How Does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Heal Diseases?

Lung Detox Decoction: China’s “Secret Weapon” for COVID-19 Intervention: Official Herbal Medicine Formula US Version!

“Lung Detox Decoction” <http://www.herbal-pal.org/store/p5/lungdetox.html> is an herbal supplement that was developed in February 2020 by Traditional Medicine Experts in China to fight the COVID-19 outbreak, and has been used to help treat individuals that were experiencing flu or cold or stomach symptoms. It is effective in speeding up symptom resolution of COVID including fever, cough, and fatigue. Be proactive in the fight against Coronavirus with this herbal supplement that promotes a healthy respiratory system！

Using merely one sample by March 23, 2020, among 1265 coronavirus pneumonia patients from 10 different provinces who have taken “Lung Detox Decoction”, 98% are released from hospitals, and no single case progressed from mild to severe or critically ill. Earlier, statistical data on February 5th, 2020, showed that within 3 days of treatment more than 60% of patients had symptomatic benefit and/or CT imaging improvement. In 30% of patients, symptoms stabilized without worsening. On February 23, 2020, the China's National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine disclosed an herbal formula with more than a 90% effectiveness rate in the treatment of 214 patients with coronavirus pneumonia.

Sample Lung Detox Decoction in Easy-to-Use Granule Form sent to Herbal-Pal customers. Some patients in isolation had their symptoms relieved even before they get a chance to get tested! 

Lung Detox Decoction (a.k.a. "Qing Fei Pai Du Kit" or "Qing Fei Pai Du Tang" in Chinese) : 

• Helps to promote the health of the respiratory system.
• 20+ All-Natural herbal ingredients.
• Incorporated four famous ancient herbal medicine formula, described in the 2000-year-old manuscript, Shang Han Lun by Zhang Zhongjing: Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, She Gan Ma Huang Tang, Xiao Chai Hu Tang, and Wu Ling San. All have been clinically tested over thousands of years. 
• Developed and clinically tested in Wuhan, Hubei and three surrounding providences from January 27 to March 2020. It has been officially recommended and widely used in China to combat COVID-19 nationwide.
• Helps regulate the body by eliminating patients’ symptoms that included fatigue, fever, cough, sore throat, anorexia, and demonstrated COVID-typical changes on CT imaging.
• Convenient granule packaging for easy consumption.
• Lung Detox Decoction is recognized as a cure in many countries in Asia (such as China, Japan, and Korea). Countries outside of these prevent labeling any herbal medicine product as a cure for COVID-19.

Lung Detox Decoction is developed based on a combination of four classic remedies, described in the 2000-year-old manuscript, Shang Han Lun.

Ingredients: 

The following are the 21 herbs in the complete Chinese state-approved COVID-19 official formula, including the quantity of herbs in the decoction:

In the USA, finding the official Chinese formula for Qing Fei Pai Du Kit is next to impossible, as two of the ingredients above are banned by the U.S. FDA. However, Herbal-Pal has replaced the banned Ephedra (Ma Huang) and Asari (Xi Xin) with other effective herbal ingredients as follows: 

• Ma Huang (Ephedra stem) 9g — replaced with Jing Jie or Xing Ren, Qiang Hu, Xiang Ru 

• Xi Xin (Chinese wild ginger root & rhizome) 6g — replaced with Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger) 

