Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Huang Di
The legendary “Yellow Emperor” and author of the Nei Jing. It is unclear as to whether Huang Di was a real person or if his writings are actually a collaboration of many different peoples’ writings. The earliest mention of the Nei Jing in classical Chinese literature is in a text written around 100 B.C.
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Heat
One of the six External Pathogenic Factors. Heat is the same pathogen as Fire, but in a less severe form. Heat, like Fire, has the characteristics of causing Qi and blood to circulate recklessly, moving upward to disturb the mind and spirit. However, Heat does not consume the body fluids as readily as Fire, and…
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Heart
The Chinese word for Heart is Xin. The Heart is one of the five Zang Fu. The Heart system is responsible for circulating blood and for providing a place for a person’s Shen to reside. The Heart system is partially responsible for emotionally stability and mental activities, and also has much to do with sleep…
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Guan Section
The second portion of the pulse that is felt with the practitioner’s middle finger, which indicates Liver on the left wrist, Spleen on the right wrist, and their related Fu organs.
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Gu Qi
Qi is a central concept in Chinese medicine. Qi in the human body is thought to be formed, or derived, from three sources: Jing Qi, Qing Qi, and Gu Qi. Gu Qi is the Qi that is extracted from food by the digestive system.
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Gan Zhuo
A syndrome that results from long-term Qi and blood stagnation in the Liver. Its manifestation includes distended sensation or pain in the hypochondriac region, better with pressure, and a preference for warm drinks.
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Gan Ji
This term refers to children who have been malnourished, and have developmental disabilities as a result. They look small for their age, and are slow and listless, without any energy. As they grow up, they have learning disabilities and emotional problems.
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Four Level diagnosis
One of several different systems of diagnosis in Chinese medicine. This system can be contrasted with Eight Principles, Six Channel diagnosis, San Jiao diagnosis, and Zang Fu diagnosis. Four Level diagnosis deals with the invasion of the body by warm-natured External Pathogenic Factors (see above). It outlines how a pathogen invades the body from the…
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Five Elements
An ancient Chinese theory that forms the basic foundation of Chinese medicine, along with the Yin/Yang theory. Five Elements theory states that there are five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—that have specific constructive and destructive relationships with each other. For example, wood generates fire, while water controls fire. Through the relationships among the Five…
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Fire
One of the six External Pathogenic Factors. Fire is the same pathogen as heat, but in a more severe form. Fire has the characteristics of damaging body fluids and consuming Qi. Fire moves upward and disturbs the mind and spirit, causing agitation. It causes the blood to circulate in a disorderly and reckless manner, and…
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