TCM Syndromes

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, a syndrome (证候 / zhèng hòu) is formed by a specific combination of signs and symptoms. Each syndrome has its own treatment principle and corresponding acupuncture points.

📚 Source: WHO International Standard Terminologies on Traditional Medicine / TCM classics
Liver LV_YANG_RISING

Liver Yang Rising Headache

Liver Yang Rising is a TCM pattern where Liver-Yin is insufficient to anchor Liver-Yang. Yang rises to the head, causing throbbing headache, dizziness, tinnitus, and a red face. Th…

Calm the Liver, subdue Yang, nourish Yin, extinguish Wind
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Spleen SP_QI_DEF

Spleen Qi Deficiency

Spleen Qi Deficiency is one of the most common TCM patterns. The Spleen is responsible for the transformation and transport of food and fluids, and for producing Qi and Blood. In S…

Strengthen Qi and reinforce the Spleen
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Kidney KID_YIN_DEF

Kidney Yin Deficiency

Kidney Yin Deficiency is one of the most fundamental patterns in TCM. The Kidneys store Essence (Jing) and are the root of Yin and Yang of the entire body. Kidney-Yin is the coolin…

Nourish Yin, tonify the Kidneys, reduce empty heat
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Kidney KID_YANG_DEF

Kidney Yang Deficiency

Kidney Yang Deficiency is one of the most fundamental patterns in TCM, especially in the elderly and in chronic diseases. The Kidneys are the root of Yang of the entire body. Kidne…

Warm and tonify Kidney Yang
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Liver LV_QI_STAG

Liver Qi Stagnation

Liver Qi Stagnation is one of the most common TCM patterns, often caused by emotional stress, especially suppressed anger, frustration, and irritation. The Liver is responsible for…

Course the Liver, relieve depression, regulate Qi
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Heart HT_BLOOD_DEF

Heart Blood Deficiency

Heart Blood Deficiency is a TCM pattern where there is insufficient Blood to nourish and calm the Heart. The Heart is the residence of the Shen (spirit), and Blood is the material …

Nourish Blood, Nourish the Heart, Calm the Spirit
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Lung LU_QI_DEF

Lung Qi Deficiency

Lung Qi Deficiency is a TCM pattern where the Lungs have insufficient Qi to perform their functions of regulating breathing, dispersing Wei Qi (defensive Qi) to the skin, and desce…

Tonify Qi, strengthen the surface, strengthen the Spleen, nourish the Lungs
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Phlegm PHLEGM_HEAT

Phlegm-Heat

Phlegm-Heat is a TCM pattern where phlegm (a thick, viscous substance) combines with heat, leading to symptoms such as yellow, thick sputum, red face, thirst, irritability, a red t…

Clear Heat, Transform Phlegm
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Blood BLOOD_STASIS

Blood Stasis

Blood Stasis is a TCM pattern where blood circulation stagnates, leading to stabbing, fixed pain, dark spots, varicose veins, dark menstruation with clots, a purplish tongue, and a…

Activate Blood, Resolve Stasis
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Wind WIND_COLD

Wind-Cold

Wind-Cold is a TCM pattern that occurs when an external pathogenic factor of Wind combined with Cold invades the body through the skin, nose, and lungs. This pattern is the most co…

Release the exterior with pungent-warm herbs
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Heart-Kidney HT_KID_DISH

Heart-Kidney Disharmony

Heart-Kidney Disharmony is a TCM pattern where the physiological interaction between the Heart (fire) and Kidneys (water) is disturbed. Normally, Heart-fire descends to warm the Ki…

Connect Heart and Kidneys, harmonize water and fire
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Liver DAMP_HEAT_LIVER

Damp-Heat in Liver

Liver Damp-Heat is a TCM pattern where dampness and heat accumulate in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. This pattern is characterized by yellowish discoloration of the skin and…

Clear Heat, Drain Dampness, Relieve Jaundice
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Stomach STOMACH_FIRE

Stomach Fire

Stomach Fire is a TCM pattern where excessive fire in the Stomach meridian disrupts the normal functions of the Stomach. This leads to symptoms such as intense thirst, burning sens…

Clear the Stomach, Descend Fire
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Wind WIND_HEAT

Wind-Heat

Wind-Heat is a TCM pattern that occurs when an external pathogenic factor of Wind combined with Heat invades the body through the skin, nose, and lungs. This pattern is a common ca…

Release the exterior with pungent-cool herbs
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Spleen SPLEEN_DAMP

Spleen Damp

Spleen Dampness is a TCM pattern where the transformation and transportation function of the Spleen is disrupted by the accumulation of fluid (dampness). The Spleen is responsible …

Strengthen the Spleen, Drain Dampness
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Heart HT_QI_DEF

Heart Qi Deficiency

Heart Qi deficiency is a lack of vital energy of the Heart, leading to insufficient blood circulation and weakening of mental functions. This syndrome is characterized by palpitati…

Tonify Heart Qi, Nourish Blood, Calm the Spirit (Yi Qi, Yang Xue, An Shen)
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Lung LU_DRYNESS

Lung Dryness

Dry cough, dry throat and thirst. Worsens in autumn.…

Moisten Fluids, expel Dryness.
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Stomach STOMACH_COLD

Stomach Cold

Pain that improves with heat, chills and vomiting of clear fluid.…

Warm the Stomach, expel Cold, stop pain.
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Liver LIVER_BLOOD_DEF

Liver Blood Deficiency

Dizziness, pale face, blurred vision and dry eyes.…

Nourish Liver Blood, brighten eyes.
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Triple Burner TRIPLE_BURNER_DAMP

Triple Burner Damp

General heavy sensation, edema, nausea and white tongue coating.…

Drain Damp, regulate triple burner.
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Showing 1 - 20 of 714 syndromes