TCM Dictionary - Search Explorer
The TCM Dictionary is massive, so the fastest way to find something is to search. As an example, try a search for 'liver qi'. The more obscure the TCM concept, the better. The dictionary combines terms, definitions, medications, and acupuncture prescriptions.
There are 199 terms starting with "M"
ma dan-yang's twelve heavenly star points
Twelve points that Ma Dan-Yang, a Song Dynasty physician, considered the most useful in the treatment of disease. The points were passed on to his students and appeared later written in song form. Ma Dan-Yang's twelve heavenly star points are presented below.
ST-36 (Leg Three Li): distention in the heart and abdomen, cold in the stomach, rumbling intestines, swollen legs, aching legs, cold damage emaciation and detriment, and qi gu
ST-44 (Inner Court): reversal (cold) of the four limbs, liking for quiet and aversion to noise, dormant papules, sore throat, yawning, toothache, malaria, and inability to eat
LI-11 (Pool at the Bend): pain in the elbow, hemilateral wind preventing the arm from being stretched, slack sinews with inability to brush the hair, blockage of the throat, persistent heat~effusion, and hemilateral wind lichen and lai
LI-4 (Union Valley): headache, malaria, tooth decay, nosebleed, clenched jaw with inability to speak
BL-40 (Bend Center): lumbar pain, wind impediment , inability to stretch the knee
BL-57 (Mountain Support): lumbar pain, hemorrhoids, difficult defecation, leg qi with swollen knees, cholera with cramps
LR-3 (Supreme Surge): fright epilepsy wind, distention in the throat and region of the heart,
BL-60 (Kunlun Mountains): cramps and lumbar pain, fulminant panting and fullness surging into the heart, inability to lift the legs
GB-30 (Jumping Round): lumbar pain, wind-cold-damp impediment with pain in the legs stretching into the calves
GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring): swelling and numbness of the knees, cold wind and hemilateral wind, inability to lift the legs
HT-5 (Connecting Li): inability to speak, anguish and fearful throbbing; in repletion, swelling of the limbs, and red head and cheeks; in vacuity, inability to eat and sudden loss of voice
LU-7 (Broken Sequence): hemilateral headache, hemilateral wind numbness, phlegm-drool frequently welling upward, clenched jaw
mace
Synonyms: qian.
macule
A patch on the skin.See maculopapular eruption.
maculopapular eruption
Eruption of macules or papules. Macules are colored (usually red) patches that are unraised above the surface of the skin and vary in size. Papules are like grains of millet in shape and size (or may be larger), raised above the surface of the skin. The appearance of maculopapular eruptions in externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases indicates heat penetrating blood-construction. In internal damage miscellaneous diseases, they usually indicate blood heat.
magic medicine
Either upborne elixir (Sublimatum Triplex) or white downborne elixir (Praeparatio Sublimata Alba), which are produced by sublimation. Upborne elixir is, according to one method, made by heating mercury (Hydrargyrum), niter (Nitrum), and alum (Alumen) in a container with a lid sealed on to make yellow and red crystals settle on the lid on cooling (hence ``upborne'' elixir). Downborne elixir is made by heating cinnabar (Cinnabaris), realgar (Realgar), mercury (Hydrargyrum), borax (Borax), niter (Nitrum), salt (Sal), alum (Alumen), and melanterite (Melanteritum) in a sealed container to produce crystals in the container rather than the lid (hence ``downborne'' elixir).
magic root
Synonyms: tongue.
main channel
Any large channel.
major chest bind
Synonyms: phlegm-heat chest bind.
A disease pattern arising when inappropriate application of precipitation of an unresolved exterior pattern in greater yang disease causes the heat evil to fall inward and combine with phlegm and water. Major chest bind is characterized by fullness, hardness and pain in the chest, stomach duct, and umbilical region that is too tender to be touched. Other signs include thirst, dry tongue, late afternoon tidal heat~effusion, and tight sunken pulse. Chest bind was first described in On Cold Damage
Medication: Expel water and discharge heat. Use Major Chest Bind Decoction or Pill.
Acupuncture: Select GV-12 (Body Pillar), PC-5 (Intermediary Courier), PC-7 (Great Mound), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), CV-17 (Chest Center), PC-6 (Inner Pass), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), GV-14 (Great Hammer), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), and SP-6 (
major divide
major reversal
From Elementary Questions. Severe sudden clouding reversal as though the patient had suddenly died. See reversal patterns; wind stroke.
major vacuity of original qi
Severe qi vacuity.
malar flush
Synonyms: tidal reddening of the cheeks.
malaria
A recurrent disease characterized by shivering, vigorous heat~effusion, and sweating and classically attributed to contraction of summerheat during the hot season, contact with mountain forest miasma, or contraction of cold-damp. Malaria is explained as evil qi latent at midstage (half exterior and half interior). Different forms are distinguished according to signs and causes.
Types distinguished by cause and pattern
wind malaria: heat~effusion and spontaneous sweating
summerheat malaria: vigorous heat~effusion, vexation and thirst
damp malaria: oppression in the chest, upflow nausea, and aching and heaviness in the trunk and limbs
cold malaria: severe aversion to cold followed by mild heat~effusion
warm malaria: pronounced heat~effusion followed by mild aversion to cold
pure-heat malaria: heat~effusion without aversion to cold
female malaria: aversion to cold without heat~effusion
phlegm malaria: dizziness, copious phlegm, and coma
Types distinguished by time of episode
tertian malaria: attacks every third day
quartan malaria: every fourth day
See also triple-yin malaria.
enduring malaria: vacuity signs
Types distinguished by triggering cause
taxation malaria: caused by irregularities of work and rest
food malaria: dietary irregularities
miasmic malaria: caused by miasma
epidemic malaria: epidemic qi
Medication: The principle of treatment for malaria is as follows: (1) Initial stage: harmonization. (2) Middle stage: interrupting malaria (using medicinals or acupuncture to prevent imminent episodes). (3) Advanced stage: supplementing vacuity.
Acupuncture: General malaria-terminating treatment is based mainly on GV, PC, and SI. Select GV-14 (Great Hammer), GV-13 (Kiln Path), PC-5 (Intermediary Courier), and SI-3 (Back Ravine); needle with drainage 2--3 hours before an expected episode. If episodes are not r
male malaria
From Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer. The character (male) is held to be a mistranscription of (female). See female malaria.
malign
Noxious, severe, difficult to cure. Not to be confused with the term ``malignant'' as used in Western medicine.
malign blood
Blood that has spilled out of the vessels and accumulates outside blood vessels and that manifests is the form of stasis macules, stasis speckles, or blood swelling.
malign complexion
Synonyms: perished complexion.
A dry complexion, showing no sign of ``vital qi'' (vitality), a critical sign indicating that stomach qi is exhausted and visceral qi is wasted. The complexions described in Elementary Questions as ``green-blue as new shoots of grass; yellow like unripe bitter orange; black as cinders; red as coagulated blood; white as dry bones'' are all malign complexions.
malign disease of great wind
Synonyms: pestilential wind.
malign flesh
A disease described in Emergency Standby Remedies ``A fleshy growth red as a rice bean, protruding from the body, becoming longer like cow's or mare's teats or like a cock's crest. It should be treated by taking a decoction of rhaponticum/echinops (Rhapontici seu Echinopis Radix) orally, and by cauterizing the malign flesh with a red-hot needle three times a day and applying Cimicifuga Paste.''
malign obstruction
A condition of aversion to food, nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, not considered untoward unless it severely affects food intake. Malign obstruction is the manifestation of impaired harmonious downbearing of stomach qi.
malign sore
Any sore that is burning hot, swollen, and itchy and that continues to spread after bursting, and fails to heal.
malignity stroke
A disease attributed in ancient times to the malign work of demons, and described in The Level-Line of Pattern Identification and Treatment in the following way: ``Malignity stroke patterns are due to catching some unright qi and are characterized by sudden counterflow cold of the limbs, goose pimples, blackish green-blue head and face, essence-spirit failing to confine itself, deranged raving, clenched jaw, spinning head and collapse, and clouding unconsciousness. They are observed in sudden reversal, visiting hostility... or after attending funerals or going into temples or graveyards.'' (see sudden reversal; visiting hostility).
Medication: Liquid Storax Pill can be used to revive the patient, and then treat with Stomach-Calming Powder plus saussurea (Saussureae (seu Vladimiriae) Radix), cyperus (Cyperi Rhizoma), ginseng (Ginseng Radix), and agastache/patchouli (Agastaches seu Pogostemi Herb
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV, LI, and hand and foot reverting yin PC/LR. Select GV-26 (Water Trough), PC-9 (Central Hub), LI-4 (Union Valley), GV-20 (Hundred Convergences), LR-2 (Moving Between), PC-6 (Inner Pass), and KI-1 (Gushing Spring); needle with dr
malodor
Any unpleasant or offensive odor. See animal odor; fishy smell; putrid smell; foul smell.
malodorous
Giving off a malodor or bad smell.
malposition of fetus
Incorrect position of the fetus in the uterus; attributed to qi stagnation or fright or fear before delivery.
