General Knowledge

9. Glossary of Chinese Medical Terms

   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 system includes the liver organ and has the function of storing Blood and ensuring the smooth flow of Qi. Closely related with the emotions, the Liver system is also in charge of tendons and ligaments.

   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.

   Shen: The concept of Shen in TCM is often translated into English as "spirit." Yet the term "spirit" is limited in relation to the vastness of the term Shen. Shen includes mental alertness, mental sharpness, the ability to respond and reason, and most everything related to mental function, including the sub-conscious and conscious mind. Shen is housed by the Heart. When Shen is Deficient, sadness and depression will often result. Disturbed Shen can result in disturbing dreams, over-active dreaming, poor memory, restlessness, mania, and insomnia. Practitioners observe the quality of Shen in the clarity and focus of the eyes.

   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.

    Yang: According to TCM, everything in the universe is composed of Yin and Yang. Yin and Yang should be in balance. When the balance is disturbed, sickness results. Yang is originally translated as "the sunny side of the slope" whereas Yin, its complementary opposite, is originally translated as "the shady side of the slope." The following are qualities generally associated with Yang and Yin.

Yang	Yin
sun	moon
day	night
heat	cold
function	materials
red	white, blue

   Yang Deficiency: When Yang is exhausted or weak, Yin is in relative abundance. Symptoms can include paleness, tendency to feel cold, weakness, tendency toward lower back pain, and diarrhea. The pulse is often deep, thin, weak and slow; the tongue and nails are often pale.

   Yin: See Yang

   Yin Clots: Yin congestion due to the inability of Yin to harmonize with Yang. Symptoms can include muscle stiffness and spasm, stomach pain, and diarrhea.

   Yin Deficiency: A condition of exhausted or weak Yin whereby Yang is in relative abundance. Severe Yin Deficiency can cause too much Heat or Fire. Symptoms can include flushed cheeks, fatigue, hot flashes, night sweats, dry mouth, dry skin, vaginal dryness, ear ringing, dizziness, insomnia, palpitation. Individuals with Yin Deficiency may become easily agitated or anxious. The pulse is commonly thin and fast; the tongue is often red and thin with scant or absent coating; the nails are usually.