V

xü

Weakness, emptiness. See vacuity and repletion.

xü jï lì in infants and children that develops when spleen-

stomach vacuity dietary irregularities or excessive consumption of sweet or fatty foods causes a persistent accumulation. Vacuity accumulation dysentery is characterized by abdominal pain that likes pressure and tenesmus occurring any time during the day or night.

Medication:  It is treated by fortifying the spleen and boosting the stomach with Great Tranquility Pill (dà än wán) combined with Saussurea and Coptis Pill (xiäng lián wán).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on LI, ST, CV, and back transport points. Select LI-4 (hé gû, Union Valley) , ST-25 (tiän shü, Celestial Pivot) , ST-37 (shàng jù xü, Upper Great Hollow) , ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) , , CV-21 (xuán jï, Jade Swivel) , CV-12 (zhöng wân, Center Stomach Duct) , BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , and BL-21 (wèi shü, Stomach Transport) . Needle with supplementation and add moxa.

xü shí

Vacuity: emptiness or weakness. Repletion: fullness or strength. Vacuity is weakness of right qi, that is, the forces that maintain the health of the body and fight disease, whereas repletion is strength of evil qi or accumulation of physiological products within the body such as phlegm-rheum, water-damp, static blood, and stagnant qi. Vacuity patterns may be due to such causes as a weak constitution, damage to right qi either through enduring illness, loss of blood, seminal loss, and great sweating, or by invasion of an external evil (yang evils readily damaging yin humor and yin evils readily damaging yang qi). These causes are succinctly summed up in the phrase, ``Where essential qi is despoliated, there is vacuity.'' Distinction is made between general insufficiencies of qi, blood, yin, and yang. Since these frequently affect specific organs, further distinction is made between such forms as heart yin vacuity, liver blood vacuity, kidney yang vacuity, and lung qi vacuity. Qi and yang vacuity are both forms of yang qi insufficiency, hence their clinical manifestations are similar. Signs include bright or somber white complexion, lassitude of spirit, lack of strength, spontaneous sweating, and low voice. Yang vacuity is characterized by pronounced cold signs. Blood vacuity denotes depletion of the blood and often occurs in conjunction with qi vacuity (dual vacuity of qi and blood) or with yin vacuity (dual vacuity of yin and blood). Yin vacuity refers to insufficiency of the yin humor, and is invariably characterized by signs of heat and dryness. See exterior vacuity; interior vacuity; vacuity heat; vacuity cold. Repletion may be due to such factors as an invading evil, phlegm-rheum, water-damp, static blood, worm accumulations, and food accumulations. For this reason it is said, ``Where evil qi is exuberant, there is repletion.'' Repletion patterns vary according to the nature of the evil and the organ affected. A common feature of repletion patterns is that they are associated with exuberant evil qi. Thus, when a heat evil is exuberant, a repletion heat pattern emerges; the presence of an exuberant cold evil gives rise to a repletion cold pattern; and exuberant phlegm gives rise to phlegm and drool congesting the upper body. It should be emphasized that repletion reflects not only the exuberance of an evil but also the strength of the body's reaction to it. This explains why rapid surging pulses, slippery stringlike pulses, and large replete pulses, which are all forceful at the deep level, are associated with repletion patterns. See exterior repletion; interior repletion; repletion heat; repletion cold. For terms describing pathomechanisms that manifest in vacuity and repletion patterns, see exuberance and debilitation.

xü hán

A pattern of vacuity of right qi with cold (usually internal cold). The main manifestations are yellow face with little luster, poor appetite, upflow of clear drool into the mouth, physical cold and fear of cold, distention and pain in the stomach duct and abdomen that is relieved by warmth, heavy aching lumbus and back, long voidings of clear urine, thin stool, pale tongue with white fur, and a weak slow or moderate sunken pulse. In women there may be thin clear vaginal discharge. Vacuity cold is treated by warming yang and supplementing vacuity.

xià yuán xü lêng

Cold due to insufficiency of the lower origin (the kidney). See lower origin.

xü bì due to vacuity of right.

Vacuity constipation due to qi vacuity and yang qi vacuity is discussed under qi constipation and cold constipation. Vacuity constipation is otherwise due to insufficiency of essence-blood in the elderly and due to postpartum blood vacuity and reduced liquid.

Medication:  Treat constipation in elderly and postpartum patients by boosting yin and nourishing the blood, and by engendering liquid and moistening the intestine. Use Four Agents Decoction (sì wù täng) combined with Five Kernels Pill (wû rén wán), and by applying Honey Enema (mì jiän dâo fâ).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment on alarm, back transport, and lower uniting points of LI, on CV, ST, and SP, and on other back transport points. Select BL-25 (dà cháng shü, Large Intestine Transport) , ST-25 (tiän shü, Celestial Pivot) , ST-37 (shàng jù xü, Upper Great Hollow) , BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , BL-21 (wèi shü, Stomach Transport) , BL-17 (gé shü, Diaphragm Transport) , KI-6 (zhào hâi, Shining Sea) , SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) , and ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) ; needle with supplementation.

xü tuö

The manifestation of critical depletion of yin, yang, qi or blood occurring in enduring illness, as distinct from fulminant desertion, which occurs suddenly as with major blood loss or wind stroke.

Western Medical Concept:  lung failure* liver failure* kidney failure* heart failure* heart, lung, liver, or kidney failure. See desertion.

xü tuö è

Mentioned in Systematized Patterns with Clear-Cut Treatments (lèi zhèng zhì cái) due to the true origin verging on the expiration.

Medication:  Use Yin-Rectifying Brew (lî yïn jiän), Major Origin-Supplementing Brew (dà bû yuán jiän), or Right-Restoring Life Gate Beverage (yòu guï yîn).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on CV, GV, and PC. Select PC-6 (nèi guän, Inner Pass) , CV-17 (shän zhöng, Chest Center) , BL-17 (gé shü, Diaphragm Transport) , ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) , GV-26 (shuî göu, Water Trough) , GV-25 (sù liáo, White Bone-Hole) , GV-20 (bâi huì, Hundred Convergences) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , and KI-1 (yông quán, Gushing Spring) . Needle with supplementation and large amounts of moxa. Apply moxa on salt or ginger at CV-8 (shén què, Spirit Gate Tower) . See vacuity hiccough; hiccough.

xü sûn

Any form of severe chronic insufficiency of yin-yang, qi-blood, and bowels and viscera, arising through internal damage by the seven affects, taxation fatigue, diet, excesses of drink and sex, or enduring illness.

Western Medical Concept:  tuberculosis* anemia* leukemia* observed in tuberculosis, anemia, leukemia, neurosis, and a wide range of chronic consumptive diseases. Distinction can be made between qi, blood, yang, and yin vacuity.

Qi vacuity  (qì xü) is mainly associated with lung-spleen vacuity detriment, which is characterized by lack of strength in the limbs, laziness to speak, shortness of breath at the slightest exertion, spontaneous sweating, and heart vexation.

Medication:  Use Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction (bû zhöng yì qì täng).

Blood vacuity  (xuè xü) is associated with heart-liver vacuity detriment, which is characterized by blood ejection or bloody stool, flooding and spotting, and dizzy head and flowery vision. In severe cases, there may be dry blood consumption.

Medication:  Use Four Agents Decoction (sì wù täng) and Tangkuei Blood-Supplementing Decoction (däng guï bû xuè täng). If the vacuity is in the heart, use Spleen-Returning Decoction (guï pí täng); if in the liver use Double Supreme Pill (èr zhì wán); if there is internal stasis, use Rhubarb and Wingless Cockroach Pill (dà huáng zhè chóng wán).