Medication: Soothe qi and abduct stagnation using formulas such as Fetus-Turning Formula. In modern practice, Carefree Pregnancy Formula, originally devised to calm the fetus, has been used successfully to right the position of the fetus.
Acupuncture: Either of the following two methods may be used: (1) Moxibustion: Select bilateral BL-67 (Reaching Yin) points, and pole for 15--20 minutes (7--15 cones), twice each day. (2) Acupuncture and moxibustion: Select bilateral BL-67 (Reaching Yin) points, and n
mammary aggregation
A disease of the breast characterized by a swollen lump like a plum or mume or like an egg that is hard and painful, and that moves when pushed. Mammary aggregation is unassociated with cold or heat or skin color. It is arises most commonly when thought damages the spleen and depressed anger damages the liver, causing qi stagnation and congealing phlegm. It may also be due to liver-kidney yin vacuity.
mammary chestnut
mammary consumption
A disease of the breast that develops from a mammary node as a result of qi-blood vacuity or unsuccessful treatment. The mammary node gradually becomes as large as a bowl, is hard and painful, and spreads to the rib-side below the armpit. It becomes purple or black in color and can burst to exude in mild cases white fluid that may be malodorous. If the condition persists, postmeridian tidal heat~effusion, cough, red cheeks, marked emaciation and other signs of internal vacuity heat may be observed.
mammary fistula
A fistula on the breast or areola characterized by a tunnel that penetrates deep into the flesh and exudes pus and in some cases milk; usually attributed to an effusion of the breast, mammary welling-abscess, or mammary consumption that owing to improper treatment fails to heal.
Medication: Medication: Treat topically with formulas such as Red Upborne Elixir applied to a medicated thread that is inserted to draw out the pus. When the putridity has gone, Flesh-Engendering Powder can be used to engender flesh and close the opening. The method
mammary flat-abscess
A yin-pattern suppurative lesion of the breast. A mammary flat-abscess is characterized by a hard, slightly painful lump in the breast, without any change in skin color. The lump gradually grows larger. Suppuration is slow to develop and is accompanied by aversion cold and heat~effusion. Rupture gives rise to a discharge of yellow pus and leaves a deep hole in the breast.
mammary gan
Breast sores or lumps that have persisted for may years without healing or that have half healed, look like broken lotus receptacles, and are excruciatingly painful.
mammary node
Synonyms: node in the breast; breast node; mammary chestnut; mammary phlegm node.
A hard bound lump in the breast, observed in mammary rock and mammary consumption.
mammary phlegm node
Synonyms: mammary node.
mammary rock
Synonyms: mammary chestnut.
A disease of the breast that starts as a hard, painless mammary node the size of a jujube or chestnut with an uneven surface, and that subsequently grows larger and becomes painful. Before bursting, the nipples become sunken and the lump feels like a heap of chestnuts or an upturned bowl and is connected with the skin so that it does not move when pushed. If the head shows through as purple, it will gradually rupture to leave an opening like a rock cave that exudes foul water or blood.
mammary toxin sore
A boil of the breast unassociated with pregnancy or breast-feeding.
A postpartum mammary welling-abscess.
mammary welling-abscess
A welling-abscess on the female breast. It is most common after childbirth, but may occur in the later stages of pregnancy. It is characterized by a redness and swelling in the breast, which if left untreated can suppurate and burst. Severe cases are called effusion of the breast. At least since the Song, the breath of the infant has been understood as cause of mammary welling-abscesses, and in The Golden Mirror of Medicine the distinction is made between external blowing (mammary welling-abscess developing after childbirth) and internal blowing (developing before childbirth).
Medication: In the initial stage, treat by soothing the liver and clearing the stomach and by promoting lactation and dissipating binds; use formulas such as Trichosanthes and Arctium Decoction plus dandelion (Taraxaci Herba cum Radice), tangkuei (Angelicae Sinensis
Acupuncture: Base treatment on yang brightness and reverting yin . Select ST-16 (Breast Window), GB-21 (Shoulder Well), PC-6 (Inner Pass), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LI-7 (Warm Dwelling), and LR-2 (Moving Between); needle with drainage. Mammary we
man's prognosis
Synonyms: man's prognosis pulse.
The pulsating vessel at the sides of the neck. This pulse is mentioned under block and repulsion.
man's prognosis pulse
Synonyms: man's prognosis.
mania
Any pattern characterized by wild behavior, self-aggrandizement, scolding and shouting, smashing objects and beating people, climbing over walls or onto roofs, failure to modify behavior for either family and friends or outsiders, extraordinary strength, tendency not to rest or to eat, red tongue with yellow fur, and a large stringlike slippery rapid pulse; attributed to five-mind fire transformation or phlegm clouding the orifices of the heart.
Medication: Flush phlegm and open the orifices; drain fire and attack accumulations. Use formulas such as Iron Flakes Beverage, Chlorite/Mica Phlegm-Rolling Pill, or Major Qi-Coordinating Decoction.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on PC, LR, HT, and ST. To drain fire and settle the heart, select GV-26 (Water Trough), PC-8 (Palace of Toil), PC-5 (Intermediary Courier), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), HT-8 (Lesser Mansion), and LR-2 (Moving Between), and prick LU-11 (Lesser
mania and withdrawal
Mental derangement. Mania denotes states of excitement characterized by noisy, unruly, and even aggressive behavior, offensive speech, constant singing and laughter, irascibility, springing walls and climbing roofs, and inability to remain tidily dressed. This is a yang pattern of the heart spirit straying outward owing to hyperactivity of yang qi. Withdrawal refers to emotional depression, indifference, deranged speech, taciturnity, and obliviousness of hunger or satiety. It is a yin pattern caused by binding of depressed qi and phlegm or heart-spleen vacuity.See mania; withdrawal.
mania evil
Evil giving rise to mania.
manic agitation
Agitation with signs of mania.
manipulation
Synonyms: needle manipulation.
marsh rampart
martial flame
A fierce flame. Effusing dissipating medicinals are boiled for a short time over a martial flame. Compare civil flame.
massage
Synonyms: tui-na.
Rubbing, pressing or other manipulation of the body for the treatment and prevention of disease. Massage helps to free the channels and vessels, and also helps to disinhibit the joints. By stimulating the movement of qi and blood, it can regulate the function of the bowels and viscera, and increase resistance to disease.
massive head scourge
A disease that results from invasion of the spleen and stomach channels by seasonal wind-warmth toxin and that is characterized by swelling and redness of the head, and sometimes by painful swelling of the throat, and, in severe cases, signs such as deafness, clenched jaw, clouded spirit, and delirious raving.
Medication: Use Universal Aid Toxin-Dispersing Beverage.
master points of the eight vessels
Synonyms: confluence points of the eight vessels.
mealy tumor
Synonyms: fatty tumor.
measles
A transmissible disease affecting mostly children characterized by eruption of papules the shape of sesame seeds. The disease is located in the spleen and lung channels, and can affect other bowels and viscera. Measles is characterized at onset by heat~effusion, cough, and copious tearing, and white speckles inside the mouth. After three days of heat~effusion, papules appear behind the ears, on the neck, and face, and spread to the limbs. Eruption is complete when the papules reach the legs. During the first millennium, measles was poorly distinguished from other disease characterized by eruptions. In the Song dynasty, both measles and smallpox were popularly called ma2 zi3 (lit. ``semame seeds''), but Pang An-Shi distinguished a mild form from a severe form. The distinction was consolidated in the Ming, when the term ma2 zhen3 came to be used for mild eruptive diseases.
Medication: In the initial heat~effusion stage, treat by diffusing the lung and outthrusting papules with formulas such as Toxin-Diffusing Exterior-Effusing Decoction or Lonicera and Forsythia Powder. After eruption, treat by clearing heat and resolving toxin with pu
measles block pattern
Measles failing to erupt with evil toxin blocked in the inner body. A measles block pattern arises when externally contracted wind-cold, intense internal heat, food stagnation, or exuberant phlegm-damp obstruct lung qi and block the interstices, preventing the normal outthrust of measles papules. The signs are the appearance of speckles not followed by full eruption, or the premature disappearance of measles papules.
