Health deficits
Health deficits such as exhaustion and lack of energy are considered holistically in TCM. This distinguishes TCM from Western medicine in some ways.
The view of the human body is different. For a better understanding, a short introduction to the physiological functionality of the human body and the theory of diseases follows:
Three different "substances" circulate through the body. All three substances should circulate freely through the body. The so-called organ clock, for example, indicates when (at what time) most of the energy is in which organ. If one of the substances stagnates over the long term, there will be health deficits. If there is a lack of one of the substances, this is also expressed in physical symptoms. Interestingly, stagnation or deficiency problems are reflected in the texture, color and coating of the tongue (pulse, tongue and meridian diagnosis).
The blood
Material carrier of Qi, in some respects comparable to the western conception of blood.
When blood stagnates – and almost every woman experiences this – it can lead to sharp pains. With blood stagnation, the veins under the tongue are often swollen. The tongue frequently takes on a purple hue. In cases of anemia, the lips and complexion become pale, and this can result in fatigue.
The juices
Collective term for all body fluids. Divided into cloudy and clear juices. In the body, they moisten muscles and organs, among other things, and can in part be compared to lymph fluid.
If the body's fluids stagnate , edema can develop. With prolonged stagnation, the fluids thicken into mucus. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), cysts, tumors, gallstones, and kidney stones often result from fluid stagnation. Mucus strands appear on the tongue. In cases of fluid deficiency, the tongue is dry and rough. Symptoms can include a dry, irritating cough, dry mucous membranes, and dry skin.
The Qi
The Qi supplies the body with energy and warms the body.
Qi stagnation is a frequently observed symptom. Qi can stagnate in the meridians and organs. When the flow of Qi is blocked, warm energy accumulates, creating heat. Inflammation and stomach ulcers, for example, can result from this. Certain areas of the tongue may be red or cracked. Qi deficiency manifests as a general lack of energy (fatigue, loss of appetite), weak function of individual organs (e.g., digestive problems), or cold extremities.
