Introduction .................................................... 1
1. Yin-yang and the five elements .............................. 11
1.1. Yin-yang ............................................... 11
1.1.1. The implication of yin-yang and the categorization of
things according to the nature of yin-yang ........... 11
1.1.1.1. The implication of yin-yang ................. 12
1.1.1.2. The categorization of things according to yin
and yang .................................... 12
1.1.2. Interaction between yin and yang ..................... 13
1.1.2.1. Opposition of yin and yang .................. 14
1.1.2.2. Interdependence between yin and yang ........ 14
1.1.2.3. Wane and wax between yin and yang ........... 15
1.1.2.4. Mutual transformation between yin and
yang ........................................ 16
1.1.3. Application of the theory of yin and yang in TCM ..... 17
1.1.3.1. Explanation of the histological structure of
the human body .............................. 17
1.1.3.2. Explanation of the relationship between
structure and function ...................... 17
1.1.3.3. Explanation of pathogenesis ................. 18
1.1.3.4. Diagnosis and syndrome differentiation ...... 21
1.1.3.5. Guiding clinical treatment .................. 22
1.2. Wuxing (the five elements) ............................. 24
1.2.1. The implication of the five elements and the
categorization of things according to the theory of
the five elements .................................... 25
1.2.1.1. Implication of the five elements ............ 25
1.2.1.2. Categorization of things according to the
properties of the five elements ............. 26
1.2.2. Interactions among the five elements ................. 29
1.2.2.1. Inter-promotion and inter-restraint among the
five elements ............................... 29
1.2.2.2. Over restraint and reverse restraint ........ 31
1.2.3. Application of the theory of the five elements
in TCM ............................................... 33
1.2.3.1. Explaining the physiological functions of the
five zang-organs and the relationships
among them .................................. 33
1.2.3.2. Explaining interactions among the five
zang-organs ................................. 34
1.2.3.3. Guiding clinical diagnosis .................. 36
1.2.3.4. Guiding the treatment of disease ............ 37
2. Zangxiang (viscera and their manifestations) ................ 41
2.1. The Ave zang-organs .................................... 44
2.1.1. The heart ............................................ 45
2.1.1.1. The physiological functions of the heart .... 45
2.1.1.2. The relationships between the heart and the
body, the sensory organs and the orifices ... 47
Appendix; The pericardium ............................ 49
2.1.2. The lung ............................................. 49
2.1.2.1. The physiological functions of the lung ..... 50
2.1.2.2. The relationships between the lung and the
body, the sensory organs and the orifices ... 54
2.1.3. The liver ............................................ 55
2.1.3.1. The physiological functions of the liver .... 56
2.1.3.2. The relationships between the liver and the
body, the sensory organs and the orifices ... 60
2.1.4. The spleen ........................................... 61
2.1.4.1. The physiological functions of the spleen ... 62
2.1.4.2. The relationships between the spleen and the
body, the sensory organs and the orifices ... 64
2.1.5. The kidney ........................................... 65
2.1.5.1. The physiological functions of the kidney ... 65
2.1.5.2. The relationships between the kidney and the
body, the sensory organs and the orifices ... 71
Appendix: Mingmen (life-gate) ........................ 73
2.2. The six fu-organs ...................................... 73
2.2.1. The gallbladder ...................................... 74
2.2.2. The stomach .......................................... 75
2.2.3. The small intestine .................................. 76
2.2.4. The large intestine .................................. 77
2.2.5. The bladder .......................................... 78
2.2.6. Sanjiao (the triple energizer) ....................... 79
2.2.6.1. The conception of the triple energizer ...... 79
2.2.6.2. The physiological function of the triple
energizer ................................... 79
2.3. The extraordinary fu-organs ............................ 82
2.3.1. The characteristics of the extraordinary fu-organs ... 82
2.3.2. The physiological functions of the extraordinary
fu-organs ............................................ 82
2.3.2.1. The brain ................................... 83
2.3.2.2. The uterus .................................. 84
2.4. The relationships among the zang-organs and the
fu-organs .............................................. 87
2.4.1. The relationships among the five zang-organs ......... 87
2.4.1.1. The relationship between the heart and
the lung .................................... 87
2.4.1.2. The relationship between the heart and
the spleen .................................. 88
2.4.1.3. The relationship between the heart and
the liver ................................... 88
2.4.1.4. The relationship between the heart and
the kidney .................................. 89
2.4.1.5. The relationship between the lung and
the liver ................................... 90
2.4.1.6. The relationship between the lung and
the spleen .................................. 91
2.4.1.7. The relationship between the lung and
the kidney .................................. 91
2.4.1.8. The relationship between the liver and
the spleen .................................. 92
2.4.1.9. The relationship between the liver and
the kidney .................................. 92
