Pattern Empty

Lesser Yin Cold Transformation

Shǎo Yīn Hán Huà 少阴寒化
Affects: Kidney

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Diagnostic Signs

Tongue

Pale and wet tongue with white coating

Pulse

Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)

Causes & Pathology

Common Causes

Pathological Mechanism

This is one of the two patterns of the Lesser Yin stage, the second Yin stage of the Six Stages theory.

The Lesser Yin stage is where the disharmony mainly affects the Kidney Channel.

The Kidneys are considered the root of Yin and Yang in the body. As such, this stage has two patterns, called "Cold transformation" and "Heat transformation" that describe respectively a Kidney Yang Deficiency (with Empty-Cold symptoms) and a Kidney Yin Deficiency (with Empty-Heat symptoms).

This being the "Cold transformation" patterns, the pathology of this pattern is essentially Kidney Yang Deficiency with Empty-Cold symptoms like a feeling of cold, frequent pale urination or diarrhea.

Treatment Approach

Treatment Principle

Tonify Kidney-Yang, expel Cold.

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Pattern Relationships

Can Develop Into

Related TCM Concepts

The six stages theory Cold