Core Foundations

• Yin–Yang

• Five Elements

• Qi, Blood, Jing, Shen, Fluids

• Meridians & collaterals

Zang Organs (Yin)

• ❤️ Heart

• 🌳 Liver

• 🌾 Spleen

• 🌬️ Lungs

• 💧 Kidneys

• 🛡️ Pericardium

Fu Organs (Yang)

• 🍲 Stomach

• 🔥 Small Intestine

• 🌿 Large Intestine

• 💚 Gallbladder

• 💦 Bladder

• 🔥 San Jiao

Diagnostic Frameworks

• Eight Principles

• Four Examinations

• Tongue & pulse

• Pattern differentiation

Pathogenic Factors & Patterns

• External (wind, cold, heat, damp, dryness, summer heat)

• Internal (emotions)

• Qi/Blood/Yin/Yang/Damp/Phlegm patterns

Therapeutic Modalities

• Acupuncture & moxibustion

• Manual therapies (tui na, gua sha, cupping)

• Herbal medicine

• Qigong & Tai Chi

• Dietary therapy

🐉 Core Philosophical Foundations

• Qi (Vital Energy) — The animating life force that flows through the body. Health depends on its smooth, balanced movement.

• Yin & Yang — Complementary forces (cool/warm, passive/active, dark/light). Illness arises when they fall out of balance.

• Five Elements (Wu Xing) — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. Used to map organ relationships, emotional states, cycles, and pathology.

• Zang-Fu Theory — The functional organ system: Zang (solid organs storing vital substances) and Fu (hollow organs transforming substances).

• Meridian System (Jing Luo) — Channels through which Qi and Blood circulate, connecting organs and tissues.

• Jing (Essence) — Deep constitutional energy inherited at birth; governs growth, development, reproduction, and aging.

• Shen (Spirit) — The mental-emotional aspect of health, housed in the Heart.

• Blood (Xue) — Nourishes tissues, supports mental clarity, and anchors the Shen.

• Body Fluids (Jin-Ye) — Moistens organs and tissues; imbalance leads to dryness, phlegm, or dampness.

🌿 Diagnostic Frameworks

• Eight Principles — Interior/Exterior, Hot/Cold, Excess/Deficiency, Yin/Yang; used to categorize patterns of imbalance.

• Pattern Differentiation (Bian Zheng) — Identifying the root imbalance rather than the symptom.

• Five Element Diagnosis — Evaluates disharmony based on elemental correspondences.

• Zang-Fu Pattern Diagnosis — Determines which organ systems are affected and how.

• Meridian Diagnosis — Identifies blockages or deficiencies along specific channels.

• Four Examinations —

  • Looking: tongue, complexion, demeanor

  • Listening/Smelling: voice, breath, odors

  • Asking: symptoms, lifestyle, emotions

  • Palpation: pulse, meridians, abdomen

• Tongue Diagnosis — Color, shape, coating, and moisture reveal internal conditions.

• Pulse Diagnosis — 28+ pulse qualities indicating organ strength, Qi flow, and pathogenic factors.

🌬️ Pathogenic Factors (External & Internal)

• Wind — Sudden onset, movement, spasms, shifting symptoms.

• Cold — Constriction, pain, slowed circulation.

• Heat/Fire — Fever, inflammation, irritability, rapid pulse.

• Dampness — Heaviness, swelling, sluggish digestion.

• Dryness — Thirst, dry skin, dry cough.

• Summer Heat — Heat + dampness; exhaustion, dehydration.

• Internal Emotions — Anger (Liver), Joy (Heart), Worry (Spleen), Sadness (Lungs), Fear (Kidneys).

🌱 Therapeutic Modalities

• Acupuncture — Stimulates points along meridians to regulate Qi and restore balance.

• Moxibustion — Burning mugwort near points to warm meridians and dispel cold.

• Cupping — Suction to move stagnation, release toxins, and improve circulation.

• Tui Na (Medical Massage) — Manipulation techniques to open meridians and relieve pain.

• Herbal Medicine — Complex formulas balancing multiple herbs to treat patterns, not symptoms.

• Qigong — Breath + movement practices to cultivate Qi and strengthen organs.

• Dietary Therapy — Food as medicine; flavors and temperatures influence organ systems.

• Gua Sha — Scraping technique to release stagnation and heat.

• Ear Acupuncture (Auriculotherapy) — Microsystem mapping the entire body onto the ear.