Medication: The basic method is to diffuse the lung and outthrust papules. This should be variously combined according the particular pattern with one of the following: coursing wind and resolving the exterior; clearing heat and resolving toxin; dispersing food and
measles toxin entering construction
Measles with heat evil causing intense heat and entering the construction-blood and in some cases the pericardium. Measles toxin entering construction is marked by papules that coalesce and turn dark purple in color, high fever, vexation and thirst, delirious raving, clouded spirit, tetanic reversal, groping in the air, crimson tongue with prickles, and in some cases bleeding from the mouth, nose, and two yin (anus and genital orifices).
Medication: Clear construction and cool the blood with Construction-Clearing Decoction or Scourge-Clearing Toxin-Vanquishing Beverage. These formulas can be complemented by Spirit-Like Rhinoceros Horn Elixir.
measles toxin falling into the lung
Measles in which, after disappearance of papules, contraction of wind evil causes the measles toxin to fall into the lung. The signs are high fever, cough, hasty breathing, phlegm rale, flaring nostrils, and green-blue lips.
Medication: Diffuse the lung and outthrust the evil; clear heat and resolve toxin. Use Ephedra, Apricot Kernel, Licorice, and Gypsum Decoction with additions.
meat-type food damage
mechanical ejection
Provoking vomiting by the introduction of an instrument into the throat in the treatment of poisoning or food stagnation. Mechanical ejection is usually performed by stimulating the throat with a cleaned chicken's or duck's feather.
medial headache
Synonyms: ambilateral headache .
A pain felt on the right and left side of the head; a regular headache as opposed to a hemilateral headache.See headache.
medicated leaven
A medicinal preparation made by fermenting powdered medicinals mixed with flour and then dried in cakes. Medicated leavens can be decocted with other medicinals. They enter the stomach and spleen and help digestion. The most commonly used is medicated leaven (Massa Medicata Fermentata). Others include pinellia leaven (Pinelliae Massa Fermentata) and aquilaria leaven (Aquilariae Ligni Massa).
medicated thread drainage
An external medical technique whereby a twisted paper coated with or enveloping medicinal powder is introduced into a fistula to assist the removal of pus and toxin, and promote healing.
medication
The use of medicinals, including the choice of medicinals, their final preparation, and their administration to the patient.
medicinal
Synonyms: agent.
Any animal, vegetable, or mineral product that traditionally is powdered, decocted or prepared as a wine or distillate for oral consumption, or prepared as a powder, paste, or wine for topical application. Medicinals include the drugs of the orthodox literary tradition, often widely distributed beyond their production area, which are now known as chinese medicinals, as well as locally used herbal medicinals or folk medicinals scantily described in premodern literature. The term chinese medicinals and herbs covers both categories. Chinese medicinals and to lesser extent herbal medicinals too, have properties described in terms of nature and flavor, toxicity, channel entry, and action.
medicinal dew
Synonyms: distillate.
medicinal materials
Basic animal, vegetable, and mineral products that are processed and prepared for consumption or application.
medicinal paste
Synonyms: oil paste.
A preparation made with vegetable oil and bee's wax, and applied topically in the treatment of sores or burns. Medicinal pastes are made by first heating the oil, blending in the wax, and adding the ground medicinals while the mixture is still hot. The paste is ready for use when cool. Some formula stipulates that certain medicinals be added in the form of decocting slices, which are first fried in the oil and the dregs removed before the wax and powdered medicinals are blended in. Aromatic medicinals such as borneol (Borneolum) and camphor (Camphora) are added after the paste has cooled to ensure that they retain their full strength. Nowadays, finely ground materials are often combined with a petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and glycerin base to make ointment. See paste.
medicinal preparation
The final form in which medicinals (usually the various ingredients of a formula) are administered, taken, or applied. Commonly used preparations are given in the table below. The most common preparation taken orally is the decoction, whereby the natural medicinals are simply boiled by patients themselves or those attending them. Recent technological advances have led to the development of new preparations such as soluble granules, tablets, and injection fluids, which are quicker acting, more effective, more convenient to use, and more accurately dose-controlled. See Table .
medicinal roles
medicinal wine
A preparation made by steeping medicinals in liquor. See wine.
medicinal with an affinity to flesh and blood
Any medicinal product derived from animal, traditionally considered to be effective by virtue of its affinity to human and flesh and blood.
medicinal-induced blister moxibustion
Synonyms: cold moxibustion; natural moxibustion.
The application of irritants at acupuncture points to produce blistering. Medicinals used include Japanese ranunculus (Ranunculi Japonici Herba et Radix), mylabris (Mylabris), eclipta (Ecliptae Herba), mashed garlic (Allii Sativi Bulbus Pulpatus), and white mustard (Brassicae Albae Semen). Because this therapy makes use of the burning properties contained in the medicinals, it is also called natural moxibustion and because the ``burning'' action involves no actual combustion, it is also called cold moxibustion. Moxibustion with Japanese ranunculus (Ranunculi Japonici Herba et Radix) is used to treat malaria and jaundice. The leaves and stem of the plant is crushed and is applied to appropriate acupuncture points for 1--2 hours until a blister appears. Moxibustion with mylabris (Mylabris) is used to treat joint pain and jaundice. A piece of sticking plaster is pierced and applied to the skin so that the hole aligns with the acupuncture point. Powdered mylabris is then placed in the hole, and another piece of plaster is stuck over it. The dressing is removed as soon as a blister develops. Moxibustion with eclipta (Ecliptae Herba) is used to treat malaria. Fresh eclipta is crushed and applied to acupuncture points for 3--4 hours until a blister appears. Moxibustion with mashed garlic (Allii Sativi Bulbus Pulpatus) is applied to acupuncture points for 1--3 hours and is used to treat vacuity consumption and baby moth. Moxibustion with white mustard (Brassicae Albae Semen) is used to treat pulmonary consumption, wheezing and panting, and deviation of the eyes and mouth. The white mustard is ground to a powder, mixed with a little fluid, and applied to the acupuncture for 3--4 hours until a blister appears. cold moxibustion.
medicine
The art of healing.
medicine
meeting of yin
Synonyms: perineum.
meeting point
membrane source
A membrane of the chest or diaphragm not clearly defined. In the doctrine of warm diseases, the term denotes a location between the exterior and interior, so that evil in the membrane source therefore corresponds to midstage patterns in the doctrine of cold damage.See scourge epidemic.
men's diseases
Synonyms: andriatic diseases.
Diseases proper to men; diseases that do not affect women. See disease.
menopause
Normal cessation of menstruation at about the age of forty-nine. Menopause is attributable to debilitation of kidney qi, cessation of the ``heavenly tenth'', and vacuity of the thoroughfare and controlling vessels, and the vessels of the uterus.
menstrual abdominal pain
menstrual block
Synonyms: amenorrhea.
Absence of menstruation. Between menarche and menopause menstruation normally ceases only in pregnancy. Menstrual block is the continuing absence of menstruation after the age of eighteen or the abnormal cessation of menstrual periods for at least three months in women who are neither pregnant nor lactating. Rarely, lifelong absence of menstruation is unaccompanied by impairment of reproductive function. See the entries listed below.
menstrual blood
Synonyms: amenorrhea.
amenorrhea.
menstrual blood ejection
One form of counterflow menstruation. Blood ejection occurring at the time of menstruation, sometimes with reduction in menstrual flow. Menstrual blood ejection is mostly attributable to blood heat and upsurge of qi causing frenetic movement of the blood, but may also be the result of upsurge of qi and vacuity fire. The main patterns are intense stomach heat, depressed liver channel fire, and yin vacuity.
menstrual bloody stool
Synonyms: deviated menstruation; crossed menstruation.
Bloody stool during menstruation. Menstrual bloody stool attributed to predilection for hot spicy foods or long-depressed accumulated heat harassing the thoroughfare and controlling vessels, causing frenetic movement of the blood.
Medication: Clear heat and resolve toxin and regulate qi and blood with polyporus (Polyporus), alisma (Alismatis Rhizoma), ovate atractylodes (Atractylodis Ovatae Rhizoma), red peony (Paeoniae Radix Rubra), ass hide glue (Asini Corii Gelatinum), tangkuei (Angelicae S
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LR, back transport points, BL, SP, and ST. Select LR-3 (Supreme Surge), LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), BL-20 (Spleen Transport), BL-25 (Large Intestine Transport), GV-1 (Long Strong), ST-39 (Lower Great Hollow), BL-57 (Mountain Support
menstrual flow
Synonyms: menstrual blood.
