Category: Z
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Zig-zag
With short bends from side to side.
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Zhi Yin
A syndrome that is caused by evil Yin (water) accumulation in the chest and diaphragm leading to Lung Qi rebellion. It presents as chest constriction, shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, inability to lie flat, and edema. It may also present with dizziness, blurred vision, congested focal distention, and hardness in epigastrium, as well as a…
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Zheng Qi
In very general terms, health and disease is seen in Chinese medicine as being a balance of the body’s strength and resistance vs. the strength of pathogenic forces that attack the body. Zheng Qi is a general term for the body’s strength and resistance. Contrast with Xie Qi (above).
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Zhang Zhong Jing
The author of the Shang Han Lun. He created Six Channel diagnosis, which laid the foundation for much of Chinese herbal medicine and for differential diagnosis.
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Zao
One symptom of Yangming Fu syndrome. Zao means irritability and dry stools.
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Zang Fu diagnosis
One of several different systems of diagnosis in Chinese medicine. This system can be contrasted with San Jiao Diagnosis, Four Level Diagnosis, Eight Principles, and Six Channel Diagnosis. Zang Fu diagnosis is basically a synthesis of many of the other systems of diagnosis in TCM. It deals with signs and symptoms associated with dysfunctions of…
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Zang Fu
The internal organs of the human body. It is important to understand that the Western scientific concept of the internal organs is entirely different from Zang Fu theory. In Zang Fu theory, there are five main organ systems: Lung, Spleen, Liver, Heart, and Kidney. Each organ system includes a Zang organ and its Fu organ…
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Zinc (Zn)
Is an essential mineral for health. It is involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism: catalytic activity of enzymes, immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. It also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and is required for proper sense of taste and smell. Dietary sources include…
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Zeaxanthin
A common carotenoid, found naturally as coloured pigments in many fruit vegetables and leafy vegetables. It is important for good vision and is one of the two carotenoids contained within the retina of the eye. Within the central macula, zeaxanthin predominates, whereas in the peripheral retina, lutein predominates. A pigmented antioxidant (a member of the…
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Zymogen
An inactive precursor that is converted to active enzyme by the action of another substance. Called also proenzyme. Inactive form of an enzyme which can then be converted to the active form, usually by excision of a polypeptide, e. g. trypsinogen is the zymogen of trypsin. The inactive form in which some enzymes, especially the…