• Zhi Gan Cao (Prepared Chinese licorice root) 6g

• Ku Xing Ren (Apricot seed) 9g

• Shi Gao (Gypsum) 15-30g

• Gui Zhi (Cassia twig) 9g

• Ze Xie (Asian water plantain rhizome) 9g

• Zhu Ling (Zhu ling sclerotium) 9g

• Bai Zhu (bai-zhu atractylodes rhizome) 9g

• Fu Ling (Poria sclerotium) 15g

• Chai Hu (Bupleurum root) 16g

• Huang Qin (Barbed skullcap root) 6g

• Jiang Ban Xia (Pinellia rhizome cured with ginger) 9g

• Zi Wan (Tartarian aster root) 9g

• Sheng Jiang (Fresh ginger rhizome) 9g

• Kuan Dong Hua (Coltsfoot flower bud) 9g

• She Gan (Belamcanda rhizome) 9g

• Shan Yao (Chinese yam rhizome) 12g

• Zhi Shi (Bitter orange immature fruit) 6g

• Chen Pi (Tangerine dried rind) 6g

• Huo Xiang (Chinese giant hyssop aerial part) 9g

All these FDA-approved herbs in Qing Fei Pai Du Tang are available in single herb granule extracts, and by Herbal-Pal team have them all packed ready for you. One taped package is good for one day, consuming twice daily.  

Instructions：

Mix all the granules in one “Lung Detox Decoction“ and add equal volume as granule of boiling water for 30 seconds, then mix (5 times in volume) with additional boiling water until it is all dissolved. Wait for temperature to become drinkable but still warm enough to consume.

Instructions in Chinese for how to take granules. It's simpler than making coffee! Copyright belongs to Huarun China.

NOTICE: Since herbal medicine is not recognized by law in the US, we have to provide a disclaimer: This supplement is not a cure. If you are feeling unwell or believe that you may be sick, please visit a professional.

Where to Order: 
Order “Lung Detox Decoction” at <http://www.herbal-pal.org/store/p5/lungdetox.html>. Please leave a message at <https://wecareholistic.com/herbal-pal> if you have any questions. 

References:

"Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 (Trial Version 7)" by China's State Public Health Department and China's National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine:

http://yourwellnesswecare.blogspot.com/2020/03/diagnosis-and-treatment-protocol-for.html

“Academician Gong Xiaolin: Lung Detox Decoction Effectiveness 97%, No Single Patient Under Intervention Arm went from Light to Severe” https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/hDmsXgbR99--E6hvWL7UEQ

“98% Patients who took Lung Detox are released by Hospitals, No Single Patient has gone from Mild to Severe“, by China’s Official Newspaper called “Health Times”: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UVovya5b1hdDWrCd8jVVFA

"Why Herbal Medicine is not Considered "Medicine" in the US?" http://yourwellnesswecare.blogspot.com/2020/03/why-herbal-medicine-is-not-considered.html

https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/110493283

Sample Lung Detox Decoction in Easy-to-Use Granule Form sent to Herbal-Pal customers. 

Detailed formula and instruction for usage of Lung Detox in Chinese. Source: China News. 

Nobel Prize from Traditional Chinese Medicine

Source:
https://www.nobelprize.org/womenwhochangedscience/stories/tu-youyou

Herbal Medicine for Menopause

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Therapy is currently used widely in modern medicine to treat menopause and menopausal syndrome. Chinese Herbal therapy is one of the natural product treatments with a minor side effect, which is widely used to disperse menopause-related symptoms and problems in China and other Asian countries.  There are some Chinese herbs used as a therapy to manage these symptoms, such as Dong Quai, Korean ginseng, Red Clover, Black cohosh, Evening Primrose, St. John’s Wort, Hops, etc.

Chinese Herbal therapy has the potential to reduce hot flashes due to estrogen-like effects. For example, some of the herbs used contain phytoestrogens such as yin yang huo, bai shao, chai hu, dang gui, zhi mu.

For a personalized herbal prescription, book a remote consult right from home or wherever you are with a top Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Doctor! Instead of getting infected with the real COVID-19 on the way to sometimes unhelpful examinations like many Chinese death cases, you can see the doctor in the comfort of your own home. We have hundreds of them in collaboration matching your preference at Herbal-Pal, Your PERSONAL Herbal Medicine Consultant! https://WeCareHolistic.com/herbal-pal and hopefully build a site at Herbal-Pal.org in the near future.

Abstract of "Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dry Eye Treatment by Institutional Chinese Physicians..."