Yang vacuity  (yáng xü) is mostly associated with spleen-kidney vacuity taxation with reduced intake of food and drink, thin sloppy stool sometimes with nontransformation of food, limp aching lumbus and knees, fatigue and lack of strength, fear of cold and cold limbs, impotence, seminal efflux, frequent long voidings of clear urine, somber white complexion, pale tongue with white fur, and a sunken fine or slow sunken pulse.

Medication:  Warm and supplement. For vacuity in the spleen, use Aconite Center-Rectifying Decoction (fù zî lî zhöng täng); for vacuity in the kidney, use Cinnamon Bark and Aconite Eight-Ingredient Pill (guì fù bä wèi wán) or Right-Restoring Life Gate Pill (yòu guï wán).

Yin vacuity  (yïn xü) is mostly seen in lung-kidney vacuity-detriment. Lung yin vacuity is marked by dry cough, expectoration of blood, dry mouth and throat, tidal heat~effusion, night sweating, tidal reddening of the cheeks, red tongue with little liquid, and a rapid fine pulse. Kidney yin vacuity is marked by limp aching lumbus and knees, dizzy head and tinnitus, seminal emission and premature ejaculation, sore throat, reddening of the cheeks, red tongue with little fur, and a sunken rapid fine pulse.

Medication:  Treat lung yin vacuity by nourishing yin and clearing the lung. Use variations of Adenophora/Glehnia and Ophiopogon Decoction (shä shën mài döng täng). Treat kidney yin vacuity by enriching true yin with an additional fire downbearing action. Use Major Origin-Supplementing Brew (dà bû yuán jiän), Six-Ingredient Pill (lìu wèi wán), or Major Yin Supplementation Pill (dà bû yïn wán). See vacuity taxation; five taxations; six extremes; seven damages.

xü sûn láo shäng

vacuity taxation.

xü xiè

Definition: 

Sloppy diarrhea forming a vacuity pattern. Vacuity diarrhea is usually due to spleen-stomach vacuity and debilitation of kidney yang. It is associated with withered-yellow facial complexion, fatigue and lack of strength, low food intake, thin stool without sour malodor, a pale tender-soft tongue with white fur, and a vacuous pulse.

Medication:  Supplement the center and warm the kidney. Use Aconite Center-Rectifying Decoction (fù zî lî zhöng täng), or Six Gentlemen Decoction (lìu jün zî täng) combined with Four Spirits Pill (sì shén wán).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on the back transport and alarm points of the SP and ST. Select BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , BL-21 (wèi shü, Stomach Transport) , CV-12 (zhöng wân, Center Stomach Duct) , LR-13 (zhäng mén, Camphorwood Gate) , ST-25 (tiän shü, Celestial Pivot) , SP-4 (göng sün, Yellow Emperor) , and ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) ; needle with supplementation and add moxa. , can also be moxaed. For debilitation of kidney yang, add BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , and GV-4 (mìng mén, Life Gate) . See spleen-kidney yang vacuity.

Definition:  A vacuous pulse with diarrhea, a sign of detriment to yin-blood. Elementary Questions (sù wèn) states, ``Vacuity diarrhea is despoliation of the blood.''

xü zhàng and fullness due to vacuity.

Distinction is made between spleen-kidney yang vacuity and kidney yin vacuity. In spleen-kidney yang vacuity, abdominal fullness is accompanied by lassitude of spirit, torpid intake, fear of cold and cold limbs, somber white or withered-yellow facial complexion, pale tongue, and a fine pulse. In kidney yin vacuity, vacuity distention is attended by emaciation, soot black complexion, heart vexation, dry mouth, nosebleed and bleeding gums, short voidings of reddish urine, red or crimson tongue, and a rapid fine pulse.

Medication:  The spleen-kidney yang pattern is treated by fortifying the spleen and warming the kidney, promoting qi transformation and moving water. Aconite Center-Rectifying Decoction (fù zî lî zhöng täng) combined with Poria (Hoelen) Five Powder (wû líng sân) is an appropriate formula. Golden Coffer Kidney Qi Pill (jïn guì shèn qì wán) is an alternative. The kidney yin vacuity pattern is treated with enriching the liver and kidney and by cooling the blood and transforming stasis, an appropriate formula being All-the-Way-Through Brew (yï guàn jiän) combined with Infradiaphragmatic Stasis-Expelling Decoction (gé xià zhú yü täng).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on PC, ST, back transport points, CV, SP, and KI. Main points: PC-6 (nèi guän, Inner Pass) , ST-25 (tiän shü, Celestial Pivot) , and ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) . Selection of points according to pattern: For spleen-kidney yang vacuity, add CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , GV-4 (mìng mén, Life Gate) , and KI-7 (fù lïu, Recover Flow) , needling with supplementation and adding moxa. For kidney yin vacuity, add BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , KI-6 (zhào hâi, Shining Sea) , KI-2 (rán gû, Blazing Valley) , KI-10 (yïn gû, Yin Valley) , and CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) , needling with supplementation.

xü lì with vacuity signs.

Dysentery is attributable to damp-heat and is characterized by blood and pus in the stool and by tenesmus. Occurring in weak patients or persisting for a long time so that it damages right qi, it may be attended by vacuity signs such as fatigue, milder abdominal pain, and straining to defecate.

Medication:  Treat by addressing both repletion and vacuity, using formulas such as Four Agents Decoction (sì wù täng) plus Cimicifugae Rhizoma (shëng má), Cyperi Rhizoma (xiäng fù zî), and Biotae Folium (cè bâi yè). For damage to essence through sexual intemperance causing dysentery, use Kidney Qi Pill (shèn qì wán). For vacuity taxation complicated by dysentery, use Saussurea and Coptis Pig's Stomach Pill (xiäng lián zhü dû wán).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment on ST, CV, and back transport points. Select ST-25 (tiän shü, Celestial Pivot) , ST-37 (shàng jù xü, Upper Great Hollow) , CV-12 (zhöng wân, Center Stomach Duct) , BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , BL-21 (wèi shü, Stomach Transport) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , and CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) ; needle with supplementation. For abdominal pain, add SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) , and apply . For damage to essence through sexual intemperance causing dysentery, add BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , BL-52 (zhì shì, Will Chamber) , KI-3 (tài xï, Great Ravine) , and KI-7 (fù lïu, Recover Flow) .

xü xián brought on by taxation.

It tends to affect people who suffer from depression, and develops when vacuity following illness and repeated external contractions causes qi, blood, and phlegm accumulations.

Medication:  Supplement the kidney to treat the root; sweep phlegm to treat the tip. See root-securing right-supporting treatments for periods between fits under epilepsy.

xü xié

Definition: 

Any evil; so called because it exploits vacuity.

Definition:  One of the five evils. An evil transmitted to an organ according to the mechanism that disease of the mother affects the child.

xü xiàn

A fall pattern occurring when a headed flat-abscess fails to heal owing to spleen-stomach vacuity and qi-blood depletion. In such patterns, the sore-opening is putrid and sloughing, although new flesh fails to grow. Vacuity fall is associated with heat~effusion and aversion to cold, lassitude of spirit, torpid intake, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Western Medical Concept:  toxemia* toxemia.

