Protective Qi Deficiency

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 Qi The concept of Deficiency / Empty

Key attributes

Chinese name: 卫气虚 Pinyin name: Wèi Qì Xū

Pattern nature: Empty

Pattern hierarchy: Specific pattern under Qi Deficiency

Causes

Common causes: 1. chronic illnesses, 2. Poor Lung condition

Diagnosis

Common symptoms: Pale tongue Recurrent colds Bright-pale face Spontaneous sweating

Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu), Soggy (Ru)

Tongue coating: Thin white coating

Tongue color: Pale

Treatment

Treatment principle: Strengthen the Qi, stabilize the Exterior, stop sweating

Common formulas: Yu Ping Feng San

Pathology

This pattern is characterized by a weakness in the body's external defenses due to a Deficiency in Protective Qi. The Lungs, which govern qi, skin, and body hair, play a crucial role in guarding the body against pathogenic influences by controlling the protective qi. They regulate the opening and closing of the interstices and pores on the skin.

In this pattern, weak Lung qi fails to stabilize the body's superficial aspects, leading to improperly closed interstices and pores. This manifests as spontaneous sweating and an aversion to drafts, indicating the body's vulnerability to external pathogenic influences, such as recurrent colds.

The patient typically presents with a shiny, pale complexion and a pale tongue, both indicative of Qi Deficiency. The pulse in this condition is floating, deficient, and soft, reflecting the weakened state of the body's energy, particularly at the superficial level. This pattern underscores the need for treatments that strengthen the protective qi and enhance the body's external defenses.

Causes

chronic illnesses: chronic illnesses or long-term conditions deplete the body's energy

Poor Lung condition: Factors such as long term lung disease or smoking can weaken Lung Qi.

Diagnosing Protective Qi Deficiency

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): Empty (Xu), floating (Fu) or soggy (Ru)

Tongue coating: Thin white coating

Tongue color: Pale

Main symptoms: Pale tongue Recurrent colds Bright-pale face Spontaneous sweating

Diagnosis commentary: Spontaneous sweating, recurrent colds and pale complexion and floating, deficient, and soft pulse.