Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
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 Phlegm The concept of Body Fluids
Key attributes
Chinese name: 溢饮 Pinyin name: Yì Yǐn
Pattern nature: Full
Pattern hierarchy: Specific pattern under Phlegm-Fluids
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: No sweat Swollen limbs No desire to drink Urinary difficulty Pain in the muscles and two other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Swollen tongue with sticky white coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Drain Dampness, Phlegm and Fluids
Common formulas: Da Qing Long Tang Xiao Qing Long Tang
Pathology
Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet, a classic Chinese Medicine book written almost 2,000 years ago by Zhang Zhongjing (150-219), defines Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs (Yi Yin) as follows: "The Fluids flow [throughout the entire body] and come together in the four limbs. They should issue as sweat, and when they do not, the entire body aches and [feels] heavy."
This is a description of superficial Oedema with the Fluids constraining Yang Qi in the Interior leading to a sensation of heaviness and aching that is accompanied by generalized irritability and restlessness.
The typical cure for Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs involves the promotion of physiological sweating as it provides a way to get rid of the Fluids.
Diagnosing Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
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): Tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Swollen tongue with sticky white coating
Main symptoms: No sweat Swollen limbs No desire to drink Urinary difficulty Pain in the muscles Feeling of heaviness of body Coughing with copious white sputum
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the heaviness and pain of the body, especially in the limbs.
Treating Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Treatment principle
Drain Dampness, Phlegm and Fluids
Herbal formulas used to treat Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Warms the Lungs. Directs Rebellious Qi downward.
Formula summary
Xiao Qing Long Tang is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Wind-Cold.
Besides Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs, Xiao Qing Long Tang is also used to treat Wind-Cold-Water invading the Lungs or Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm.
Da Qing Long Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Promotes sweating. Releases the Exterior. Clears Interior Heat.
Formula summary
Da Qing Long Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Wind-Cold.
Besides Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs, Da Qing Long Tang is also used to treat Exterior Cold invading with Interior Heat from Stagnation.
Related conditions
Please keep in mind that a Western Medicine condition can be caused by several Chinese Medicine patterns of disharmony and vice versa. As such a patient suffering from one of the conditions below will not necessarily be suffering from Phlegm-Fluids in the limbs, it is just one pattern that's commonly associated with the condition. Click on a condition to learn what other patterns it's associated with.
Conjunctivitis Erysipelas Scarlet fever Septicemia Upper respiratory tract infections Influenza Lobar pneumonia Bronchial asthma Suppurative keratitis Sinusitis Viral pneumonia Pulmonary gangrene Dermatitis Sebaceous cysts Psoriasis