Chinese Medicine Glossary: 60 Essential Terms

阿是Ashiā shì

A point that is sensitive or painful to pressure and does not belong to the list of classical points. It is located by palpation and treated because of its local tenderness.

八纲Ba Gangbā gāng

The eight diagnostic principles: interior and exterior, cold and heat, deficiency and excess, yin and yang. They are used to broadly classify a person's condition.

百会Baihui (GV20)bǎi huì

Point 20 of the Du Mai meridian, located at the top of the head. Its name means “hundred meetings,” and it is traditionally used to raise the Qi and calm the mind.

本草Bencaoběn cǎo

Term for materia medica, that is, treatises on medicinal substances. The most famous is Li Shizhen's Bencao Gangmu, from the 16th century.

辨证Bian Zhengbiàn zhèng

Pattern differentiation: the reasoning process by which the practitioner identifies the syndrome or pattern of imbalance from the signs and symptoms.

冲脉Chong Maichōng mài

One of the eight extraordinary meridians, called the “penetrating vessel.” It is traditionally related to the Blood and the menstrual cycle.

带脉Dai Maidài mài

Extraordinary meridian that encircles the waist like a belt. It is the only channel with a horizontal pathway and is said to bind the vertical meridians together.

丹田Dantiandān tián

“Elixir field”: a region of the body where Qi is said to concentrate according to qigong and the Taoist tradition. The most often cited is the lower one, below the navel.

得气Deqidé qì

The sensation of the “arrival of Qi” during acupuncture, described as heaviness, tingling or distension around the needle. It is traditionally considered a sign that the stimulus is adequate.

督脉Du Maidū mài

“Governing vessel,” an extraordinary meridian that runs along the midline of the back and head. It is considered the sea of the yang meridians.

方剂Fangji (formula)fāng jì

A Chinese herbal formula: a combination of several substances in defined proportions. Not to be confused with fangji (防己), the name of a plant.

风Fengfēng

Wind, one of the six pathogenic climatic factors. It is associated with symptoms that appear suddenly, move from place to place or affect the upper part of the body.

腑Fufǔ

Hollow organs of yang nature (Stomach, Intestines, Gallbladder, Bladder and Triple Burner) that receive, transform and eliminate.

刮痧Gua Shaguā shā

A technique that consists of scraping lubricated skin with a smooth-edged tool until temporary reddish marks appear.

寒Hanhán

Cold, a pathogenic factor of yin nature. It is traditionally associated with contraction, pain that improves with warmth and the slowing of functions.

合谷Hegu (LI4)hé gǔ

Point 4 of the Large Intestine meridian, between the thumb and index finger. It is one of the most used points in the tradition for headache and facial pain; it is traditionally avoided during pregnancy.

黄帝内经Huangdi Neijinghuáng dì nèi jīng

“Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor,” the foundational classic of Chinese medicine. It sets out the theories of yin and yang, the five elements and the meridians.

魂Hunhún

The ethereal soul, an aspect of the psyche that the tradition houses in the Liver. It is related to imagination, dreams and the ability to make plans.

火Huohuǒ

Fire. It is one of the five elements, associated with the Heart and summer, and it also refers to an intense pathogenic heat.

津液Jin Yejīn yè

Body fluids: all the fluids of the body other than Blood. Jin are the light, thin ones; Ye, the denser and thicker ones.

精Jingjīng

Essence, a vital substance that the tradition stores in the Kidney. It is said to determine constitution, growth, reproduction and aging.

经络Jing Luojīng luò

The system of meridians and collaterals through which Qi and Blood are said to circulate. In the traditional model, it connects the internal organs with the surface of the body.

君臣佐使Jun Chen Zuo Shijūn chén zuǒ shǐ

The principle of formula composition: emperor, minister, assistant and envoy. It assigns each ingredient a main, supporting, corrective or guiding role.

克Kekè

The controlling or restraining cycle among the five elements: Wood controls Earth, Earth controls Water, Water controls Fire, Fire controls Metal and Metal controls Wood.

六淫Liu Yinliù yín

The six excesses or pathogenic climatic factors: wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness and fire. They are the external causes of disease in traditional theory.

络Luoluò

Collateral or connecting vessels, the finer branches of the main meridians. The term also refers to the points that link a meridian with its paired meridian.

命门Mingmenmìng mén

“Gate of life,” a concept associated with the Kidney and the body's vital fire. It is also the name of a Du Mai point in the lower back.

艾灸Moxaài jiǔ

Dried mugwort (Artemisia argyi) burned near the skin or on needles to apply heat to points. It gives its name to moxibustion.

内关Neiguan (PC6)nèi guān

Point 6 of the Pericardium meridian, on the inner side of the forearm. It is known for its traditional use for nausea and has been the subject of numerous studies.

