patterns that are hot and yang in nature with signs such as heat~effusion, rough breathing, redness and swelling, burning pain, and constipation. Compare evil heat.
heat evil congesting the lung
Synonyms: heat evil obstructing the lung.
Heat evil upsetting lung function. Heat evil congesting the lung is characterized by heat~effusion, cough with thick yellow sticky phlegm possibly streaked with blood, a tongue that is red at the tip and margins with a dry yellow fur, and a rapid surging or rapid stringlike pulse. In severe cases, there may be hasty rapid breathing and chest and rib-side pain. This condition is more severe than the more common wind evil invading the lung, and is attributed to phlegm-heat that arises when external evils invade the lung, where they then lie depressed and transform into heat, which damages the liquid of the lung and condenses it to form phlegm that obstructs the network vessels of the lung.
Medication: Clear and drain lung heat with White-Draining Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU and LI. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), LU-7 (Broken Sequence), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), LI-4 (Union Valley), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LU-10 (Fish Border), GV-14 (Great Hammer), and ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge); needle with drainage, and
heat evil obstructing the lung
Synonyms: heat evil congesting the lung.
heat evil passing into the interior
Synonyms: exterior heat passing into the interior.
Externally contracted evil moving from the exterior of the body into the interior, marked by the disappearance of aversion to wind or cold, increase in heat~effusion, reddening of the eyes, oppression in the chest, vexation and agitation, thirst with intake of fluid, constipation, red tongue with yellow fur, a rapid pulse, and in severe cases delirious speech.
heat formation
heat gan
heat heart pain
Synonyms: heat reversal heart pain; fire heart pain.
Heart pain attributed to depressed heat that may arise when summerheat toxin enters the heart or after continual consumption of hot medicinals or hot food. Heat heart pain is characterized by intermittent burning stomach duct pain that fears heat and likes cold, sometimes accompanied by red or yellow face and eyes, generalized heat~effusion, vexation and agitation, heat in the palms and soles, and hard stool.
Medication: Resolve depression and drain heat with Toosendan Powder or, in severe cases, Major Qi-Coordinating Decoction. See reversal heart pain.
heat hiccough
Hiccough attributed to stomach fire ascending counterflow or depressed phlegm-fire. Heat hiccough is a forceful hiccough accompanied by red facial complexion, vexation and thirst, dry mouth and dry tongue, yellow tongue fur, and a rapid large surging pulse.
Medication: Harmonize the stomach and downbear fire using formulas such as Tangerine Peel and Bamboo Shavings Decoction or Stomach-Quieting Beverage. For patterns with constipation, use Diaphragm-Cooling Powder, whereas for phlegm-fire in the stomach use Pinellia and
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on ST, LR, and PC. Main points: BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge). Selection of points according to
heat impediment
An impediment pattern attributed either to heat toxin pouring into the joints or externally contracted wind-cold-damp evil contending with internally brewing heat. It is characterized by hot red swollen painful joints sometimes accompanied by heat~effusion and thirst.
vessel impediment.
Medication: Clear heat and dispel dampness; diffuse impediment and relieve pain. Use formulas such as Cinnamon Twig, Peony, and Anemarrhena Decoction.
Acupuncture: Main points: GV-14 (Great Hammer), LI-4 (Union Valley), and LI-11 (Pool at the Bend). Needle to a shallow depth and drain, or use cutaneous needle. For selection of points according to affected area, see impediment.
heat in the heart of the palms and soles
Feeling of heat in the palms and soles.
heat in the stomach
heat is treated with cold
From Elementary Questions. Cold and cool medicinals are used for heat patterns. Heat patterns include exterior heat, internal heat, vacuity heat, and repletion heat. Exterior heat forming a repletion pattern is treated by resolving the exterior with coolness and acridity, while interior heat is treated by clearing. Vacuity heat is treated by enriching yin to abate heat or by eliminating greate heat with sweetness and warmth.
heat malaria
Malaria characterized by pronounced heat~effusion and mild aversion to cold. Universal Aid Formulary states, ``Evil in the yang brightness channel is heat malaria, which is treated mainly by precipitation.''
heat night crying
Crying in infants and children attributed to fetal heat, fright heat, or wind-heat. Heat night crying is associated with supine posture, copious tearing, red facial complexion reddish urine, generalized heat~effusion (possibly with sweating), and hot breath. The crying is exacerbated by heat and light.
