Greater Yin stage
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 The six stages theory
Key attributes
Chinese name: 太阴 Pinyin name: Tài Yīn
Pattern nature: Empty
Causes
Precursor patterns: Lesser Yang stage
Common causes: External pathogenic factor
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Vomiting Diarrhea No thirst Tiredness No appetite and two other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue description: Pale tongue with sticky white coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Tonify Spleen Yang, expel Cold.
Common formulas: Li Zhong Wan
Pathology
This is the pattern of the Greater Yin stage, the first Yin stage of the Six Stages theory.
At this stage what's mainly affected is the Spleen Channel, often called "Lower Tai Yin".
In terms of symptoms patients typically experience classic signs of Spleen Yang Deficiency with Cold. Symptoms include a feeling cold, a lack of appetite, diarrhea and fatigue.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Greater Yin stage can derive from Lesser Yang stage
External pathogenic factor: The main cause of this pattern is when an external pathogen, typically Wind-Cold, has invaded the body and had progressed in the Interior.
Diagnosing Greater Yin stage
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): Deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo)
Tongue description: Pale tongue with sticky white coating
Main symptoms: Vomiting Diarrhea No thirst Tiredness No appetite Feeling of cold Abdominal fullness
Treating Greater Yin stage
Treatment principle
Tonify Spleen Yang, expel Cold.
Herbal formulas used to treat Greater Yin stage
Li Zhong Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Middle Burner. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Formula summary
Li Zhong Wan is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold.
Besides Greater Yin stage, Li Zhong Wan is also used to treat Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency.
Consequence patterns
Lesser Yin Cold Transformation
If left untreated Greater Yin stage can lead to Lesser Yin Cold Transformation
Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
If left untreated Greater Yin stage can lead to Lesser Yin Heat Transformation