Dry eye is a highly prevalent disorder, affecting 14% to 33% of the adult population worldwide, does not have an effective therapy, and causes significant loss of productivity at work [1–3]. It incurs significant socioeconomic burden in many societies and is more common in Asia [4]. Dry eye aetiology includes diminished tear production and increased evaporation of tears [5]. This may in turn result in decreased ability to perform daily activities thus having an impact on quality of life [6].

Current clinical treatments available for evaporative dry eye include tear supplements, for example, lubricants, tear stimulation and anti-inflammatory medication, oral supplements and tear retention methods: for example, punctal occlusion using cautery or punctum plugs, moisture chamber spectacles/shields, contact lenses, and tarsorrhaphy [7]. Essentially, dry eye can be a lifestyle problem [3]; prolonged gazing and reduced blinking due to activities such as reading and exposure to air-conditioning can result in instability of the tear film [4]. There is a need for more than one modality of treatment for mild-to-moderate dry eye patients, apart from the usage of topical eye drops. Indeed only a small portion of dry eye sufferers use artificial tears regularly [8]. These findings taken together suggest that a combinatorial holistic approach to the management of dry eye may be preferred.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a system of health care originating from China. It views the human body as a microcosm of the world and aims to restore harmony and wholeness within the entity. TCM encompasses various treatment modalities, including acupuncture, herbal medication, tuina (massage), cupping, and moxibustion. With the migration of ethnic Chinese into Singapore in the 19th century, TCM practice has been integrated into local culture and tradition. In 2000, the TCM Practitioners Act was enforced to regulate the practice of TCM in Singapore, as well as to uphold professional conduct and ethics. All TCM practitioners must be registered with the board and pass a qualifying board exam in order to be licensed to practice. The control of Chinese Medicinal Materials is also overseen by the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore, the agency for regulating drugs in Singapore.

Recently, randomised controlled studies in the use of TCM in dry eye have been published, with some favourable results [15–21]. In one review of 6 randomised controlled trials, a meta-analysis showed that acupuncture significantly improved tear break-up times (P < 0.0001), Schirmer's test (P < 0.00001) and cornea fluorescein staining (P = 0.0001) [22]. Even more recently, a study showed that in the sham acupuncture group (n = 21), the tear break-up time changed from 3.71 ± 1.38 s to 4.00 ± 1.34 s (change not statistically significant) after 3 weeks, whereas in the acupuncture treatment group (n = 21), it significantly increased from 3.29 ± 1.01 s to 4.24 ± 1.26 [23, 24]. In a randomised placebo-controlled study, the drug Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan was used to treat dry eye in 40 subjects, whereas 40 other subjects received a placebo of the same weight, color, and regime without the active drug [15]. In this study, the fluorescein tear break-up time was significantly improved compared to placebo at 4 weeks, whereas Rose Bengal staining, an indicator of corneal epithelial damage, was significantly at 2 weeks compared to placebo.

Despite the encouraging results of these modern, properly controlled studies in the treatment of dry eye by TCM, there has been no studies on the awareness of the use of TCM or the extent of practice of TCM in dry eye among TCM practitioners in Singapore. A previous evaluation of knowledge and attitude of TCM in Singapore studied only the parents of children who attended a TCM clinic and pediatricians, without any focus on specific disease conditions [13]. Therefore we aim to conduct a survey of knowledge, attitude, and practice of TCM in treatment of dry eye in institutional TCM practitioners in Singapore.

Source:
"Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Dry Eye Treatment by Institutional Chinese Physicians in Singapore" 
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3504406/

Acupuncture Point T.B.-2 Fluid Gate YEMEN

Location ( T.B.-2 Fluid Gate YEMEN - Acupuncture Points ) Between the little finger and ring finger, proximal to the margin of the web.
How to findThis point is best located when making a loose fist. Locate the web between the little finger and ring finger (4th and 5th fingers) and locate T.B.-2 proximal to its margin. T.B.-2 is part of
➞ Ex-UE-9 (baxie: proximal to the webs between the fingers). Located in a comparable position on the foot is ➞ G.B.-43 on the web between the 4th and 5th toes), which is also part of
➞ Ex-LE-10 (bafeng).
NeedlingVertically up to 0.5 cun
Actions/Indications● Clears Heat from the Upper Burner
● Benefits the ears and calms the shen
● Opens the channel and alleviates pain
Special featuresYing-spring point, Water point. Especially indicated for psychoneurological disorders caused by Heat and local channel problems.

