Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Yin Huang
One of two types of jaundice. Huang means yellow. Yin Huang is caused by Spleen Yang deficiency leading to cold–damp accumulation and presents with a sallow yellow complexion. Yin Huang may also be caused by the inappropriate use of cold herbs. Additional symptoms may include aversion to cold, fatigue, abdominal distention, poor digestion, and diarrhea.…
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Yin and Yang
An ancient Chinese philosophical concept. Literally, Yin is “the shady side of the mountain,” and Yang is “the sunny side of the mountain.” Yin and Yang represent polar opposites that are observed in all natural phenomenon (for example, fire and water, or night and day.) Yin and Yang are relative to each other, and any…
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Yang Ming
Usually translated as “Bright Yang,” this is the second of the Six Channels. In this stage, stagnant heat accumulates in the stomach and intestines if the exterior pathogen is not resolved. This manifests as constipation and abdominal pain, profuse sweating, high fever, and irritability. The next channel is Shao Yang.
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Yang Shui
One of two types of edema. Yang Shui is often acute and has an excessive presentation of heat. It is caused by Lung Qi congestion, San Jiao congestion, and Urinary Bladder Qi stagnation.
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Yang Huang
One of two types of jaundice. Huang means “yellow.” Yang Huang is caused by damp–heat of Liver and Gallbladder and commonly presents with a bright tangerine yellow skin complexion. Additional presentations include dark yellow urine, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, abdominal bloating, and pain in the hypochondriac region.
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Xie 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. Xie Qi is a general term for the pathogenic forces that attack the body. Contrast with Zheng Qi. There is a saying that…
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Xiao Ke
A consumptive condition which manifests as thirst, excessive hunger, profuse urination, and weight loss (similar to diabetes). It can be differentiated into three patterns: Upper Xiao, which mainly presents as thirst; Middle Xiao, which mainly presents as hunger; and Lower Xiao, which mainly presents as profuse urination.
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Xian
Recurrent sudden brief attacks with altered consciousness, loss of spirit, pale complexion, upward staring by the eyes, clenched jaw, foaming at the mouth, and convulsions of the extremities. In some cases, there is squealing like a goat or pig. This is why it is also called Yang Xian Feng (goat epileptic wind).
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Wind
One of the six External Pathogenic Factors. Wind has the characteristics of moving upward and attacking the exterior areas of the body. It is also a “leading pathogen” that can lead other External Pathogenic Factors into the body, such as cold, heat, or dampness. Most febrile diseases are diagnosed as an invasion of external wind.…
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Wei syndrome
Wei means “atrophy” in Chinese. Wei syndrome refers to a condition in which a muscle or limb has atrophied and has lost function. It is thought to be a natural consequence of untreated Bi syndrome. and is due to an obstruction in the flow of Qi and blood. This can cause a muscle or limb…
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