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Aromatic
stomacic - herbs that are aromatic and promote digestion by moving
dampness
Blood - is
used as a broad term to describe the physical blood in the body that
moistens the muscles, tissues, skin and hair, as well as nourishing
the cells and organs
Blood deficiency
- a lack
of blood with signs of anemia, dizziness, dry skin or hair, scant or
absent menstruation, fatigue, pale skin and poor memory
Calmative - has
a sedative or calming effect on the mind and the nerves
Cold - is
the term used to describe decreased functioning of an organ system
and presents as any of the following: body aches, chills, poor circulation,
fatigue, lack of appetite, loose stools or diarrhea, poor digestion,
pain in the joints, slow movements and speech, aversion to cold and
craving for heat. Is present in all "hypo" conditions such
as hypoadrenalism, hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism
Damp,
dampness - excessive
fluids in the body with symptoms of abdominal bloating, loss of appetite,
nausea, vomiting, lack of thirst, feeling of heaviness or being sluggish,
and stiff, aching or sore joints
Damp
Heat - a
condition of dampness and heat combined with symptoms of thick yellow
secretions and phlegm such as jaundice, hepatitis, urinary problems,
or eczema
Decoction
- a
combination of herbs which is cooked or brewed to make a soup or medicinal
tea
Deficiency
- any
weakness or insufficiency of qi, blood, yin, yang or essence
Deficiency
heat - heat
due to yin deficiency. Results in weakness and emaciation because of
the lack of moistening fluids (yin)
Diuretic
- rids
the body of excess fluid
Dry
/ Dryness - characterized
by dry hair, lips, mouth, nose, skin and throat, extreme thirst and
constipation
Eight
Principles - four
sets of factors used by TCM practitioners to assess a person's health.
Represented by internal/external, cold/heat, excess/deficiency, and
yin/yang (they should all be in balance with their counterpart)
Empty
Heat - a
deficiency of yin energy resulting in symptoms such as hot flashes,
mood swings, night sweats and other changes in hormonal levels. Also
known as empty fire
Essence
- a
fluid substance that provides the basis of reproduction, growth, sexual
power, conception and preganancy. It is the material foundation of
qi and is stored in the kidney. Also referred to as Jing
Excess
- generally
refers to too much heat, cold, damp, yin or yang
Excess
yang - similar
to excess heat with symptoms of rapid pulse, hypertension, agressive
actions, loud voice, high fever, red complexion or restlessness
Excess
yin - an
imbalance of excessive fluids in the body with symptoms of fluid retention,
a plump or swollen appearance, lethargy and overall signs of dampness
- although those with excess yin may still have adequate energy levels
External
- the
location of illnesses such as fevers and skin eruptions / on the surface
of the body
Fire
- results
from malfunction of the internal organs or from extreme mood swings.
Symptoms include fever, red or bloodshot eyes, swelling, sore throat
and flushed face. May also include dry mouth, bleeding or inflammed
gums, and a desire for cold drinks
Five
Elements - the
five energies of wood, earth, metal, water and fire which exist in
nature. Each transforms and controls one another to maintain a harmonious
balance
Internal
- the
location of illnesses such as those that affect qi, blood, and organs
inside the body
Meridians
- the
12 major pathways through which qi flows, supplying energy and nourishment
to the body. Acupuncture needles are placed in points along these pathways
to assist in correcting imbalances
Organs
- a
major source of confusion in understanding the Traditional Chinese
Medicine. Although the organ names in TCM are the same as in Western
Medicine, they cover a wide range of systems and functions:
- Heart - covers
blood circulation, brain and nervous system as well as spiritual and
mental health
- Liver - includes
digestion, circulation, clearing toxins from the blood, regulating
the endocrine system, and creating harmony in mental and emotional
states
- Spleen -
responsible
for the digestive system, blood production and circulation, water
metabolism and concentration
- Lung - is
in charge of repiration, water metabolism, blood circulation and some
functions of the immune system
- Kidney -
includes
urinary and reproductive systems, growth and development, endocrine
system, hormones, brain and nervous system, metabolism, bones, hair,
and respiratory functions
Phlegm - may
be a visible, sticky substance such as mucus or metaphorical to indicate
a disorder that causes a reduction in the flow of qi
Qi - pronounced
"chee", this is the vital energy or life force which flows
through the meridians and is used to protect, transform and warm the
body
Qi deficiency
- a lack
of qi which is seen with symptoms of lethargy, weakness, shortness
of breath, slow metabolism, frequent colds and flu with slow recovery,
low or soft voice, palpitations and/or frequent urination
Qigong - a
set of exercises including medatative and physical movements. Used
to move qi, thereby maintaining and regaining physical, emotional and
spiritual health
Seven Emotions
- the
seven emotions are sadness, fright, fear, grief, anger, joy (extreme
excitability) and pensiveness. These are all considered as potential
causes of illness
Shen - the
spirit and mental faculties of a person which include the zest for
life, charisma, the ability to exhibit self control, be responsible,
speak coherently, think and form ideas and live a happy, spiritually
fulfilled life
Six External
Evils - the
six external evils, like the seven emotions, are causes of illness
and disease. Also known as the six climatic factors, the six excesses
and the six evil qi. The six external evils are terms
from nature that are used to describe the condition. These include
wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness and fire. Terms are also
used metaphorically to indicate the behaviour of a particular ailment
or condition
Stagnation
- a blockage or buildup of qi or blood that prevents it from flowing
freely. Is a precursor of illness and disease and is frequently accompanied
by pain or tingling
Stomach heat
- too
much heat in the stomach is represented by bad breath, bleeding or
swollen gums, burning sensation in the stomach, extreme thirst, frontal
headaches and/or mouth ulcers
Summer
Heat - overactive
functioning of an organ system resulting in symtoms of thirst, aversion
to heat and craving for cold, infection, inflammation, dryness, red
face, sweating, irritability, dark yellow urine, restlessness, constipation
and "hyper" conditions such as hypertension
TCM - the
abbreviation for Traditional Chinese Medicine
Tai Chi - a
set of smooth, flowing exercises used to improve or maintain health,
create a sense of relaxation and keep qi flowing
Tao - the
ancient philosophy of oneness in all creation
Tonification
/ Tonify - to
nourish, support or strengthen the condition of qi, blood or weak organ
function
Toxicity -
applies to any inflammation, infection or severe heat disease
Triple Burner
or Triple Warmer - represents
the three production centres for warm energy and water. The upper burner
is the heart/lung system, the middle burner is the spleen/stomach,
and the lower burner is the kidney/bladder/intestines
Tuina - Traditional
Chinese massage technique that focuses on meridians and acupoints
Wei qi - defensive
energy, the TCM equivalent of the immune system
Wind - causes
the sudden movement of a condition. Examples are a rash that is spreading,
onset of colds, fever, chills, vertigo, spasms or twitches
Yang
- represents
heat and the body's ability to generate and maintain warmth and circulation
Yang
deficiency - a
cold condition due to lack of the heating quality of yang. Symptoms
include lethargy, poor digestion, cold, lower back pain and decreased
sexual drive
Yin
- represents
cool and the substance of the body, including blood and bodily fluids
that nurture and moisten the organs and tissues
Yin
deficiency - a
heat condition that results in symptoms of night sweats, fever, nervous
exhaustion, dry eyes and throat, dizziness, blurred vision, insomnia
and a burning sensation in the palms of the hands, soles of the feet
and the chest
Zangfu
- describes
the solid organs (zang) that store vital substances and the hollow
organs (fu) which are responsible for transportation
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