The theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements is China's ancient philosophical theory. In ancient times, this theory was widely used in various fields. The ancients used it to explain various natural or social phenomena, involving astronomy, geography, calendar, agriculture, medicine and many other fields. Among them, it is the most widely used and successful in the theoretical framework of ancient medicine in China. Because in traditional Chinese medicine, the theory of yin-yang and five elements is not only regarded as the main reasoning tool of traditional Chinese medicine theory, but also widely used in clinical diagnosis and treatment, giving it extremely rich practical content. Since the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements has been widely used in discussing medical theories in Neijing, it has been tested by clinical practice on the one hand, and has been enriched and developed in a large number of clinical practices on the other hand, and is still guiding the clinical diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine. However, for a long time, there has been a great controversy about the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements in TCM, especially for the theory of Five Elements, the voice of abolition has been heard from time to time, some have proposed to break the framework of the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements, and some have thought that the theory has two major weaknesses: mystery and fuzziness. Therefore, the discussion of this theory is related to the scientific nature of traditional Chinese medicine and the major issues of its development.

1. Application of Yin and Yang Theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine

1, application example

Under the guidance of the theory of Yin and Yang, TCM holds that the human body and everything in the universe have different Yin and Yang attributes and the relationship of "unity of opposites". For example, "Su Wen? Yin and yang should be like a big theory: "Yin and yang are the way of heaven and earth, the discipline of all things, the parents of change, the foundation of life and death, and the home of all gods." "

(1) Physiology: In traditional Chinese medicine, various anatomical, physiological and functional phenomena of the human body are expounded by using the theory of Yin and Yang. For example, Neijing puts forward that "life is tangible and cannot be separated from Yin and Yang" and "life is based on Yin and Yang". Generally speaking, the function of the human body is mostly yang, and the essence of the body is mostly yin, that is, "Su Wen" is just like "Anger to Heaven": "Yang turns into qi and Yin into shape". Physiological structure can be divided into yin and yang, and functional activities also include yin and yang. Here are some examples of its contents:

Yang and yin

The upper and lower parts of physiological tissue structure

Inside and outside the body

Trunk back, chest and abdomen

Lateral and medial limbs

Zang fu organs and six fu organs (each of which contains yin and yang) and five internal organs (each of which contains yin and yang)

Meridian, hand and foot, three yang, hand and foot, three yin

Qi, blood, body fluid, qi (defensive qi, lung qi, temper, stomach qi, heart qi, etc. ), blood and body fluids.

Functional activities rise and fall.

State hyperactivity, divergence, stagnation and convergence

Dynamic and static

Its main function is to protect yang and strengthen external fixation;

Yang is outside, so is Yin. Yin people are also eager to hide essence;

Yin contains something, and Yang keeps it.

(2) Pathology: In traditional Chinese medicine, Yin-Yang theory is widely used to analyze various pathological phenomena, among which Yin-Yang syndrome differentiation is regarded as the general outline of various syndrome differentiation methods in traditional Chinese medicine. At the same time, pathological analysis was carried out from the analysis of yang deficiency and yin deficiency of the whole body and the deficiency and excess of various viscera. Such as "Yang wins is hot, Yin wins is cold".

Yang and yin

Yang syndrome and yin syndrome refer to pathological changes such as hyperactivity of yang, hyperactivity, intense heat and consumption of yin fluid. Yin syndrome refers to pathological manifestations: deficiency of yang, low function, excessive yin, obvious cold symptoms and other diseases.

Red face, restless, red tongue, yellow or black fur. Pale or dim complexion, listless, listless, speechless, pale and fat tongue, white and moist fur.

Smelling sound is heavy, breathing is heavy, or there is phlegm and wheezing. I have a low voice, weak breath and shortness of breath.

Ask about aversion to heat, upset, thirst for cold drinks, abdominal distension and pain, constipation, short and red urine, etc. Ask about aversion to cold and warm, light mouth but not thirst, abdominal cold pain, loose stool, long urine, etc.

The skin is burning, the abdomen is hard and full, and the pulse is strong. Cold limbs, soft abdomen and weak pulse.

Deficiency syndrome: hot flashes, red cheekbones, fever of hands and feet, night sweats, dry mouth, dizziness and tinnitus, disturbed nocturnal emission, rapid pulse and red tongue. Chills, cold limbs, pale complexion, pale lips and tongue, listlessness, frequent urination, loose stool, or asthma and cough, edema, weak pulse and light and fat tongue.

Syndrome differentiation of viscera yin and yang

Heart-yang deficiency: palpitation, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chills, cold limbs, pale face, vain, pale and fat tongue, and thready pulse. Heart-yin deficiency: palpitation, insomnia or dreaminess, fever, hot flashes, night sweats, dry mouth and throat, red tongue with scanty fluid, and scanty pulse due to coating.

Yang deficiency of lung and lung: cough and asthma, shortness of breath, thin phlegm, pale complexion, low voice, pale tongue with white fur and weak pulse. Yin deficiency of lung: dry cough with no phlegm, or little but sticky phlegm, dry mouth and throat, hoarseness, emaciation, hot flashes and bone steaming, five restlessness and fever, night sweats, red tongue with little coating, and rapid pulse.

Spleen yang deficiency: abdominal distension and abdominal pain, warm pressure, loose stool, pale mouth without thirst, cold limbs, light and fat tongue, white and smooth fur, and slow pulse. Deficiency of spleen and yin: abdominal distension, anorexia, aggravation after eating, constipation, emaciation, dry skin, fever in hands and feet, dry mouth and red lips, red tongue with little coating, rapid pulse or weakness.

Stomach yang deficiency: epigastric pain, preference for warm pressure, loss of appetite, pale mouth without thirst, pale complexion, cold limbs, fatigue, lack of breath and laziness, pale tongue with white fur and slow and weak pulse. Deficiency of stomach yin: heartburn, dull pain, hunger, upset, dry mouth, alcoholism, constipation, or retching, hiccup, red tongue with little coating, thin tongue body and rapid pulse.

Yang deficiency of liver and liver: chest and hypochondriac traction pain, or involving less abdomen and testicles, mild temperature, severe cold, cold limbs, retching or spitting, pale tongue with white fur, and deep and thin pulse. Yin deficiency of liver: dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, red face, hypochondriac pain or burning sensation, hot flashes and night sweats, fever of five senses, dry mouth and throat, red tongue with little coating, and rapid pulse.

Kidney-yang deficiency: weakness of waist and knees, chills in limbs, long urination, frequent urination at night, dizziness, fatigue, pale or dull complexion, or impotence, frequent and sparse leucorrhea, decreased libido, edema of lower limbs, white and slippery fur and weak pulse. Kidney yin deficiency: soreness of waist and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, easy yang, amenorrhea or metrorrhagia, thin tidal fever, vexation and night sweats, insomnia and dreaminess, red cheekbones, hot heart, dry mouth and throat, dry stool, red tongue with little coating, and rapid pulse.

(3) The application of Yin-Yang theory in pharmacology.

In the theory and application of traditional Chinese medicine, it is also guided by the theory of yin and yang.

The medicine tastes cold, bitter, sour and salty, and has a strong taste.

Positive fever, warm nature, pungent and sweet taste, light taste.

The properties of drugs are yin deposition, clearing fire, attacking, nourishing yin and inhibiting.

Yang qi rises, diverges, rises, yang qi warms and excites.

The transformation of drug action is that yin is yang and Chongyang is yin.

(4) Application in diagnostics

In Neijing, it is put forward that "those who are good at diagnosis, look at the color and pulse, distinguish yin and yang first", that is, the diagnosis outline is to distinguish yin and yang. In the process of syndrome differentiation, yin and yang are the general principles of syndrome differentiation.

Yin syndrome differentiation of the eight cardinal principles includes interior syndrome, cold syndrome and deficiency syndrome.

Yang includes exterior syndrome, heat syndrome and positive syndrome.

The guiding ideology of diagnosis is that people who are good at diagnosis should look at the color and pulse, and say goodbye to yin and yang first.

Pulse diagnosis has yin and yang, those who know yang know yin, and those who know yin know yang.

(5) Application in the treatment plan

Neijing proposed that the ultimate goal of treatment is to adjust the yin and yang of the human body. For example, it is proposed that "Yin and Yang should be fine-tuned and the cycle should wait". But in practical application, it changes endlessly.

The guiding ideology of treatment is to observe the position of yin and yang and adjust it for a period of time.

Rule yin and yang by law, combine rigidity with softness, treat yin with yang disease, and treat yang with yin disease.

Guidance and defense are born in yin and yang, and if they are contrary, they will die. If you go against it, you will be cured, and if you go against it, you will die.

Guide health preservation, grasp yin and yang, harmony between yin and yang, and learn from yin and yang.

Using Yin-Yang theory to analyze various phenomena in medicine is not only limited to distinguishing the Yin-Yang properties of things, but also can further analyze the Yin-Yang properties of things at different levels. For example, Yin can be divided into Yin and Yang, Yang has Yin, and Yin has Yang, which is endless.

At the same time, there are many discussions about the relationship between Yin and Yang in TCM. Physiologically, for example, Yang gives birth to Yin, Yang gives birth, Yin and Pingyang are the secrets, and the spirit is the cure. In the pathological analysis, it is suggested that yin prevails over yang, yang prevails over yin, and yang destroys yin. In the treatment, it is suggested that seeking yang from yin and seeking yin from yang.

2. The application characteristics of Yin-Yang theory in TCM.

When applying the theory of Yin and Yang, TCM has endowed many new connotations on the original basis, making its content more substantial and rich. Obviously, it is not how to distinguish yin and yang, but how to analyze the relationship between opposites and put forward the theory that yin and yang are mutually rooted and grow. The following is the analysis:

(1) emphasizes the yin-yang attribute: the yin-yang attribute of TCM is not a simple unity of opposites, not to mention the so-called "one divides into two", but a very strict attribute with specific meaning. Take nature as an example, the sky is Yang, the earth is Yin, the sun is Yang, the moon is Yin, the fire is Yang, the water is Yin, the heat is Yang, the cold is Yin, the male (male) is Yang, the female (female) is Yin, and so on. As far as the human body is concerned, organic matter belongs to yin, function belongs to yang, functional yin stagnation belongs to yin, functional ADHD belongs to yang, and so on. As far as drugs are concerned, the warmth belongs to Yang, the coldness belongs to Yin, the ascending effect belongs to Yang, the descending effect belongs to Yin, the exciting effect belongs to Yang, the inhibiting effect belongs to Yin, and so on. These divisions of yin and yang have obvious differences in attributes, and they must not be exchanged casually. Some people think that this is the limitation of Yin-Yang theory, but it is actually one of the advantages of this theory. Because the two sides of the unity of opposites are unequal, they often have differences in attributes, so it is very appropriate to analyze this difference with the theory of Yin and Yang.

(2) Highlighting that there is Yang in Yin and Yin in Yang: There is a prominent place in Chinese medicine's understanding of Yin and Yang, that is, Yin and Yang are not mechanical, flat and rigid, but dynamic, three-dimensional and flexible. Although the nature of yin and yang is strict, there is yang in yin and yin in yang. The most typical embodiment of this idea is the Taiji diagram in ancient China:

The picture fully shows that there is yang in yin and yin in yang.