🌸 Organ System Index (Zang-Fu)

Zang (Yin Organs)

• Heart — Governs blood, houses Shen, controls circulation.

• Liver — Stores blood, ensures smooth Qi flow, regulates emotions.

• Spleen — Digestion, nutrient absorption, Qi production.

• Lungs — Govern Qi, respiration, immunity, and body fluids.

• Kidneys — Store Jing, govern growth, reproduction, bones, and water metabolism.

• Pericardium — Protects the Heart; emotional regulation.

Fu (Yang Organs)

• Small Intestine — Separates clear from turbid; digestion.

• Large Intestine — Eliminates waste.

• Stomach — Receives and ripens food.

• Gallbladder — Stores bile; decision-making.

• Urinary Bladder — Stores and excretes fluids.

• San Jiao (Triple Burner) — Regulates water pathways and Qi distribution.

🔥 Key TCM Concepts & Patterns

• Qi Deficiency — Fatigue, short breath, weak voice.

• Qi Stagnation — Pain, irritability, distention.

• Blood Deficiency — Dizziness, pale complexion, insomnia.

• Blood Stasis — Sharp pain, clots, fixed masses.

• Damp Heat — Inflammation + heaviness; common in digestive or skin issues.

• Phlegm — Thick fluids causing obstruction, mental fog, nodules.

• Kidney Yin Deficiency — Night sweats, tinnitus, dryness.

• Kidney Yang Deficiency — Cold limbs, low libido, fatigue.

• Liver Qi Stagnation — Stress-related tension, PMS, mood swings.

🌕 Additional Classical Concepts

• Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) — Protective energy guarding against pathogens.

• Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) — Circulates with blood to nourish tissues.

• Zhong Qi (Central Qi) — Spleen/Stomach Qi supporting digestion.

• Jing Luo Theory — Detailed mapping of meridians and collaterals.

• Five Flavors — Sour, Bitter, Sweet, Pungent, Salty; each influences specific organs.

• Five Spirits — Shen (Heart), Hun (Liver), Po (Lungs), Yi (Spleen), Zhi (Kidneys).

• Six Stages & Four Levels — Advanced frameworks for febrile diseases.

Traditional Chinese Medicine — Multi‑Level Hierarchical Index

1. Core Foundations

1.1 Qi & Vital Substances

• Qi — Vital energy that animates and moves all physiological processes

• Blood (Xue) — Nourishes tissues and anchors the Shen

• Jing (Essence) — Constitutional foundation; growth, reproduction, aging

• Shen (Spirit) — Mental-emotional vitality

• Body Fluids (Jin‑Ye) — Moisture, lubrication, fluid metabolism

1.2 Yin-Yang Theory

• Yin — Cool, nourishing, inward, material

• Yang — Warm, active, outward, functional

• Balance Principle — Health = dynamic equilibrium

1.3 Five Elements (Wu Xing)

• Wood — Growth, Liver/Gallbladder

• Fire — Heat, Heart/Small Intestine

• Earth — Nourishment, Spleen/Stomach

• Metal — Structure, Lungs/Large Intestine

• Water — Storage, Kidneys/Bladder

1.4 Meridian System (Jing Luo)

• Primary Meridians (12) — Organ-linked channels

• Extraordinary Meridians (8) — Deep regulatory pathways

• Collaterals (Luo Mai) — Branching micro-channels

2. Diagnostic Systems

2.1 Eight Principles

• Interior / Exterior

• Hot / Cold

• Excess / Deficiency

• Yin / Yang

2.2 Four Examinations

• Looking — Tongue, complexion, demeanor

• Listening/Smelling — Voice, breath, odors

• Asking — Symptoms, habits, emotions

• Palpation — Pulse, meridians, abdomen

2.3 Tongue Diagnosis

• Color — Heat, cold, deficiency

• Shape — Excess, deficiency

• Coating — Dampness, heat, digestion

• Moisture — Fluid balance

2.4 Pulse Diagnosis

• Depth — Interior/exterior

• Speed — Heat/cold

• Strength — Deficiency/excess

• Quality — 28+ classical pulse types

2.5 Pattern Differentiation (Bian Zheng)

• Zang-Fu Patterns

• Meridian Patterns

• Five Element Patterns

• Six Stages / Four Levels (febrile diseases)

