Concerned because your Chinese Herbalist has mentioned Liver Qi Stagnation or Heart Blood Deficiency and you have no idea what that means? Here’s a quick look at some basic Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine terminology to help you understand what’s being said without having to learn Chinese.
One of the reasons these terms can be confusing at first is that English language names are used for Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts. Each of the concepts that is translated from the Chinese language as an English language organ or substance that is familiar has a broader and often slightly different meaning in Chinese medicine.
This quick introduction to Traditional Chinese Medical Terminology has barely touched the surface of a very complex system of health care. Just as it is not possible to completely understand everything a physician says in medical speak without study, TCM requires effort to understand.
Source: Wiseman, N & F Ye. A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine.1998.Paradigm Publications.Brookline MA
Photo Credit: Kevin Rosseel