Medication:  Supplement the stomach and spleen using Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction (bû zhöng yì qì täng) or Yang-Upbearing Stomach-Boosting Decoction (shëng yáng yì wèi täng) and variations. See fall pattern; headed flat-abscess ju1.

xü huô

Definition: 

Depletion of true yin causing low fever, tidal reddening of the face, vexing heat in the five hearts, steaming bone taxation heat~effusion, heart vexation and insomnia, night sweating, short voidings of reddish urine, dry mouth and throat, red tongue with scant fur, or a bare red tongue without fur, and a forceless rapid fine pulse. Vacuity fire is normally observed either in damage to yin in advanced-stage febrile disease or in yin vacuity taxation detriment.

Medication:  Enrich yin and drain fire according to the principle of ``invigorating the governor water to restrain the brilliance of yang.'' Use formulas such as Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill (zhï bâi dì huáng wán).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on KI and HT. Select BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , KI-2 (rán gû, Blazing Valley) , KI-6 (zhào hâi, Shining Sea) , KI-1 (yông quán, Gushing Spring) , SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) , and HT-8 (shào fû, Lesser Mansion) ; needle with even supplementation and drainage. Selection of points according to signs: For heart vexation and insomnia, add HT-7 (shén mén, Spirit Gate) . For night sweating, add SI-3 (hòu xï, Back Ravine) and HT-6 (yïn xï, Yin Cleft) . For steaming bones, moxa ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) and BL-43 (gäo huäng shü, Gao-Huang Transport) . The can also be moxaed. For steaming bone extreme heat, drain and then moxa GV-14 (dà zhuï, Great Hammer) .

Definition:  False heat signs caused by exuberant yin repelling yang. See exuberant yin repelling yang.

xü huô shàng yán

Synonym:  upflaming vacuity fire .

Upper body heat signs due to kidney yin depletion and water failing to restrain fire. Signs include dry throat, sore throat, clouded head and dizzy vision, heart vexation and insomnia, tinnitus, forgetfulness, heat in the hearts of the palms and soles, soft red tongue, and fine pulse. Some patients may also display red eyes or mouth and tongue sores. Compare stirring of the ministerial fire.

xü huô chuân jí

Rapid panting due to detriment to kidney yin and vacuity fire flaming upward in patients, usually children, suffering from weak constitutions or from residual heat after enduring illnesses. Other signs include tidal reddening of the cheeks, vexing heat in the five hearts, and dry lips and mouth.

Medication:  Enrich yin and downbear fire with formulas such as Metropolis Qi Pill (dü qì wán).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on KI, back transport points, and LU. Needle with supplementation at BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , BL-13 (fèi shü, Lung Transport) , BL-43 (gäo huäng shü, Gao-Huang Transport) , KI-3 (tài xï, Great Ravine) , and KI-6 (zhào hâi, Shining Sea) , and with drainage at LU-5 (chî zé, Cubit Marsh) , , CV-17 (shän zhöng, Chest Center) , and HT-8 (shào fû, Lesser Mansion) .

xü pî (

a localized subjective feeling of fullness and blockage in the chest or upper abdomen) attributed to debilitation of the spleen, stomach, heart, and kidney and depletion of yin, yang, qi, and blood, and traceable to irregular eating, excessive taxation fatigue, spleen-stomach vacuity cold with poor movement and transformation, and in some cases insufficiency of heart construction or debilitation of the life gate fire. Vacuity glomus is characterized by glomus and oppression when the stomach is empty and is accompanied by poor appetite, sloppy diarrhea, fear of cold and desire for warmth in the chest and abdomen, nontransformation of ingested food, belching of putrid gas, swallowing of upflowing acid, and, in severe cases, abdominal distention.

Medication:  Warm and supplement with formulas such as Center-Ordering Decoction (zhì zhöng täng), Special Achievement Powder (yì göng sân), Spleen-Returning Decoction (guï pí täng), Stomach-Warming Beverage (wën wèi yîn), or Six-Ingredient Yang-Returning Beverage (lìu wèi huí yáng yîn).

xü xïn tòng

palpitation heart pain.

xü rè

Heat due to insufficiency of yin humor. Vacuity heat is characterized by vexing heat in the five hearts, insomnia, steaming bone tidal heat~effusion, dry throat and mouth, smooth bare red tongue, and a rapid fine pulse.

Medication:  In treating vacuity heat, nourishing yin is of greater importance than clearing heat. Medicinals used include Artemisiae Apiaceae seu Annuae Herba (qïng häo), Cynanchi Baiwei Radix (bái wëi), Stellariae Lanceolatae Radix (yín chái hú), Lycii Radicis Cortex (dì gû pí), Anemarrhenae Rhizoma (zhï mû), and Phellodendri Cortex (huáng bâi). A commonly used vacuity-heat--clearing formula is Sweet Wormwood and Turtle Shell Decoction (qïng häo bië jiâ täng).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on KI. Needling with even supplementation and drainage or with drainage at KI-6 (zhào hâi, Shining Sea) , KI-2 (rán gû, Blazing Valley) , and KI-1 (yông quán, Gushing Spring) can be used to treat vacuity heat. Needling with supplementation at KI-3 (tài xï, Great Ravine) and BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) can be used to nourish yin. For insomnia, add HT-8 (shào fû, Lesser Mansion) , LU-11 (shào shäng, Lesser Shang) , HT-7 (shén mén, Spirit Gate) , and SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) . For steaming bones, add moxa ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) and BL-43 (gäo huäng shü, Gao-Huang Transport) . The can also be moxaed. For steaming bone extreme heat, drain and then moxa GV-14 (dà zhuï, Great Hammer) .

xü rè jïng xíng xiän qï (

i.e., premature arrival of periods) attributed to insufficiency of yin blood with vacuity heat harassing the thoroughfare and controlling vessels. The menstrual flow is scant, bright red, thick and sticky. Attending signs include reddening of the cheeks and heat in the palms and soles.

Medication:  Nourish yin and clear heat. Use formulas such as Lycium Root Bark Beverage (dì gû pí yîn) and Rehmannia and Lycium Root Bark Decoction (liâng dì täng).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on CV, SP, and KI. Needle with supplementation at CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , SP-10 (xuè hâi, Sea of Blood) , and SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) , and with drainage at KI-2 (rán gû, Blazing Valley) and HT-8 (shào fû, Lesser Mansion) .

xü è due to vacuity.

Vacuity hiccough is mostly attributable to spleen-stomach vacuity cold and falls within the scope of cold hiccough.

Qi vacuity  (qì xü) can give rise to hiccough after major illness or after vomiting and diarrhea. Qi vacuity hiccough characterized by a faint sound, and is accompanied by discontinuous breathing (failure to catch one's breath).

Medication:  Treat by supplementation using Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction (bû zhöng yì qì täng) or Perfect Major Supplementation Decoction (shí quán dà bû täng).

Liver-kidney yin vacuity  (gän shèn yïn xü) hiccough, again, usually occurs after illness, and is a discontinuous hiccough associated with an upward surge of qi from below the umbilicus.