The bloody fluid discharged during the menstrual period. See menstruation.
menstrual heat~effusion
Heat~effusion during menstruation; attributed to construction-defense disharmony resulting from contraction of external evils, blood heat, or yin vacuity.
menstrual irregularities
Abnormalities of the regularity menstrual cycle or of volume, color or consistency of menstrual flow. Irregularities of the menstrual cycle include advanced menstruation (shortening of the cycle attributable to blood heat, blood vacuity, qi vacuity, or liver depression), delayed menstruation (lengthening of cycle attributable to blood vacuity, blood cold, kidney vacuity, qi stagnation, or static blood), menstruation at irregular intervals (sometimes short, sometimes long cycles attributable to liver depression or kidney vacuity), and menstrual block (absence of menstruation attributable to blood depletion, blood desiccation, kidney vacuity, qi stagnation and blood stasis, and congealing cold-damp). Irregularities of volume include scant menstruation (attributable to blood vacuity, blood cold, blood stasis, phlegm-damp or kidney vacuity) and profuse menstruation (attributable to qi vacuity, blood heat, or taxation damage).
Cycle
advanced menstruation
delayed menstruation
menstruation at irregular intervals
Volume
menstrual block
scant menstruation
profuse menstruation
Color
pale menstrual flow
purple menstrual flow
Consistency
clotted menstrual flow
toad egg menses
Miscellaneous
menstrual blood ejection
menstrual heat~effusion
menstrual mania
menstrual pain
menstrual vomiting
menstrual puffy swelling
premenstrual bloody stool
premenstrual syndrome
postmenstrual tidal heat~effusion
flooding and spotting Irregularities of the color of the menstrual flow include any deviation from a dark red flow that is paler at onset and termination. Generally speaking, a bright red flow indicates heat, pale red indicates blood vacuity or cold, whereas purple indicates static blood. See pale menstrual flow and purple menstrual flow. Irregularities of consistency include excessively thin or thick consistency and clotting. Generally, thick flow suggests heat, thin flow indicates qi vacuity, and clotting indicates blood stasis. See clotted menstrual flow; toad-egg menses. Discomfort before, during, or after menstruation most commonly includes abdominal pain during menstruation (due to qi stagnation, blood stasis, congealing cold-damp, qi-blood vacuity, or liver-kidney depletion) and distended breasts (due to liver depression and qi stagnation). See the entries listed below.
Miscellaneous Menstrual Pathoconditions
menstrual blood ejection
menstrual heat~effusion
menstrual mania
menstrual pain
menstrual vomiting
menstrual spontaneous external bleeding
menstrual puffy swelling
premenstrual bloody stool
premenstrual syndrome
postmenstrual blood ejection and spontaneous external bleeding
postmenstrual tidal heat~effusion
flooding and spotting
menstrual mania
Mania during menstruation characterized by deranged spirit-mind, hallucination, manic or delirious raving, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness. Menstrual mania attributed to vexation and anger causing counterflow and derangement of liver qi that carries the blood upward to attack the heart.
Medication: Soothe the liver and quiet the heart with musk (Moschus), cinnabar (Cinnabaris), licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix), saussurea (Saussureae (seu Vladimiriae) Radix), ginseng (Ginseng Radix), root poria (Poria cum Pini Radice), platycodon (Platycodonis Radix), b
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on PC, LR, SP, and HT. Select BL-18 (Liver Transport), BL-15 (Heart Transport), PC-6 (Inner Pass), LR-3 (Supreme Surge), SP-6 (Three Yin Intersection), HT-7 (Spirit Gate), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), GV-26 (Water Trough), PC-8 (Palace of T
menstrual pain
Synonyms: menstrual abdominal pain.
Smaller-abdominal pain occurring before, during, or after menstruation. There are three main forms: (1) Lesser-abdominal pain that occurs before or during menstruation, that in severe cases radiates into the lumbus, that likes warmth, and that is associated with scant reddish flow with clots, aversion to cold, sloppy stool, a slimy tongue fur and a tight sunken pulse is a cold-damp pattern. (2) Smaller-abdominal distention and pain before or during menstruation, with distention more pronounced than pain and relieved by the discharge of clots, scant dribbling flow, distention in the breasts and rib-side, a speckled tongue, and a stringlike sunken pulse indicates liver qi depression. (3) Dull post-menstrual pain that likes pressure, accompanied by scant pale flow, aching lumbus and knees, dizziness, and tinnitus, a pale tongue covered with a thin white fur, and a fine sunken pulse indicates liver-kidney depletion. To treat the tip, regulate the blood and relieve pain; to treat the root, treat according to the pattern identified. Acupuncture treatment for menstrual pain involves rectifying the qi and blood of the thoroughfare and controlling vessels on the fundamental principles of ``vacuity is treated by supplementation,'' ``repletion is treated by draining,'' ``cold is treated with heat,'' and ``heat is treated with cold.'' The methods of treatment are: dissipating cold, clearing heat, supplementing vacuity, or draining repletion. These may be combined with stimulation to move qi or quicken the blood. Care must be taken to avoid indiscriminate use of attacking stasis and expelling blood. Sometimes it is necessary to ensure fullness of qi and blood before freeing action can be effective. See the entries listed below.
qi stagnation menstrual pain
congealing cold-damp menstrual pain
qi-blood vacuity menstrual pain
liver-kidney depletion menstrual pain blood stasis menstrual pain
menstrual puffy swelling
Swelling during menstruation that results when a vacuous spleen fails to move and transform water, and water spills into the flesh.
Medication: Regulate the stomach and spleen; move qi and disinhibit water.
menstrual spontaneous external bleeding
One form of counterflow menstruation. Spontaneous external bleeding during menstruation. Menstrual spontaneous external bleeding attributed to either liver depression transforming into fire or yin vacuity and lung heat, the heat in either case damaging the network vessels and causing the blood to ascend counterflow with it.
menstrual spotting
Synonyms: persistent menstrual flow.
From Secret Treasure of the Orchid Chamber. Persistent spotting after menstruation should have fully ceased.See flooding and spotting.
menstrual vomiting
Vomiting during menstruation. Menstrual vomiting is attributable to nontransformation of ingested fluids or food damage, the former being characterized by vomiting of water matter and the latter by stomach pain.
Medication: Damage by ingested fluids can be treated with clove (Caryophylli Flos), dried ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Exsiccatum), and ovate atractylodes (Atractylodis Ovatae Rhizoma) ground to a powder, taking 5~g at a time mixed with rice decoction. Food damage is t
menstruation
Discharge of bloody fluid from the uterus roughly once a month. Menstruation normally starts between the age of 11 and 15, and ceases permanently sometime after the age of 45. Menstruation occurs roughly every 28 days, and each menstrual period lasts for three to five days. Irregularities in the cycle and in the volume, color, and consistency of the flow, are referred to by the general name of menstrual irregularities.
menstruation at irregular intervals
Synonyms: chaotic menstruation.
Menstruation that is sometimes advanced and sometimes delayed; attributed to liver qi depression, kidney vacuity, or spleen vacuity.
meridiometer
A device for measuring cutaneous electrical resistance as a supposed reflection of the flow of qi and blood in the channels.
metal
(In the doctrine of the five phases) the phase associated with the season autumn, the lung (and large intestine), the flavor acridity, and the color white.
metal and water engender each other
Lung-metal and kidney-water stand in mother-child relationship to each other. See lung and kidney are mutually engendering.
combined treatment of lung and kidney.
metal gan
A disease of the white of the eye (white part of the eye surrounding the iris) attributed to intense lung heat and characterized by the appearance of gray-white blister-like granules surrounded by red threads (visible blood vessels) and associated with dryness and discomfort of the eyes, aversion to light, and tearing.
Medication: Clear heat and drain the lung using mulberry root bark (Mori Radicis Cortex), alisma (Alismatis Rhizoma), scrophularia (Scrophulariae Radix), licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix), ophiopogon (Ophiopogonis Tuber), scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), inula flower (I
method of treatment
Any set of therapeutic techniques, e.g., medicinal therapy, acupuncture, acupressure, food therapy.
method of treatment
Any specific mode of intervention in one or more bodily processes derived from a principle of treatment, e.g., ``supplementing the blood'' and ``clearing heat and resolving toxin.''
miasmic malaria
A severe form of malaria attributed to contraction of mountain forest miasmic toxin and traditionally observed to occur in southern China. Miasmic malaria occurs in episodes marked by clouded spirit and delirious raving, and hoarse voice. Distinction is made between cold miasma and heat miasma.
Medication: Heat miasma is treated by repelling foulness and eliminating miasma and by clearing heat and safeguarding liquid using Purple Snow Elixir. Cold miasma is treated by repelling foulness and opening the orifices, transforming turbidity and rectifying qi with
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV, PC, SI, and LR. Select GV-14 (Great Hammer), GV-13 (Kiln Path), PC-5 (Intermediary Courier), SI-3 (Back Ravine), ST-40 (Bountiful Bulge), and CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), needling with drainage, and prick GV-26 (Human Center)
mid-nape flat-abscess
Synonyms: mouth-level nape flat-abscess.
midday-midnight point selection
Synonyms: stem and branch point selection.