Medication: Clear the heart and quiet the spirit using Red-Abducting Powder plus coptis (Coptidis Rhizoma).
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on HT, GV, LI, SI, and empirical points. Needle with drainage at BL-15 (Heart Transport), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), GV-14 (Great Hammer), and LI-4 (Union Valley), and with even supplementation and drainage at Quiet S
heat panting
Panting attributed to intense lung heat. Heat panting arises when heat scorches the lung and prevents the normal downward movement of water, causing phlegm-fire to congest and obstruct the airways. It is associated with copious thick phlegm, heat vexation, and fullness in the chest.
Medication: Clear the lung, drain heat, and flush phlegm. Use formulas such as Fire-Draining Lung-Clearing Decoction. Contraction of cold when there is heat in the lung and accumulated phlegm in the center can also give rise to a panting pattern sometimes referred to
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU, LI, ST, and SP. Select Panting Stabilizer, LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), LU-7 (Broken Sequence), LI-4 (Union Valley), ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge), and SP-2 (Great Metropolis), needling with drainage. Prick LU-11 (Lesser Shang) to bleed. For
heat pattern
Any sign or signs indicating the presence of heat. Heat patterns arise when a yang evil invades the body or when yin humor becomes insufficient. Thus, heat patterns are caused by a surfeit of yang or a deficit of yin, and form repletion heat or vacuity heat patterns.
heat phlegm
A phlegm pattern characterized by cough with thick sticky yellow or white phlegm that is difficult to expectorate and by rapid breathing. General signs include heat~effusion, dry mouth, sore swollen throat, red tongue with yellow fur, and slippery rapid pulse, all of which indicate heat. In internal damage miscellaneous disease, repeated incidence of heat phlegm signs often gives rise to phlegm-fire. This occurs when phlegm heat failing to clear brews internally and Transforms into fire.
A disease pattern arising in patients suffering from phlegm disease, when eating hot spicy foods and rich fried or roasted meats, using excessively thick clothing or bedclothes, and from heat evil due to hot weather triggers panting, expectoration, cough, and spitting.
Phlegm-heat confounding the heart arising when phlegm and heat contend with each other, gather and bind. It is characterized by turbid thick gluey yellow phlegm that is sometimes flecked with blood and that is difficult to expectorate, and by a surging pulse, red face, heat vexation and heart pain, frequent laughing, mania and withdrawal, clamoring stomach, anguish, fearful throbbing, and dry mouth and lips.
fire phlegm.
Medication: Clear heat and resolve toxin; transform phlegm. Commonly used medicinals include scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), lonicera (Lonicerae Flos), dandelion (Taraxaci Herba cum Radice), houttuynia (Houttuyniae Herba cum Radice), mulberry root bark (Mori Radic
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU, LI, and back transport points. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport), LU-5 (Cubit Marsh), GV-14 (Great Hammer), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LI-4 (Union Valley), ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge), and CV-22 (Celestial Chimney); needle with drainag
heat qi cholera
Synonyms: heat cholera.
heat repletion chest bind
Synonyms: heat chest bind.
A Chest bind Pain in either or both heels that is usually unassociated with swelling yet makes walking difficult. Heel pain is a sign of kidney vacuity. If associated with intermittent heat in the lower leg, it is due kidney yin vacuity. If associated with inability to stand for long periods it is due to kidney yang vacuity sign. In some cases, dampness may collect in the heel causing local swelling. Damp-heat may also be observed.