Medication:  Drain hidden heat in yin. Use Major Yin Supplementation Pill (dà bû yïn wán) or Kidney-Enriching Pill (zï shèn wán). Hiccough suddenly occurring in severe illness with sweating brow and a faint rough pulse is a sign that yang qi is on the verge of expiration, a critical pattern that requires swift action to warm yang with medicinals such as Zingiberis Rhizoma Exsiccatum (gän jiäng), Evodiae Fructus (wú zhü yú), Ginseng Radix (rén shën), Poria (fú líng), Caryophylli Flos (dïng xiäng), Kaki Calyx (shì dì), and Aconiti Tuber Laterale (fù zî).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on CV, ST, and PC. Main points: BL-17 (gé shü, Diaphragm Transport) , PC-6 (nèi guän, Inner Pass) , CV-17 (shän zhöng, Chest Center) , and CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) . Selection of points according to pattern: For qi vacuity, add CV-12 (zhöng wân, Center Stomach Duct) and ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) . For liver-kidney yin vacuity, add BL-18 (gän shü, Liver Transport) , BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , and CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) . Needle with supplementation and add moxa. For hiccough due due to vacuity desertion of the true origin, see vacuity desertion hiccough. See hiccough; cold hiccough.

xü zhê bû zhï <

vacuity is treated> See debility is treated by supplementing.

xü zhê bû qí mû

In the doctrine of the five phases, the treatment of vacuity or one organ or channel by supplementing the organ that engenders it. For example, water (kidney) engenders, or is the mother of, wood (liver). Liver vacuity is treated most effectively supplementing not only the liver but also the kidney. For liver vacuity fire characterized by insomnia, heart vexation and agitation, baking heat~effusion in the head and face, and a forceless rapid fine pulse, the principle of enriching water to moisten wood can be used, i.e., supplementing kidney water to restrain the vacuity fire of the liver.

xü huáng with vacuity signs such as withered-

yellow facial complexion, bland taste in the mouth, fearful throbbing, limp legs, mild heat~effusion and aversion to cold, disfluent voidings of turbid urine, low food intake, sloppy stool, pale tongue, and a weak fine pulse. Vacuity jaundice develops as a result of enduring jaundice or spleen vacuity and blood depletion depriving the skin of nourishment.

Medication:  Support the vacuity and secure the root, taking care to avoid excessively cold formulas. Appropriate formulas include Tangkuei and Astragalus Center-Fortifying Decoction (guï qí jiàn zhöng täng), Ginseng Construction-Nourishing Decoction (rén shën yâng róng täng), and Eight-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill (bä wèi dì huáng wán).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on CV, back transport points, GB, ST, and SP. Select CV-12 (zhöng wân, Center Stomach Duct) , CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) , BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , BL-19 (dân shü, Gallbladder Transport) , ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) , SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) , and GB-34 (yáng líng quán, Yang Mound Spring) . Needle with supplementation and add moxa.

xü bän

yin macules.

xü nüè occurring either when malaria evils are contracted in constitutional weakness or enduring malaria depletes original qi.

Vacuity malaria is characterized by unpronounced heat~effusion and aversion to cold, lack of strength in the extremities, reduced food intake, persistent spontaneous sweating, and a soft vacuous pulse.

Medication:  Nourish right and supplement vacuity with formulas such as Six Gentlemen Decoction (lìu jün zî täng), Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction (bû zhöng yì qì täng), or Flowery Knotweed and Ginseng Beverage (hé rén yîn).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on GV, PC, SI, ST, and KI. Select GV-14 (dà zhuï, Great Hammer) , GV-13 (táo dào, Kiln Path) , PC-5 (jiän shî, Intermediary Courier) , SI-3 (hòu xï, Back Ravine) , CV-12 (zhöng wân, Center Stomach Duct) , ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) , BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , and KI-3 (tài xï, Great Ravine) . Needle with supplementation and add moxa. For principles and methods of treatment see malaria.

zhën yuán xià xü <

vacuity of the true origin>

Synonym:  exhaustion of the lower origin .

Severe kidney depletion, especially kidney yang.

xü chuân attributed to lung qi vacuity and the kidney failing to absorb qi stemming from a weak constitution,

from enduring panting, or from wear on the true origin through major illness. Vacuity panting is of gradual onset and chronic in nature. It is characterized shortness of breath with difficulty in catching one's breath, a condition brought on by physical movement; relief from discomfort comes when a deep breath can be drawn. See qi vacuity panting; yin vacuity panting; true origin vacuity panting.

xü zhèng

Any disease pattern arising from weakness of the body's forces and absence of an evil. Vacuity patterns are attributed to insufficiencies of qi, blood, yin, and yang that arise from damage to right qi either through enduring illness, loss of blood, seminal loss, and great sweating, or by invasion of an external evil (yang evils readily damage yin humor and yin evils readily damage yang qi), constitutional weakness, or the wear and tear that comes with age. Since these insufficiencies frequently affect specific organs, further distinction is made between such forms as heart yin vacuity, liver blood vacuity, kidney yang vacuity, and lung qi vacuity.

xü tán

Definition: 

Any phlegm pattern due to vacuity of original qi.

Medication:  Boost qi and transform phlegm with Bupleurum and Peony Six Gentlemen Decoction (chái sháo lìu jün zî täng).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on CV and ST. Select CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) , CV-12 (zhöng wân, Center Stomach Duct) , ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) , and ST-40 (fëng lóng, Bountiful Bulge) . Needle with supplementation and add moxa.

Definition:  cold phlegm.

xü fú

Definition: 

Swelling of the outer body preceding distention in the inner body, with pale urine, unsolid stool, a withered-white facial complexion, low timid voice, and a forceless pulse faint fine pulse.

Definition:  vacuity swelling.

xü shí cuò zá

Any disease characterized by the presence of both vacuity and repletion signs. If a patient suffering from a cough expectorates thick, sticky phlegm and has a yellow tongue fur, the condition is one of phlegm-heat congesting the lung, which is a repletion pattern. If, at the same time, breathing is short and shallow, and becomes rapid at the slightest exertion, the patient is said to be suffering from insufficiency of lung qi, which is a vacuity pattern. The simultaneous existence of the repletion pattern and the vacuity pattern constitutes a vacuity-repletion complex. A further example is internal static blood obstruction, manifesting as abdominal glomus lump. If this repletion pattern occurs with signs of dual vacuity of yin and blood, characterized by emaciation, encrusted skin, and dark rings around the eyes, the patient is said to be suffering from a vacuity-repletion complex. Such patterns may be due to contraction of an external evil by patients ordinarily suffering from vacuity of right, or may be caused by an invading evil that both causes repletion and damages right.

xü zhòng

A pattern similar to wind stroke characterized by bright white complexion, faint breath from the nose, stiff tongue and disfluent speech, deviation of the eyes and mouth, and hemiplegia, sometimes but not necessarily heralded by clouding collapse. Limp hands and open mouth constitutes a wind-stoke desertion pattern. It is attributed to constitutional weakness, physical taxation causing damage to qi and the spleen, and phlegm and qi congestion. It may also arise as a result of sexual intemperance causing detriment to essential qi.

Medication:  Treat primarily by boosting qi with Six Gentlemen Decoction (lìu jün zî täng) or Center-Supplementing Qi-Boosting Decoction (bû zhöng yì qì täng). Desertion patterns call for swift administration of large doses of Ginseng Radix (rén shën) and Astragali (seu Hedysari) Radix (huáng qí). For sexual intemperance patterns use Pulse-Engendering Powder (shëng mài sân) plus Angelicae Sinensis Radix (däng guï), Rehmanniae Radix Conquita (shú dì huáng), and Cervi Cornu Parvum (lù róng).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on GV and CV. Select GV-20 (bâi huì, Hundred Convergences) , CV-8 (shén què, Spirit Gate Tower) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) , PC-6 (nèi guän, Inner Pass) , and LU-9 (tài yuän, Great Abyss) until the limbs become warm, the pulse rises and the patient's spirit-mind becomes clear, or just needle with supplementation with moxa. For stiff tongue and hemiplegia, see hemiplegia. For limp hands and open mouth etc., see desertion patterns under wind-like stroke. For sexual intemperance, add BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , KI-3 (tài xï, Great Ravine) , BL-52 (zhì shì, Will Chamber) , and GV-4 (mìng mén, Life Gate) .

xü zhông attributable to vacuity;

a form of yin water. Vacuity swelling is essentially attributed to spleen and/or kidney vacuity (spleen failing to control water; kidney vacuity water flood; impaired kidney qi transformation; spleen-kidney debilitation). Vacuity swelling develops slowly, and is associated with signs such as weak breathing and low voice, pale dull completion, fatigue, diarrhea, fear of cold and cold limbs, forceless fine sunken pulse.

