Tongue diagnosis plays a very important role in the prevention of disease especially in the elderly. Middle-aged and elderly patients often show abnormal signs on the tongue in the absence of any obvious disease. Elderly people often suffer from Internal Wind, Blood stasis, Phlegm, Heat or Yin deficiency or a combination of these. For example, … Read More
Author: Giovanni Maciocia
Chinese Medicine: Sticky and Slippery Tongue Coating
There are two types of greasy coating: one is called ni 膩 which I call “sticky”; the other is hua 滑 which I call “slippery”. The sticky coating is more common than the slippery coating. Both types of coating share a common quality of being greasy. The main difference is that with the sticky coating … Read More
Chinese Medicine: Chest and Breast Area on the Tongue
The “chest” area is on the sides of the tongue, between the centre part and the tip. The chest area reflects a pathology of three organs: heart, lungs or breast in women. Changes in this area to look for are: 1) Changes in colour (usually purple or red) 2) Changes in body shape (usually swollen … Read More
Acupuncture: Sp-4 Gongsun
The meaning of the name of the point SP-4 (Gong Sun) is the subject of much discussion. I have never been convinced by the translation of Gong Sun as “Grandfather-grandson” (or rather grandchild). Besides being the Luo point of the Spleen, SP-4 is also the master point of the Chong Mai.Although the translation of Gong … Read More
Triple Burner and Yuan Qi: Bl-22 and Ren-5 in Chinese Medicine
The location of the points BL-22 Sanjiaoshu above BL-23 Shenshu and of Ren-5 Shimen above Ren-4 Guanyuan is interesting and it presents interesting parallels. This location can be understood only by reference to Chapter 66 of the Classic of Difficulties (Nan Jing). Chapter 66 of this text states: “The Original Qi is the Motive Force … Read More
Spleen-Yin Deficiency in Chinese Medicine
It is often said that the Spleen can suffer only from Yang deficiency: it is true that this is a very common pathology of the Spleen but not the only one. Indeed, the Spleen can suffer from Yin deficiency. A deficiency of Spleen-Yin does not usually occur on its own but it is associated with … Read More
My Favourite Acupuncture Point: G.b.-13 Benshen Spirit Root
a) NaturePoint of the Yang Linking Vessel (Yang Wei Mai). Meeting point of the 3 Yang Muscle channels of the arm.b) Actions- Calms the Mind (Shen) and settles the Ethereal Soul (Hin)- Subdues Liver-Yang- Extinguishes Wind- Resolves Phlegm- Gathers Essence (Jing) to the head- Clears the brain.c) IndicationsManic behaviour, frightHeadache, dizzinessEpilepsy, hemiplegia, convulsionsVomiting of foamy … Read More
Chinese Medicine: Stomach Crack on the Tongue
The Stomach crack on the tongue is rather wide and it is in the central section of the tongue (corresponding to Middle Burner). To contrast and compare the Heart and Stomach cracks, the former is rather narrow and runs all along the tongue from near the root to near the tip, while the latter is … Read More
Giovanni Maciocia’s Favourite Herbal Formula – Gan Mai Da Zao Tang
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang Glycyrrhiza-Triticum-Jujuba Decoction is first mentioned in the Jin Gui Yao Lue by Zhang Zhong Jing (220 AD). It is in chapter 22 “Pulses and Patterns of Complicated Women’s Diseases”. Zhang Zhong Jing says “Women suffering from anxiety are affected by sadness and crying, they are like lost souls [shen ling] … Read More
Acupuncture Clinical Tip – Red Tip of the Tongue
A red tip of the tongue is very common. The tip of the tongue corresponds to the Heart and the Shen and a redness of the tip always indicates emotional stress affecting the Heart: The redder the tip, the more intense the stress. Why is the tip affected? The Heart is affected by all emotions … Read More