Terms & Definitions  

Ascending Qi    
Blood        Blood Deficiency        Blood Stagnation   
Cold    
Damp       Damp-Heat        Deficiency       Deficiency Heat        Dry
Heart
Kidney
Liver   
Phlegm
Qi       Qi Deficiency       Qi Stagnation
Stomach     Shen       Stagnation
Tonify       Toxic Heat
Wei Qi       Wind
Yin-Yang       Yin Clots        Yin Deficiency       Yang Deficiency

ASCENDING QI

   A type of Qi movement in which the Qi "goes up. " In some organ systems (e.g. Kidney, Spleen) Qi should routinely ascend and in other organs systems (e.g. Lung, Stomach) Qi should routinely descend. For a variety of pathological reasons, Qi may ascend instead of descending or Qi can ascend more than it should. This is called Rebellious Qi. Common clinical findings include instances of Lung or Stomach Qi ascending or Liver Qi rising too much. When Stomach Qi rebels and ascends, symptoms can include hiccups, nausea, and vomiting. When Lung Qi rebels and ascends, symptoms can include coughing and asthma. When Liver Qi rises too much, symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and vomiting blood.

BLOOD

   In TCM, Blood not only includes the blood of conventional medicine, but also includes Ying and Jing-Ye, liquids special to TCM that circulate along with blood. A Yin substance, Blood hosts and also produces Qi, and it nourishes the organs as well as the entire body. Together with Qi, Blood supports all the functions of the body.

BLOOD DEFICIENCY

   A Deficiency pattern associated with an insufficiently nourished organ or area of the body. Symptoms can include dizziness, fatigue, weakness, insufficient functions, pale lusterless face, pale lips, dry skin or hair, or scant or pale menses.

BLOOD STAGNATION

   When Blood has become obstructed or is not flowing freely, we refer to Blood Stagnation. Symptoms can include sharp, fixed and stabbing pain, numbness, dysfunction, or lumps. The pulse is often tight or deep or choppy; the lips are often purple; the tongue is often purple or has dark purple patches; the nails are often purple and may contain big ridges.

COLD

   There are two general categories of Cold: External and Internal. External Cold is one of the six External pathogens, which when combined with Wind will cause flu or cold symptoms and when combined with Damp will often cause arthritis. Internal Cold is generally caused by Yang Deficiency whereby Yin is in relative excess and therefore Cold symptoms dominate. Yang Deficiency symptoms include feeling cold, sleepiness, aversion to cold, aches and pains, weakness, diarrhea, and stomach pain. The pulse is often slow and tight; the tongue may be pale or dark; the nails may be pale or dark.

DAMP

   There are two general categories of Damp: External and Internal. Internal Dampness is most common and will easily combine with Heat or Cold to cause Damp-Heat or Damp-Cold. Dampness can be thought of as the condition of "high humidity" inside the body. Symptoms can include a feeling of heaviness, swelling or water retention, distended abdomen, phlegm discharge, nodular masses, and loose bowel. Individuals with a Damp condition often have sluggish energy and easily gain weight. The pulse is commonly slippery; the tongue is often puffy with teeth marks and a greasy coat.

DAMP-HEAT

   A collection of Dampness and Heat that may lead to such problems as inflammation, allergies (especially food allergies), high blood sugar, weight gain, and urinary tract infections. Symptoms can include heaviness, full feeling in chest, smelly and sluggish bowel, abdominal pain, leukorrhea, eczema, and deep yellow colored urine. The pulse is often slippery and fast; the tongue is commonly red with a yellow, greasy coating; the nails are often red; and the hands are often puffy and red with a mottled appearance and swollen, red cuticles.

DEFICIENCY

   A condition of diminished or reduced function, energy, and materials of an organ or a process. For example, Wei Qi Deficiency can result in a lower resistance to cold and flu. The pulse is generally weak, deep, thin, or hollow; the tongue is commonly pale; and the nails are often pale as well.

DEFICIENCY HEAT

   A condition of Yin Deficiency whereby Yang is in relative abundance and Heat signs are evident. For example, hot flashes or night sweats are usually due to Deficiency Heat. Treatment includes nourishing Yin as well as clearing Heat. The pulse is often thin and fast: the tongue is often red and thin with scant coating; and the nails are often red.

DRY

   There are two general categories of Dry: Internal and External. The External type is one of the six External pathogens and is often due to a dry environment. Internal Dry is often due to Yin Deficiency or Jing-Ye (fluid) Deficiency whereby Yang, which is in relative excess, consumes fluids. Symptoms can include dry skin, dry mouth, thirst, chapped skin, constipation, and dry hair.

HEART

   The TCM concept of the Heart system includes the heart organ, but also the entire circulatory system. This system is closely connected with emotions, thinking, and mental function, including but not limited to conscious awareness. The tongue reflects the Heart.

KIDNEY

   The Kidney system covers a large range of organs, including the entire urinary system and endocrine system. The Kidney system is closely connected with the bones, teeth, brain, spinal column, and ears. The Kidney system controls the anus, urethra, fluid metabolism, conception and growth.

LIVER

    The Liver stores Blood, governs "free-coursing" of Qi, and controls the tendons or sinews. Free-coursing refers to the movement of Qi and, therefore, also of Blood, which is closely related to Qi. The movement of Qi is involved in mental and emotional functioning, and in the secretion and discharge of bile. When the body is in action, more Blood is released from the Liver to flow through the body. When the body is at rest, Blood is stored in the Liver.