Western Medical Concept:  nephritis*!chronic chronic nephritis* hypothyroidism* hypoproteinemia* observed in chronic nephritis, hypothyroidism, menopausal syndrome, hypoproteinemia.

Medication:  See water swelling.

xü láo

Synonym:  vacuity-

detriment taxation damage ;

Synonym:  taxation timidity .

Any pattern of severe vacuity (of qi, blood, or the organs), including notably steaming bone and consumption. The term comes from Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer (jïn guì yào lüè) and was explained in The Origin and Indicators of Disease (zhü bìng yuán hòu lùn) as referring to any of various qi, blood, or organ vacuity patterns on the one hand and contagious diseases such as steaming bone and corpse transmission (i.e., consumption) on the other. Since then, it has become a convention to refer to the former patterns as vacuity detriment, whereas the latter patterns are referred to as consumption. Compare vacuity detriment.

xü láo ké sòu

See taxation cough.

xü láo yäo tòng arising when taxation damage causes insufficiency of kidney qi and disturbs qi transformation.

The pain spreads into the lesser abdomen and is accompanied by inhibited urination, and a sunken pulse.

Medication:  Use Cinnamon Bark and Aconite Eight-Ingredient Pill (guì fù bä wèi wán) combined with Astragalus Center-Fortifying Decoction (huáng qí jiàn zhöng täng) and Major Yin Supplementation Pill (dà bû yïn wán).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on BL, GV, CV, and KI. Select BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , GV-4 (mìng mén, Life Gate) , KI-3 (tài xï, Great Ravine) , CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) , GV-3 (yäo yáng guän, Lumbar Yang Pass) , BL-40 (wêi zhöng, Bend Center) , , and CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) ; needle with supplementation and add moxa.

xü láo dào hàn due to qi vacuity and yang weakness,

to heart yang vacuity, to heart-kidney yang vacuity, or to yin blood vacuity.

Medication:  When due to qi vacuity and yang weakness, it can be treated with Oyster Shell Powder (mû lì sân) or Astragalus Center-Fortifying Decoction (huáng qí jiàn zhöng täng). When due to heart yang vacuity, it can be treated with Biota Seed Decoction (bâi zî rén täng). When due to dual vacuity of the heart and kidney, use Heart-Kidney Pill (xïn shèn wán). Alternatively, use Spleen-Returning Decoction (guï pí täng) combined with Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill (lìu wèi dì huáng wán), adding Ostreae Concha (mû lì), Tritici Semen Leve (fú xiâo mài), and Schisandrae Fructus (wû wèi zî) if sweating is copious. For night sweating due to yin-blood vacuity, see yin vacuity night sweating.

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on back transport points, KI, LI, and SI. Main points: LI-4 (hé gû, Union Valley) , SI-3 (hòu xï, Back Ravine) , and HT-6 (yïn xï, Yin Cleft) . Selection of points according to pattern: For qi vacuity and yang weakness, add CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , and GV-4 (mìng mén, Life Gate) . For heart yang vacuity, add BL-15 (xïn shü, Heart Transport) , CV-14 (jù què, Great Tower Gate) , PC-6 (nèi guän, Inner Pass) , and HT-7 (shén mén, Spirit Gate) . For heart-kidney yang vacuity, BL-15 (xïn shü, Heart Transport) , BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , CV-14 (jù què, Great Tower Gate) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , GV-4 (mìng mén, Life Gate) , and PC-6 (nèi guän, Inner Pass) . Needle with supplementation and add moxa for all three patterns. For night sweating due to yin-blood vacuity, see yin vacuity night sweating.

xü láo jïng shâo

See scant semen.

xü jìng attributed to extreme qi and blood vacuity depriving the sinews of nourishment or to major loss of blood.

Vacuity tetany is characterized by convulsions, clouded head and flowery vision, spontaneous sweating, lassitude of spirit, shortness of breath, pale tongue, and a fine stringlike pulse.

Medication:  Treat by boosting qi and supplementing the blood, supported by extinguishing wind. Appropriate formulas include Tangkuei Blood-Supplementing Decoction (däng guï bû xuè täng) or Eight-Gem Decoction (bä zhën täng) with the addition of Uncariae Ramulus cum Unco (göu téng) and Buthi Caudex (xië shäo).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on back transport points, GV, SP, ST, and LR. Select BL-17 (gé shü, Diaphragm Transport) , BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) , SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) , GV-20 (bâi huì, Hundred Convergences) , GV-16 (fëng fû, Wind Mansion) , LR-3 (tài chöng, Supreme Surge) , and GV-8 (jïn suö, Sinew Contraction) ; needle with supplementation and moxa if appropriate.

xü fán due to vacuity fire harassing the inner body.

Vacuity vexation is a feeling of unease and listlessness in the heart, accompanied by a condition that seems like distention but is not, food failing to be appetizing, and unquiet sleep, It occurs in febrile disease, either in the latter stages or or after sweating, ejection, or precipitation, when residual heat remains.

Medication:  Treat with Bamboo Leaf Decoction (zhú yè täng) or Gardenia and Fermented Soybean Decoction (zhï zî chî täng) and variations. See vexation.

xü fán bù dé mián

From On Cold Damage (shäng hán lùn) A feeling of uneasiness focused in the chest together with insomnia occurring in vacuity patterns. Distinction is made between qi vacuity, yang vacuity, yin vacuity, and residual heat. In qi vacuity it is accompanied by fatigue and lack of strength, reduced food intake, lassitude of spirit, dry mouth with low fluid intake and a soft soggy pulse, and is treated by supplementing qi. In yang vacuity, it is associated with cold limbs and fear of cold, and a slow sunken pulse, and is treated by warming supplementation. In yin vacuity, it is accompanied by dry mouth, red tongue, and a rapid fine pulse, and is treated by enriching yin and clearing fire. In residual heat harassing the inner body occurring in the latter stages of febrile disease, it is associated with residual heat~ dry mouth and tongue, and yellow or reddish urine, and is treated by clearing heat and eliminating vexation.

