How External Pathogens Enter the Body
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Via the skin, nose, mouth, or acupuncture points
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Through Wind Gate (Feng Men: BL12) on upper back
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First affect Wei Qi and superficial layers (Tai Yang)
If untreated, may penetrate deeper levels (Yang Ming → Shao Yang → Interior)
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Yang in nature, dries fluids and affects Lung
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Common in autumn, or from artificial environments (heaters, dry air)
Symptoms
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Dry skin, dry throat, dry cough with little sputum
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Hoarseness, thirst, constipation
Dry red tongue, thin pulse
Patterns
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Warm Dryness: dry mouth + Heat signs
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Cool Dryness: chills + dryness
Treatment Principle
Moisten dryness, nourish Lung Yin
Points
LU9, Ren12, SP6, KI6, Ren4
Dryness (Zào 燥)
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Only occurs in summer
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Yang in extreme — rises, disperses, dries fluids
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Can combine with Damp
Symptoms
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High fever, sweating, thirst
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Dizziness, headache, heavy limbs
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Nausea, diarrhea
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Scanty dark urine
Treatment Principle
Clear Summer Heat, generate fluids, sometimes transform Damp
Points
DU14, LI11, Ren12, ST36, SP9
Summer Heat
(Shǔ 暑)
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Yang in nature rises, dries, disturbs the Shen
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Can be external or internal
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Can damage fluids and stir up Wind
Symptoms
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Fever, thirst, sweating
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Red face, red eyes, irritability
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Constipation, dark urine
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Rapid pulse, red tongue with yellow coat
Patterns
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Wind-Heat: sore throat, floating-rapid pulse
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Heat in the Blood: bleeding, rashes
Fire disturbing Shen: insomnia, restlessness
Treatment Principles
Clear Heat, cool Blood, preserve fluids
Points
LI11, DU14, HT8, LR2, SP10
Heat / Fire
(Rè 热 / Huǒ 火)
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Yin in nature: heavy, sticky, persistent
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Obstructs Qi and impairs Spleen function
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Often combines with Heat or Cold
Symptoms
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Feeling of heaviness, fatigue
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Sticky, turbid secretions (vaginal discharge, mucus)
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Poor appetite, loose stools
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Swelling, edema
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Slippery pulse, greasy tongue coat
Patterns
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Damp-Heat in Lower Jiao: UTI, yellow discharge, burning urination
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Damp in Middle Jiao: bloating, diarrhea, fullness
Treatment Principle
Drain Dampness, support Spleen, transform turbidity
Points
SP9, Ren9, ST36, BL22, ST28
Dampness (Shī 湿)
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Yang in nature, light and fast-moving
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The most common and initiating factor
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Often combines with other evils: Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, Wind-Damp
Symptoms
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Sudden onset
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Migrating symptoms
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Aversion to wind or drafts
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Itching or rashes
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Tremors, spasms, dizziness (Wind affecting Liver)
Patterns
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Wind-Cold invasion → fever, chills, body aches, no sweat
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Wind-Heat invasion → sore throat, fever, thirst, yellow mucus
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Internal Wind → tremor, convulsions, stroke (from Liver pathology
Treatment
Release the Exterior, expel Wind
Points
LU7, LI4, GB20, DU16, BL12
Wind
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Yin in nature, contracts and slows movement
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Damages Yang and blocks Qi/Blood flow
Symptoms
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Chills, cold limbs
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Pain relieved by warmth
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Absence of sweating or thirst
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Clear, copious discharges (urine, nasal)
Patterns
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Wind-Cold: chills > fever, tight pulse
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Cold in the Stomach: epigastric pain relieved by warmth
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Cold in Uterus: dysmenorrhea, clots
Treatment
Warm the meridians, expel Cold, tonify Yang
Points
Ren4, Ren6, ST36, DU4, SP10
Cold (Hán 寒)
Exterior Pathogenic Factors
External pathogenic factors (外邪 Wài Xié) are climatic or environmental influences that can invade the body from outside and disturb the balance of Qi, Blood, Body Fluids, and organ systems. These factors are associated with the six climates (六气 Liù Qì) and are also called the six evils (六邪 Liù Xié) when they become pathogenic. Their invasion usually occurs when:
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The Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) is weak (e.g. due to Lung or Spleen deficiency)
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The climate is excessive or sudden
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The body is exposed without proper protection (e.g., wet clothing, wind exposure)
