TCM Concepts
Foundational theories — Qi, Yin-Yang, Five Elements, and more.
Showing 1–21 of 21 concepts
Blood
Vital Substances血 (Xuè)
The dense, nourishing, and moistening substance that circulates with Qi.
Body Fluids
Vital Substances津液 (Jīn Yè)
All normal fluids of the body — thin (Jin) and thick (Ye).
Cold
Pathogenic Factors寒 (Hán)
The Yin pathogen that contracts, congeals, and slows.
Dampness
Pathogenic Factors濕 (Shī)
The heavy, lingering, turbid Yin pathogen.
Eight Principles
Diagnosis八綱 (Bā Gāng)
The primary diagnostic framework: Yin/Yang, Interior/Exterior, Cold/Heat, Deficiency/Excess.
Essence
Vital Substances精 (Jīng)
The foundational substance underlying growth, reproduction, and development.
Five Elements
Five Elements五行 (Wǔ Xíng)
Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water — phases mapping organ and natural relationships.
Heat / Fire
Pathogenic Factors火熱 (Huǒ Rè)
The Yang pathogen that heats, dries, and rises.
Phlegm
Pathogenic Factors痰 (Tán)
A pathological accumulation of congealed fluids.
Qi
Vital Substances氣 (Qì)
The vital substance and animating force of all physiological activity.
Shen
Vital Substances神 (Shén)
The spirit, consciousness, and mental-emotional vitality.
Six Pernicious Influences
Pathogenic Factors六淫 (Liù Yín)
The six external climatic factors that can cause disease.
The Channels
Channels經絡 (Jīng Luò)
The network of meridians through which Qi and Blood flow.
The Heart
Zang-Fu心 (Xīn)
Governs Blood and houses the Shen.
The Kidney
Zang-Fu腎 (Shèn)
Stores Essence; the root of Yin and Yang for the whole body.
The Liver
Zang-Fu肝 (Gān)
Ensures the smooth flow of Qi and stores the Blood.
The Lung
Zang-Fu肺 (Fèi)
Governs Qi and respiration; controls the exterior and disperses defensive Qi.
The Spleen
Zang-Fu脾 (Pí)
The root of postnatal Qi — governs transformation, transport, and the upright Qi.
Wind
Pathogenic Factors風 (Fēng)
The pathogen of sudden onset, movement, and change.
Yin-Yang
Yin-Yang陰陽 (Yīn-Yáng)
The complementary, interdependent opposites underlying all phenomena.
Zang-Fu Organs
Zang-Fu臟腑 (Zàng Fǔ)
The Yin (Zang) and Yang (Fu) organ systems of TCM physiology.