3. Organ Systems (Zang-Fu)

3.1 Zang (Yin Organs)

• Heart — Blood, Shen

• Liver — Qi flow, emotions, blood storage

• Spleen — Digestion, transformation, Qi production

• Lungs — Respiration, immunity, Qi regulation

• Kidneys — Jing, bones, reproduction, water metabolism

• Pericardium — Protects Heart, emotional regulation

3.2 Fu (Yang Organs)

• Small Intestine — Separates clear/turbid

• Large Intestine — Waste elimination

• Stomach — Food reception and ripening

• Gallbladder — Bile storage, decision-making

• Urinary Bladder — Fluid excretion

• San Jiao (Triple Burner) — Water pathways, Qi distribution

4. Pathogenic Factors

4.1 External Factors (Six Evils)

• Wind — Movement, sudden onset

• Cold — Constriction, pain

• Heat/Fire — Fever, inflammation

• Dampness — Heaviness, stagnation

• Dryness — Dehydration, roughness

• Summer Heat — Heat + dampness

4.2 Internal Factors (Emotions)

• Anger — Liver

• Joy — Heart

• Worry — Spleen

• Sadness/Grief — Lungs

• Fear — Kidneys

4.3 Miscellaneous Factors

• Diet — Excess, deficiency, quality

• Lifestyle — Overwork, lack of rest

• Trauma — Blood stasis

• Phlegm/Damp — Obstruction, nodules

5. Therapeutic Modalities

5.1 Acupuncture & Moxibustion

• Acupuncture — Regulates Qi via meridian points

• Moxibustion — Warms meridians, dispels cold

5.2 Manual Therapies

• Tui Na — Medical massage

• Gua Sha — Scraping to release stagnation

• Cupping — Suction to move Qi/Blood

5.3 Herbal Medicine

• Single Herbs — Individual functions

• Formulas — Balanced combinations

• Preparation Methods — Decoctions, powders, pills

5.4 Movement & Breathwork

• Qigong — Breath + movement

• Tai Chi — Slow martial movement for Qi regulation

5.5 Dietary Therapy

• Food Energetics — Temperature, flavor

• Organ-targeting foods — Five element correspondences

6. Common Patterns of Disharmony

6.1 Qi Patterns

• Qi Deficiency — Fatigue, weak voice

• Qi Stagnation — Distention, irritability

• Rebellious Qi — Nausea, cough

6.2 Blood Patterns

• Blood Deficiency — Dizziness, pale complexion

• Blood Stasis — Sharp pain, clots

6.3 Yin/Yang Patterns

• Yin Deficiency — Dryness, heat signs

• Yang Deficiency — Cold, fatigue

6.4 Damp/Phlegm Patterns

• Dampness — Heaviness, sluggishness

• Phlegm — Obstruction, nodules, mental fog

6.5 Heat/Cold Patterns

• Internal Heat — Irritability, fever

• Internal Cold — Pain relieved by warmth

7. Additional Classical Frameworks

7.1 Wei, Qi, Ying, Blood Levels

• Wei Level — Exterior defense

• Qi Level — Interior heat

• Ying Level — Nutrient level

• Blood Level — Deep heat, bleeding

7.2 Six Stages (Shang Han Lun)

• Tai Yang

• Yang Ming

• Shao Yang

• Tai Yin

• Shao Yin

• Jue Yin

7.3 Five Spirits

• Shen (Heart)

• Hun (Liver)

• Po (Lungs)

• Yi (Spleen)

• Zhi (Kidneys)

🌿 ZANG ORGANS (YIN) — CROSS‑MAPPING TO WESTERN PHYSIOLOGY

❤️ HEART (Xin)

TCM Functions

• Circulates blood

• Houses Shen (mind, consciousness)

• Governs mental/emotional activity

• Controls tongue & speech

Western Correlates

Anatomy & Physiology

• Heart (cardiac muscle, conduction system)

• Blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries)

• Autonomic nervous system regulation (sympathetic/parasympathetic)

Neurology

• Prefrontal cortex (executive function)

• Limbic system (emotion regulation)

• Vagus nerve (heart–brain connection)

Endocrine

• Adrenal medulla (epinephrine/norepinephrine)

• Cortisol effects on cardiac output

Psychology

• Anxiety, panic, insomnia

• Emotional overstimulation

🌳 LIVER (Gan)

TCM Functions

• Smooth flow of Qi (stress regulation)

• Stores blood

• Governs tendons

• Regulates emotions (anger)

• Houses Hun (planning, vision, direction)

Western Correlates

Anatomy & Physiology

• Liver (detoxification, glycogen storage, bile production)