(3) Show the levels of Yin and Yang: Yin and Yang theory is widely used in Chinese medicine, and its concept is sometimes very broad and sometimes very narrow, that is, Yin and Yang Can's theory are used at different levels. For example, according to the theory of zang-fu organs, the zang-fu organs belong to Yang, but the back is Yang, the heart is Yang in Yang, the back is Yang, and the lungs are Yin in Yang. Heart is divided into heart yin and heart yang. visible

(4) Yin and Yang are interdependent: Yin and Yang are inseparable. Neijing puts forward that "solitary yang is not born, solitary yin is not long", and that yin and yang are interdependent, that is, the so-called "yin and yang are mutually rooted" For example, a person's body belongs to yin and functional activities belong to yang, both of which are indispensable.

(5) Interaction between Yin and Yang: The relationship between Yin and Yang is not a simple unity of opposites. The two sides are constantly interacting and changing, maintaining a dynamic balance. If this balance is broken, there will be morbidity, that is, "Su Wen? Yin and yang should be like a big theory: "Yin wins is Yang disease" and "Yang wins is Yin disease". The purpose of treatment is to restore this dynamic balance. This interdependent relationship between Yin and Yang highlights the ancient people's understanding of the integrity of the human body, and has profound insights into the unity of form and spirit, organization and function, the unity of viscera and meridians, and the unity of the inside and outside of the human body.

Second, the application of five elements theory in traditional Chinese medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine mainly uses the theory of five elements to explain the relationship between various things, especially the relationship between their components in a whole. These relationships are very important in the physiological activities of human body, even in the pathological process, and mastering these relationships is of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of traditional Chinese medicine.

1 and the application examples of five elements theory in traditional Chinese medicine

Wuxing Jin Mu shuihuotu

Five internal organs, lung, liver, kidney, heart and spleen.

Six fu organs, large intestine, gallbladder, bladder, small intestine and stomach

Five qi dryness, wind chill and summer dampness

Five orifices: nose, eyes, ears, tongue and mouth.

Five-body fur, tendons, bones and veins

Five aims: worry, anger, fear and happiness.

Bitter, bitter and sweet.

Wuyin Shangjiao JUNG WOO Palace

Five songs of crying, moaning and laughing

White, blue, black, red and yellow.

Direction: west, east, north, south and middle.

Biochemical harvest and storage extension

Season autumn spring winter summer long summer.

2. Characteristics of the application of the Five Elements Theory in TCM: The Five Elements Theory is mainly used to explain the relationship between zang-fu organs in TCM. As a thing, the things it affects and is affected can be summarized into four aspects, namely, "I am born, I am born, I am gram, I am gram". It is isomorphic with "I" * * * to form five relationships, thus reflecting the mutual relationship between all things. This is the essence of the Five Elements Theory, which makes the five relationships form a "stable structure". The relationship between them is as follows:

wood

(five elements) have the relationship of mutual promotion/mutual production.

Fire and water meet each other

Jintu

In the medical field, the theory of five elements is widely used to analyze the physiological relationship between zang-fu organs and tissues, such as spleen and stomach transporting body fluid to the lung, and lung yin is supplemented by stomach yin, which is called "primary gold". The spleen and stomach are called "mother" and the lungs are called "son", which is a mother-child relationship.

At the same time, the theory of five elements can also be used to analyze the transmission and change of disease process and the influence of one zang-fu disease on other zang-fu. Excessive liver qi can invade the spleen and stomach and affect the transport function of the spleen and stomach, which is called "Mu Ke Tu".

In diagnosis, the theory of five elements is often used to analyze the condition. For example, patients with spleen disease have yellow complexion, which is their true color, but if their complexion is gray-black, it is kidney color, indicating that the water is contrary to the soil and the condition is serious.

In treatment, it is often guided by the theory of five elements. Such as "replenishing soil to generate gold", "supporting soil to suppress wood" and "purging the south to replenish the north (tonifying kidney and clearing heart)".

Thirdly, discuss the limitations of the ancient theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements.

Of course, when we study the ancient theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements, we should also hold the attitude of critical inheritance. We should not only affirm its essence seriously, but also pay attention to some contents neglected by modern philosophy, thus playing a role in the development of modern philosophy, but we can't think that everything of the ancients is truth.

