Pattern Differentiation

TCM Patterns

Diagnostic patterns (辨证 biànzhèng) for syndrome differentiation.

Classical calendar method · 五運六氣

Qi year 丙午 (bǐng wǔ) · 大寒 (Major Cold) to 大寒

Step 5 of 6: 少陽相火 (Shaoyang ministerial fire)

23 Sep – 22 Nov — 秋分 (Autumn Equinox) to 小雪 (Minor Snow).

The qi year is divided into six steps (六氣) of about 61 days each. Every step carries a fixed host qi (主氣) — the weather that season always has — under a guest qi (客氣) that moves round with the year. This one pairs guest 少陽相火 (Shaoyang ministerial fire) over host 陽明燥金 (Yangming dry-metal).

Year movement (中運) — the year's governing phase: 太羽 · water, in excess (太過)
Celestial controller (司天) — the qi over the whole year: 少陰君火 Shaoyin sovereign fire
Earthly spring (在泉) — its partner, over the second half: 陽明燥金 Yangming dry-metal

The Suwen (ch. 66) gives this qi's nature as fire (火). Pattern pages that name fire:

The Suwen (ch. 66) gives this qi's nature as dryness (燥). Pattern pages that name dryness:

A classical calendar reference, not a forecast. It does not say anyone will fall ill. Sources: Suwen ch. 66, 68 and 71; Zhang Jiebin, Leijing Tuyi (1624). Open points by the hour →

Showing 1–24 of 101 patterns

Bladder Deficient and Cold

膀胱虚寒 (Páng Guāng Xū Hán)

Frequent abundant pale urineIncontinence; enuresisCold low backNo burning

Blood Cold

血寒 (Xuè Hán)

Cold, fixed pain of abdomen or limbsDelayed menses with dark clotsCold hands and feetPurple-pale complexion

Blood Deficiency

血虚 (Xuè Xū)

Dull pale or sallow complexionDizziness; floaters; dry eyesPalpitations; poor memory; insomniaDry skin and hair; brittle nails; numbness

Blood Heat

血热 (Xuè Rè)

Bright-red or dark bleedingRed, hot skin eruptionsThirst; restlessness; feeling of heatHeavy early periods; epistaxis; hematuria; hematemesis

Blood Stasis

血瘀 (Xuè Yū)

Fixed, stabbing painPain worse at nightDark or purple complexionMasses or lumps

Cold-Damp

Pathogenic Factors

寒湿 (Hán Shī)

Heavy head and bodyPoor appetite; sticky bland tasteLoose stools; clear or white dischargesCold pain of abdomen or joints

Cold-Damp Encumbering the Spleen

寒湿困脾 (Hán Shī Kùn Pí)

Heavy head and bodyNo appetite; sticky tasteLoose stoolsWhite leukorrhea

Cold-Phlegm

Fluids / Phlegm

寒痰 (Hán Tán)

White watery or frothy sputumChest tightness; wheeze worse with coldNo thirst; preference for warm drinksCold limbs

Cold Stagnation in the Liver Channel

寒滞肝脉 (Hán Zhì Gān Mài)

Cold pain at the vertex, hypochondrium, or genitalsShrinking sensation of the scrotumPain better with warmthVomiting of clear fluid

Damp-Heat

Pathogenic Factors

湿热 (Shī Rè)

Heaviness of body or headLow-grade or inhibited feverThirst with little desire to drinkSticky yellow discharges; dark scanty urine

Damp-Heat in the Bladder

膀胱湿热 (Páng Guāng Shī Rè)

Frequent, urgent, painful urinationDark or cloudy urineLow fever possibleLow-back ache

Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder

胆湿热 (Dǎn Shī Rè)

Hypochondriac painInability to digest fatsBitter taste; yellow scleraNausea; dark urine

Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine

大肠湿热 (Dà Cháng Shī Rè)

Abdominal painDiarrhea with mucus and bloodBurning anus; urgencyThirst; dark urine

Damp-Heat in the Liver

肝经湿热 (Gān Jīng Shī Rè)

Hypochondriac fullnessBitter taste; nausea; inability to digest fatsSticky yellow vaginal discharge or genital itchingScanty dark urine

Damp-Heat Invading the Spleen

湿热蕴脾 (Shī Rè Yùn Pí)

Heaviness; poor appetiteThirst without desire to drinkLoose sticky stoolsLow-grade or inhibited fever

Disharmony of Chong and Ren

Chong-Ren / Gynecology

冲任失调 (Chōng Rèn Shī Tiáo)

Irregular mensesInfertilityThreatened miscarriageLeukorrhea

Food Stagnation

Pathogenic Factors

食积 (Shí Jī)

Epigastric fullness and painSour regurgitation; foul belchingAversion to food; relief after vomitingFoul or sticky stools

Full Heat in the Small Intestine

小肠实热 (Xiǎo Cháng Shí Rè)

Tongue ulcersDeafness or ear painBurning, dark, painful urinationAbdominal discomfort

Gallbladder Deficiency

胆虚 (Dǎn Xū)

Timidity; indecisionWaking earlySighingEasy startle

Heart and Kidney not Communicating

心肾不交 (Xīn Shèn Bù Jiāo)

Insomnia; palpitationsNight sweatsLow-back acheRestless mind with weak knees

Heart and Spleen Deficiency

心脾两虚 (Xīn Pí Liǎng Xū)

PalpitationsInsomniaPoor appetiteFatigue

Heart Blood Deficiency

心血虚 (Xīn Xuè Xū)

PalpitationsInsomniaDream-disturbed sleepPoor memory

Heart Blood Stasis

心血瘀 (Xīn Xuè Yū)

Stabbing or pricking chest painPain radiating to the arm, scapula, or jawWorse at night or with coldPurple lips or nails

Heart Fire Blazing

心火亢盛 (Xīn Huǒ Kàng Shèng)

Mouth and tongue ulcersInsomniaAgitationThirst