Clinically, it is necessary to differentiate the deficiency type from the excess type. Internal retention of phlegm-dampness, blockage by phlegm and blood stasis, and liver qi stagnation are mostly of the excess type, while deficiency of spleen yang and kidney yang and deficiency of liver yin and kidney yin are of the deficiency type. The treatment is based on the principle of invigorating the spleen, revolving phlegm and dispelling dampness. In accordance with different cases, the treatments of clearing away heat, dispersing the stagnant liver qi, normalizing gallbladder function, nourishing the kidney and liver, and activating blood circulation can also be used.
Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment
1. Internal Retention of Phlegm Dampness
Chief Manifestations: Dizziness and blurred vision, irritability, hypochondriac distension with eructation, gastric upset, loose stools with bowel sound, abundant wind from bowels, thin white or thin yellow tongue coating, thready and wiry pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: To dissipate dampness eliminate phlegm, lift lucid yang and lower turbid yin.
2. Blockage by Phlegm and Blood Stasis
Chief Manifestations: Dizziness, distention and heavy sensation of the head or headache, tiredness with preference for sleep, chest distress, cold back, sensation of suffocation, precordial dull pain or stabbing pain which becomes severe in rainy days and muggy days or during the night, fat physique, heavy and numb limbs, dark purple tongue with ecchymosis and greasy coating, unsmooth or wiry and smooth pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: To dissipate phlegm, relieve stagnation, and promote blood circulation to dredge meridians.
3. Stagnation of Liver Qi
Chief Manifestations: Dizziness and blurred vision, irritability, hypochondriac distension with eructation, gastric upset, loose stools with bowel sound, abundant wind from bowels, thin white or thin yellow tongue coating, thready and wiry pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: To soothe liver qi, invigorate the spleen and regulate stomach qi.
4. Deficiency of Spleen Yang and Kidney Yang
Chief Manifestations: Dizziness, tinnitus, deafness, facial edema, swollen limbs, listlessness, cold body and limbs, cold and sore waist and knees, loss of appetite, loose stools, fatigue, impotence, prospermia, hyposexuality, pale swollen tongue with thin and white coating, deep and thready pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: To warm and tonify the spleen and kidney, eliminate dampness and resolve phlegm.
5. Deficiency of Liver Yin and Kidney Yin
Chief Manifestations: Dizziness, heavy head and light feet, dry eyes, blurred vision, tinnitus, hypoacusis, dreamful sleep, dry mouth and throat, feverish sensation of the palms, soles and chest, sore and weak knees and loins, tremulous and numb limbs, emaciation, debility, red tongue with little coating or with fissures, thready, rapid and weak pulse.
Therapeutic Methods: To nourish yin, suppress yang and promote blood circulation.