Medication: Kidney yin vacuity is treated by supplementing the kidney and enriching yin with Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill or Four Agents Decoction and variations. Kidney yang vacuity is treated by supplementing the kidney and warming yang, using Cinnamon Bark and Ac
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on KI, BL, and PC. Main points: KI-3 (Great Ravine) joined to BL-60 (Kunlun Mountains), KI-6 (Shining Sea), BL-62 (Extending Vessel), and PC-7 (Great Mound); needle with supplementation. For kidney yin vacuity, add BL-23 (Kidney Tran
heat-block tetanic reversal
Clouded spirit and tetany (pronounced spasm) due to an evil blocked in the interior. It occurs, for example, in child fright wind occurring in high fever.
heat~effusion
Synonyms: fever.
Abnormal bodily heat that can be detected by palpation or that is experienced subjectively; fever. Heat~effusion occurring with aversion to cold or aversion to wind at the onset of illness indicates external evils invading the fleshy exterior. If the aversion to cold is more pronounced than the heat~effusion, the pattern is one of wind-cold. Pronounced heat~effusion with only aversion to wind suggests wind-heat. Heat~effusion without aversion to cold occurs in various patterns. Distinction is made between vigorous heat~effusion, tidal heat~effusion, vexing heat in the five hearts, steaming bone tidal heat~effusion, baking heat~effusion, and unsurfaced heat.
heat~effusion and aversion to cold
helix
The outer rim of the auricle.
hematuria
Synonyms: bloody urine.
hemilateral head wind
Synonyms: hemilateral headache; side head wind.
Pain in the temple or the corner of the head, either on the left side or the right, or switching from one to the other. Pain may stretch into the eye, and enduring pain may affect vision. In some cases, there are other accompanying signs such as nausea and vomiting. Hemilateral head wind is attributed to wind evil assailing the lesser yang or liver vacuity and binding depression of phlegm-fire. In former times, it was believed that pain on the left was attributable to wind or blood, or to exuberant blood vacuity fire, whereas pain in the right was due to phlegm or heat, or to qi vacuity complicated by phlegm.
Medication: Dispel wind and free the network vessels; soothe the liver and sweep phlegm; or supplement the liver and nourish the blood. Use Clear Sky Paste or Hemilateral Headache Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB, LR, ST, SP, and back transport points. Main points: GB-20 (Wind Pool), GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), Greater Yang, joining GB-8 (Valley Lead), TB-3 (Central Islet), and GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring); needle with drainage. To sooth
hemilateral headache
hemilateral head wind.
Any headache on one side or one part of the head, as opposed to medial headache (the more common type).
hemilateral sagging
Synonyms: sagging of one testicle.
hemilateral sweating
Sweating on one side of the body; observed in wind stroke. Elementary Questions states, ``Hemilateral sweating causes hemilateral withering.'' The healthy side of the body sweats, whereas the affected side is dry.
hemilateral wind
Synonyms: hemilateral withering.
hemilateral withering
Synonyms: hemilateral wind.
Hemiplegia with gradual emaciation.See hemiplegia.
hemiplegia
Paralysis of one half of the body. Hemiplegia is the result of wind stroke, and is observed in all wind stroke visceral patterns, bowel patterns, and channel patterns usually in conjunction with deviated eyes and mouth. It is traditionally attributed to a)~debilitation of construction and defense, vacuity of the vessels, and evil qi (wind, cold, dampness, phlegm, or static blood) exploiting the vacuity and entering; b)~qi vacuity; or c)~kidney vacuity with insufficiency of essential qi.
Medication: Nourish the blood and dispel wind; warm the channels and free the network vessels; boost qi and quicken the blood; supplement the kidney and boost essence. Applicable formulas include the following: Large Gentian Decoction, Major Network-Quickening Elixir
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on points of the hand and foot yang brightness LI and ST, supported by points of the greater yang and lesser yang . Main points: LI-15 (Shoulder Bone), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LI-4 (Union Valley), TB-5 (Outer Pass), GB-30 (Jumping
hemorrhoid
Synonyms: pile.
