↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method — technique below follows standard Excess/Deficiency treatment principle for each pattern, not tied to a specific point-by-point source.
Clinical manifestations: Frequent sighing; chest tightness and distension along the ribs; mood swings alternating between low mood and irritability; a sense of emotional blockage or frustration; belching and abdominal bloating; breast tenderness or irregular periods; constipation with dry stools; brought on by stress and frustration, suppressed emotions, a sedentary lifestyle, or overwork; eased by gentle exercise, deep breathing, talking through emotions, or a calm environment.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark body, red or slightly purple sides, thin white coating. Pulse: Wiry, taut like a guitar string, especially at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Soothe Liver-Qi, relieve emotional constraint, move Qi, alleviate pain.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Explosive anger and irritability; a bitter taste in the mouth; burning or distending pain along the ribs; a red face and eyes; a dry mouth and throat; constipation with dry stools; mood swings; brought on by anger and frustration, spicy or greasy food, alcohol, or stress; eased by cooling food and drinks, gentle exercise, talking through emotions, or a calm environment.
Tongue: Red body, redder at the sides, yellow coating. Pulse: Wiry and Rapid, strong at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Soothe Liver-Qi while clearing Heat, cool the Blood, restore calm mood.
Note: no moxa.
3. Qi-Phlegm
Clinical manifestations: A sensation of a lump in the throat that can't be swallowed or coughed up; chest and upper-abdominal oppression or stuffiness; symptoms that worsen with emotional stress; mental fogginess or difficulty concentrating; frequent sighing; belching and abdominal bloating; brought on by suppressed emotions, a diet heavy in greasy or sweet food, stress and frustration, or chronic Spleen weakness feeding Phlegm production; eased by gentle exercise, deep breathing, talking through emotions, or avoiding greasy food.
Tongue: Normal-coloured body, possibly slightly swollen, white greasy or slippery coating. Pulse: Wiry, Slippery.
Treatment principle: Transform Phlegm, open the chest, move stagnant Qi, address the root cause of stagnation.
Note: no moxa. No deck slide combines the specific plum-pit-throat presentation with a Phlegm tongue/pulse signature, so no pattern link is given here.
Clinical manifestations: Palpitations or an awareness of the heartbeat; insomnia with excessive dreaming; poor appetite with bloating after meals; mental and physical fatigue; forgetfulness and poor concentration; a pale complexion and lips; brought on by overthinking and worry, poor diet, overwork, or chronic illness; eased by rest and avoiding overthinking, warm nourishing food, gentle exercise, or calming meditation.
Tongue: Pale, puffy body with tooth marks, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine, Weak, especially empty at the left Cun (Heart) and soft at the right Guan (Spleen) positions.
Treatment principle: Nourish Heart-Blood, strengthen Spleen-Qi, calm the Mind, restore appetite and energy.
Note: moxa applicable.
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain in the chest or under the ribs; a dark or purplish facial complexion; dark menstrual blood with clots (in women); palpable lumps or masses in the abdomen; brought on by long-standing untreated Qi stagnation, an old injury, or chronic emotional suppression; eased by gentle movement, warmth, or gentle massage once the acute pain settles.
Tongue: Dark purple body, purple stasis spots at the sides, distended sublingual veins. Pulse: Wiry, Choppy.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood, dispel stasis, move Qi, alleviate pain, open the chest, disperse stagnation.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Mental restlessness and anxiety; night sweats; warm palms, soles and chest (five-centre heat); soreness or weakness in the lower back; brought on by chronic stress, overwork, insufficient sleep, or ageing; eased by rest, cooling hydrating food, avoiding overheating, or a calm evening routine.
Tongue: Red body, especially at the tip, thin, little or no coating, dry. Pulse: Fine, Rapid, weak in the left Kidney position.
Treatment principle: Nourish Kidney-Yin, anchor the Mind, ease restlessness and night sweats.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency).