IDENTIFICATION OF PATTERNS ACCORDING TO THE FIVE ELEMENTS

IDENTIFICATION OF PATTERNS ACCORDING TO THE FIVE ELEMENTS

Chapter contents

INTRODUCTION

The identification of patterns according to the Five Elements is based on the pathological changes occurring in dysfunctions of the Generating, Overacting and Insulting sequences of the Five Elements.

These patterns are not of primary importance in practice as most of them describe clinical conditions which are better expressed by the Internal Organ patterns. In certain cases, however, some Five-Element patterns can describe conditions which fall outside the scope of the Internal Organ patterns. An example of this is the pattern of deficient Qi of Wood (manifesting with timidity and indecision), which is not included among the Internal Organ patterns.

We can distinguish the Five-Element patterns according to the Generating, Overacting and Insulting sequences.

GENERATING SEQUENCE PATTERNS

These patterns describe conditions of deficiency of each organ when this is induced by its Mother Element.

Wood not generating Fire

This pattern is sometimes also described as a pattern of deficient Gall-Bladder. It is an unusual pattern in so far as, according to the theory of the Internal Organs, Liver-Qi or the Gall-Bladder can hardly ever be deficient. This pattern describes such a situation. More than a pattern, it really describes a certain character and personality, and its salient feature is the lack of courage and timidity. It corresponds to the Internal Organ pattern of deficient Gall-Bladder. It is also associated with Liver-Qi deficiency.

Clinical manifestations

Timidity, a lack of courage, indecision, palpitations and insomnia (in particular, waking up in the early hours of the morning).

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Tags: Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine A Comprehensive Guide

Apr 15, 2017 | Posted by admin in GENERAL & FAMILY MEDICINE | Comments Off

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