This book is designed for the serious student of Chinese medicine. Both the beginner and advanced practitioner will find this information useful from school to everyday clinical practice. The first section of the book covers a basic history and evolution of the six stages of disease. Chapter Two reviews various theoretical concepts related to the six stages. Symptoms and treatment concepts, according to the Chinese classic Shang Han Lun, are examined in Chapter Three. In Chapter Four complications of combined and overlapping stages of disease show how disease many times will not follow the normal progression of the Six Stage Model. An in- depth study of conformations and the basic treatment concepts for each of the stages are presented in Chapter Five. A quick overview of the twenty-four basic classifications of Chinese herbal formulas will be found in Chapter Six. Primary herbs for each stage and their related formulas are examined in Chapter Seven. Chapter Eight deals with differential diagnosis of syndromes and treatment. Conformations for formulas and a comparison to other formulas from the Classic Shang Han Lun (Treaties on Fever and Chills) and the Jen Kuei Yao Lue (Perceptions from the Golden Chamber) are the main emphasis in Chapter Nine. Practitioners will find Chapter Ten a very useful clinical reference of all ninety herbal formulas (in table form) found in this book. In Chapter Eleven, there are four major lists dealing with the names of individual herbs. The first three lists are a cross reference for herbs listed by the Pin Yin, Pharmaceutical, and Common names. The fourth list gives the classification and function of the 118 herbs used in this work.

Six Strands of the Web

An In-depth Study of the Six Stages of Disease In Traditional Chinese MedicineBy James Michael Moore

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 Dr. James Michael Moore
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-0874-8

Contents

About the Author............................................................................xiiiAbout This Book.............................................................................xvNotice......................................................................................xviiPreface.....................................................................................xixChapter 1: History of Six Stages of Disease Model...........................................1Chapter 2: Basic Theoretical Concepts Related to Six Stages.................................14Chapter 3: Symptoms and Treatment According to the Shang Han Lun............................36Chapter 4: Combined and Overlapping Diseases................................................43Chapter 5: Conformations for the Six Stages.................................................46Chapter 6: Traditional Classification of Formulas...........................................57Chapter 7: Basic Herbs and Formulas for the Six Stages......................................73Chapter 8: Differential Diagnosis for the Six Stages Syndromes..............................80Chapter 9: Shang Han Lun Basic Formulas (Indications and Conformations).....................112Chapter 10: Herbal Formula (Tables).........................................................132Chapter 11: Individual Herb Lists...........................................................226Bibliography................................................................................277

Chapter One

History of Six Stages of Disease Model

Overview

The main emphasis in this section is on the history and development of Chinese medicine and its spread to other countries.

• History and evolution of "six stages of disease model"

• Huangdi's Internal Classic, or Huangdi's Cannon of Medicine

• Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Chills and Fever)

• Jen Kuei Yao Lue (Prescriptions from the Golden Chamber)

• Japanese Kanpo

The Six Stages of Disease (Liu Jing Bian Zheng)

Introduction

The "Six Stages of Disease" is a theoretical concept that can be used as a model to help understand the progression and treatment of disease. The pathology of febrile related disorders according to the_Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Chills and Fever) and Jen Kuei Yao Lue (Prescriptions from the Golden Chamber) show how a disease can move from what is known as the surface" or "external" aspect of the body to the "interior" aspect in six major levels each having its own unique pathology and Treatment Concept. The order of these levels of penetration or stages of disease is classified as taiyang (greater yang), shaoyang (lesser yang), yangming (sunlight yang), taiyin (greater yin), shaoyin (lesser yin), and jueyin (absolute yin). The jueyin stage of disease, as it nears its end, is that stage where the body no longer has enough strength to control the balance of yin and yang. When the body becomes too weak to maintain proper balance of yin and yang, the disease has won the struggle.

The original Chinese model used to describe the progression of fever related disease was first recorded in the medical classic Huangdi Nei Jing (Huangdi's Internal Classic, or Huangdi's Cannon of Medicine). This is the oldest and greatest Chinese medical classic known. Its authorship is ascribed to the Yellow Emperor Huangdi (2698-2589 B.C.). The work was actually written by unknown authors during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.).

Huangdi Nei Jing has two parts: Su Wen (Plain Questions) and Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot or Divine Axis). In the Su Wen chapter 31 ["The Fever", the evolution of disease and how it relates to the "Energetic Layers" of the body is discussed], which states:

"The fever generally happens unexpectedly after a shock from Cold. The Taiyang (Small Intestine and Bladder) meridian is attacked first. This meridian of the Taiyang is in connection with the point Fungfu, (Du-16), meeting point of the meridians of the Bladder, the Yang Wei (extra meridian), and the Governor Vessel. This last is so named because it governsthe Yang of all the body. The energy of the Tai Yang meridian begins at the point Jingming (Bl-1). It is the point therefore which commands all of the Yang energy. If the shock from Cold attacks solely the Yang, even if the temperature is very high, the sick person will not be in danger, but if it simultaneously attacks the Yang and the Yin, the sick person will inevitably be in danger of death.

If the shock from Cold attacks only the Yang: The first day it is the meridians of the Taiyang (Small Intestine and Bladder) which are attacked, the sick person presents pains at the head and neck; the lumbar region and the vertebral column are stiff, aching all over.

The second day, it is the meridians of the Yangming which are attacked (Large Intestine and Stomach); these meridians passing near the nose and eyes, the sick person presents fever, with a feeling of pain at the eyes, and of dryness of the nose; he cannot sleep peacefully, he is agitated.

The third day, it is the Shaoyang (Triple Burner and Gall Bladder). These meridians passing on the side of the body and to the ears, the chest, and in addition he does not hear well. At this period of the sickness, all the Yang meridians are attacked, but not yet the internal organs. If one makes the sick person perspire, he will be cured, otherwise:

On the fourth day, the illness attacks the Yin meridians beginning with Taiyin (Lung and Spleen). These meridians passing on the abdomen and toward the upper part of the chest, the sick person presents abdominal swelling and dryness of the upper respiratory tracts.

On the fifth day, the illness passes to the Shaoyin meridians (Heart and Kidneys). These meridians passing on the chest and toward the tongue (the Kidney meridian, through a secondary vessel, reaches the point Lien-Chuan (CV-23), the sick person presents dryness of the mouth and tongue: he will be very thirsty.

On the sixth day, the illness passes to the Jueyin meridians (Pericardium and Liver). These meridians passing near the genital parts and reaching the Liver, the sick person presents malaise, and his scrotum is retracted. At this moment of the evolution of the sickness, the Three Yang meridians, the Three Yin meridians, the Six Bowels and the Five Organs have been attacked; the energy and the blood no longer function, this is death.

If, as we have just seen, the Yang meridians and the Yin meridians have not been attacked at the same time, but one after another, and if one has undertaken the correct treatment, one sees the following symptoms appear:

The seventh day, the Taiyang meridians are appeased, and the sick person have less pain at the head and neck.

The eighth day, the Yangming meridians are appeased, and the fever come down.

The ninth day, the Shaoyang meridians are appeased, and the sick person hearing improves.

The tenth day, the Taiyin meridians are appeased, and the sick person recover his appetite.

The eleventh day, the Shaoyin meridians are appeased, and the sick person have less thirst.

The twelfth day, the Jueyin meridians are appeased, and the scrotum is...