    Liver Qi actually accomplishes the regulatory functions performed by the Liver, and is also responsible for the proper ascending, regulating, dispersing, and harmony of all of the Qi of the body, including the Qi involved in emotional responses. Sudden, extreme, or prolonged emotional stress affects the free flow of Liver Qi, causing Liver Qi stagnation, blockage, or excessive uprising. Hyperactive Liver Qi leads to irritability, anger, insomnia or disturbing dreams, headache, eye dis­orders, dizziness, tinnitus, or deafness.

    The Liver's state of well-being can be detected from moods and emotions, as well as the moisture and luster of the nails, the smooth, strong movement of the limbs, and from the state of vision by the eyes, which also depend on the Liver for proper nourishment. Dull nails, tremors in the limbs, numbness, pain or difficulty in flexing or extending the limbs, dryness of the eyes, blurred vision, or night-blindness, anxiety, anger, or depression--all may indicate Liver problems.

PHLEGM

   In TCM, Phlegm is congealed Dampness which may accumulate throughout the body. When combined with other conditions (e.g. Blood Stagnation), Phlegm can easily turn into masses, lumps, or tumors. The pulse is generally slippery or tight; and the tongue will often have a greasy coating.

QI

   Qi is vital energy as well as the basis of materials in the body. Qi both supplies energy and maintains activity. For example, Liver Qi supports and maintains the Liver system's function. Qi must continuously circulate. If the body's balance is disrupted and the flow of Qi disturbed, a number of conditions may arise including Qi Deficiency, Qi Stagnation, Descending Qi, Ascending Qi, and Rebellious Qi.

QI DEFICIENCY

   Qi that is Deficient or exhausted due to pre-natal or post-natal factors. Symptoms can include pale complexion, general weakness, shallow respiration, a low voice, and spontaneous sweating. The pulse is generally weak, soft, and thin; the tongue and nails are usually pale.

QI STAGNATION

   When the smooth flow of Qi is restricted or disrupted, Qi Stagnation is the result. Different kinds of Qi Stagnation produce different symptoms. For example, Qi Stagnation in the limbs will often cause pain and numbness in the body. Liver Qi Stagnation will often cause depression. Stomach Qi Stagnation will often cause stomach pain and bloating.

STOMACH

   In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Theory, the Stomach, which includes the stomach as an organ plus its digestive functions, is one of the six fu organs (along with the Gall Bladder, the Small Intestine, the Large Intestine, the Urinary Bladder, and the three areas within the body cavity collectively referred to in TCM as the Sanjiao --the "tripple warmer." The six fu organs have various roles in the receiving and digestion of foods and liquids, the absorption of nutrient substances, and the transmitting and eliminating of waste. The fu organs may be characterized by their transforming and transporting activities, but they are not considered to be organs of storage.

   The Stomach is situated in the middle of the abdomen, below the diaphragm. It receives food at its top through the esophagus, and opens at its bottom to the small intestine. Also referred to as "the sea of water and cereal" in TCM, the main function of the Stomach is to receive and digest food. After digestion in the Stomach, the food is then transported to the small intestine, where the food's essential substances are transformed and transported by the Spleen to the entire body,

   Great importance is placed in TCM on diagnosing the strength or weakness of the Qi of the Stomach, since "Stomach Qi is the foundation of the human body: when there is Stomach Qi, there is life: when there is no Stomach Qi, death follows." In other words, if Stomach Qi is strong, the prognosis is favorable, regardless of the disease. Therefore, preserving Stomach Qi is an important treatment principle in TCM.

   Since food is passed from the Stomach to the small intestine below it, the normal movement of Stomach Qi is downward. Should it fail to move downward, symptoms such as acid reflux, bloating, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and even hiccoughing may arise.

SHEN

    In TCM, Shen controls mental activities and functions such as consciousness, emotion, spirit, will, thought, memory, etc.. Shen originates in the prenatal and genetical Qi and essences, and is hosted in the Heart. Shen must be continuously supported and noursihed by postnatal Qi, as well as by Blood, Jin-Ye (body fluids), and Essence. Shen belongs to the category of Yang, while all of the nutritional substances belong to that of Yin. Yin and Yang must always stay balanced and keep in harmony, otherwise Shen will suffer. The main causes of Shen problems are overactive Yang, deficient Yin, or both.

STAGNATION

   Stagnation is a general term that includes Qi Stagnation and Blood Stagnation, but also refers to the halting or disruption of the function of an organ or organ system. For example, Lung Stagnation refers to the halting or disruption of the Lung function.

TONIFY

   To strengthen or renourish in order to rebalance.

TOXIC HEAT

   If Heat becomes severe and combines with certain toxins, Toxic Heat is the result. This condition is approximate to a severe infection in conventional medical terms. Symptoms can include high fever, swollen or sore throat, inflammation, boils and carbuncles, mental disorders, and coma. The pulse is often strong and fast; the tongue is usually red and dry with cracks and red spots, and a dry, thick yellow coating; the nails are commonly red.

WEI QI

   Also referred to as Defense Qi, Wei Qi defends invasion by External pathogens and protects the surface of the body. Wei Qi is related to aspects of immune function.

WIND

   There are two general categories of Wind: External and Internal. External Wind is one of the six pathogenic factors which usually combines with another pathogen (Heat, Cold, Damp, Fire, or Dry) to cause such complaints as cold or flu, skin disorders, and facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy). Internal Wind often develops into Yin and Blood Deficiency, especially Liver Yin and Blood Deficiency, leading to symptoms such as shaking, paralysis, and spasms.