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 73–96 of 101 patterns

Shao Yang

Six Stages / Exterior

少阳证 (Shào Yáng)

Alternating chills and feverBitter taste; dry throatHypochondriac fullnessPoor appetite; nausea

Shao Yin Cold

Six Stages / Interior

少阴寒化 (Shào Yīn Hán Huà)

Aversion to cold; icy limbsDesire to sleepWatery diarrhea

Shao Yin Heat

Six Stages / Interior

少阴热化 (Shào Yīn Rè Huà)

InsomniaDry throatNight restlessness

Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency

脾肾阳虚 (Pí Shèn Yáng Xū)

Cold limbsDawn diarrheaSore weak low backEdema

Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency

脾肺气虚 (Pí Fèi Qì Xū)

Weak voice; weak coughPoor appetite; loose stoolsSpontaneous sweatingEasy colds

Spleen not Holding Blood

脾不统血 (Pí Bù Tǒng Xuè)

Easy bruisingMenorrhagia or spotting of pale bloodBlood in the stoolFatigue; poor appetite; pale face

Spleen Qi Deficiency

脾气虚 (Pí Qì Xū)

FatiguePoor appetiteLoose stoolsAbdominal distension after eating

Spleen Qi Sinking

脾气下陷 (Pí Qì Xià Xiàn)

Bearing-down sensationOrgan prolapse — rectum, uterus, stomach, bladderChronic diarrheaFatigue

Spleen Yang Deficiency

脾阳虚 (Pí Yáng Xū)

Cold limbsLoose stools with undigested foodCold abdominal pain better with warmth and pressurePoor appetite

Stomach Deficiency Cold

胃虚寒 (Wèi Xū Hán)

Dull epigastric pain better with warmth, pressure, and eatingVomiting of clear fluidCold limbsPoor appetite

Stomach Fire

胃火 (Wèi Huǒ)

Burning epigastric painExcessive hungerBad breathBleeding or swollen gums

Stomach Qi Rebellion

胃气上逆 (Wèi Qì Shàng Nì)

Nausea; vomitingBelching; hiccupAcid refluxEpigastric tightness

Stomach Yin Deficiency

胃阴虚 (Wèi Yīn Xū)

Dry mouth and throatHunger with no desire to eatEpigastric discomfortConstipation with dry stools

Tai Yang Shang Han

Six Stages / Exterior

太阳伤寒 (Tài Yáng Shāng Hán)

Chills greater than feverNo sweatingBody aches; stiff neck

Tai Yang Zhong Feng

Six Stages / Exterior

太阳中风 (Tài Yáng Zhōng Fēng)

Fever and chills unrelieved by sweatingAversion to windStiff neck

Tai Yin

Six Stages / Interior

太阴证 (Tài Yīn)

Abdominal fullnessVomiting; diarrheaNo thirstCold body and limbs

Upper Jiao Damp-Heat

上焦湿热 (Shàng Jiāo Shī Rè)

Heavy head; slight aversion to coldStifling chestLow fever worse in the afternoonSticky or turbid nasal discharge possible

Wei Atrophy Syndrome

Channel / Bi / Wei

痿证 (Wěi Zhèng)

Muscle wastingWeakness of the limbs, often the lower limbs firstDifficulty walking or grippingPossible heat, damp, or emptiness signs according to the pattern underneath

Wei Level

卫分 (Wèi Fèn)

Fever; slight aversion to wind or coldSore throatRed tip or sides

Wind-Cold-Damp Bi

Channel / Bi / Wei

风寒湿痹 (Fēng Hán Shī Bì)

Joint or muscle pain worse with cold and dampLimited rangeWind-Bi: pain that movesCold-Bi: severe fixed pain better with heat

Wind-Cold Invading the Lung

Six Stages / Exterior

风寒束肺 (Fēng Hán Shù Fèi)

Cough with thin white sputumAversion to coldMild feverNo sweating

Wind-Dryness Invading the Lung

Six Stages / Exterior

风燥犯肺 (Fēng Zào Fàn Fèi)

Dry cough of sudden onsetDry nose and throat; little sputumSlight fever and aversion to windDry lips

Wind-Heat Invading the Lung

Six Stages / Exterior

风热犯肺 (Fēng Rè Fàn Fèi)

Cough with yellow sputumSore throatFever with mild aversion to windThirst

Wind-Phlegm

Fluids / Phlegm

风痰 (Fēng Tán)

Severe dizziness or vertigoNumbness; tremor; deviation of mouthChest oppression; rattling sputumIn excess: sudden collapse, lockjaw, convulsions