How External Pathogens Enter the Body

Via the skin, nose, mouth, or acupuncture points
Through Wind Gate (Feng Men: BL12) on upper back
First affect Wei Qi and superficial layers (Tai Yang)

If untreated, may penetrate deeper levels (Yang Ming → Shao Yang → Interior)

Yang in nature, dries fluids and affects Lung
Common in autumn, or from artificial environments (heaters, dry air)

Symptoms

Dry skin, dry throat, dry cough with little sputum
Hoarseness, thirst, constipation

Dry red tongue, thin pulse

Patterns

Warm Dryness: dry mouth + Heat signs
Cool Dryness: chills + dryness

Treatment Principle

Moisten dryness, nourish Lung Yin

Points

LU9, Ren12, SP6, KI6, Ren4

Dryness (Zào 燥)

Only occurs in summer
Yang in extreme — rises, disperses, dries fluids
Can combine with Damp

Symptoms

High fever, sweating, thirst
Dizziness, headache, heavy limbs
Nausea, diarrhea
Scanty dark urine

Treatment Principle

Clear Summer Heat, generate fluids, sometimes transform Damp

Points

DU14, LI11, Ren12, ST36, SP9

Summer Heat
(Shǔ 暑)

Yang in nature rises, dries, disturbs the Shen
Can be external or internal
Can damage fluids and stir up Wind

Symptoms

Fever, thirst, sweating
Red face, red eyes, irritability
Constipation, dark urine
Rapid pulse, red tongue with yellow coat

Patterns

Wind-Heat: sore throat, floating-rapid pulse
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)

Yin in nature: heavy, sticky, persistent
Obstructs Qi and impairs Spleen function
Often combines with Heat or Cold

Symptoms

Feeling of heaviness, fatigue
Sticky, turbid secretions (vaginal discharge, mucus)
Poor appetite, loose stools
Swelling, edema
Slippery pulse, greasy tongue coat

Patterns

Damp-Heat in Lower Jiao: UTI, yellow discharge, burning urination
Damp in Middle Jiao: bloating, diarrhea, fullness

Treatment Principle

Drain Dampness, support Spleen, transform turbidity

Points

SP9, Ren9, ST36, BL22, ST28

Dampness (Shī 湿)

Yang in nature, light and fast-moving
The most common and initiating factor
Often combines with other evils: Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, Wind-Damp

Symptoms

Sudden onset
Migrating symptoms
Aversion to wind or drafts
Itching or rashes
Tremors, spasms, dizziness (Wind affecting Liver)

Patterns

Wind-Cold invasion → fever, chills, body aches, no sweat
Wind-Heat invasion → sore throat, fever, thirst, yellow mucus
Internal Wind → tremor, convulsions, stroke (from Liver pathology

Treatment

Release the Exterior, expel Wind

Points

LU7, LI4, GB20, DU16, BL12

Wind

Yin in nature, contracts and slows movement
Damages Yang and blocks Qi/Blood flow

Symptoms

Chills, cold limbs
Pain relieved by warmth
Absence of sweating or thirst
Clear, copious discharges (urine, nasal)

Patterns

Wind-Cold: chills > fever, tight pulse
Cold in the Stomach: epigastric pain relieved by warmth
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:

The Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) is weak (e.g. due to Lung or Spleen deficiency)
The climate is excessive or sudden
The body is exposed without proper protection (e.g., wet clothing, wind exposure)