A protuberance on the inside or outside of the anus, often accompanied by constipation and the passage of fresh blood. A Western medical distinction between internal, external, and mixed hemorrhoids, often seen in modern literature. In traditional medicine, a broad distinction is made between repletion and vacuity. patterns arise when long sitting or standing or walking, enduring dysentery or diarrhea, constipation and straining, or pregnancy cause general depletion and center qi fall that causes loosening of the sinews and vessels. The hemorrhoids usually hang out of the anus and cannot be retracted; they are accompanied by a sensation of sagging distention in the anus. Attending signs may include shortness of breath, laziness to speak, reduced food intake, lack of strength, pale tongue, and weak pulse.
Medication: Treat with Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction. If there is bleeding, use Spleen-Returning Decoction. If there is constipation, use Straitened Spleen Hemp Seed Pill.
Congestion of qi and blood engendering wind and transforming into dryness is trea
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on BL and empirical points. Main points for hemorrhoids: BL-32 (Second Bone-Hole), GV-1 (Long Strong), BL-35 (Meeting of Yang), BL-57 (Mountain Support), and Two Whites; needle with supplementation and add moxa. To address the vacuit
hemorrhoid desiccation
A method of treating advanced-stage internal hemorrhoids using a powder medicine such as Alum Hemorrhoid-Desiccating Powder or Three-Shot Gun to erode away the hemorrhoids and make them dry up and slough off. Because of the danger of arsenic poisoning, this method is no longer widely used. It should not be applied to patients with anemia, hypertension, cirrhosis of the liver, or active tuberculosis.
hemorrhoid point picking
Picking of points on the back to treat hemorrhoids. Patients with hemorrhoids are often found to have hemorrhoid points, i.e., small tiny papular protuberances on the back (from vertebra C down to L). These are of a white, red, or brown coloration that does not fade when pressed. Choose papules close to the spine and at as low a position on the back or lumbus as possible. Use a thick needle to pick open the papule, and then pick out ten or so of the fibers visible within the rupture. Apply a dressing.
hen cough
Synonyms: whooping cough.
heralding speckle
A speckle that forewarns of macular eruption. In measles, for example, faint red speckles may appear at the hairline two or three days before the eruption actually occurs.
heralding tip
Synonyms: heralding speckle.
herbal foundation
Synonyms: bencao; pen-ts'ao.
Collectively, the items used in Chinese medicinal remedies, so called because herbs constitute the majority; materia medica.
Any traditional work consisting of a systematic listing of Chinese medicinals with illustrations, e.g., The Divine Husbandman's Herbal Foundation Canon, The Comprehensive Herbal Foundation, and The Essential Herbal Foundation.
herbal medicinal
Any medicinal herb that is used locally and scantly or not mentioned in literature. Such herbs are often referred to as `` green herbs'' when sold fresh. See medicinal.
heron cough
Synonyms: whooping cough.
hiccough
Counterflow upsurge of stomach qi causing a continual series of sudden short sounds produced by a jerking of the stomach. Hiccough may be caused by excessive consumption of raw or cold or hot spicy foods, or cold bitter or warm dry medicines. It may also be caused by emotional stimulus, or by stomach vacuity cold in enduring or severe disease. Distinction is made between cold hiccough; heat hiccough; vacuity hiccough; repletion hiccough; stasis hiccough; phlegm hiccough; qi hiccough.
hidden pulse
A pulse even deeper than the sunken pulse, considerable pressure being needed to feel it. It is associated with fulminant desertion of yang qi and deep-lying cold, and generally appears in conjunction with severe vomiting, diarrhea, and pain.
high-altitude wind sparrow-vision internal obstruction
A condition that starts with poor vision in dark places, and subsequently, reduced visual acuity in the daytime, narrowing of the field of vision, and in severe cases clear-eye blindness. If the pupil turns golden yellow with time, the condition is called yellow wind.
