Roots of Disease (01:54)

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In modern Chinese, "ji bing" means disease; in ancient Chinese, "ji" depicts a person struck by an arrow and "bing" depicts a person perspiring in bed. External and internal pathogenic factors cause the body to enter a conflict state; disharmony leads to illness.

Six External Causes of Diseases (01:18)

Ancient Chinese doctors viewed the climate as causing disease. Wind, sunlight, summer heat, dampness and coldness are necessary for life, but can imbalance qi in the body when occurring in excess.

Wind (01:44)

The yang pathogen enters the body, which becomes feverish. It can combine with the other five elements to cause wind-dampness and wind-coldness. Dizziness is categorized as a wind disease due to symptoms mimicking wind movement.

Cold (01:34)

The yin pathogen can damage yang energy in the body by contracting and obstructing movement. It can block qi flow in blood and meridians, causing cramping pain. Diarrhea and stomach ache are common cold conditions.

Dampness and Fire (01:23)

Dampness, a yin pathogen, obstructs qi movement, causing heavy and sluggish feelings. Heat causes headaches, dry mouth and thirst, and can damage vessels.

Dryness and Summer Heat (01:34)

The yang pathogens cause dehydration, dry mouth, fever, and heavy sweating. Summer heat can also cause summer heat-wetness, resulting in sticky stool.

Holistic View (01:52)

In contrast to the blind men and elephant parable, TCM sees the body as an entire organism affected by its environment. Cupping removes pathogenic wind from a patient suffering muscle tension.

Defensive Qi (01:52)

Hear why causes, symptoms and outcomes are similar in TCM. Chinese medicine tries to help people adapt and survive in their environment. Acute illness is usually the body attempting to dispel pathogenic influences from the body.

Emotional Disease Factors (04:57)

TCM classifies seven emotions as causing internal disharmony. Hear how excessive joy affects the heart, anger affects the liver, pensiveness affects the spleen, worry and sadness affect the lungs, and fear and fright affect the kidney.

Lifestyle Factors (02:22)

Anything in excess or deficiency can lead to illness, including exercise, work, and sex. Timing of physical activities is important; morning is active "yang" time while evening is quiet "yin" time.

Secret to Health and Longevity (01:39)

The holistic concept views a person as part of the natural and social environment. TCM also takes into consideration prenatal and postnatal factors in disease. Mental and physical harmony are crucial to maintaining health.

Credits: Causes of Disharmony (00:26)

Credits: Causes of Disharmony