Brief Definitions of Some Traditional Chinese Medicine Terms

Damp Heat

Collection of Dampness and Heat, often resulting in infection (bacterial or viral).

Deficient Blood

Blood, one of the five essential energies of the body in Oriental Medicine. Blood is the physical manifestation of Qi and is responsible for carrying nourishment and moisture to the Organs, tissues, and muscles. Deficient blood shows a general pattern of dizziness; pale, lusterless face; pale lips; dry skin or hair; scant menses; pale Tongue material; thin Pulse.

Deficient Qi

Qi is the fundamental life force or energy that is found in all living things and is formed from the interaction of yin and yang energies. Deficient Qi shows general weakness; pale, bright face; shallow respiration; low or soft voice; spontaneous sweating; pale Tongue material; Empty, weak Pulse.

Deficient Yang

Yang is one of the two fundamental polar energies found in all living things. Yang qualities or conditions are hot, dry, excessive, on or near the surface of the body. Yang complements yin. Deficient Yang is similar to Deficient Qi but with signs of Interior Cold, including cold limbs; aversion to cold; puffy Tongue; slow Pulse.

Deficient Yin

Yin is one of the two fundamental polar energies found in all living things. Yin qualities or conditions are cold, damp, deficient, and found in the interior of the body. Yin complements yang. Deficient Yin is similar to Deficient Blood, but characterized by "appearance of Heat,' including agitated manner; red cheeks; warm palms and soles; night sweats; red Tongue material and rapid, thin Pulse.

Empty Fire

In Excess/Heat conditions where the "Fire" often rises to the head, and there are signs such as splitting headaches; dizziness; red face and eyes; dry mouth; deafness or sudden ringing in the ears. In addition, irritability, frequent anger and insomnia may be present, as well as constipation; dark, scanty urine; red Tongue with rough, yellow moss; and a rapid and full, as well as Wiry Pulse. This pattern is often seen in Western medicine as essential hypertension, migraine headaches, bleeding of the upper digestive tract, menopausal complaints; eye diseases such as acute conjunctivitis and glaucoma; or ear disturbances such as labyrinthitis, Meniere's disease, or otitis. 

Heat

An external or internal "climatic" imbalance or ailment characterized by fever, aversion to heat, overactivity, constipation, dehydration, sparse dark urination, and insomnia. Heat can also progress and penetrate to the interior of the body and frequently combines with damp to create internal heat-damp imbalances. Heat is Yang in character.

Jing

The Substance, or Essence, that underlies all organic life and is the source of organic change. It is thought of as fluid-like, and is supportive, nutritive and is the basis of reproduction and development. 

Lower Warmer

Anatomical location referring to the abdominal area below the navel, especially encompassing the Kidney and Liver. (The location of the liver is related to its Meridian pathway in the lower groin.) The condition of Damp Heat in the lower Warmer may refer, for example, to an infectious process in the large intestine (dysentery) or in the bladder (urinary tract infection).

Middle Warmer

Anatomical area below the chest, but above the navel, including the Spleen and Stomach. in Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, the term Spleen/Stomach disharmony often refers to a variety of digestive disorders.

OPI

Outside Pernicious Influence - Outside factor precipitating a sudden onset of acute illness. In Western medicine terms this frequently refers to onset of an acute infectious process, such as that seen with the common cold or flu (OPI Wind-Cold or OPI Wind-Heat).

Orifices

The sense organs of the head, including eyes, ears, nose and mouth. In conditions where the orifices are "closed," there is unconsciousness. 

Qi

(pronounced "Chee" as in cheese), does not translate well, into one English word. Chinese thought does not distinguish between matter and energy, but Qi is considered matter on the verge of becoming energy, or energy at the point of materializing. In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, it is often referred to as the "energy" present in the Meridians and the organs of the body. It is the fundamental life force or energy that is found in all living things and is formed from the interaction of yin and yang energies.

Stagnation of Blood (or Congealed Blood)

The Blood has become obstructed and is not flowing smoothly. There is sharp, stabbing pain accompanied by tumors, cysts or swelling of the Organs (most commonly the Liver).

Stagnation of Qi 
(or Stuck Qi)

The normal movement of Qi is impaired, where it does not flow through the body in a smooth and orderly fashion. Stagnant Qi in the limbs and Meridians may be the origins of pain and aches in the body. Stagnation of Qi in the Lungs may result in coughing and dyspnea. Stagnation of Qi in the Liver may result in distension in the ribs and abdomen, or elsewhere, including breast distension.

Triple Warmer

Also called "Triple Burner" and San Jiao in Chinese. In Oriental Medicine, this is a yang organ or, more precisely, an "energy system,: that has no equivalent in conventional medicine. The Triple Warmer is crucial to all phases of digestion and has three parts: The Upper Burner (from mouth to Stomach); the Middle Burner (from Stomach to Large Intestine); and the Lower Burner (from Small Intestine to the Rectum).

Upper Warmer

Anatomical area including the head and chest.