魄Popò

The corporeal soul, a psychic aspect that the tradition houses in the Lung. It is related to physical sensations and instinctive processes.

气Qiqì

The central concept of Chinese medicine, often translated as vital energy. It refers to what animates, moves, warms and protects the body.

七情Qi Qingqī qíng

The seven emotions: joy, anger, sadness, worry, melancholy, fear and fright. When excessive or prolonged, they are considered internal causes of disease.

气功Qigongqì gōng

A set of practices that combine gentle movement, posture, breathing and attention. Its name means “Qi work.”

热Rerè

Heat, a pathogenic quality of yang nature. It is traditionally associated with redness, thirst, a feeling of heat and restlessness.

任脉Ren Mairèn mài

“Conception vessel,” an extraordinary meridian that runs along the front midline of the body. It is considered the sea of the yin meridians.

三焦San Jiaosān jiāo

Triple Burner, a Fu organ with no specific anatomical form. It is described as three regions of the trunk that coordinate the passage of Qi and fluids.

三阴交Sanyinjiao (SP6)sān yīn jiāo

Point 6 of the Spleen meridian, above the ankle, where three yin meridians intersect. It is traditionally used for gynecological disorders and avoided during pregnancy.

伤寒论Shanghan Lunshāng hán lùn

“Treatise on Cold Damage,” by Zhang Zhongjing. It is a fundamental classic of Chinese herbal medicine and pattern differentiation.

神Shenshén

Spirit or mind, which the tradition houses in the Heart. It encompasses consciousness, thought and the vitality seen in the eyes.

生Shengshēng

The generating cycle among the five elements: Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water and Water generates Wood.

湿Shi (Dampness)shī

Dampness, a heavy and sticky pathogenic factor. It is traditionally associated with a feeling of heaviness, swelling, sluggish digestion and persistent symptoms.

暑Shu (summer heat)shǔ

Summer heat, a seasonal pathogenic factor. It is related to heat exhaustion, intense thirst and profuse sweating.

腧穴Shu (point)shù xué

Acupuncture point: a specific place on the body's surface where, according to tradition, the Qi of the meridian and of the body can be influenced.

太冲Taichong (LR3)tài chōng

Point 3 of the Liver meridian, on the top of the foot. In the tradition it is used to promote the free flow of Qi, often together with Hegu.

太极Taijitài jí

“Supreme ultimate,” the philosophical principle of the unity of yin and yang. It also gives its name to tai chi, a martial art of slow, continuous movements.

痰Tan (Phlegm)tán

Phlegm, a pathological product that forms when fluids are not properly transformed. According to traditional theory, it can be visible, like mucus, or invisible.

推拿Tuinatuī ná

Chinese therapeutic massage. Its name combines two maneuvers, pushing and grasping, and it includes pressing, kneading and mobilization techniques.

卫气Wei Qiwèi qì

Defensive Qi, which circulates on the surface of the body. According to tradition, it protects against external factors and regulates the opening of the pores.

五行Wu Xingwǔ xíng

The five elements or five phases: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. It is a model of relationships applied to organs, seasons, emotions and flavors.

血Xuexuè

Blood. In Chinese medicine it nourishes and moistens the tissues and supports the mind, functions that go beyond anatomical blood.

养生Yang Shengyǎng shēng

“Nourishing life”: a set of self-care and prevention habits that includes diet, rest, exercise, breathing and emotional balance.

意Yiyì

Intention or thought, an aspect of the psyche that the tradition relates to the Spleen. It is associated with concentration, study and memory.

营气Ying Qiyíng qì

Nutritive Qi, which circulates with the Blood inside the vessels and meridians. According to tradition, it is formed from food.

涌泉Yongquan (KI1)yǒng quán

Point 1 of the Kidney meridian, on the sole of the foot. Its name means “gushing spring,” and it is the lowest point of the body in classical point mapping.

元气Yuan Qiyuán qì

Original Qi, derived from the Kidney Essence. In traditional theory it is considered the basis of all the body's activities.

脏Zangzàng

Solid organs of yin nature (Liver, Heart, Spleen, Lung and Kidney, plus the Pericardium) that produce and store the vital substances.

燥Zaozào

Dryness, a pathogenic factor associated with autumn. It is traditionally related to dry skin, lips and throat and to dry cough.

志Zhizhì

Will, an aspect of the psyche that the tradition relates to the Kidney. It is associated with determination, perseverance and long-term memory.

宗气Zong Qizōng qì

Chest Qi or Gathering Qi, formed from inhaled air and the essence of food. It is related to breathing, the voice and circulation.

足三里Zusanli (ST36)zú sān lǐ

Point 36 of the Stomach meridian, below the knee. It is one of the best-known points and is traditionally used for digestion and to tonify Qi.

Health notice. This content is educational and describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine together with the available scientific evidence. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. If symptoms are persistent or severe, consult your doctor. Safety guide.