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 49–72 of 101 patterns

Liver Wind from Extreme Heat

热极生风 (Rè Jí Shēng Fēng)

High feverConvulsions; opisthotonosComa or locked jaw

Liver Wind from Fire

肝火化风 (Gān Huǒ Huà Fēng)

TremorSudden loss of consciousnessHemiplegia; deviation of mouthRed face and eyes; tinnitus

Liver Wind from Yang Rising

肝阳化风 (Gān Yáng Huà Fēng)

Severe dizzinessTremor; numbnessVertex or temporal headachePossible sudden collapse

Liver Wind from Yin Deficiency

阴虚动风 (Yīn Xū Dòng Fēng)

Fine tremorMalar flush; night sweatsDizziness; dry throatEmaciation possible

Liver Yang Rising

肝阳上亢 (Gān Yáng Shàng Kàng)

Headache at the temple or vertexDizzinessTinnitusIrritability

Liver Yin Deficiency

肝阴虚 (Gān Yīn Xū)

Dry eyes; dull vertex headacheMalar flush; night sweatsDry throat; irritabilityScanty menses

Lower Jiao Damp-Heat

下焦湿热 (Xià Jiāo Shī Rè)

Burning urination or dysentery-type stoolsLower-abdominal fullnessYellow leukorrheaHeaviness of the low back or sacrum

Lung and Kidney Yin Deficiency

肺肾阴虚 (Fèi Shèn Yīn Xū)

Dry cough; possible blood-streaked sputumNight sweats; five-center heatLow-back ache; tinnitusDry throat

Lung Dryness

肺燥 (Fèi Zào)

Dry coughDry nose, throat, and skinScanty hard-to-expectorate sputumDry stools

Lung Heat

肺热 (Fèi Rè)

Fever; coughThirst; flaring nostrilsBreathlessnessRed face

Lung Qi Deficiency

肺气虚 (Fèi Qì Xū)

Weak coughShortness of breath worse on exertionWeak voiceSpontaneous sweating

Lung Yin Deficiency

肺阴虚 (Fèi Yīn Xū)

Dry cough with little or no sputumDry throat and mouthHoarse voiceNight sweats

Phlegm-Damp Obstructing the Lung

痰湿阻肺 (Tán Shī Zǔ Fèi)

Chronic cough with copious white sputumChest oppressionWheezingWorse in damp weather

Phlegm-Damp Obstruction (uterus / middle)

Fluids / Phlegm

痰湿阻滞 (Tán Shī Zǔ Zhì)

Delayed or absent mensesObesity or puffy fleshCopious white leukorrheaChest and epigastric fullness

Phlegm-Fire Harassing the Heart

痰火扰心 (Tán Huǒ Rǎo Xīn)

Agitation; insomnia; violent dreamsPalpitations; bitter tasteRattling in the throatMania or chaotic speech in excess

Phlegm-Heat

Fluids / Phlegm

痰热 (Tán Rè)

Yellow sticky sputum, hard to expectorateChest oppression; thirstRestlessness; bitter tasteIn the Heart: insomnia, agitation, mania

Phlegm-Heat Obstructing the Lung

痰热壅肺 (Tán Rè Yōng Fèi)

Cough with yellow sticky sputumFever; chest painThirst; rattlingFlared nostrils in strong heat

Phlegm Misting the Heart

痰迷心窍 (Tán Mí Xīn Qiào)

Mental confusion; staring; dull affectIncoherent speech or aphasiaRattling sputumDepression or coma

Qi and Blood Deficiency

气血两虚 (Qì Xuè Liǎng Xū)

FatiguePallorDizzinessPalpitations

Qi and Blood Stagnation

气血瘀滞 (Qì Xuè Yū Zhì)

Distending and stabbing painMassesDark clots

Qi Deficiency

气虚 (Qì Xū)

Fatigue worse with exertionWeak or soft voice; reluctance to speakSpontaneous daytime sweatingPale complexion

Qi Level

气分 (Qì Fèn)

High fever; no aversion to coldThirst; sweatSite-specific: Lung cough, Stomach Four Bigs, Intestinal constipation, GB Shao-Yang-like heat, or Damp-Heat heaviness

Qi Stagnation

气滞 (Qì Zhì)

Distending, mobile painSighing; plum-pit sensationIrritability or depressionIrregular bowels or PMS breast/abdominal distension

Rebellious Qi

气逆 (Qì Nì)

Lung: cough, wheeze, dyspneaStomach: nausea, vomiting, belching, hiccup, refluxLiver: headache, sudden vomiting, coughing of blood, irritabilityKidney: running-piglet Qi rising from the lower abdomen