A method of needling the five transport points that is founded on the notion that state of qi and blood in the various channels and the receptivity of different points varies in time and that involves calculating the most effective needling times in terms of heavenly stems and earthly branches.
middle
middle burner
Synonyms: center burner.
middle finger body-inch
From A Thousand Gold Pieces Prescriptions. Length of the medial phalange of the middle finger (determined as the distance between the transverse creases) as a standard method of calculating one body-inch. See body-inch.
middle gate tower
Synonyms: hall of impression; gate tower.
The glabella, or region between the eyebrows.
midstage harmonization
midstage pattern
Synonyms: half exterior half interior pattern.
A disease pattern occurring when an exterior evil fails to reach the interior and right qi is too weak to fight it. The signs are alternating heat~effusion and aversion to cold, [suffering of] chest and rib-side fullness, heart vexation, no desire for food and drink, bitter taste in the mouth, dry pharynx, dizzy vision, and stringlike pulse. The etiology of midstage patterns is considered in detail under lesser yang disease.
Medication: Since these are not exterior patterns, they cannot be treated by sweating. Because the evil has not completely penetrated the interior, the normal procedures for treatment of interior patterns are also excluded. Instead, the method of harmonization is app
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on TB and GB. Select TB-4 (Yang Pool), PC-6 (Inner Pass), GB-40 (Hill Ruins), and LR-5 (Woodworm Canal); needle with even supplementation and drainage.
mild conditions are treated by counteraction
From Elementary Questions. Conditions that are not severe are treated by a therapy of opposite nature, e.g., cold is treated with heat, and heat is treated with cold. Counteraction is also referred to as straight treatment.
miliaria
miliaria alba
Small white vesicles on the skin, often occurring in damp warmth diseases when damp-heat evil becomes depressed in the fleshy exterior and fails to thrust outward and discharge. Miliaria alba is usually located on the neck, but may spread down the upper arms and abdomen. It only occurs when there is sweating. Although its appearance usually indicates that the damp-heat is able to escape from the body, it also shows that dampness evil is viscous and resists transformation. For this reason there is recurrent eruption. When miliaria takes the form of clear, plump vesicles, it is known as miliaria crystallina (sudamina) and is a positive sign. If it is dull white and contains no fluid, it is known as dry miliaria, and indicates exhaustion of qi and yin.
Medication: Clear heat, eliminate dampness, and promote diffusion and outthrust. Use Misty Decoction. For dry miliaria due to dual vacuity of qi and yin, add ginseng (Ginseng Radix), adenophora/glehnia (Adenophorae seu Glehniae Radix), and dendrobium (Dendrobii Cauli
miliaria crystallina
Miliaria characterized by plump, glossy, damp vesicles; also known as sudamina.See miliaria.
milk accumulation
A gastrointestinal disease in infants due to damage by milk and other foods. arises when in response to persistent crying the mother is overeager to feed the child. Spleen-stomach vacuity may be a factor preventing the child from digesting milk properly. There are signs such as vexation and crying, unquiet sleep, hot breath, smell of sour milk in the mouth, vomiting of undigested milk, and diarrhea or constipation.
Medication: Disperse milk and harmonize the stomach with Harmony-Preserving Pill prepared as a decoction. is characterized by poor stomach intake, glomus in the stomach duct and abdominal distention, and in some cases tidal heat~effusion, and gradual emaciation. F
Acupuncture: Base treatment for either pattern mainly on CV, ST, and SP. Main points: CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li). For the treatment of simple milk accumulation, add GB-34 (Yang Mound Spring). Needle with drainage for
millet sores
Generalized eruption of papules like grains of millet, that are red in color, itchy, turn into sores when scratched, and over a long period of time can cause damage to the blood and cause the skin to become thick and rough like snake skin.
A soft yellow granulation like a millet seed growing inside the eyelid, causing tearing, itching, and pain. Millet sores of the eye are similar to and often accompanies a peppercorn sore. They are attributable to spleen-stomach damp-heat and external wind toxin congesting in the eyelid.
Medication: Course wind and clear heat. Use Ledebouriella Sage-Inspired Powder. Apply The Golden Mirror of Medicine formula Two-Ingredient Toxin-Drawing Powder, which consists of realgar (Realgar) and alum (Alumen). If itching is severe, use Wind-Dispersing Powder. I
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GB, BL, LI, SP, and ST. Select BL-1 (Bright Eyes), BL-2 (Bamboo Gathering), GB-1 (Pupil Bone-Hole), Greater Yang, LI-4 (Union Valley), GB-20 (Wind Pool), ST-44 (Inner Court), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), and ST-36 (Leg Three Li); need
mind
Synonyms: spirit-mind.
Will, determination. capacity to think, feel, and respond. Affect, emotion. Memory; will. See five minds. See kidney stores mind.See spirit.
ming
The name of a dynasty ( 1368--1644).
minister
ministerial fire
A fire in the body inhabiting the life gate, liver, gallbladder, and triple burner, and thought to come essentially from the life gate (to which extent it is indissociable from kidney yang). It stands in complementary opposition to the sovereign fire, which is the heart fire. The sovereign and ministerial fires together warm the bowels and viscera and power activity in the body. In insufficiency of liver-kidney yin, the ministerial fire can be hyperactive, giving rise to a condition known as stirring of the ministerial fire, which is characterized by dizziness, headache, unclear vision, tinnitus, deafness, irascibility, profuse dreaming, vexing heat in hearts of the palms, excessive libido, seminal emission, and premature ejaculation. This condition is the same as vacuity fire flaming upward due to liver-kidney yin vacuity.
minor chest bind
From On Cold Damage. A pattern of distention and oppression in the stomach duct with pain when pressure is applied, and a slippery floating pulse.
Medication: Loosen the chest, disperse phlegm, open binds, and drain heat with Minor Chest Bind Decoction.
Acupuncture: Select PC-5 (Intermediary Courier), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), ST-37 (Upper Great Hollow), and ST-43 (Sunken Valley); needle with drainage.
minor divide
mirror tongue
Synonyms: mirror-like tongue.
A completely smooth tongue, free of liquid and fur. It indicates severe yin humor depletion. A smooth red or deep red tongue indicates damage to yin by intense heat. If pale in color, a smooth tongue indicates damage to both qi and yin.
mirror-like tongue
Synonyms: mirror tongue.
miscarriage
Expulsion of a fetus before the normal time after the third month of pregnancy. Miscarriage is attributed to damage to the thoroughfare and controlling vessels and inability to contain blood and nourish the fetus stemming from qi-blood vacuity, kidney vacuity, and external injury.See habitual miscarriage.
miscellaneous disease
Synonyms: internal damage miscellaneous disease.
Disease other than externally contracted heat (febrile) disease.
miscellaneous qi
Synonyms: pestilential qi.
mix-frying
Stir-frying with liquid adjuvants. The aim of mix-frying is to change medicinal characteristics, improve effectiveness, improve the flavor and smell, resolve toxicity, and prevent rotting. Usually, the adjuvant and materials are first blended, covered and left to stand for a short time before frying so that the adjuvant soaks well into the materials. The most commonly used adjuvants are honey, vinegar, wine, and brine.
mix-frying with brine
Stir-frying materials with a salt solution is known as brine mix-frying. Salt, being cold in nature, clears heat and cools the blood; being salty in flavor, it enters the kidney and softens hardness. It can also improve the flavor, and is a preservative. Brine mix-frying is a common method of processing medicinals that supplement the kidney, secure essence, treat mounting qi , and drain kidney fire, such as psoralea (Psoraleae Semen), fennel (Foeniculi Fructus), anemarrhena (Anemarrhenae Rhizoma), phellodendron (Phellodendri Cortex), and alisma (Alismatis Rhizoma).
mix-frying with fat
Stir-frying medicinal materials in oil, or mixing them with fat or oil before stir-frying. Fat-frying, in which sesame seed or sheep fat in usually used, makes materials crisp and easier to crush, and can eliminate toxicity, such as in the case of tiger bone (Tigris Os) and nux vomica (Nux-Vomicae Semen). Epimedium (Epimedii Herba) is stir-fried with sheep fat to increase it kidney-warming yang-invigorating action.