Medication: Enrich the liver and kidney and supplement qi and the blood with formulas such as Right-Restoring Life Gate Pill or Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction with judicious addition of chlorite/mica (Chloriti seu Micae Lapis), bat's droppings (Vespertili
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, KI, LR, SI, and BL. Select BL-18 (Liver Transport), BL-23 (Kidney Transport), LR-2 (Moving Between), BL-1 (Bright Eyes), GB-37 (Bright Light), SI-6 (Nursing the Aged), GV-4 (Life Gate), KI-3 (Great Ravine),
hip bone
The bone that can be felt on either side of the body just below the umbilicus.
hoarse voice
A harsh, husky, muffled, faltering, or forced voice; attributable to wind-cold, wind-heat, heat evil invading the lung, lung-kidney yin vacuity, or blood stasis and phlegm.
holism
The philosophical notion that phenomena are more than the sum of their component parts; in medicine, the application of this principle, involving the treatment of the whole person rather than isolated signs or diseases. Chinese medicine is considered holistic on the grounds of a perceived emphasis on the relationship between the human being and the environment and the relationship of the parts of the body to the whole in contrast to the emphasis of Western medicine on analysis and detail, in which a global view of the individual and his or her environment is partially lost. Holism is also seen in the universal correspondences of yin-yang and the five phases.
home
Of channels, to meet the organs to which they belong, e.g., the foot greater yin lung channel homes to the lung.
honey pill
Medicinal preparation consisting of powdered medicinals bound together with a small quantity of honey, and formed into round spheres, usually up to 0.5 cm in diameter.
hongkong foot
A popular modern name for foot damp qi.
hooking and cutting
A surgical method of treating the eyes whereby diseased tissue is lifted up with a hook and removed with a knife.
hot
Of or relating to heat. Of a nature tending to create heat and reduce cold, e.g., hot agent.
hot back
Palpable heat or feeling of heat in the back. A hot back is a sign of lung heat or yin vacuity.
hot body
Synonyms: generalized heat~effusion.
hot formula
One of the twelve formula types. Heat can eliminate cold; hence hot formulas treat cold patterns. For example, Counterflow Cold Decoction, which contains dried ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Exsiccatum), aconite (Aconiti Tuber Laterale), and licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix), treats aversion to cold, counterflow cold of the limbs, curled-up lying posture, watery diarrhea containing untransformed food, absence of thirst, and a forceless deep fine pulse.
hot head
From Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer. A feeling of heat in the head. A hot head is usually attributable to yin vacuity with upbearing fire, or liver wind or liver yang harassing the upper body, and is often associated with redness of the checks and baking heat~effusion that can be palpated.
Medication: Enrich yin and downbear fire; calm the liver and subdue yang. Use Gastrodia and Uncaria Beverage or Uncaria Powder.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, and points of the three yin channels of the foot, HT, and GB. Main points: BL-23 (Kidney Transport), BL-18 (Liver Transport), KI-3 (Great Ravine), KI-6 (Shining Sea), and SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection); need
hot medicinals can eliminate cold
Medicinals that are hot in nature such as dried ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Exsiccatum) and aconite (Aconiti Tuber Laterale) can treat cold patterns. See hot formula.
hot pack method
A method of treatment in which a cloth bag containing medicinals that have been warmed, usually by stir-frying, is applied to the body to relieve pain. The hot pack method is used to treat wind-cold-damp impediment, cold pain in the stomach duct and abdomen. For example, stomach qi pain can be treated with a hot pack of stir-fried tangerine leaves. Salt, sand, or earth can also be used. Care should be taken not to burn the patient.
hot tears
Discharge of hot tear fluid; observed, for example, in wind-fire eye.
house
Synonyms: mansion.