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on HT and three yin channels of the foot. Main points: , HT-7 (shén mén, Spirit Gate) , BL-15 (xïn shü, Heart Transport) , PC-6 (nèi guän, Inner Pass) , and SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) . Selection of points according to pattern: For qi vacuity, add BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) , and CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) , needling with supplementation and adding moxa. For yang vacuity, add CV-6 (qì hâi, Sea of Qi) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , ST-36 (zú sän lî, Leg Three Li) , and GV-20 (bâi huì, Hundred Convergences) , using both needles and moxa. For yin vacuity, needle with supplementation at BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , KI-3 (tài xï, Great Ravine) , and KI-6 (zhào hâi, Shining Sea) , and with drainage at the main points and HT-8 (shào fû, Lesser Mansion) . For residual heat, add ST-41 (jiê xï, Ravine Divide) , LI-4 (hé gû, Union Valley) , LI-11 (qü chí, Pool at the Bend) , ST-43 (xiàn gû, Sunken Valley) , GB-39 (xuán zhöng, Suspended Bell) , and ST-44 (nèi tíng, Inner Court) , needling with drainage. See sleeplessness.

xü fëng nèi dòng

A wind pattern attributable to yin vacuity or blood vacuity that arises when great sweating, great vomiting, great diarrhea, major loss of blood, or damage to yin in enduring illness with depletion of the fluids causes desiccation of the blood that deprives the sinews of nourishment and causes insufficiency of liver yin that leaves yang unsubdued and allows liver wind to scurry around internally. It may also occur when kidney-water failing to moisten liver-wood causes wind to harass the upper body. Vacuity wind stirring within is marked by dizziness, tremor, worm-like movement in the extremities, or clouding collapse. See liver wind stirring internally.

xü zhöng jiä shí

Any vacuity pattern with concurrent signs of an evil. For example, in blood dryness consumption, vacuity signs such as emaciation, dry skin, vexing heat in hearts of the palms and soles, and no thought of food and drink are observed in combination with repletion signs of blood stasis such as menstrual block, dark purple tongue, stasis speckles on the margins of the tongue, and a stringlike sunken pulse.

xü

Empty, not solid, weak. Not solid, e.g., a vacuous pulse. Of or relating to vacuity. See vacuity and repletion.

shèn xü bù nà qì

kidney failing to absorb qi.

xü lî

Synonym:  apical pulse .

The place below the nipple at which a throbbing can be felt and said to be the collecting place of ancestral qi. Vacuous li corresponds in channel theory to the great network vessel of the stomach, and since stomach qi is a foundation of human life and is the source of ancestral qi in the chest, it reflects the state of ancestral qi and stomach qi.

fú xü

Synonym:  qi swelling .

From Elementary Questions (sù wèn) in the interstices of the skin that springs back after being pressed. Compare vacuity puffiness; puffy swelling.

xü mài

A forceless soft usually large pulse that feels empty. The Pulse Canon (mài jïng) states, ``The vacuous pulse is slow, large, and soft, and feels under pressure to be insufficient and gapingly empty.'' It is also described as a combination of the floating, large, slow, and soft pulses.

qì xü bù shè

Qi failing to retain blood, fluids, essence etc., in the body, causing spontaneous sweating, seminal emission, diarrhea, enuresis, flooding and spotting, or blood in the stool.

xü yáng shàng fú

Definition: 

exuberant yin repelling yang.

Definition: 

Synonym:  unconstrained vacuous yang ;

Synonym:  solitary yang straying upward .

A pattern of tidal heat~effusion, tender-red complexion, dry mouth without thirst, and a vacuous rapid pulse arising when yang, deprived of support through essence-blood depletion, strays upward to the upper body.

dài xià

The emission of a viscid fluid via the vagina. Scant white vaginal discharge often occurs in healthy women. Only discharge that is profuse, bears an unnatural color, or gives off a malign odor is pathological. A copious clear white discharge without malodor is called white vaginal discharge and is caused by cold-damp pouring downward with spleen vacuity. A foul-smelling copious thick yellow discharge is called yellow vaginal discharge and is due to damp-heat pouring downward. A thick discharge that is white and red in color and bears a faint fishy smell is called red vaginal discharge, and arises when depressed liver qi transforms into heat, which damages the network vessels of the uterus. Modern research shows that continued red vaginal discharge is in some cases a sign of cancer. Malodorous vaginal discharge like rice water (water in which rice has been washed), yellow-green like pus, or multicolored, and attended by pudendal itch and soreness is a sign of damp toxin. See entries listed below.

Vaginal Discharge spleen vacuity vaginal dischargepí xü dài xià kidney vacuity vaginal dischargeshèn xü dài xià damp toxin vaginal dischargeshï dú dài xià liver channel damp-heat vaginal dischargegän jïng shï rè dài xià white vaginal dischargebái dài green-blue vaginal dischargeqïng dài yellow vaginal dischargehuáng dài black vaginal dischargehëi xià red and white vaginal dischargechì bái dài five-colored vaginal dischargewû sè dài white floodbái bëng white leakbái lòu white oozebái yín

yïn chuï

From Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer (jïn guì yào lüè) Expulsion of qi (gas) through the vagina. Vaginal flatulence is traditionally attributed to replete grain qi and the downward discharge stomach qi or to qi and blood vacuity with center qi fall.

Replete grain qi  (gû qì shí) causes vaginal flatus marked by a loud clear sound and continuous expulsions and is associated with constipation.

Medication:  Treat by moistening dryness and precipitation. Use Lard and Hair Brew (gäo fà jiän), which comprises Suis Adeps (zhü zhï gäo) and Hominis Crinis (xuè yú).

Center qi fall  (gû qì xià xiàn) causes vaginal flatus with shortness of breath, laziness to speak, fatigue, and lack of strength.

Medication:  Supplement the center and boost qi. Use Perfect Major Supplementation Decoction (shí quán dà bû täng) plus Cimicifugae Rhizoma (shëng má) and Bupleuri Radix (chái hú).

Western Medical Concept:  flatus vaginalis* flatus vaginalis. Modern gynecology attributes flatus vaginalis to a number of causes: loosening of the vagina in childbirth allowing air to enter and accumulate before it is periodically expelled (e.g., when lying face downward or during physical exertion); carbohydrates resolving into gas in the vagina; deformities that cause intestinal flatus to be discharged through the vagina. These considerations may help to shed light on the traditional Chinese explanations.

yïn tîng

yin protrusion.

xü zuò nû zé

Straining in vain to pass stool despite frequent desire to defecate. Vain straining occurs in damage to yin in enduring dysentery; it is more severe than tenesmus normally associated with dysentery.

qïng jïn

Blood vessels visible through the skin.

wèi wân guân wei=

4 wan=3 See stomach duct.

jî zhuï gû

Any of the bones forming part of the spine.

dîng

The top of the head.

Western Medical Concept:  vertex cranii* vertex cranii.

diän dîng tóu tòng

Synonym:  pain at the vertex .

Pain in the region of the vertex. The greater yang channels meet at the vertex where they enter the brain. Pain at the vertex is usually a greater yang disease.

Medication:  Use medicinals such as Ligustici Sinensis Rhizoma et Radix (gâo bên), Ligustici Rhizoma (chuän xiöng), Notopterygii Rhizoma (qiäng huó), and Angelicae Duhuo Radix (dú huó).

Acupuncture:  Select GV-20 (bâi huì, Hundred Convergences) , , GV-21 (qián dîng, Before the Vertex) , GB-19 (nâo köng, Brain Hollow) , GV-23 (shàng xïng, Upper Star) , KI-1 (yông quán, Gushing Spring) , LI-4 (hé gû, Union Valley) , and LR-3 (tài chöng, Supreme Surge) ; needle with drainage. See headache.