Wei Stage of 
Febrile Disease

The first stage of Four Stages of Febrile Disease. The Wei Qi is the protective Qi of the body. This stage develops when an OPI is in the first depth of the body, with symptoms such as fever, a slight fear of cold, headache, coughing, slight thirst, with or without perspiration. It is often an early stage of OPI Wind-Heat syndrome, seen with the common cold or flu. 

Wei Syndrome

Weakness and eventual wasting of the musculature, especially of the lower extremities, and the resultant impairment of motor function.

Wind

In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, this refers to anything that has sudden onset and movement. This may refer to sudden onset from an Outside Factor, such as the common cold or flu (OPI Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat) as seen in an infectious or contagious disease. Or, this may refer to sudden onset form the inside, such as Internal Wind (often referred to as Liver Wind), where there is dizziness, tinnitus, numbness of the limbs, tremors, convulsions and stroke (apoplexy). Because Wind is associated with movement, it is often recognized by signs that move from place to place, such as itching or skin eruptions that change location, spasms, tremors of the limbs, twitching, dizziness, joint and muscle pains that move throughout the body. Wind symptoms are sudden and acute, frequently occurring in the spring, and commonly occur in tandem with other external causes of illness, especially cold. 

Wind-Cold

An OPI condition (acute, infectious disease) characterized by headache, soreness due to obstructed Meridians; relatively severe chills; low fever; while, moist Tongue moss; floating, tight Pulse.

Wind-Heat

An OPI condition (acute, infectious disease) similar to Wind-Cold, however the fever tends to be higher and the chills are less pronounced; the Pulse is floating and fast; the Tongue is dry and reddish, with a yellow moss. 

Yin-Yang

In Chinese theory, the fundamental principle of two mutually interdependent and constantly interacting polar energies that sustain all living organisms. The interaction of Yin and Yang produces Qi.

 Brief Definitions of Some Organ Functions in Traditional Chinese Medicine which Differ Greatly from their Organ Functions in Western Medicine

Heart

The Heart regulated the flow of Blood and stores and rules the Shen (Spirit). When the Shen is disturbed, the individual may show symptoms such as insomnia, excessive dreaming or forgetfulness. More serious disorders include hysteria, irrational behavior, insanity and delirium. The tongue is closely related to the Heart Qi and Blood. Pathological changes of the tongue such as inflammations or ulcerations can often be treated by acupuncture or herbal therapy directed at the Heart.

Pericardium

The Pericardium is the outer protective shield of the Heart. In Traditional Chinese medicine theory, the Pericardium is not distinguished from the Heart, except that it is the first line of defense against an OPI attacking the Heart.

Spleen

The Spleen is the primary link in the process by which food is transformed into Qi and Blood; it is considered the organ of digestion. If the Spleen is in disharmony, there may be Deficient Qi or Deficient Blood. If digestion is affected, abdominal distension or pain, diarrhea, or anorexia may be present.

Liver

The Liver moves the Qi and Blood in all directions, sending them to every part of the body. When there is an interruption in the smooth movement of Qi, either Stagnant Qi or Congealed Blood can develop with symptoms such as pain, or distension in the flanks, swollen or painful breasts and genitals, or lower abdominal pain. If the Liver adjusting function affects the Spleen or Stomach, digestive problems may be present such as abdominal pain, nausea, belching, intestinal rumbling or diarrhea. The Liver function also include control of bile secretion. If this is impaired, such symptoms as jaundice, bitter taste in the mouth, vomiting of yellow fluid, distension of the flanks, or loss of appetite may be present. 

The Liver also harmonizes the emotions. Anger and emotional frustration are especially associated with the Liver.

The Liver stores the Blood and disharmony here may result in two types of symptoms:

1) rough and dry eyes where there is insufficient Blood to nourish the eyes and

2) unusually heavy menstrual flow where the Blood is not stored properly.

The Liver controls proper movement of all the tendons (and ligaments). Liver disharmony may result in symptoms such as spasms, numbness of the limbs, and difficulty in bending or stretching; the nails may be thin, brittle, and pale. 

The Liver has a special relationship to the function of the eyes. Many disorders of the eyes and vision are considered to be related to the Liver function.

Kidneys

The Kidneys store the Jing (source of life and of individual development); and control birth, development, and maturation. Reproductive problems such as sterility or impotence and developmental disorders such as retarded growth or lack of sexual maturation are seen as dysfunctions of the Kidney Jing.

The Kidney controls the entire process of Water movement.

The Kidneys control the bones and produce the marrow. In a child, insufficient Kidney Jing may result in soft bones or incomplete closure of the bones of the skull. In an adult, insufficient Kidney Jing can produce weak legs and knees, brittle bones, or stiffness of the spine.

The Kidneys control the teeth. When the teeth develop poorly, or fall out, this may be related to insufficient Kidney Jing

The Kidney Jing also controls the moistness and vitality of head hair. The loss of hair associated with aging is related to weakness of the Kidney Jing.

The Kidneys have a special relationship to the Lungs in controlling normal breathing. Kidney disharmonies may result in respiratory problems, especially chronic asthma.

The term Kidney Yin refers to the internal fluid or overall moisturizing function of the Kidneys. The term Kidney Yang refers to the internal "fire" or overall warming function of the Kidneys.

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