↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
1. Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
Clinical manifestations: A heavy, sluggish body; bloating after eating; a greasy, sticky mouth sensation; drowsiness; puffy limbs with teeth marks on the tongue.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, scalloped edges, thick white greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery, possibly slow or soggy, especially at the right middle position.
Treatment principle: Warms Yang and transforms fluid retention; strengthens the Spleen and resolves Dampness.
Note: no moxa contraindicated, moxa acceptable. This site's decks have no Phlegm-Dampness-in-the-Middle-Burner slide, confirmed absent again — no pattern link is given here.
2. Spleen Deficiency with Dampness
Clinical manifestations: A heavy, sluggish feeling; bloating; loose stools; poor appetite; a foggy head; thirst without a desire to drink; soft, puffy weight gain.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, teeth-marked, white greasy coating. Pulse: Soggy, soft, slow at the right middle position.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Qi, strengthens the Spleen and drains Dampness to rebuild the digestive transforming power.
Note: moxa is appropriate. No standalone Spleen-Deficiency-with-Dampness slide exists on this site's decks — no pattern link is given here.
Clinical manifestations: A strong appetite with cravings for rich foods; a greasy mouth sensation; bloating; loose stools; heavy limbs; a raging appetite yet poor transformation.
Tongue: Red, possibly swollen with teeth marks, thick yellow greasy coating at the centre and root. Pulse: Soggy, rapid, often slippery.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat, drains Dampness and regulates Qi to restore the Spleen's transport function.
Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Damp-Heat-in-the-Stomach slide.
Clinical manifestations: Abdominal distension or bloating in the sides; weight gain tied to stress; irritability; sighing; irregular or painful periods; emotional eating cycles.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark with red or purplish sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry, taut like a guitar string.
Treatment principle: Courses the Liver, resolves constraint and smooths stuck Qi to break the stress-digestion cycle.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: A puffy, waterlogged appearance; always cold, especially the lower back, knees and feet; loose stools; ankle swelling; a foggy head; poor appetite; weight concentrated in the lower belly and hips despite minimal eating.
Tongue: Pale, swollen, puffy, teeth-marked, white slippery coating. Pulse: Deep, weak, slow, especially at the rear and right middle positions.
Treatment principle: Tonifies Kidney Yang, warms the Gate of Life Fire and strengthens the Spleen to restore metabolic heat and fluid transformation.
Note: moxa is strongly indicated.