T.B.-2 Fluid Gate YEMEN – Acupuncture Points -1

T.B.-2 Fluid Gate YEMEN – Acupuncture Points -2

T.B.-2 Fluid Gate YEMEN – Acupuncture Points -3

Source: 

http://acupunctureschoolonline.com/

Understanding and Applying Differential Diagnosis: The Heart of TCM Clinical Methodology

One of my spare time efforts amidst the recent Wuhan coronavirus hoaxes has become debunk the lies, rumors, myths, and constantly changing "special medicine or treatment method".  After explaining the 1000th time to my aunt that another "new findings of a classic Chinese medicine formula might inhibit the coronavirus", I decided to put this article from Acupuncture Today here, both as a starter for the importance of PERSONALIZATION in Chinese medicine, and as an introduction to Chinese medicine 101.

BY DAVID FRIERMAN, LAC

Although traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are expected to follow a standard clinical methodology, it is not detailed in (editor comment: I think English version of) college textbooks. Hao Wan-Shan and Dr. Lin Zhi-Xiu summarized this in a recent article:

In modern clinical practice, it is a normal practice for physicians to gather the clinical symptoms and signs via the four diagnostic methods and analyze the pathogenesis of the diseases, then establish the name of the disease and differentiate the pattern.

After this process, a treatment principle is put forward in accordance with the pattern differentiation, a formula selected in accordance with the treatment principle, and appropriate herbs prescribed to achieve the requirements of the formula. This process is the standard methodology employed in clinical diagnosis and treatment.¹

Figure 1 presents TCM clinical methodology as a flowchart, with differential diagnosis (zhen duan) in the middle or "heart." One may also view zhen duan as the bridge between intake and treatment.

All of the elements of this clinical methodology are presented in American TCM colleges, but it is unusual for them to provide a systematic, detailed presentation of the entire methodology as a separate course. Consequently, few of us graduate with a comprehensive understanding of routine clinical procedure and its specifics.

This is especially true with regard to zhen duan. Zhen duan consists of two levels of differentiation: a disease differentiation (bian bing) and a syndrome differentiation (bian zheng). We rarely appreciate the importance of the bian bing, the distinction between it and bian zheng, and the importance and appropriate use of each bian zheng. We may skip the bian bing or try to use it as the complete differentiation, and/or try to use incomplete bian zheng. On the other hand, we may use syndrome differentiation according to the viscera and bowels (zang fu bian zheng) to the exclusion of all of the other bian zheng, since this is overly emphasized in school.

I believe a review of the importance and application of each of the elements of zhen duan will help us learn how to use them more proficiently. We must understand how to differentiate diseases and syndromes in the most accurate and complete manner to provide the most effective treatment for our clients.

Distinctions Between Bian Bing (Disease Differentiation) and Bian Zheng (Syndrome Differentiation)

Bing ("disease" or "illness") in Chinese medicine refers to the pathological condition of an individual or part of an individual with a characteristic train of signs and symptoms. Bian bing means the identification or differentiation of a disease: a diagnosis. In current TCM clinical methodology, the bian zheng is most often used to differentiate the syndromes of a disease. In other words, the bian zheng describes how a disease manifests in a particular individual at a particular time. The bian zheng may also be used to differentiate the patient's constitution.