mix-frying with ginger
Stir-frying medicinal materials that have been boiled with fresh ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens). Magnolia bark (Magnoliae Cortex) may be processed in this way. Place the materials with finely sliced fresh ginger in a brass wok, and cover with enough water to submerge the materials 3~cm below the water surface. Bring to the boil and simmer for 2--3 hours. Strain and remove ginger, and reserve the juice. Wind-dry until half dry, and then blend with the remaining juice. Boil off the fluid until dry. Compare stir-frying with ginger juice.
mix-frying with honey
Stir-frying with honey. Honey is sweet in flavor and balanced in nature. It moderates tension, boosts the origin, moistens the lung and calms cough, resolves toxin, and improves the flavor. It can reduce excessively pronounced qualities of other medicinals, and can harmonize the various medicinals in a formula and improve their effectiveness. Mix-frying with honey helps to moisten the lung and suppress cough, to boost and nourish, and to right the excessively pronounced natures of medicinals such as aster (Asteris Radix et Rhizoma) and astragalus (Astragali (seu Hedysari) Radix). The materials are first blended with honey, and then stir-fried in a heated wok, sprinkling water to help the honey to spread evenly.
mix-frying with turtle's blood
Stir-frying medicinal materials over a low flame after they have been mixed with fresh turtle's blood (Amydae Sanguis). Bupleurum (Bupleuri Radix) is treated in this way to harmonize exterior and interior or to abate vacuity heat and eliminate postmeridian tidal heat~effusion.
mix-frying with vinegar
Stir-frying with vinegar. Vinegar is sour, bitter, and slightly warm, hence it can enter the liver channel, promote contraction, and relieve pain. For this reason, mix-frying with vinegar gives agents increased power to enter the blood and promote contraction, and to emolliate the liver and relieve pain. It can also improve flavor and smell. For example, it can remove the unpleasant odor of flying squirrel's droppings (Trogopteri seu Pteromydis Excrementum). Vinegar contains acetic acid and therefore acts as a solvent: it can combine with free alkaloids to form soluble salts making active constituents easily extracted through decoction and increasing the speed with which the medicinal takes effect, as in the case of corydalis (Corydalis Tuber). Agents most commonly vinegar mix-fried are liver-calming and qi-rectifying medicinals such as unripe tangerine peel (Citri Exocarpium Immaturum), cyperus (Cyperi Rhizoma), bupleurum (Bupleuri Radix), and corydalis (Corydalis Tuber). Herbs are usually treated by first mixing them with vinegar and leaving them to stand. They are then stir-fried over a low flame until they give off their aroma and turn slightly golden in color. They are then removed from the wok and left to cool ready for use. Animal products and shells are put in the wok and heated over a low flame. They are turned constantly while sprinkling the vinegar over them. Stir-frying continues until the materials completely absorb the vinegar, give off their own aroma, and turn slightly golden. In some cases, it continues until a slightly burnt smell is detected. One or more parts vinegar to five parts of materials represents the usual proportion, i.e., around 60~g of vinegar for every 500~g of materials.
mix-frying with wine
Stir-frying with wine. Usually, yellow wine, such as Shaoxing rice wine, is used, but white grain liquor is also used on occasions. Wine is acrid, sweet, and very hot. It can conduct medicinals upward, reduce the cold nature of medicinals, and can quicken the blood and free the network vessels. Also, wine is an excellent organic solvent: alkaloids and volatile oils all easily dissolve in it. Mix-frying in wine thus helps to release active constituents, thereby increasing the effectiveness of medication. It also serves to removes fishy or putrid smells. Medicinals processed in this way include scutellaria (Scutellariae Radix), rhubarb (Rhei Rhizoma), and white peony (Paeoniae Radix Alba). Yellow wine is first sprinkled over the materials, which are then left to stand covered for a while to allow the wine to soak in. Afterwards, they are transferred to the wok where they are continuously stirred over a low flame until they turn to a pale yellow and the aroma of the materials can be smelled. Another method is to sprinkle the wine over the materials after they have been heated over a low flame, and continue stir-frying until the aroma of the materials can be smelled. The duration of frying and the size of flame should not be excessive. Smell and color are good guides. Frying should cease before any burnt smell arises and before any change of color occurs inside the materials. The amount of wine used depends on the material. Generally it is 60--90~g for 500~g of materials.
mobile
(Of medicinals) tending to move. Medicinals that move qi or quicken the blood such as ligusticum (Ligustici Rhizoma) and tangkuei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix) are frequently described as mobile. Compare mobile and penetrating.
mobile and penetrating
Of medicinals) tending to move and penetrate blockages. Agents that move qi and quicken the blood, free the channels and quicken the network vessels, or free the orifices and free the spirit, such as saussurea (Saussureae (seu Vladimiriae) Radix), musk (Moschus), borneol (Borneolum), camphor (Camphora), Chinese chive (Allii Bulbus), pangolin scales (Manitis Squama), and gleditsia thorn (Gleditsiae Spina). Such medicinals are generally aromatic, acrid and dissipating, or warm and bitter.
moderate pulse
A pulse with four beats per respiration (slightly faster than a slow pulse) and that is soft and harmonious in its form. Construed as a normal pulse, it is even and moderate, and is a sign of the presence of stomach qi; construed as a pathological pulse, it is without strength, and is mostly seen in dampness patterns and in spleen-stomach vacuity.
moist formula
One of the ten formula types. A formula containing moist medicinals. Moist medicinals can eliminate desiccation. An example of a moist formula is Dryness-Clearing Lung-Rescuing Decoction, which contains, among others, moist medicinals such as ophiopogon (Ophiopogonis Tuber), black sesame (Sesami Semen Atrum), and apricot kernel (Armeniacae Semen) and treats dryness-heat in the autumn causing cough without phlegm and dry mouth and tongue.
moist medicinals can eliminate desiccation
Moist medicinals such as ophiopogon (Ophiopogonis Tuber) and rehmannia (Rehmanniae Radix) are enriching and moistening, and can treat dryness of liquid and blood.See moist formula.
moist precipitation
moist precipitation Treating constipation with moist medicinals. Two forms exist: (1) Using moist oily slippery medicinals such as hemp seed (Cannabis Semen), and honey (Mel) to treat dry stool in the elderly, habitual constipation, constipation in pregnancy, and postpartum constipation. Intestine-moistening formulas are based on high fat-content seeds such as hemp seed (Cannabis Semen), apricot kernel (Armeniacae Semen), trichosanthes seed (Trichosanthis Semen), and honey (Mel). Moist oily slippery medicinals that also have an enriching action, such as oily tangkuei (Angelicae Sinensis Radix Pinguis), fresh flowery knotweed (Polygoni Multiflori Radix Recens), and apricot kernel (Armeniacae Semen), are suitable for people with weak constitutions. Representative formulas include Hemp Seed Pill, Intestine-Moistening Pill, and Five Kernels Pill. Note that constipation in externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases other than yang brightness heat bind patterns can be treated with medicinals possessing both heat-clearing and intestine-moistening action such as trichosanthes (Trichosanthis Fructus) and scrophularia (Scrophulariae Radix). The use in recent years of an orally administered mixture of scallion juice and oil in the treatment of parasitic intestine obstruction is also a form of moist precipitation. (2) To treat intestinal heat bind and desiccated fluid constipation using fluid-enriching medicinals such as scrophularia (Scrophulariae Radix), ophiopogon (Ophiopogonis Tuber) with the hearts left in, and dried/fresh rehmannia (Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens). This method is also called humor-increasing moist precipitation.
moist tongue fur
A thin moist tongue fur is normal, and indicates sufficiency of the fluids. If thick it is a sign of dampness.
moisten
moistening dryness
Synonyms: clearing dryness;
cooling dryness. A method of treatment used to eliminate dryness-heat with moist enriching medicinals. See the entries listed below.
moistening dryness by light diffusion
enriching and moistening with cold sweet medicinals
clearing the intestines and moistening dryness
nourishing yin and moistening dryness
nourishing the blood and moistening dryness
moistening dryness and transforming phlegm
Synonyms: moistening the lung and transforming phlegm.
moistening dryness by light diffusion
A method of treatment used to address dryness-heat damaging the lung characterized by heat~effusion, headache, dry cough with scant phlegm, possibly with qi counterflow panting, tongue that is dry and without fur, or dry thin white tongue fur, and that is red at the tip and margins, using formulas such as Mulberry Leaf and Apricot Kernel Decoction.
moistening the intestines
Synonyms: moistening the intestines.
moistening the lung
moistening the lung and transforming phlegm
Synonyms: moistening dryness and transforming phlegm.
A method of treatment used to address externally contracted warm dryness or lung yin vacuity with vacuity fire scorching, causing phlegm that is difficult to expectorate, with dry throat, pain on swallowing, cough, and red tongue with dry yellow fur.
