↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
1. Qi-Phlegm
Clinical manifestations: A lump sensation in the throat that cannot be swallowed or coughed up, chest and upper-abdominal stuffiness, symptoms that worsen with emotional stress, frequent sighing, irritability.
Tongue: Normal pink-red, possibly slightly swollen, white greasy or slippery coating. Pulse: Wiry and slippery.
Treatment principle: Move stagnant Qi, transform Phlegm, moisten dryness, open the chest and diaphragm.
Note: Confirmed absent again: this site's own Sighing, Esophageal Cancer and Throat Clearing pages leave the identically-named pattern unlinked for the same reason.
Clinical manifestations: Fixed stabbing chest pain that worsens at night, food regurgitated immediately after swallowing, a dark or purplish complexion, lips or nails.
Tongue: Dark purple with stasis spots, distended dark sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Choppy or wiry.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood circulation, break stasis, nourish Yin to moisten the passage.
3. Body Fluids Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: Intense thirst with a desire to drink water, dry mouth, cracked lips and dry throat, dry hard stools or constipation, scanty dark urine, emaciation and dry skin.
Tongue: Red, dry, thin with cracks, little or no coating. Pulse: Fine and rapid.
Treatment principle: Nourish Yin, generate fluids, moisten dryness to lubricate the esophagus.
Note: Confirmed absent again: standalone Body-Fluids-Deficiency has no matching deck slide on this site.
4. Yang Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: Swallowing feels weak, as if food won't go down; cold hands and feet; a pale puffy face; profound fatigue; loose stools with undigested food.
Tongue: Pale, swollen and moist with teeth marks, white slippery coating. Pulse: Deep, slow, weak.
Treatment principle: Warm and tonify Kidney-Yang, strengthen the Spleen, restore propulsive force and foundational warmth.
Note: Confirmed absent again: this site's own Excessive Sweating page leaves the identically-named plain Yang-Deficiency pattern unlinked for the same reason.