Importance of the Bian Bing

The bian bing is important for many reasons:

1. As a historical fact. Although it is anathema to practitioners of styles of Chinese medicine that use syndrome differentiation, most Chinese medical practitioners in all ages have treated diseases, not syndromes.
2. To understand and research important Chinese medical literature. The Nei Jing, Shang Han Lun, Jin Kui Yao Lue, and many other works often refer to diseases.
3. To research contemporary treatment. Current books on Chinese medical treatment describe diseases. The common syndrome differentiations associated with these diseases are listed under these rubrics.
4. To understand the "direction" of development of an illness. Bensky has likened the bian bing to a "movie" of an illness, as opposed to the bian zheng, which is more like a "snap shot."
5. To help determine precise bian zheng. For example, if one first differentiates an upper respiratory infection as tai yang disease, wind warmth, spring warmth, autumn dryness, etc., one may research the particular bian zheng correlated with each of those diseases through long clinical practice, as well as through established treatment strategies and formulas.
6. To determine the proper medicinals and formulas. Let's take the disease evil differentiation of wind as an example. Wind is associated with eczema, the common cold, and Bell's palsy, but the medicinals used for wind in each disease vary. Again, both plum-pit qi and painful periods may be the result of binding depression of liver qi, but the representative formulas differ.

Chinese and Western Diseases

In the modern TCM clinic, Western disease designations are often used for the bian bing. Even in books from China that focus on treating diseases, the chapter designations are often Western diseases. In some of these books, references are made to similar Chinese diseases. While a Western disease diagnosis is sufficient in many clinical situations, it is usually helpful, and sometimes indispensable, to understand the Chinese concept of the disease. Research into historical theories and accounts of the disease necessitates a grasp of the Chinese medical impression. This research, in turn, leads to more accurate bian zheng.

Applying the Bian Bing

The bian bing should be applied to all diseases. For those clients without an immediately discernable disease, or those who want a constitutional, preventative or "wellness" treatment, one may proceed directly to the bian zheng. (Constitutional and preventative treatment remains an extremely important aspect of Chinese medicine, for "the superior doctor treats disease before it manifests.")

The Importance of the Bian Zheng

While I have called zhen duan the "heart of TCM clinical methodology," many have called bian zheng the "essence" of Chinese medicine. Its importance is reflected in the overriding principle of TCM - bian zheng lun zhi, i.e., determining treatment by differentiation of syndromes. This means that if we are to properly use TCM, we must direct treatment at those syndromes diseases manifest, not the diseases themselves.

Bian Zheng Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine

TCM often uses the nine bian zheng presented in the following chart:

Nine Bian Zheng Used in TCM2-3
Bian Zheng	Principal Use4
1. syndrome differentiation according to the eight principles (ba gang bian zheng)	all diseases
2. syndrome differentiation according to cause (bing yin bian zheng)
3. syndrome differentiation according to disease evils (bing xie bian zheng)	external contraction (wai gan)
4. syndrome differentiation according to the six channels (liu jing bian zheng)	cold damage5 (shang han)
5. syndrome differentiation according to the defense, qi, construction, blood (wei qi ying xue bian zheng) 6. syndrome differentiation according to the triple burner (san jiao bian zheng)	warm disease6 (wen bing)
7. syndrome differentiation according to the channels and collaterals (jing luo bian zheng)	internal damage miscellaneous disease (nei shang za bing)
8. syndrome differentiation according to the qi, blood and body fluids7 (qi xue jinye bian zheng)
9. syndrome differentiation according to the viscera and bowels8 (zang fu bian zheng)

Preliminary and Complete Bian Zheng

Of the nine bian zheng presented above, numbers 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 are considered "preliminary" or incomplete syndrome differentiations. Only numbers 4, 5 (in combination with 6), or 9 can provide complete or conclusive syndrome differentiation.

The Bian Zheng Verifies the Bing Ji (Disease Mechanism)

Dr. Long has written:

Pathology is a bridge ... between ... theories and clinical practice. Pathology ... is also called bing ji, mechanism of ... diseases. It studies the occurrence, development and prognosis of diseases. Bing ji is [the] center ... of bian zheng lun zhi [determining treatment by differentiation of syndromes]. In [other] word[s], the ultimate purpose of bian zheng is to verify bing ji.⁹

For the bian zheng to be complete, it must verify all three elements of the diseases mechanism. These are presented in the following chart.

Elements of the Bing Ji
Element	Examples
1. Disease cause (bing yin)	External evils such as wind, cold, etc.; internal affects such as sorrow, fear, etc.; and neutral causes such as trauma, congenital factors, taxation fatigue, etc.
2. Disease location (bing wei)	Exterior or interior; specific channels and collaterals; individual organs; particular aspects such as the blood aspect or qi aspect; etc.
3. Disease nature (bing xing)	Yin, yang, cold, hot, replete, vacuous, fixed, moving, etc.

Each Bian Zheng Is Important to the Verification of the Bing Ji

Specific bian zheng verify specific elements of the bing ji. None are completely comprehensive. Since TCM requires a great deal of specificity in treatment, we should verify each element of the disease mechanism as completely as possible. Since each bian zheng has its role in verifying the disease mechanism, we should learn to apply them all. A summation of the strengths and shortcomings of each bian zheng is presented in the following chart.

Specific Bian Zheng Verification of Bing Ji
Bian Zheng	Verifies	Shortcomings
1. Eight principles	nature and location	too general
2. Disease cause	cause	not enough information for treatment
3. Disease evils	cause and nature
4. Six stages	structural location (implies progression and cause)	inadequate for miscellaneous diseases, warm diseases
5. Defense, qi, construction, blood	functional location (implies nature, cause and progression)	inadequate for miscellaneous diseases, cold damage
6. Triple burner	structural location (implies nature, cause and progression)
7. Channels and collaterals	structural location	does not indicate organ involvement, nature, cause
8. Qi, blood and body fluids	structural location	does not indicate organs or channels, cause
9. Viscera and bowels	structural location, nature (implies cause)	does not indicate channels; inadequate for external contraction

Applying the Bian Zheng

How can we learn to apply all of the bian zheng and when to use particular bian zheng for particular bian bing? I propose the following procedure.

Step 1: Use (1) syndrome differentiation according to the Eight Principles (ba gang) and (2) syndrome differentiation according to cause (bing yin) to differentiate all diseases. Using these two bian zheng, we should be able to determine if the disease is external contraction febrile disease (wai gan re bing), internal damage/miscellaneous damage (nei shang zi bing), or "other diseases" (bu wai nei bing).¹⁰ These other diseases that defy categorization as either external contraction febrile disease or internal damage constitute a kind of tertium quid, and include certain types of bi syndrome, lin syndrome, and various painful diseases from traumatic injury.

Categories of Diseases
Disease Category	Definition	Characterized By:
External contraction febrile disease (wai gan re bing)	"Any disease caused by influences originating outside the body, characterized by heat effusion and a usually rapid stage-by-stage progression."11	"Struggle" between right qi (zheng qi) and evil(s) (xie)
Internal damage/ Miscellaneous disease (nei shang za bing)	"Various diseases due to internal damage, i.e., to causes other than externally contracted heat (febrile) diseases."12	"Imbalance" of yin and yang
Other diseases (bu nei wai bing)	Types of diseases difficult to categorize in disease category 1 or 2.	Mixture of struggle and imbalance

For External Contraction Febrile Disease

Step 2: If the disease is external contraction febrile disease, use (1) syndrome differentiation according to the Eight Principles to determine whether it is hot or cold, then use (3) syndrome differentiation according to disease evils (bing xie) to determine the external evil(s) present.

Step 3: If the diseases is cold with a prominent cold evil, use (4) syndrome differentiation according to the Six Channels (liu jing) to determine what stage is affected, then the specific syndrome within the stage. If the disease is hot with a prominent heat evil, use (5) syndrome differentiation according to the defense qi, construction, blood (wei qi ying xue, a.k. si feng) and (6) syndrome differentiation according to the Triple Burner (san jiao) to determine which level and/or burner is affected, then the specific syndrome in the level or burner.

For Internal Damage

Step 2: If the disease is internal damage, then use (3) syndrome differentiation according to disease evils to determine if there are internal evil(s) present.

