Terminal 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: 厥阴 Pinyin name: Jué Yīn
Causes
Precursor patterns: Lesser Yin Cold Transformation Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
Common causes: External pathogenic factor
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Diarrhea Vomiting Cold limbs Persistent thirst Vomiting of roundworms and three other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Treatment
Treatment principle: Clear Heat above, expel Cold below, harmonize the Liver channel.
Common formulas: Wu Mei Wan
Pathology
This is the third Yin stage and consequently the last stage of the Six Stages theory.
At this stage the disharmony is associated with the Pericardium and Liver.
The symptoms are a mix of Heat above (thirst, feeling of energy rising, pain and heat sensation of heart region) and Cold below (no desire to eat, cold limbs, vomiting).
The Terminal Yin pattern is sometimes seen in parasite infections such as roundworms.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Terminal Yin stage can derive from Lesser Yin Cold Transformation Lesser Yin Heat Transformation
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 Terminal 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): Wiry (Xian)
Main symptoms: Diarrhea Vomiting Cold limbs Persistent thirst Vomiting of roundworms Hungry but no desire to eat Feeling of energy rising to the chest Pain and heat sensation in heart region
Treating Terminal Yin stage
Treatment principle
Clear Heat above, expel Cold below, harmonize the Liver channel.
Herbal formulas used to treat Terminal Yin stage
Wu Mei Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Organs. Drains Heat. Calms roundworms. Drains the Liver. Calms the Stomach.
Formula summary
Wu Mei Wan is a 9-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that expel parasites.