Directing and Penetrating vessels Deficiency with Empty Cold
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of Directing Vessel The concept of Penetrating Vessel The concept of Deficiency / Empty The concept of Cold pattern
Key attributes
Chinese name: 冲任虚寒 Pinyin name: Chōng Rèn Xū Hán
Pattern nature: Empty
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Dark clots in menstrual blood Lower abdominal pain released afer passing clots Persistent uterine bleeding of purple or dark blood
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
Treatment
Treatment principle: Warming the Conception and Penetrating vessels, nourish Blood, dispels stasis to restore normal menstrual function.
Common formulas: Zhen Ling Dan
Pathology
This pattern involves a Deficiency in the Directing (Ren) and Penetrating (Chong) vessels, leading to a disruption in the regulation of blood. Key characteristics of this pattern include:
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Uterine Bleeding: The Deficiency in these vessels causes Cold to penetrate, leading to Blood straying from its normal channels. This results in continuous vaginal bleeding characterized by purplish blood and clots.
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Blood Stasis in the Lower Burner: The misdirected Blood accumulates in the Lower Burner, leading to stasis. This stasis manifests as lower abdominal pain and tenderness.
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Temporary Relief with Clot Passage: The expulsion of blood clots leads to a temporary unblocking of Qi in the lower abdomen, resulting in transient pain relief.
This pattern reflects a complex interplay of Deficient energy and Cold leading to Blood Stagnation, primarily impacting the Uterus and the associated meridians.
Diagnosing Directing and Penetrating vessels Deficiency with Empty Cold
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
Main symptoms: Dark clots in menstrual blood Lower abdominal pain released afer passing clots Persistent uterine bleeding of purple or dark blood
Diagnosis commentary: continuous vaginal bleeding with purplish clots, lower abdominal pain, a dark-purple tongue with spots, and a wiry yet submerged and thin pulse.
Treating Directing and Penetrating vessels Deficiency with Empty Cold
Treatment principle
Warming the Conception and Penetrating vessels, nourish Blood, dispels stasis to restore normal menstrual function.
Herbal formulas used to treat Directing and Penetrating vessels Deficiency with Empty Cold
Zhen Ling Dan
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Stabilizes uterine bleeding . Clears Blood Stagnation .
Formula summary
Zhen Ling Dan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that secure irregular uterine bleeding and stop vaginal discharge.