Mysteries of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Common Ailments and Their Treatments

The Yellow Emperor asked: “Why is it that some women cannot speak even after nine months of pregnancy?”
Qi Bo replied: “This is because the vessels in the womb are compressed by the fetus, causing a blockage and preventing proper circulation.”
The Yellow Emperor asked: “Why does this happen?”
Qi Bo explained: “The meridians of the womb are connected to the kidneys, and the Kidney meridian, specifically the Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian, ascends and connects to the tongue. When the vessels in the womb are obstructed, the Kidney meridian cannot properly nourish the tongue, leading to a loss of speech.”
The Yellow Emperor inquired: “How should this be treated?”
Qi Bo answered: “No treatment is necessary. After the delivery, when the womb is no longer obstructed, the voice will naturally return. The Acupuncture Treatise states: ‘Do not use purging methods on those with insufficient righteous Qi, nor supplement methods on those with excessive evil Qi, as misapplication may worsen the condition.’ Essentially, for pregnant women who are weak and thin, acupuncture and herbs should not be used to avoid harming their vital energy.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “What about a disease that causes distension under the ribs, difficulty breathing, and persists for two or three years? What is this disease?”
Qi Bo replied: “This condition is called Xi Ji (Qi accumulation). It occurs under the ribs but does not affect the stomach, so it doesn’t interfere with appetite. When treating this condition, avoid moxibustion and acupuncture. Instead, use gradual Dao Yin (guiding and stretching) techniques to help regulate the Qi and blood, supplemented with herbs for a slow and steady recovery. Sole reliance on medication will not cure this disease.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “What about swelling in the thighs, calves, and hips, along with pain around the navel? What is this disease?”
Qi Bo explained: “This is called Fu Liang (Hidden Beam), caused by the lingering presence of wind evil within the body. The evil Qi overflows in the large intestine and settles in the Huang membrane, which originates below the navel. The pain around the navel occurs as a result. This condition should not be treated with massage, as it could cause urinary retention and further complications.”

The Yellow Emperor inquired: “What about a person whose pulse is irregular, with tight tendons and muscles? What is this disease?”
Qi Bo replied: “This is known as Zhen Jin (Tendon Disease), which is often accompanied by abdominal tension. If the face shows signs of either a pale or dark complexion, the condition is more severe.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “What about someone who has had a headache for years without relief? What is the cause of this and what is the disease called?”
Qi Bo answered: “This person has likely been severely attacked by cold evil. The cold enters the bones and marrow, and since the brain is considered the ‘sea of marrow,’ the cold rises from the marrow into the brain, causing the headache. The teeth, being a continuation of the bones, also hurt. This disease is known as Jue Ni (Reversal of Qi).”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “What is the disease called when someone experiences a sweet taste in their mouth?”
Qi Bo explained: “This condition occurs when the essence of the five flavors overflows upwards, leading to Pi Dan (Spleen Dampness). The essence of the five flavors enters the mouth and is stored in the stomach. From there, it is sent to the spleen, which transports the essence of food. If there is a blockage of fluids in the spleen, the Qi will overflow, causing a sweet taste in the mouth. This is often caused by excessive consumption of fatty, sweet foods, which create internal heat and disrupt the spleen’s function. Over time, this can lead to Xiao Ke (Diabetes). This condition can be treated with Lan Cao (Licorice) to dispel the accumulated heat.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “When a person has a bitter taste in their mouth, and treating the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian using the Yanglingquan point does not cure it, what could this disease be? How did it arise?”
Qi Bo replied: “This condition is called Dan Zhan (Gallbladder Dampness). The liver, being the general of the body, governs planning and decision-making. The gallbladder, as the official of integrity, governs decisions. All plans and strategies depend on the gallbladder, while the throat acts as its external emissary. When the patient repeatedly struggles with indecision, their emotional state becomes stifled, causing the gallbladder to lose its normal function. The bile then rises along the meridians, which results in a bitter taste in the mouth. Treatment involves acupuncture at the Gallbladder’s Mu points, including the Riyue and Baihui points on the back, as recorded in the Yin-Yang Twelve Organ Functions.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “What about a person who urinates excessively, up to several dozen times a day? This seems to indicate insufficient righteous Qi. Yet, they also have a fever that feels like the heat of charcoal, with a sensation of blockage between the throat and chest, a rapid and erratic pulse, and labored breathing. Their Lung Qi rises, while their pulse at the Cun Kou (radial artery) is weak and thread-like. What is the cause of this, and what disease is it?”
Qi Bo answered: “This condition is caused by a deficiency in the Taiyin Spleen, with excessive heat in the Stomach, but the symptoms are focused on the lungs. The disease is called Jue and is considered an incurable condition. This is the so-called ‘Five Excesses, Two Deficiencies’ syndrome.”
The Yellow Emperor asked: “What do you mean by ‘Five Excesses, Two Deficiencies’?”
Qi Bo explained: “‘Five Excesses’ refers to five symptoms of excess, such as fever, breathlessness, and Qi rebellion. The ‘Two Deficiencies’ refer to two signs of deficiency: frequent urination and a pulse that is thin like a hair. These two symptoms reflect a lack of righteous Qi. The patient shows external signs of excess and internal signs of deficiency, meaning neither external purging nor internal tonification will work. Hence, this disease is fatal.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “What about a person born with epilepsy? What is the name of this disease, and how is it caused?”
Qi Bo replied: “This disease is called Tai Bing (Fetal Disease). It occurs when the fetus, while still in the womb, is affected by the mother’s severe fear. This fear causes the Qi to rise and stagnate in the upper body, preventing the essence from flowing downward. The Qi and essence collect in the upper body and fail to disperse, which affects the fetus, leading to the child being born with epilepsy.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “What about someone who has swelling in their face, resembling water retention, with a large and tight pulse but no pain in the body and no weight loss? However, they are unable to eat or only eat very little. What is the name of this disease?”
Qi Bo replied: “This disease affects the kidneys and is called Shen Feng (Kidney Wind). When the patient reaches the stage where they can no longer eat and are frequently startled, if the heart Qi cannot recover after shock, the heart and kidneys both fail, and the essence of life is extinguished. This is a terminal condition.”