1. Limitations of Yin-Yang theory: Yin-Yang theory is mainly used to analyze the relationship between two aspects of unity of opposites, but sometimes things that do not necessarily have the relationship of unity of opposites are also analyzed by Yin-Yang. For example, the ancients said that the sun is yang and the moon is yin, which does have its typical side in terms of its yin and yang attributes, but if the relationship between yin and yang is applied to the relationship between the sun and the moon, some wrong conclusions will be drawn.

Another example is that some contradictions are difficult to explain by yin and yang. For example, in the process of disease, healthy qi and evil qi are a pair of contradictions, but it is impossible to specify which is yin and which is yang.

Therefore, it is sometimes inappropriate to analyze all the relations of unity of opposites with the theory of Yin and Yang.

2. Limitations of the Five Elements Theory: The Five Elements Theory lists the relationships of various things as five elements. Although it can be regarded as a steady-state system, in many cases, especially in the medical field, the relationship between various factors is more complicated, and sometimes it can not be summarized as "five", so there are also "seven emotions", "six evils" and "six fu organs" that do not follow the "five". At the same time, the relationship between the five elements is not absolute and fixed. In fact, in the medical field, whether the relationship between the five elements is established has not been calculated, but there is a certain relationship between actual physiology and clinic, and then it is explained by the theory of the five elements. For example, "Liver-mother overcomes soil" is a clinical phenomenon of liver-qi stagnation, and soothing the liver and relieving depression is helpful to spleen and stomach transport, thus obtaining the relationship between liver-mother and soil in five elements. It is rare to determine some interrelationships only by inferring the relationship between the five elements if it is not confirmed physiologically or clinically. As for a few people who are divorced from clinical practice and use the relationship between yin and yang and five elements to deduce mechanically, it actually deviates from the true meaning of yin and yang theory and does not represent yin and yang theory and five elements theory itself. .

As for the application of the theory of yin-yang and five elements in divination and other fields, this theory has gone astray. The theory of yin-yang and five elements used in traditional Chinese medicine has scientific basis, because it endows medicine with content. Of course, the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements is sometimes shrouded in mystery, which makes many people, especially those who have not systematically studied Chinese medicine, skeptical about it. Some people suggest that the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements is a speculative theory, not a mature scientific theory, but they just forget that the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements is based on clinical practice and can not be deduced by one person sitting in a room. Therefore, when we understand the limitations of the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements, we should not exaggerate its limitations unilaterally or even draw unscientific conclusions arbitrarily.

Fourthly, the comparison between the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements and modern philosophy.

As can be seen from the above discussion, the theory of yin-yang and five elements, as a basic reasoning tool of traditional Chinese medicine, has rich connotations. Although modern philosophy developed on the basis of ancient philosophy (including China's ancient philosophy), it should fully absorb the essence of ancient philosophy, but because the modern philosophy system basically developed from the western philosophy system, it did not fully absorb the essence of China's ancient philosophy in the modern philosophy system, especially because the west is more unfamiliar with Chinese medicine, so it is far from absorbing the philosophical thoughts of Chinese medicine. Therefore, it is necessary for modern philosophy to further absorb the essence of China's traditional medical philosophy, so as to upgrade the modern philosophy system to a higher level and make China's ancient philosophy play a more brilliant role. On the other hand, we should also absorb modern scientific theories to further enrich and develop the ancient theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements. There are many theories in modern scientific theory, such as materialist dialectics, cybernetics, system theory, dissipative structure theory, etc., which have some initial manifestations in the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements. In order to make the ancient theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements better applied to medicine, we should make the traditional theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements absorb the advantages of modern scientific theory. To sum up, the discussion of the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements in TCM should be based on close contact with the clinical practice of TCM, otherwise it is impossible to touch its essence and naturally reveal its rational and scientific core. At the same time, we should seriously absorb modern scientific theories and promote the development of the theory of Yin-Yang and Five Elements in TCM, which will certainly promote a great leap in TCM theory.