Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
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 six stages theory
Key attributes
Chinese name: 太阳 蓄水证 Pinyin name: Tài Yáng Xù Shuǐ Zhèng
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Precursor patterns: Bright Yang Stomach Heat Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
Common causes: External pathogenic factor
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Fever Slight thirst Aversion to cold Urinary retention Vomiting of fluids soon after drinking
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Floating (Fu)
Treatment
Treatment principle: Release the Exterior, promote the Bladder’s function of Qi transformation, promote the excretion of Fluids.
Common formulas: Wu Ling San
Pathology
This is one of the four patterns of the Greater Yang stage, the third stage of the Six Stages theory.
In this pattern, on top of being in the Exterior, the External Pathogen has invaded the Bladder.
Symptoms of the Exterior attack include the aversion to cold due to the obstruction of the space between the skin and muscles by Wind: this impairs the circulation of Defensive Qi which cannot fulfill its function of warming the muscles.
The fever is also characteristic of the presence of a Pathogen in the Exterior. Please note that it is not necessarily an actual fever but more the hot feeling of the patient’s skin on palpation, what the Chinese call "heat emission" of the skin.
As for the Bladder invasion, it results in Water not being transformed. This causes retention of urine, thirst and vomiting after drinking.
Concretely when Water isn't transformed in the Bladder, the fluids aren't ascending, which causes thirst. But because the thirst isn't due to a deficiency of fluids, it isn't relieved by drinking.
As for the vomiting, it is caused by the accumulation of Water in the Stomach since the Bladder doesn't process it correctly anymore.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Greater Yang Accumulation of Water can derive from Bright Yang Stomach Heat Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
External pathogenic factor: The main cause of this pattern is when an external pathogen, typically Wind-Cold, has invaded the Exterior
Diagnosing Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
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): Rapid (Shu) or floating (Fu)
Main symptoms: Fever Slight thirst Aversion to cold Urinary retention Vomiting of fluids soon after drinking
Treating Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
Treatment principle
Release the Exterior, promote the Bladder’s function of Qi transformation, promote the excretion of Fluids.
Herbal formulas used to treat Greater Yang Accumulation of Water
Wu Ling San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Formula summary
Wu Ling San is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness.
Besides Greater Yang Accumulation of Water, Wu Ling San is also used to treat Yin Excess or Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing.
Consequence patterns
If left untreated Greater Yang Accumulation of Water can lead to Bright Yang Stomach Heat
Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines
If left untreated Greater Yang Accumulation of Water can lead to Bright Yang Fire in Stomach and Intestines