Phlegm fluid and static blood are pathological products developed from the disturbance of the Qi and Blood circulation. It causes diseases since they affect the internal organs of the body.
Phlegm Fluid
Phlegm fluid is a type of pathological product due to impairment of water metabolism. It is a major and serious cause of disease in Chinese Medicine.
Phlegm and Fluid are different. While phlegm is turbid and thick, fluid (retained fluid) is clear and dilute.
The Six Climatic Factors (especially dampness), improper diet and the seven emotions can all cause the impairment of the circulation of Qi in the body, leading to the accumulation of phlegm fluid in the body.
The phlegm can be accumulated in different parts of the body. The below are some of the examples.
- Lung – Causes cough with profuse sputum, chest distress, and asthma
- Heart – Palpitation, chest distress or coma, depression, anxiety, dementia
- Stomach and Intestines – Vomiting, nausea, bloating
- Skin and Muscles – Edema, pain and heavy sensation of the body
Chinese Medicine doctors diagnose phlegm fluid by observations of the tongue and pulse of the patient.
Static Blood
Static blood is a result of the stagnation of blood flow.
Qi deficiency, Qi stagnation, and bleeding can lead to the formation of static blood. Qi is the commander of Blood, if Qi is weak or stagnated, it cannot move the blood in our bodies, leading to the stagnation of blood. Therefore when Chinese Medicine doctors treat patients with static blood, they also use herbs that can promote the flow of Qi.
Bleeding can also cause static blood since any traumatic injuries can lead to the failure of blood to disperse.
Static blood can appear anywhere in the body. Below are some of the examples.
- Heart – Oppression in the chest, stabbing pain in the chest area, palpitation, cardiac pain, purplish color of the lips and nails
- Head – Sharp pain in the head, dizziness
- Liver – Stabbing pain in the coastal region which increases with external pressure
- Uterus –
In future articles, I will introduce exercises and diets to reduce phlegm fluid and static blood in your bodies.
Up next I will finish the topic of “Causes of Diseases”. I will introduce all other miscellaneous pathogens that could cause disease.