Step 3: Use (8) syndrome differentiation according to the qi, blood and body fluids (qi xue jin ye) as a preliminary differentiation.

Step 4: Use (9) syndrome differentiation according to the viscera and bowels (zang fu) to make a complete differentiation (that is, assign the evils and vacuity and repletion of qi, blood and body fluids to particular organs).

For Other Diseases

Step 2: If the disease is in the "other diseases" category (i.e., it is not exactly an external contraction febrile disease or internal damage miscellaneous disease), use (3) syndrome differentiation according to disease evils to determine the evil(s) present.

Step 3: Use (7) syndrome differentiation according to the channels and collaterals (jing luo) to determine which channels are affected.

Step 4: Use (8) syndrome differentiation according to the qi, blood and body fluids to determine which humors are affected.

Step 5: Use (9) syndrome differentiation according to the viscera and bowels to make a complete and final differentiation.

Final Considerations

After determining the various syndromes, we should try to discover the root and analyze the constitution. (Many practitioners use the Five Phase-Element syndrome differentiation [wu xing bian zheng] to analyze the constitution.) We should then decide which syndromes we will focus on, and determine if these are "branch" or "root." The complete procedure is summarized below.

Concluding Remarks

The procedure described in this article is useful as a learning exercise, but far too rigid in practice. We must use the bian zheng with great flexibility and adaptability. For example, syndrome differentiation according to the Five Phase-Elements is mentioned prominently in the classics, where it not only explains constitutional types, but also progression of disease in the zang fu. Syndrome differentiation according to the Six Channels has been used for 2,000 years to differentiate internal damage as well as external contraction. Although syndrome differentiation according to the viscera and bowels does not indicate progression, stage or level, it may still be used for external contraction if proficiency is lacking in cold damage or warm disease theory. Syndrome differentiation according to confirming prescription achieves solid results if used with discretion. We may also read ancient case histories that use "preliminary" differentiations as a basis for treatment with outstanding results, and study with excellent practitioners who have idiosyncratic approaches. Therefore, this exercise should be viewed only as a step in the development of a more flexible and personal procedure.

References

1. Hao WS, Lin ZX. Discussion of the methodologies employed in the Shanghan Lun for pattern differentiation and formula making. The Journal of Chinese Medicine June 2003;72:20. North American edition, Eastland Press, Vista, CA.
2. This chart is an expanded version of one in Steven Clavey's Fluid Physiology and Pathology in Traditional Chinese Medicine. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1995, p. xxvi.
3. While TCM uses the Five Phase-Elements (wu xing) correspondences for part of its theory or physiology, it is often critical of using differentiation according to Five Phase-Elements (wu xing bian zheng) to differentiate diseases. TCM prefers to use differentiation of syndromes according to viscera and bowels (zang fu bian zheng). However, the Five Phase-Elements are often used to differentiate the constitution. Syndrome differentiation according to herbal prescription and application according to Western theory are beyond the scope of this article.
4. Several of these bian zheng have important uses besides those mentioned here. See "Concluding Remarks" at the end of this article.
5. For a discussion of cold damage, see Shang Han Lun, On Cold Damage, Translation and Commentaries by Craig Mitchell, Feng Ye and Nigel Wiseman, published by Paradigm Publications.
6. For a discussion of warm disease, see Warm Diseases, A Clinical Guide by Guohui Liu, published by Eastland Press.
7. For a discussion of body fluids, see Fluid Physiology and Pathology in Traditional Chinese Medicine by Steven Clavey, published by Churchill Livingstone.
8. For a discussion of zang fu, see The Five Organ Networks of Chinese Medicine by Heiner Fruehauf, published by the Institute for Traditional Medicine.
9. Long R. "Chinese pathology." Class notes from his course at National College of Naturopathic Medicine.
10. Bu nei wai bing: literally, "not internal-external disease."
11. Wiseman N, Feng Y. A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine. Brookline, MA: Paradigm, 1998, p. 186.
12. Ibid, p. 313.