↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Mental rumination; rib-side tension; frequent sighing; irritability; mood swings; emotional constraint.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark with red sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry, like a taut guitar string.
Treatment principle: Courses Liver Qi, resolves constraint, moves Qi and invigorates Blood.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Explosive irritability; restlessness; a bitter taste; throbbing temples; a red face and eyes; rib distension; urgent, compulsive urges.
Tongue: Red with redder sides, yellow coating. Pulse: Wiry and rapid, forceful.
Treatment principle: Soothes Liver Qi stagnation and clears Heat from the Liver and Heart to calm the mind.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Palpitations; mental agitation; mouth or tongue ulcers; a red, flushed face; insomnia with vivid dreams; thirst for cold drinks; relentless intrusive thoughts.
Tongue: Red with a markedly redder tip, red prickles, dry yellow coating. Pulse: Rapid, forceful, overflowing.
Treatment principle: Drains Heart Fire, cools the Blood and calms the disturbed spirit.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Mental fog; persistent intrusive thoughts that feel stuck; chest oppression; excessive saliva or nausea; a blank stare; an inability to let go of thoughts.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, thick white greasy coating, stiff movement. Pulse: Slippery.
Treatment principle: Scours Phlegm, opens the orifices, clears Heat and regulates Qi to resolve turbidity.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Palpitations; insomnia with vivid dreams; a pale, dull complexion; brittle nails; dizziness; numbness or tingling; anxiety worsening with fatigue.
Tongue: Pale, possibly thin, thin white coating. Pulse: Fine and weak, possibly choppy.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Blood, calms the spirit and anchors the Ethereal Soul.
Note: moxa is appropriate.
Clinical manifestations: Forgetfulness; poor concentration; night sweats; heat in the palms, soles and chest; dry eyes; dizziness; tinnitus; insomnia with restless dreams; mental restlessness worsening at night.
Tongue: Red, thin with cracks, little or no coating, dry surface. Pulse: Fine and rapid, often wiry, weak at the left rear position.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, soothes the Liver and calms empty-heat-driven restlessness.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency with heat signs).