↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Poor appetite, especially in the morning; bloating after eating; loose stools; a pale, sallow complexion; weak limbs; shortness of breath; reluctance to speak.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tooth-marked, thin white coat. Pulse: Weak and soft, especially at the right middle position.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Spleen Qi, strengthens digestive function and raises clear Yang to the head.
Note: moxa is appropriate.
Clinical manifestations: Unrefreshing sleep with vivid or disturbing dreams; palpitations; poor appetite with bloating; pale complexion; forgetfulness; dizziness; weak memory.
Tongue: Pale, tender, tooth-marked, thin white coat. Pulse: Fine, weak, possibly choppy.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Spleen Qi and nourishes Heart Blood to anchor the Spirit and restore restful sleep.
Note: moxa is appropriate. Linked to the closest slide (Spleen- and Heart-Blood deficiency); it names Blood only, so treat as a partial match.
3. Qi and Blood Deficiency
Clinical manifestations: Exhaustion upon waking; pale or sallow complexion; pale lips and nails; dizziness on standing; palpitations; shortness of breath on exertion; poor appetite; spontaneous sweating.
Tongue: Pale, possibly thin or tooth-marked, thin white coat. Pulse: Fine, weak, empty.
Treatment principle: Tonifies both Qi and Blood to rebuild foundational reserves and morning vitality.
Note: moxa is appropriate.
4. Liver Fire Invading the Heart
Clinical manifestations: Unrefreshed despite sleep; irritability and anger; bitter taste on waking; vivid or disturbing dreams; a red face and eyes; temple headaches; mental restlessness.
Tongue: Red with redder sides and tip, dry yellow coat. Pulse: Wiry, rapid, forceful at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Clears Liver Fire, drains excess Heat and calms the Heart Spirit to restore restorative sleep.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Difficulty falling asleep with mental restlessness; palpitations and vivid dreams; night sweats; heat in the palms, soles and chest; lower-back and knee soreness and weakness; a dry throat, worse at night.
Tongue: Red, thin, redder tip, little or no coat, possible midline crack. Pulse: Fine and rapid, weaker at the rear position.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Kidney Yin and descends Heart Fire to restore communication and anchor the Spirit.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency with heat signs).
Clinical manifestations: Chest oppression with yellow sticky phlegm; mental restlessness and agitation; a flushed face and red eyes; bitter taste; head heaviness and dizziness; disturbed sleep with vivid, frightening dreams.
Tongue: Red, especially the tip, thick yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Slippery and rapid, forceful at the left front position.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm and calms the Mind to allow the Spirit to settle.
Note: no moxa.