A blister, especially a small one.

mài

Any pathway of the blood or of qi. Elementary Questions (sù wèn) states, ``The vessels are the house of the blood.'' The Magic Pivot (líng shü) states, ``That which blocks i.e., contains construction qi and prevents it from going astray is the vessels.'' The vessels are intimately related to the heart; see heart governs the blood and vessels.

mài bì

Synonym:  heat impediment .

characterized by irregular heat~effusion, palpable heat and pain in the flesh, and sometimes red patches on the skin; attributed to wind-damp stagnating in the vessels. Distinction is made between vacuity and repletion, the former being treated with Five Impediments Decoction (wû bì täng) plus Cinnamomi Ramulus (guì zhï), Carthami Flos (hóng huä), Poria cum Pini Radice (fú shén), Polygalae Radix (yuân zhì), and Ophiopogonis Tuber (mài mén döng), and the latter with Ginseng Decoction (rén shën täng).

mài kôu

Synonym:  qi opening .

The wrist pulse; so called because it is an ``opening'' in the body where the qi of the vessels can be felt. Also called qi opening for the same reason. See pulse.

mài qì

channel qi.

mài wêi

Synonym:  heart wilting .

From Elementary Questions (sù wèn) A wilting pattern attributed to heart qi heat with fire flaming upward and carrying qi and blood counterflow with it and causing emptiness of the blood vessels in the lower body. Since the heart governs the blood and vessels and both the heart and vessels are involved in this disease pattern, heart wilting is synonymous with vessel wilting. Signs include joints of the four limbs as if broken, inability to lift the limbs, and weakness in the lower leg preventing the patient from standing.

Medication:  Clear the heart and drain fire; nourish and quicken the blood with variations of Four Agents Decoction (sì wù täng).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment on back transport points, HT, and GB. Needle with supplementation or with even supplementation and drainage at BL-20 (pí shü, Spleen Transport) , LR-3 (tài chöng, Supreme Surge) , BL-17 (gé shü, Diaphragm Transport) , and BL-23 (shèn shü, Kidney Transport) , and with drainage at BL-15 (xïn shü, Heart Transport) , HT-8 (shào fû, Lesser Mansion) , SI-1 (shào zé, Lesser Marsh) , LU-9 (tài yuän, Great Abyss) , GB-30 (huán tiào, Jumping Round) , and GB-34 (yáng líng quán, Yang Mound Spring) . See wilting .

fán

heart vexation.

fán zào

A subjective feeling of heat and disquietude in the chest (vexation) and objective fidgetiness of the limbs (agitation). Both signs may occur in vacuity, repletion, cold, and heat patterns. For example, when evils enter the interior, causing yang brightness repletion heat, signs include high fever, thirst, vexation and oppression in the chest, fidgetiness of the extremities (yang brightness governs the four limbs). Heart vexation is often observed without agitation. Where heat sensations are pronounced, it is called heat vexation. Where vexation appears with thirst as a result of damage to liquid by exuberant heat, the term vexation and thirst is used. When vexation appears in the latter stages of febrile disease or after sweating (diaphoresis), ejection, or precipitation in the course of febrile disease when residual heat is still present, heat vexation in the chest with unquiet sleep is a sign of vacuity fire harassing the inner body, and in such cases is often referred to as vacuity vexation. Vexation accompanied by a cold body and unconscious movement of the limbs, bodily fatigue and lassitude of spirit, dry mouth with intake of fluid, and a weak fine pulse is called agitated vexation.

fán kê

A feeling of heat and disquietude focused in the chest and accompanied by a desire for fluids. See vexation and agitation.

zî fán occurring in pregnancy.

Vexation of pregnancy is attributed to exploitation of the heart by fire-heat that results from a)~insufficiency of yin-blood arising when the blood gathers to nourish the fetus or b)~preexisting phlegm-rheum that is transformed into phlegm-heat by the action of depression, anger, anxiety, or thought. In the case of yin vacuity, there is vexing heat in five hearts and dry mouth, whereas in phlegm heat, there is dizziness, oppression in the stomach duct, nausea and vomiting, and copious phlegm. If there is pronounced liver depression, there is distending pain in both rib-sides.

Medication:  Yin vacuity patterns are treated by clearing heat, nourishing yin, and eliminating vexation with Coptis, Ass Hide Glue, and Egg Yolk Decoction (huáng lián ë jiäo jï zî huáng täng). Phlegm-fire patterns are treated by clearing heat and flushing phlegm with Fritillaria and Trichosanthes Powder (bèi mû guä lóu sân). For liver depression, course the liver, resolve depression, and eliminate vexation with Moutan and Gardenia Free Wanderer Powder (dän zhï xiäo yáo sân).

wû xïn fán rè

Palpable heat in the palms of the hand, soles of the feet, and subjective feeling of heat in the chest. Vexing heat in the five hearts is observed in vacuity detriment and consumption, and arises from effulgent yin vacuity fire, vacuity heat failing to clear after illness, or internally depressed fire-heat.

Medication:  Nourish yin and abate heat~effusion; clear heat and nourish yin; clear the liver and rectify the spleen. Use formulas such as Bone-Clearing Powder (qïng gû sân) or Free Wanderer Powder (xiäo yáo sân). For depressed fire, treat by upbearing and effusing with Fire Depression Decoction (huô yù täng).

zhuàng huô

From Elementary Questions (sù wèn) Pathological fire standing in opposition to the lesser fire, which is the healthy fire of physiological activity. Vigorous fire causes wear on right qi and affects physiological functions.

zhuàng rè

High fever occurring in repletion patterns and characteristic of qi-aspect heat in warm diseases.

zàng fû

Plural of viscus. See bowels and viscera.

zàng zào

From Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Coffer (jïn guì yào lüè) A paroxysmal mental disease most prevalent in women, heralded by melancholy and depression, illusions, emotionalism, and increased or diminished sensitivity. Attacks are characterized by vexation and oppression, rashness and impatience, sighing for no apparent reason, and sadness with an urge to weep. In severe cases, there may be convulsions, which, unlike those occurring in epilepsy, are accompanied by a white complexion or complete loss of consciousness. Visceral agitation falls into two basic patterns, heart spirit deprived of nourishment and insufficiency of the liver and kidney.

Western Medical Concept:  hysteria.

Heart spirit deprived of nourishment  (xïn shén shï yâng) arises when anxiety or thought damage the heart and excessive taxation fatigue damages the spleen. The resultant condition of dual damage to the heart and spleen and insufficiency of qi and blood deprives the heart spirit of nourishment. When the heart is deprived of nourishment, the heart spirit fails to be stored and spirit qi runs amok. Signs include devitalized essence-spirit, abstraction, sorrowfulness without apparent cause and abnormal laughing and crying. There may also be vexation, insomnia, profuse dreaming, susceptibility to fright, heart palpitations, lassitude of spirit, thirst, constipation, red tongue that may be soft in texture, and a weak fine or fine stringlike pulse.

Medication:  Enrich and supplement with sweet moist medicinals and nourishing and quieting the spirit. Use Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction (gän mài dà zâo täng) plus Ziziphi Spinosi Semen (suän zâo rén), Rehmanniae Radix Exsiccata seu Recens (shëng dì huáng), and Lilii Bulbus (bâi hé).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on HT, GV, and PC. Main points: GV-26 (shuî göu, Water Trough) , GV-20 (bâi huì, Hundred Convergences) , PC-6 (nèi guän, Inner Pass) , and HT-7 (shén mén, Spirit Gate) . For heart spirit deprived of nourishment, add BL-15 (xïn shü, Heart Transport) , PC-8 (láo göng, Palace of Toil) , SP-10 (xuè hâi, Sea of Blood) , and SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) ; needle with supplementation. Selection of points according to signs: For abnormal laughing and weeping, add SI-3 (hòu xï, Back Ravine) . For essence-spirit abstraction, add BL-15 (xïn shü, Heart Transport) and BL-47 (hún mén, Hun Gate) .

Insufficiency of the liver and kidney  (gän shèn bù zú) arises when childbirth or severe illness causes depletion of the blood, and can cause visceral agitation if the heart and liver are deprived of nourishment and effulgent qi and blood disquiet the heart spirit and prevent the ethereal soul from being stored. It is characterized by the similar heart spirit signs (insomnia, heart palpitations, susceptibility to fright) and heat signs (dry mouth, red tongue, dry stool) as the previous pattern. However, in addition there are distinctive kidney vacuity signs such as heat in the hearts of the palms and soles, tinnitus, and limp aching lumbus and knees, as well as liver vacuity signs such as vexation and irascibility.

Medication:  Treat insufficiency of the liver and kidney by enriching the kidney and clearing the liver and by nourishing the heart and quieting the spirit. Use Lily Bulb and Rehmannia Decoction (bâi hé dì huáng täng) combined with Water-Enriching Liver-Clearing Beverage (zï shuî qïng gän yîn). If there are signs of binding depression of liver qi such as affect-mind depression, and oppression in the chest with qi counterflow, plum pit qi, and rib-side pain, use Free Wanderer Powder (xiäo yáo sân) or Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder (chái hú shü gän sân), adding Moutan Radicis Cortex (mû dän pí) and Gardeniae Fructus (shän zhï zî) if the depression is transforming into fire.

Acupuncture:  Use the main points given above, and add PC-8 (láo göng, Palace of Toil) , CV-4 (guän yuán, Pass Head) , KI-1 (yông quán, Gushing Spring) , LR-3 (tài chöng, Supreme Surge) , LR-2 (xíng jiän, Moving Between) , and SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) ; needle with even supplementation and drainage. For liver depression and qi stagnation, add TB-6 (zhï göu, Branch Ditch) , LR-3 (tài chöng, Supreme Surge) , and LR-2 (xíng jiän, Moving Between) ; needle with drainage or with even supplementation and drainage. If there is transformation into fire, drain GB-43 (xiá xï, Pinched Ravine) and GB-34 (yáng líng quán, Yang Mound Spring) . Selection of points according to signs: For oppression in the chest and counterflow qi, add CV-17 (shän zhöng, Chest Center) and ST-40 (fëng lóng, Bountiful Bulge) .

wû zàng bì

impediments of the five viscera.

zàng xiàng

The manifestation of the activity of viscera and the bowels (and construction, defense, qi, blood, fluids, essence, and spirit) in outward signs; the Chinese medical physiology of the human body in which the viscera are understood to play a central role.

zhòng zàng

The most severe form of wind stroke characterized by sudden clouding collapse, loss of speech, and inability to close the lips with drooling from the corners of the mouth. See wind stroke.

zàng dú

Definition: 

Dysentery attributed to toxin accumulated in the viscera.

Definition:  Distal bleeding (bleeding remote from the anus) due to accumulated heat toxin.

Medication:  Clear heat and resolve toxin with formulas such as Pig's Intestines and Coptis Pill (zàng lián wán).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on back transport points, ST, and BL. Select ST-25 (tiän shü, Celestial Pivot) , BL-25 (dà cháng shü, Large Intestine Transport) , ST-37 (shàng jù xü, Upper Great Hollow) , BL-57 (chéng shän, Mountain Support) , SP-10 (xuè hâi, Sea of Blood) , and SP-9 (yïn líng quán, Yin Mound Spring) ; needle with drainage.

Definition:  Hard painful swollen bleeding anus.

Medication:  Treat with Stomach-Clearing Powder (qïng wèi sân) or Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction (lóng dân xiè gän täng).

Acupuncture:  Base treatment mainly on BL, SP, and empirical points. Select BL-32 (cì liáo, Second Bone-Hole) , GV-1 (cháng qiáng, Long Strong) , BL-35 (huì yáng, Meeting of Yang) , BL-57 (chéng shän, Mountain Support) , , SP-5 (shäng qïu, Shang Hill) , and SP-6 (sän yïn jiäo, Three Yin Intersection) ; needle with drainage.

Definition:  anal welling-abscess.

zàng

Any of the five viscera (lung, kidney, liver, heart, and spleen). See bowels and viscera.

shuî huô zhï zàng

The kidney.

fëng mù zhï zàng

The liver. The liver belongs to wood, and like wood thrives by orderly reaching. Just as trees are vulnerable to wind, so the liver is vulnerable to diseases characterized by spasm and itching attributed to wind. See liver.

kè

Occasional, seasonal, temporary.

kè sè

See right complexion.

kè wû

See child visiting hostility.

mào

Deranged, flowery vision.

wàng zhên

inspection.

shì yï

The inner surface of the eyeball.

Western Medical Concept:  retina* retina.

shëng qì

Definition: 

The qi developing in springtime that is vital to the growth of all things.

Definition:  Original qi.

Definition:  Loosely refers to the life force.

shëng yïn

See listening and smelling examination.

ôu tù

Ejection of food through the mouth. The Chinese term is composed of two characters, ou3, meaning retching (sound without matter), and tu4, meaning ejection (matter without sound). However, the combined term, as the English vomiting, tends to exclude retching. While retching denotes a relative absence of expelled matter, ``dry retching'' denotes its complete absence. Vomiting and retching are the manifestations of stomach qi ascending counterflow, and like nausea may occur in almost any stomach pattern---stomach heat or cold, insufficiency of stomach yin, liver-stomach disharmony, or food damage, etc. Vomiting of ingested food that has remained for several hours without undergoing transformation is called stomach reflux. Very often this assumes a pattern of ``vomiting in the morning of foods ingested in the evening,'' or ``vomiting in the evening of foods ingested in the morning.'' Not only food but also clear water, bitter water, phlegm-drool, and roundworm may be vomited. See entries listed below. See also vomitus.

Vomiting cold vomitinghán ôu heat vomitingrè ôu phlegm vomitingtán ôu food accumulation vomitingshí jï ôu tù qi vomitingqì ôu vomiting of clear watertù qïng shuî bitter vomitingôu kû acid vomitingtù suän water counterflowshuî nì vomiting of phlegm-droolôu tù tán xián

ôu dân

bitter vomiting.

ôu tù kû shuî

bitter vomiting.

tù qïng shuî

Bringing up of relatively clear water fluid from the stomach; observed in spleen-stomach vacuity cold, phlegm-rheum accumulation, lodged food failing to transform, and worm disease. For diagnosis and treatment, see cold vomiting; phlegm vomiting; water counterflow; food accumulation vomiting; roundworm vomiting.

ôu tù tán xián with vomitus containing copious phlegm-

drool; observed in phlegm and phlegm-rheum patterns such as phlegm malaria, phlegm-rheum pregnancy vomiting, and wind-phlegm dizziness. Compare ejection of foamy drool.

ôu tù tán yîn

phlegm vomiting.

rèn shën ôu tù

malign obstruction.

ôu tù wù

The contents of the stomach expelled through the act of vomiting. Vomitus containing phlegm and water indicates stomach phlegm-rheum, and generally forms part of a cold pattern. Vomitus containing food without sour taste or malodor indicates vacuity cold or invasion of the stomach by liver qi. Vomitus with a sour taste and malodor indicates food accumulation, stomach heat, or liver-gallbladder damp-heat. Bitter, yellow vomitus generally indicates liver-gallbladder damp-heat. Vomiting of purplish black blood can only be diagnosed by taking account of other signs.

hú shàn

foxy mounting.