Collapse of Yang
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of The four levels theory The concept of Yang
Key attributes
Chinese name: 亡阳 Pinyin name: Wáng Yáng
Pattern nature: Empty
Causes
Precursor patterns: Heat in Pericardium Heat in Nutritive Qi level
Common causes: External pathogenic factor
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: No thirst Cold limbs Listlessness Incontinence Loose stools and four other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Scattered (San), Slow (Chi), Hidden (Fu)
Tongue description: Pale-Swollen and Short tongue
Treatment
Treatment principle: Rescue Yang, restore consciousness
Common formulas: Shen Fu Tang Hui Yang Jiu Ji Tang
Pathology
This is one of the five patterns of the Blood level, the fourth and last level of the Four Levels theory. This means this is a very serious pattern where an External Pathogen has penetrated deeply within the body.
Collapse of Yang indicates an extremely severe state of Emptiness. It also implies a complete separation of the Yang from the Yin. Collapse of Yang is often, but not necessarily, followed by death.
The main manifestations are a general feeling of cold, cold limbs, weak breathing, profuse sweating of the forehead with an oily sweat, no thirst, frequent profuse urination or incontinence, loose stools.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Collapse of Yang can derive from Heat in Pericardium Heat in Nutritive Qi level
External pathogenic factor: The main original cause of Heat in Nutritive Qi level is an Exterior Pathogenic Factor (typically Wind-Heat) that has invaded the Interior and progressed to this level.
Diagnosing Collapse of Yang
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Scattered (San), slow (Chi) or hidden (Fu)
Tongue description: Pale-Swollen and Short tongue
Main symptoms: No thirst Cold limbs Listlessness Incontinence Loose stools Feeling of cold Frequent urination Bright-white complexion Profuse sweating on the forehead
Treating Collapse of Yang
Treatment principle
Rescue Yang, restore consciousness
Herbal formulas used to treat Collapse of Yang
Shen Fu Tang
Source date: 1445 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Restores Yang. Strongly tonifies the source Qi. Saves Qi from collapsing due to devastated Yang.
Formula summary
Shen Fu Tang is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1445 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that rescue devastated Yang.
Besides Collapse of Yang, Shen Fu Tang is also used to treat Heart Yang Collapsing.
Hui Yang Jiu Ji Tang
Source date: 1445 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Restores and revives the Yang. Augments the Qi. Revives the pulse.
Formula summary
Hui Yang Jiu Ji Tang is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1445 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that rescue devastated Yang.