Medication: Lung-moistening phlegm-transforming medicinals include fritillaria (Fritillariae Bulbus), trichosanthes (Trichosanthis Fructus), adenophora/glehnia (Adenophorae seu Glehniae Radix), ophiopogon (Ophiopogonis Tuber), and pear peel (Pyri Exocarpium), etc. Fo
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on LU and KI. Select BL-13 (Lung Transport) and LU-5 (Cubit Marsh). Selection of points according to patterns: For externally contracted warm dryness, add LI-11 (Pool at the Bend), LI-1 (Shang Yang), and CV-22 (Celestial Chimney), ne
moistness, dryness, putridity, and sliminess
Four basic tongue fur qualities. Moistness and dryness indicate the state of the fluids. A moist tongue indicates sufficiency of the fluids, although a thick moist tongue fur indicates the presence of the dampness evil. A dry tongue fur---no matter what its other qualities may be---indicates damage to fluid. Putridity and sliminess reflect the state of the stomach. A putrid tongue fur is a sign of a superabundance of stomach yang qi carrying the turbid qi of the stomach upward. A slimy tongue fur indicates that the yang qi of the stomach is obstructed by damp turbidity, as in phlegm-rheum or food accumulation and stubborn phlegm patterns. See slimy tongue fur.
mole
morbid
Indicative of, or caused by, disease.
morbid complexion
A complexion indicative of disease. See complexion; facial complexion.
morbid prominence
Synonyms: yin bulging.
Swelling of both testicles.
Medication: Disinhibit qi and soften hardness with Tangerine Pip Pill.
morbid pulse
A pulse indicative of disease. See pulse; pulse condition.
morning sickness
Synonyms: malign obstruction.
mother's blood lump
Synonyms: infant's-pillow pain.
mother-of-malaria
Lump glomus occurring in enduring malaria; attributed to stubborn phlegm with static blood binding under the rib-side.
Medication: Quicken the blood and free the network vessels; move qi and disperse hardness. Because the underlying condition is one of vacuity, the principle of simultaneous supplementation and attack should be applied. Use Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction p
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on GV, PC, SI, and LR. Select GV-14 (Great Hammer), GV-13 (Kiln Path), PC-5 (Intermediary Courier), SI-3 (Back Ravine), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate), Glomus Root, BL-18 (Liver Transport), and BL-20 (Spleen Transport); needle with drainag
mountain forest miasmic qi
Synonyms: mountain forest miasmic toxin.
A qi (vaporous exhalation) given off by putrescent matter in damp mountain forest areas and held to be one cause of malaria. It is of note that miasma was formerly regarded in the West as a cause of malaria.
Malaria caused by mountain forest miasmic qi. See miasmic malaria.
mountain rampart
mountain root
Synonyms: lower extreme; king's palace.
The region between the two inner canthi of the eye; the root of the nose.
mounting
Synonyms: shan .
Any of various diseases characterized by pain or swelling of the abdomen or scrotum. Traditional literature describes many different diseases and patterns labeled as ``mounting.'' Mounting disease can be divided into three categories: (1)
mounting qi
mounting qi pain
mounting-conglomeration
Synonyms: conglomeration-mounting.
Smaller-abdominal heat pain with discharge of white sticky fluid from the urethra; attributed to wind evil transforming into heat and passing to the lower abdomen to bind with dampness. A swelling of the abdomen that moves under pressure, and is associated with abdominal pain stretching into the lumbus and back; attributed to wind-cold and binding with qi and blood in the abdomen.
Medication: Treat with formulas such as Poria (Hoelen) Five Powder. Treat with medicinals such as fennel (Foeniculi Fructus), fenugreek (Foeni-Graeci Semen), morinda (Morindae Radix), aconite main tuber (Aconiti Tuber), toosendan (Toosendan Fructus), and evodia (E
mouse sores
Synonyms: scrofula.
mouth
The opening through which food passes into the body. The mouth includes the lips, the tongue, teeth, and palate. It is connected with the wind-pipe (trachea) and the gullet (esophagus). The mouth is the outer orifice of the spleen. The Magic Pivot states, ``Spleen qi flows through to the mouth; when the spleen is in harmony, the mouth can taste the five grains.'' The hand yang brightness yang brightness large intestine channel, yang brightness stomach channel, greater yin spleen channel, lesser yin heart channel, lesser yin kidney channel, reverting yin liver channel, the governing vessel, controlling vessel, and thoroughfare vessel all pass through the mouth.
mouth and tongue sores
mouth sore
Synonyms: sore of the mouth and tongue.
A pale yellow or gray-white ulceration appearing singly or multiply on the inside of the mouth (lips, cheeks or palate). A mouth sore is usually oval in shape, surrounded by a red areola, and has a cratered surface. It is associated with scorching pain, affects eating and swallowing, and is recurrent. It is attributed to repletion fire, spleen heat engendering phlegm, or dual vacuity of the spleen and kidney.
mouth wash
Rinsing the mouth with a medicinal decoction, usually prepared with heat-clearing toxin-resolving medicinals, to remove putridity and pus; the medicinal decoction used for this purpose. For example, mouth sores arising in measles can be treated with a mouth wash of multiflora rose root (Rosae Multiflorae Radix). Baby moth (tonsillitis) can be treated with a mouth wash made of 3~g each of mirabilite efflorescence (Mir-a-bil-it Efflorescentia), alum (Alumen), and salt (Sal) boiled with a cup of water and first allowed to cool.
mouth-level nape flat-abscess
Synonyms: mid-nape flat-abscess; brain flat-abscess.
A flat-abscess on the back of the neck, at the level of the mouth.
moving impediment
Impediment characterized by wandering pain, caused by a prevalence of wind.See wind impediment.
moving qi
Synonyms: disinhibiting qi; freeing qi.
A method of treatment to dissipate qi stagnation in the treatment of distention, oppression, and pain in the chest and abdomen. Moving qi is a form of rectifying qi, and includes coursing depression and rectifying qi and harmonizing the stomach and rectifying qi. See also qi-moving technique.
moving qi rib-side pain
Rib-side pain caused by epidemic pestilential qi (``moving qi''). It is of sudden onset, and is associated with fulminant heat~effusion and aversion to cold. There is stabbing pain in either or both rib-sides. Other signs include generalized distention and rapid stringlike pulse. If accompanied by reverse-flow of the limbs (severe counterflow cold, the condition is dangerous.
Medication: Clear, resolve and outthrust evil. Use Green-Blue--Draining Half-and-Half Decoction.
moving the spleen
A method of treatment used to address a spleen encumbered by dampness characterized by distention, inability to taste food, nausea, bland taste and sticky sensation in the mouth, clouded head, fatigued body, diarrhea, or abdominal distention, swelling of the extremities, scant urine, a white slimy tongue fur, and a soggy pulse, using medicinals such as atractylodes (Atractylodis Rhizoma), magnolia bark (Magnoliae Cortex), tangerine peel (Citri Exocarpium), agastache/patchouli (Agastaches seu Pogostemi Herba), eupatorium (Eupatorii Herba), cardamom kernel (Amomi Cardamomi Semen), and poria (Poria).
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on CV, SP, and ST. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport), CV-12 (Center Stomach Duct), ST-25 (Celestial Pivot), LR-13 (Camphorwood Gate), SP-9 (Yin Mound Spring), ST-36 (Leg Three Li), and PC-6 (Inner Pass); needle with even supplementatio
moxa
The prepared leaves of mugwort (Artemisiae Argyi Folium), used in the technique of moxibustion, and chosen for this because of their yang qualities and their use in Chinese medicinal therapy to treat cold and dampness diseases. High-grade moxa is ivory or white in color. Being composed nearly entirely of leaf wool, it is easily shaped and permits formation of small cones; it also produces minimum smoke and odor. Burning gently, it is the preferred moxa for application directly to the skin ( direct moxibustion). Moxa that has been cleansed less rigorously, and thus contains higher concentrations of leaf particles, is considered lower grade. Gray or gray-green in color, low-grade (crude) moxa is preferred for indirect moxibustion, a process whereby burning moxa is used to heat, rather than cauterize, the skin. Such applications often require large quantities of moxa wool, while not necessitating the special advantages of the higher grade product.
moxa
moxaing, moxaed. To perform moxibustion; to treat with moxibustion.
moxa burner
Any receptacle designed to hold moxa while it is being burned close to the skin. Moxa burners were often traditionally made of brass. While the moxa burns, the warming instrument is moved slowly over the area to be treated until the skin turns red. A piece of cotton cloth (red) is often placed between the instrument and the skin to prevent accidental burns. This method is particularly suitable for the treatment of women, children, infants, and patients who are afraid of being burned. Different areas of the body can be treated in this way using warming instruments available in flat and angular shapes.
moxa cone
A hand-rolled conical lump of moxa. Large cones are about the size of a broad bean and are used only in indirect moxibustion; medium cones are the size of a soybean; and small cones are the size of a wheat grain. Moxa cones can be burnt on the skin ( direct moxibustion) or separated from it by garlic, ginger, or salt ( indirect moxibustion).
moxa pole
Synonyms: moxa stick; moxa roll.