• Musculoskeletal system (tendons, connective tissue)

• Eyes (vision, tear production)

Neurology

• Sympathetic nervous system activation

• Motor control pathways (spasticity, tremors)

Endocrine

• Glucose regulation (insulin/glucagon interplay)

• Hormone metabolism (estrogen clearance)

Psychology

• Irritability, frustration, PMS mood changes

• Executive planning (Hun ↔ prefrontal cortex)

🌾 SPLEEN (Pi)

TCM Functions

• Digestion & nutrient transformation

• Holds blood in vessels

• Governs muscles & limbs

• Houses Yi (intellect, thought)

Western Correlates

Anatomy & Physiology

• Pancreas (enzymes, insulin)

• Small intestine (absorption)

• Spleen (immune filtration)

• Lymphatic system

Neurology

• Parasympathetic tone (rest/digest)

• Cognitive processing (Yi ↔ hippocampus & prefrontal cortex)

Endocrine

• Insulin/glucagon regulation

• Gut hormones (GLP‑1, ghrelin)

Psychology

• Rumination, worry, overthinking

• Cognitive fatigue

🌬️ LUNGS (Fei)

TCM Functions

• Govern Qi & respiration

• Regulate water passages

• Control skin & immunity

• House Po (instinctual drives)

Western Correlates

Anatomy & Physiology

• Lungs (gas exchange)

• Immune system (innate immunity, mucosal immunity)

• Skin barrier function

• Lymphatic drainage

Neurology

• Brainstem respiratory centers

• Vagus nerve (breathing rhythm)

Endocrine

• Cortisol’s effect on respiration

• Inflammatory cytokines

Psychology

• Grief, sadness

• Breath–emotion coupling

💧 KIDNEYS (Shen)

TCM Functions

• Store Jing (genetic essence)

• Govern growth, reproduction, development

• Control water metabolism

• Govern bones & marrow

• House Zhi (willpower)

Western Correlates

Anatomy & Physiology

• Kidneys (filtration, electrolytes, blood pressure)

• Adrenal glands (stress hormones)

• Reproductive system (ovaries/testes)

• Skeletal system (bone density, marrow)

Neurology

• Brain development (Jing ↔ neurogenesis)

• Motivation circuits (Zhi ↔ dopaminergic pathways)

Endocrine

• HPA axis (stress response)

• Sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone)

• Vitamin D activation (bone health)

Psychology

• Fear, shock

• Drive, determination

🛡️ PERICARDIUM (Xin Bao)

TCM Functions

• Protects the Heart

• Regulates emotional boundaries

• Influences circulation

Western Correlates

Anatomy & Physiology

• Pericardial sac

• Autonomic regulation of cardiac rhythm

Neurology

• Emotional buffering (limbic system)

• Social/emotional boundaries (orbitofrontal cortex)

Psychology

• Trauma response

• Emotional resilience

🔥 FU ORGANS (YANG) — CROSS‑MAPPING TO WESTERN PHYSIOLOGY

🍲 STOMACH (Wei)

TCM Functions

• Receives food

• Rotts & ripens food

Western Correlates

• Stomach (acid, enzymes)

• Vagus nerve (gastric motility)

• Ghrelin secretion

🔥 SMALL INTESTINE (Xiao Chang)

TCM Functions

• Separates clear/turbid

Western Correlates

• Small intestine (absorption)

• Kidney filtration (clear/turbid parallel)

• Gut–brain axis

🌿 LARGE INTESTINE (Da Chang)

TCM Functions

• Eliminates waste

Western Correlates

• Colon (peristalsis, stool formation)

• Microbiome

• Hydration regulation

💚 GALLBLADDER (Dan)

TCM Functions

• Stores bile

• Governs decision-making

Western Correlates

• Gallbladder (bile storage)

• Liver (bile production)

• Executive decision circuits (prefrontal cortex)

💦 BLADDER (Pang Guang)

TCM Functions

• Stores & excretes urine

Western Correlates

• Bladder (urine storage)

• Kidneys (filtration)

• Pelvic floor musculature

🔥 SAN JIAO (Triple Burner)

TCM Functions

• Upper: respiration

• Middle: digestion

• Lower: elimination

• Water metabolism

Western Correlates

• Upper: lungs + heart

• Middle: stomach + spleen + pancreas

• Lower: kidneys + bladder + intestines

• Endocrine fluid regulation (ADH, aldosterone)