The Causes and Treatments of Wei Disease in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Yellow Emperor asked: “How can all the five organs lead to the development of Wei disease?”
Qi Bo replied: “The lungs govern the skin and body hair, the heart governs the blood vessels, the liver governs the tendons and ligaments, the spleen governs the muscles, and the kidneys govern the bones and marrow. When the lungs are affected by heat, they dry out the body fluids, causing dryness and weakness in the skin and hair. If the heat is not dispelled, it can lead to Wei disease, where the limbs become weak and the body feels paralyzed. When the heart is affected by heat, it causes the Qi and blood to rise uncontrollably, leading to a lack of nourishment in the lower blood vessels, which causes joint weakness and difficulty walking. When the liver is affected by heat, the bile overflows and causes a bitter taste in the mouth. The tendons and ligaments become dry, leading to spasms and tightness, resulting in tendon Wei. When the spleen is affected by heat, it depletes the stomach fluids, causing thirst, and the muscles lose nourishment, leading to numbness and loss of sensation, which results in muscular Wei. When the kidneys are affected by heat, the essence is depleted, and the marrow weakens, leading to bone Wei, where the spine becomes rigid and the legs lose strength.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “What causes Wei disease to manifest?”
Qi Bo replied: “The lungs, being the leader of the organs, also serve as the protective barrier for the heart. When a person encounters disappointment or unfulfilled desires, the lung Qi becomes stagnated, leading to shortness of breath and, over time, turning into heat. This heat causes the lungs to dry out, and the essence cannot circulate throughout the body. This leads to Wei disease in the five organs because the lung heat impairs the nourishment of the other organs. If excessive sadness occurs, it can block the heart’s communication, causing the Yang Qi to become erratic and the blood to reverse, leading to frequent urinary bleeding. As the Ben Bing says: ‘When the main meridians are empty, muscle Wei arises and eventually transforms into pulse Wei.’ If a person overthinks, their desires go unfulfilled, or they engage in excessive sexual activity, it can weaken the tendons and lead to tendon Wei or issues like leukorrhea. As the Xia Jing mentions: ‘Tendon Wei originates from the liver due to excessive sexual activity and depletion of the vital essence.’ When people are exposed to dampness, especially those working in damp environments, the moisture stagnates in the body, leading to muscle numbness and eventually to muscle Wei. The Xia Jing also says: ‘Muscle Wei is caused by prolonged exposure to dampness.’ If a person overexerts themselves in hot weather, leading to excessive thirst, the internal heat harms the kidneys, depleting the Yin essence and causing bone marrow depletion, resulting in bone Wei. The Xia Jing says: ‘Bone Wei is caused by excessive heat.'”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “How can we differentiate between the five types of Wei disease?”
Qi Bo answered: “For Wei disease caused by lung heat, the complexion becomes pale, and the hair becomes thin and brittle. For Wei caused by heart heat, the complexion turns red, and the superficial blood vessels become engorged. When liver heat causes Wei, the complexion turns greenish, and the nails become brittle. For Wei caused by spleen heat, the complexion becomes yellow, and the muscles become weak. When kidney heat causes Wei, the complexion becomes dark, and the teeth may become brittle.”

The Yellow Emperor said: “Your explanation is quite insightful. The medical texts mention that Wei disease should be treated with the Yangming meridian. What is the reasoning behind this?”
Qi Bo replied: “The Yangming meridian is the source of nourishment for the five organs and six bowels. It nourishes the tendons and ligaments, which control the joints and allow them to move freely. The Chong meridian is the convergence point for the energy and blood of the twelve meridians. It carries the energy and blood to nourish the flesh, muscles, and skin, connecting with the Yangming meridian. The Yangming meridian leads the flow of energy and connects all the meridians, which are then linked to the Du meridian. If the Yangming meridian is deficient in energy and blood, the tendons and ligaments lose nourishment, leading to weakness in the legs and an inability to move properly.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “How should we treat Wei disease?”
Qi Bo answered: “We should tonify the appropriate acupoints for each meridian, unblock the corresponding points for each organ, and harmonize the body’s Qi and blood. For conditions affecting the tendons, bones, muscles, or skin, treatment should be performed during the peak season for the corresponding organ. This approach will ensure the disease is cured.”

The Yellow Emperor said: “Very well spoken!”