2.4.1.10. The relationship between the spleen and
kidney ..................................... 93
2.4.2. The relationships among the six fu-organs ............ 94
2.4.3. The relationship between the five zang-organs and the
six fu-organs ........................................ 95
2.4.3.1. The internal and external relationship between
the heart and the small intestine ........... 96
2.4.3.2. The internal and external relationship between
the lung and the large intestine ............ 97
2.4.3.3. The internal and external relationship between
the spleen and the stomach .................. 97
2.4.3.4. The internal and external relationship between
the liver and the gallbladder ............... 99
2.4.3.5. The internal and external relationship between
the kidney and the bladder ................. 100
3. Qi, blood and body fluid ................................... 102
3.1. Qi .................................................... 102
3.1.1. The basic concept of qi ............................. 102
3.1.2. The production of qi ................................ 103
3.1.3. The physiological functions of qi ................... 103
3.1.3.1. Propelling function ........................ 104
3.1.3.2. Warming function ........................... 104
3.1.3.3. Protecting function ........................ 105
3.1.3.4. Fixating function .......................... 105
3.1.3.5. Qi-transforming function ................... 106
3.1.4. The moving styles of qi ............................. 106
3.1.5. The classification of qi and its production,
distribution and functional characteristics ......... 109
3.1.5.1. Yuan-qi (primordial qi) .................... 109
3.1.5.2. Zong-qi (the pectoral qi) .................. 110
3.1.5.3. Ying-qi (nutrient qi) and wei-qi
(defensive qi) ............................. 111
3.2. Blood ................................................. 113
3.2.1. The basic concept of blood .......................... 113
3.2.2. The production of blood ............................. 114
3.2.3. The physiological functions of blood ................ 115
3.2.4. The circulation of blood ............................ 115
3.3. Body fluid ............................................ 117
3.3.1. The basic concept of body fluid ..................... 117
3.3.2. The production of body fluid ........................ 118
3.3.3. The physiological functions of body fluid ........... 119
3.3.3.1. Moistening and nourishing .................. 119
3.3.3.2. The transformation of blood ................ 119
3.3.3.3. The transportation of the turbid qi ........ 119
3.3.4. The transportation and metabolism of body fluid ..... 120
Appendix; The five zang-organs transforming five
kinds of liquids .................................... 121
3.4. The relationships among qi, blood and body fluid ...... 123
3.4.1. The relationship between qi and blood ............... 123
3.4.1.1. The effect of qi on blood .................. 124
3.4.1.2. The effect of blood on qi .................. 125
3.4.2. The relationship between qi and body fluid .......... 126
3.4.2.1. The effect of qi on body fluid ............. 126
3.4.2.2. The effect of body fluid on qi ............. 128
3.4.3. The relationship between blood and body fluid ....... 129
4. The meridians and collaterals .............................. 131
4.1. The content of the theory of meridians and
collaterals ........................................... 131
4.1.1. The twelve meridians ................................ 133
4.1.1.1. The names of the twelve meridians .......... 133
4.1.1.2. The flowing and infusing order of the twelve
meridians .................................. 134
4.1.1.3. The distribution of the twelve meridians ... 135
4.1.1.4. The external and internal relationships .... 136
4.1.2. The eight extraordinary vessels ..................... 137
4.1.2.1. The nomenclature ........................... 137
4.1.2.2. The running features of the eight
extraordinary vessels ...................... 138
Appendix: The twelve branches of the meridians,
the twelve tendons, the twelve skin divisions,
the fifteen divergent collaterals, the floating
collaterals and the minute collaterals .............. 140
4.2. The basic functions of the meridians and
collaterals ........................................... 141
4.2.1. To connect the external with the internal as well as
to connect the viscera with other organs ............ 141
4.2.1.1. The relationships between the viscera,
the body, the sensory organs and
the orifices ............................... 142
4.2.1.2. The relationships between the zang-organs
and fu-organs .............................. 142
4.2.1.3. The relationships among the meridians ...... 142
4.2.2. To transport qi,blood, yin and yang to nourish
the viscera and the body ............................ 143
Appendix: The functional characteristics of the eight
extraordinary vessels ............................... 143
4.3. The clinical application of the theory of meridians
and collaterals ....................................... 144
4.3.1. To explain pathogenesis and pathological
transmission ........................................ 144
4.3.1.1. To explain the pathogenesis ................ 144
4.3.1.2. To explain pathological transmission ....... 144
4.3.2. To guide the diagnosis and treatment of disease ..... 145
4.3.2.1. To guide the diagnosis of disease .......... 145
4.3.2.2. To guide the treatment of disease .......... 146
5. Causes of disease .......................................... 148
5.1. The six climatic factors .............................. 148
5.1.1. Wind ................................................ 151
5.1.2. Cold ................................................ 152
