Educational terminology
Search traditional observation, pattern and treatment vocabulary. Every entry separates TCM language from biomedical diagnosis and avoids self-treatment instructions.
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Showing all 50 terms.
Foundational concepts
A TCM concept used to organize ideas about activity, function, movement and vitality. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Foundational concepts
A paired framework for describing relatively cooling, moistening and quiet qualities alongside warming, drying and active qualities. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Foundational concepts
A TCM concept that overlaps with, but is not identical to, blood in biomedicine and is used in nourishment and circulation pattern language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Foundational concepts
A traditional concept used in discussions of constitution, development and aging. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Foundational concepts
A TCM concept used when discussing awareness, vitality and emotional presentation. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Foundational concepts
A traditional concept used to describe protective and surface-level functions. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Foundational concepts
A TCM framework for discussing moistening and fluid-related functions. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Foundational concepts
A TCM classification concept for relatively stable individual tendencies. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Observation language
The visible tongue tissue described by color, shape, surface and movement. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Observation language
The visible surface layer described by color, thickness, distribution and texture. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Observation language
A neutral observation such as pink, pale, red, purple or uneven relative to a person’s baseline. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Observation language
A description such as broad, narrow, swollen-looking, scalloped or fissured. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Observation language
Visible veins beneath the tongue that may be described by color and prominence. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Observation language
A broad TCM distinction used to organize relatively strong or depleted pattern presentations. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Observation language
A traditional distinction between an underlying pattern hypothesis and its visible or reported manifestations. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern label often discussed alongside fatigue or reduced functional capacity. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern label that is not equivalent to anemia or a laboratory blood result. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern label used in discussions of constrained movement and stress-related presentations. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern label used for fixed or constrained Blood-pattern language, not a diagnosis of a vascular disorder. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern concept used for heavy, sticky or accumulation-like presentations. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern concept broader than respiratory mucus and used in traditional accumulation language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern concept for relatively warm, active or irritated presentations. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
An intensified form of Heat terminology in TCM theory. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern concept for relatively cooling, slowed or contracted presentations. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM concept used for rapidly changing or movement-like presentations. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM concept used for dry-appearing presentations. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern label used in relatively dry or Heat-like deficiency language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM pattern label used in relatively Cold-like deficiency language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A TCM label for function described as moving in an unexpected direction. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A traditional label used for a more pronounced Qi-deficiency presentation. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A seasonal TCM pattern concept used in hot-weather presentations. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A historical TCM concept for Heat-pattern language thought to persist or reappear. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A combined TCM pattern label joining Dampness and Heat terminology. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A combined TCM pattern label joining Cold and Dampness terminology. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Pattern terminology
A combined TCM pattern label joining Phlegm and Heat terminology. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Treatment principles
A TCM treatment principle intended to support something classified as deficient. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Treatment principles
A TCM treatment principle intended to reduce something classified as excessive. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Treatment principles
A TCM treatment principle associated with Qi-stagnation language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Treatment principles
A TCM treatment principle associated with Blood-stasis language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Treatment principles
A TCM treatment principle associated with Dampness language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Treatment principles
A TCM treatment principle associated with Cold-pattern language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Treatment principles
A TCM treatment principle associated with Heat-pattern language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Treatment principles
A traditional classification of materia medica as Cold, Cool, Warm, Hot or Neutral. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
Treatment principles
A traditional classification of materia medica by pungent, sweet, sour, bitter and salty qualities. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
TCM functional systems
Traditional functional systems whose names overlap with organs but do not map one-to-one to biomedical anatomy. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
TCM functional systems
A TCM functional system used in traditional discussions of circulation and Shen. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
TCM functional systems
A TCM functional system used in traditional discussions of smooth movement and emotional pattern language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
TCM functional systems
A TCM functional system used in traditional digestion and transformation language, distinct from the biomedical spleen. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
TCM functional systems
A TCM functional system used in traditional respiration, surface and fluid-distribution language. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
TCM functional systems
A TCM functional system used in constitution, fluid, Yin–Yang and aging language, distinct from kidney medicine. This is traditional pattern language, not a biomedical diagnosis or a treatment instruction.
No. These terms explain a traditional interpretive framework. A tongue photo and a TCM label cannot establish a biomedical condition or its cause.
Lighting, camera processing, food, drink, oral care, medication, hydration, irritation and normal variation can all change appearance.
No. Do not select herbs, supplements, medicines or therapies from a photo or glossary entry. Product safety and interactions require appropriately qualified review.
Persistent pain, bleeding, significant swelling, a new lump, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or another concerning change needs professional assessment. Breathing difficulty or rapidly increasing swelling is urgent.