↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Burning, intensely painful ulcers, especially on the tongue tip; a red, swollen tip with prickly red dots; thirst for cold drinks; dark, scanty urine; mental restlessness, irritability, sleep disturbance.
Tongue: Red with a distinctly redder tip, yellow dry coat. Pulse: Rapid, forceful, overflowing, strongest at the left front position.
Treatment principle: Clears Heart Fire, nourishes Yin and guides Heat downward through urination.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: A burning ulcer; excessive hunger; bad breath; swollen, painful, bleeding gums; thirst for cold drinks; constipation with dry stools.
Tongue: Red, possible prickles, thick dry yellow coat. Pulse: Rapid, slippery, full, strongest at the right middle position.
Treatment principle: Clears Stomach Heat, cools the Blood and reduces the swelling and pain from upward-rising Fire.
Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Stomach-Heat slide.
Clinical manifestations: Ulcers often on the tongue sides; worse with stress and anger; irritability, explosive anger; bitter taste; distending rib-area pain; worse premenstrually.
Tongue: Red, especially redder on the sides, yellow coat. Pulse: Wiry and rapid.
Treatment principle: Soothes Liver Qi and clears the resulting Heat.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Recurrent, shallow, mildly burning ulcers worse at night and with overwork; night sweats, five-palm heat; lower-back soreness and weakness; dry mouth wanting small sips.
Tongue: Red, thin, dry, little or no coat, possible cracks. Pulse: Fine and rapid, weak at the rear position.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Kidney Yin, anchors floating Heat and replenishes depleted fluids.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency with heat signs).
Clinical manifestations: Thick yellow greasy tongue coating; bloating and upper-abdominal fullness; a sticky mouth sensation; bitter taste; loose, sticky stools; a heavy body and limbs.
Tongue: Red, possibly swollen and tooth-marked, thick yellow greasy coat at the centre and root. Pulse: Soggy, rapid, often slippery.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat and drains Dampness; regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Damp-Heat-in-the-Stomach slide.