Place of dwelling or activity.
house of bright essence
The head.
house of essence
Synonyms: essence chamber.
house of the blood
The vessels.
house of the kidney
The lumbus.
house of the marrow
The bones.
house of the original spirit
The brain.
house of the sinews
The knees. The knee is an area in which many large sinews converge, and is the location of GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring), the meeting point of the sinews. Limpness of the sinews affecting the knees is observed especially in insufficiency of the kidney and liver.
ht
Abbreviation for the heart or hand lesser yin heart channel.
hua tuo's paravertebral points
A group of points, named after the famous 3rd century (Eastern Han) physician Hua Tuo, located along either side of the spine about 0.5 body-inches lateral to the lower end of the spinous process of each vertebra. Their functions are similar to those of the governing vessel and transport points between which they are located. They are notably used for diseases of the back and lumbus. Although Hua Tuo's points do not include points beside the cervical vertebrae, in modern clinical practice, however, cervical paravertebral points are used effectively in the treatment of neck diseases. The extended group may be referred to simply as paravertebral points.
huang
The region below the heart and above the diaphragm. huang membrane.See gao-huang.
huang membrane
The fatty membrane below the heart and above the diaphragm.
human center
The philtrum.
GV-26, which is located in the philtrum.
human level
The middle third of the insertion range of a needle, i.e., the middle third of the distance between the surface of the body and the point of deepest insertion. See heaven, human, and earth.
human-center clove sore
A clove sore at the human center (philtrum). A human-center clove sore starts as a small lump like a small bean. It is hard, swollen, and painful, and is attended by general signs. It should not be squeezed for fear of encouraging a process of spread and exacerbation known as ``running yellow'' (see clove sore running yellow). Similar sores may occur in the sauce receptacle (the groove between the lip and chin) or at the corners of the mouth, known as sauce receptacle clove sore and tiger's-whiskers clove sore respectively.
humor
Any fluid in the human body, and specifically a thicker fluid in contrast to ``liquid.'' See five humors; fluids.
humor desertion
humor-increasing moist precipitation
hunchback
Synonyms: tortoise back.
hundred-day cough
Synonyms: whooping cough.
hyperactive heart fire
Synonyms: intense heart fire; exuberant heart fire.
A heart disease pattern characterized by signs such as heat vexation, insomnia, and mouth sores, arising when the six excesses lie depressed in the inner body and transform into fire, when the patient is given to excessive consumption of hot acrid foods or warm supplementing medicinals, or when affect-mind causes transformation into fire. The main signs, heart vexation, insomnia, and mouth sores, are accompanied by red face, thirst, yellow urine, dry stool, blood ejection and spontaneous external bleeding, manic agitation and delirious speech, heat~effusion, and skin sores that are red, swollen, and painful. The tongue is red or red at the tip. The tongue fur is yellow. The pulse is rapid.
Medication: Clear the heart and drain fire. Use Heart-Draining Decoction or Palace-Clearing Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on PC and HT. Select PC-8 (Palace of Toil), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion), and CV-14 (Great Tower Gate), needling with drainage and prick PC-9 (Central Hub), and HT-9 (Lesser Surge) to bleed. Selection of points according to signs: For mouth
hyperactive kidney fire
Synonyms: effulgent life gate fire.
Effulgent yin vacuity with fire causing discharge of semen. The kidney is a yin viscus that stores fire and water (true yin and true yang), which must remain in balance if the body is to remain healthy. Depletion of kidney-water or liver-yin vacuity can give rise to hyperactive kidney fire, which manifests in the form of excessive libido, seminal emission, and premature ejaculation.
Medication: Use Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on KI. Select BL-23 (Kidney Transport), KI-3 (Great Ravine), KI-6 (Shining Sea), BL-52 (Will Chamber), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge); needle with even supplementation and drainage. For seminal emission and p
hyperactivity
In the doctrine of yin and yang, pronounced strengthening and prevalence of yang.
hypersomnia
Synonyms: clouding sleep.
hypertonicity
Stiffness and tension in the limbs inhibiting normal bending and stretching. Hypertonicity is usually attributable to wind, and occurs, for example, in impediment . See tension of the sinews.
hypertonicity of the limbs
hypertonicity of the sinews