A roll of rubbed moxa leaves enclosed in paper, forming cylinders about six inches in length and half an inch in diameter. The lighted moxa pole is held about one inch above the point to be warmed, and is moved slowly in a circular motion to spread the heat over a small area. Alternately, the roll may be moved quickly up and down to increase thermal stimulation in what is called the pecking sparrow method. Moxa pole therapy can be combined with acupuncture by warming the area around the needle. Moxa pole is generally applied for 3--15 minutes or until the skin turns red. The proper distance must be maintained to avoid reddening the skin too quickly or burning the patient. Moxa pole treatment, or poling, is commonly employed to provide mild heat and move qi and blood in a local area; it thus treats wind-damp impediment pain and similar patterns.
moxa roll
Synonyms: moxa pole.
moxa stick
Synonyms: moxa pole.
moxibustion
A method of applying a heat stimulus to the body by burning the dried and sifted leaf particles from the herb mugwort (Artemisiae Argyi Folium) on or close to the skin, with the aim of freeing qi and blood, coursing qi, dispersing cold, eliminating dampness and warming yang. Moxibustion is divided into two distinct methods; indirect moxibustion and direct moxibustion. (1) Moxibustion should not be performed on persons who are hungry, have just overeaten, or are intoxicated. (2) Most points for which moxibustion is contraindicated are near large blood vessels, on the face, on prominent skin creases, and at or near mucus membranes or sensory organs. Direct moxibustion is especially contraindicated at these sites. (3) Pregnant women should not receive moxibustion on their abdomen or lumbus. (4) If small blisters form as a result of moxibustion, they should be protected and allowed to heal without treatment. Large blisters, however, should be punctured and drained, and in case of infection occurs appropriate dressing should be applied.
moxibustion on aconite cake
The application of moxibustion using cakes of aconite (Aconiti Tuber Laterale) as an insulating medium. The cakes are made by grinding the aconite to a powder and mixing it with yellow wine (rice or millet wine) and formed into a dry, crustlike substance about 0.1" thick. The cake crust is perforated and placed on the point and moxa is burnt on top of it. Because aconite is acrid and hot, this method can treat yang vacuity diseases. It is most commonly administered on enduring sores (and boils) to stop suppuration and permit healing.
moxibustion on cake
The application of moxibustion using small cakes made of warm acrid or aromatic medicinals as an insulating medium. A cone of moxa is placed on the cake at the spot to be moxaed, and is ignited.
moxibustion on fermented bean cake
The application of moxibustion on a round cake of fermented soybean (Glycines Semen Fermentatum Insulsum) as an insulating medium. Moxibustion on fermented bean cake is used for welling-abscess, flat-abscess, and effusion of back that have ruptured but fail to heal and that are dark and blackish in appearance. Moxibustion on fermented bean cake helps the sores to close.
moxibustion on garlic
The application of moxibustion on a thick slice of garlic as an insulating medium. A slice of garlic about 0.2" thick that has been perforated with several holes is placed on the site. The moxa is placed on the garlic and ignited with incense, the garlic being changed after four to five cones have been burnt. In general, five to seven burnings constitute one treatment. This method is used to treat vacuity taxation (tuberculosis), toxicity from sores, scrofula, and abdominal accumulation masses. The patient should be informed that this method sometimes causes blisters.
moxibustion on ginger
Burning of moxa cones on ginger as an insulating medium. A slice of ginger about 0.2" thick (slightly thicker than a quarter dollar) is perforated with a sewing needle and placed on the point. Large cones of moxa are burnt on the slice (lifting it from the skin momentarily when the heat exceeds the patient's tolerance) until the skin at the point is moist and red. This method is ideal for central burner vacuity, abdominal fullness, stomach pain, mounting pain, diarrhea, vomiting, wind-cold impediment pain, wind-cold exterior patterns, and yang vacuity diseases in general.
moxibustion on pepper cake
The application of moxibustion on a thin cake of made of white pepper (Piperis Fructus Albicatus) as an insulating medium. The cake is made by blending the pepper with flour and water and forming the mass into cakes, which are then allowed to dry. A pinch of Clove and Cinnamon Powder is placed on the cake at the site to be moxaed. The moxa cone is placed on top and ignited. Moxibustion on pepper cake is used to treat impediment patterns (chronic rheumatoid arthritis).
moxibustion on salt
Burning of moxa cones on salt as an insulating medium. Moxibustion on salt is usually performed on the umbilicus. The umbilicus is filled with table salt, and a large cone of moxa is burned on top of the salt. This method is effective for treatment of cold damage yin patterns, cholera, and wind stroke desertion patterns. It can return yang, stem counterflow and stem desertion.
moxibustion supplementing and draining
Synonyms: fire supplementation and fire drainage.
Using moxibustion to produce supplementing or draining action. Although moxibustion is generally used for its warming and supplementing action, it can also be used for draining. If a moxa cone is lighted and is allowed to burn naturally, the fire becomes stronger and stronger, until it finally burns the skin. This produces a supplementing stimulus that warms yang and supplements vacuity. If the cone is ignited, made to burn quickly by blowing, and removed before it has it burns the skin, this produces as draining stimulus that dispels cold and dissipates binds.
multiple abortion
mumps
A febrile disease characterized by soft diffuse swelling and tenderness that affects one side of the face or one side after the other. Mumps is attributed to accumulated gastrointestinal heat and depressed liver-gallbladder fire arising after contraction of warm toxin and causing blockage of the lesser yang . It is occurs in epidemics in the winter and spring, and chiefly affects children.
Medication: Clear heat and resolve toxin using Universal Aid Toxin-Dispersing Beverage.
Acupuncture: Base treatment mainly on TB, LI, and ST. Select TB-17 (Wind Screen), TB-1 (Passage Hub), TB-5 (Outer Pass), ST-6 (Cheek Carriage), LI-4 (Union Valley), and ouch points; needle with drainage. Selection of points according to signs: For high fever and delir
murky eye obstruction
Synonyms: qi obstruction.
A turbid gray-white eye screen like ground glass covering the dark of the eye, that in severe cases is dark red with red vessels and with a red aura around the dark of the eye. Murky eye obstruction is also associated with tearing and aversion to light, and is attributable to long-depressed liver channel wind-heat or damp-heat causing damage to yin and causing blood stasis.
Medication: Dispel wind and calm the liver; dissipate stasis and abate screens. Use Rehmannia Powder as oral medication and Obstruction-Abrading Spirit Light Paste for topical application.
mussitation
The act of mumbling to oneself haltingly and with frequent repetitions. Mussitation is a sign of dissipation of essence-spirit and is observed in yin or yang collapse patterns. Mussitation is similar to delirious speech. However, it is marked by a low voice and occurs in severe conditions in the latter stages of disease with shortness of breath, lassitude of spirit, and withered complexion, whereas delirious speech is marked by a strident voice and usually occurs in repletion heat such as yang brightness patterns or heat entering heart construction.
mustering point
Synonyms: alarm point.
mutation
A combined term denoting transmutation and transformation, i.e., all gradual and major change.
mutual contention of wind and dampness
Synonyms: wind and dampness contending with each other.
mutual convertibility of yin and yang
The ability of yang to change into or give way to yin, and vice versa. When an exuberant heat evil creates a severe yin-yang imbalance by damaging the blood fluids of the body, it ``burns itself out,'' having nothing left to thrive on. As a result, the original pattern of repletion heat converts into vacuity cold. Conversely, when yang qi becomes so insufficient that it can no longer transform the fluids of the body, the fluids become a secondary evil that causes further disturbance in the body by accumulating in the abdomen in the form of drum distention (ascites). The original vacuity pattern turns into a repletion pattern. This form of conversion is due to failure of the mutual counterbalancing relationship of yin and yang.
mutual engendering of metal and water
The treatment of lung-kidney yin vacuity by nourishing lung yin, and mainly by enriching kidney yin.
mutual fanning of wind and fire
Synonyms: wind and fire fanning each other.
mutual need
mysterious house mansion
Synonyms: original house (mansion).
A sweat pore; so called because it is not visible to naked eye. Elementary Questions states, ``When the upper burner is inhibited, then the skin becomes tight, the interstices close, the mysterious houses become blocked, and defense qi fails to be discharged; hence there is external heat.''