5.1.3. Summer-heat ......................................... 154
5.1.4. Dampness ............................................ 155
5.1.5. Dryness ............................................. 157
5.1.6. Heat (fire) ......................................... 158
Appendix; Pestilence and five endogenous pathogenic
factors ............................................. 160
5.2. Internal impairment due to seven emotions ............. 163
5.2.1. Directly impairing the internal organs .............. 164
5.2.2. Disordering the activity of qi ...................... 164
5.2.2.1. Excessive joy relaxing the activity
of qi ...................................... 165
5.2.2.2. Excessive anger driving qi to move
upwards .................................... 165
5.2.2.3. Excessive anxiety inhibiting qi ............ 165
5.2.2.4. Excessive contemplation stagnating qi ...... 166
5.2.2.5. Excessive grief exhausting qi .............. 166
5.2.2.6. Excessive fear disturbing qi ............... 166
5.2.3. Causing or aggravating certain diseases ............. 167
5.3. Improper diet ......................................... 167
5.3.1. Starvation and overeating ........................... 167
5.3.2. Unhygienic food ..................................... 168
5.3.3. Food partiality ..................................... 169
5.4. Overwork and over-rest ................................ 170
5.4.1. Overwork ............................................ 171
5.4.2. Over-rest ........................................... 171
5.5. Diseases caused by phlegm, rheum and blood stasis ..... 172
5.5.1. Phlegm and rheum .................................... 172
5.5.1.1. The basic concept of phlegm and rheum ...... 172
5.5.1.2. The formation of phlegm and rheum .......... 173
5.5.1.3. The characteristics of phlegm and rheum in
causing diseases ........................... 174
5.5.2. Blood stasis ........................................ 176
5.5.2.1. The basic concept of blood stasis .......... 176
5.5.2.2. The formation of blood stasis .............. 176
5.5.2.3. The characteristics of blood stasis in causing
diseases ................................... 179
6. Pathogenesis ............................................... 181
6.1. Causes of disease ..................................... 181
6.1.1. Occurrence of disease and the relationship between
pathogenic factors and the healthy qi ............... 182
6.1.1.1. Deficiency of healthy qi and invasion of
pathogenic factors: two important aspects
of the occurrence of disease ............... 182
6.1.1.2. The effect of healthy qi and pathogenic factors
on the occurrence of disease ............... 183
6.1.2. Constitution and disease ............................ 187
6.1.2.1. The definition of constitution ............. 187
6.1.2.2. The formation of constitution .............. 187
6.1.2.3. The classification of constitution ......... 188
6.1.2.4. The influence of constitution on disease ... 192
6.2. Mechanism of pathological changes ..................... 194
6.2.1. Predomination and decline of pathogenic factors and
healthy qi .......................................... 195
6.2.1.1. Predomination and decline of pathogenic factors
and healthy qi and the changes of deficiency
and excess ................................. 195
6.2.1.2. The relationship between the prognosis of
disease and the state of pathogenic factors
and healthy qi ............................. 198
6.2.2. Imbalance between yin and yang ...................... 200
6.2.2.1. Relative predomination and decline of yin
and yang ................................... 201
6.2.2.2. Inter-consumption of yin and yang .......... 204
6.2.2.3. Inter-rejection of yin and yang ............ 205
6.2.2.4. Inter-transformation of yin and yang ....... 206
6.2.2.5. Loss of yin and yang ....................... 207
6.2.3. Disorder of qi, blood and body fluid ................ 208
6.2.3.1. Disorder of qi ............................. 209
6.2.3.2. Disorder of blood .......................... 210
6.2.3.3. Disorder of body fluid ..................... 211
7. Prevention and therapeutic principles ...................... 212
7.1. Principles of prevention .............................. 212
7.1.1. Theory of prevention ................................ 213
7.1.1.1. Importance of prevention .................. 213
7.1.1.2. The theoretical basis of the principles of
prevention ................................ 213
7.1.1.3. The guiding ideology of the principles of
prevention ................................ 214
7.1.2. The preventive methods .............................. 215
7.1.2.1. Giving prevention the priority ............ 215
7.1.2.2. Preventing transmission and change ........ 217
7.2. Therapeutic principles ................................ 218
7.2.1. Concentrating treatment on the root cause ........... 219
7.2.1.1. Significance ............................... 219
7.2.1.2. Application ................................ 220
7.2.2. Strengthening healthy qi and eliminating pathogenic
factors ............................................. 225
7.2.2.1. Significance ............................... 225
7.2.2.2. Application of strengthening healthy qi and
eliminating pathogenic factors ............. 226
7.2.3. Regulation of yin and yang .......................... 228
7.2.3.1. Reducing excess ............................ 229
7.2.3.2. Supplementing insufficiency ................ 229
7.2.4. Abidance by individuality, locality and seasons .... 231
7.2.4.1. Abidance by individuality .................. 232
7.2.4.2. Abidance by locality ....................... 234
7.2.4.3. Abidance by seasonal variation ............. 235
Postscript .................................................... 237
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