TCM Basics
Core concepts like Yin-Yang, Five Elements, Qi, and the organ systems.
49 articles · Page 2 of 5
TCM Pathology: How Disease Develops — The Battle Between Zheng Qi and Xie Qi
Understand how Traditional Chinese Medicine explains the development of disease through the conflict between Zheng Qi (upright Qi) and Xie Qi (pathogenic Qi), and why some people get sick while others stay well.
The Holistic Concept in TCM (整体观念): Why Chinese Medicine Treats the Whole Person, Not Just the Disease
Understand the foundational TCM principle of holism (整体观念) — how the body is an interconnected whole, humans and nature are unified, and treatment addresses the complete person rather than isolated symptoms.
The Three Causes of Disease in TCM (三因学说): Understanding How Illness Begins
Learn about the TCM Three Causes theory (三因学说) — external causes (six pathogens), internal causes (seven emotions), and neither-internal-nor-external causes (diet, lifestyle, trauma). Understand how TCM explains why we get sick.
TCM Four Levels Pattern Identification (卫气营血辨证): Understanding the Progression of Warm Diseases
Learn about the Four Levels (Wei, Qi, Ying, Xue) pattern identification system in TCM — a diagnostic framework for warm diseases that tracks pathogenic heat from the surface to deep organ damage, guiding stage-appropriate treatment.
TCM Three Jiao Pattern Identification (三焦辨证): Diagnosing Damp-Warm Diseases by Upper, Middle, and Lower Body
Learn about the Three Jiao (三焦) pattern identification system — a TCM diagnostic framework for damp-warm diseases that tracks pathogenic damp-heat through the Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao, guiding stage-appropriate treatment.
TCM Acupressure Self-Care: A Practical Guide to Treating Common Ailments at Home
Learn practical acupressure techniques you can use at home for headaches, nausea, insomnia, neck pain, digestive discomfort, and stress relief — with clear instructions for finding and stimulating the most effective points.
Yuan Qi (元气): Original Qi — The Deepest Source of Vitality in TCM
Understand Yuan Qi (Original Qi) — the most fundamental energy in TCM derived from parental essence, stored in the Kidney, and responsible for growth, reproduction, aging, and the body's deepest vital functions.
TCM Medicinal Wine (药酒): Healing Infusions of Herbs in Alcohol
Discover the ancient TCM practice of medicinal wine — steeping herbs in alcohol to extract and deliver healing compounds. Learn how Yao Jiu works, common recipes for joint pain, vitality, and circulation, and how to use them safely.
TCM Sleep Theory: How Yin-Yang Cycles, Wei Qi, and the Heart Govern Your Sleep
Understand how Traditional Chinese Medicine explains the sleep-wake cycle through the movement of Wei Qi, Yin-Yang alternation, and Heart-Shen regulation — and why sleeping before 11 PM is essential for health.
The Eight Extraordinary Vessels in TCM: Du, Ren, Chong, Dai, Qiao, and Wei Meridians
Explore the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai) in Traditional Chinese Medicine — deep reservoir meridians that store excess Qi and Blood, regulate the twelve regular channels, and provide advanced treatment pathways.