TCM Basics 101: Root for Illnesses- Six External Factors
Now as we have seen previously, the causes of illnesses can be grouped mainly into 4 categories:
- Six exogenous (external) pathogenic factors
- Seven endogenous (internal) emotional factors
- Non regulation of diet
- Imbalance between rest and work
So let’s touch on a bit about the six exogenous (external) pathogenic factors, shall we?
Our ancestors have grouped the energy in environmental nature into 6 kinds, namely:
Wind(风), Cold（寒）, Summer-heat（暑）, Dampness (湿)，Dryness (燥)， Fire (火).
In fact these are the six climatic factors which correspond to normal seasonal changes. And actually, the growth of all living beings depends on the existence of the six energies. However when the six energies become abnormal or excessive with abrupt changes in environmental conditions, PLUS the body’s resistance is too weak to adapt to the changes, these six energies may become six excesses or unhealthy energies, aka the six exogenous (external) pathogenic factors.
Now when you see a TCM doctor, we will try to identify which of the 6 exogenous factors is the cause for the imbalance in your body, should we already have it assessed that the illness is caused by the 6 external factors. The way to identification is through observation of the presentations of your illness to see which sync with the characteristics of the 6 exogenous factors.
And just to give you a layman cheatsheet, I’ll try to summarise the characteristics of each factor with one keyword:
WIND: CHANGING
Wind is formless and moving all the time. Its very existence comes from movements. Characteristics of illnesses stemming from wind are changing, fast moving.
COLD: COLD (its obvious…)
Cold presentations are in not just in one’s sensations which includes biting (aka pain), but also in all its yin presentations such as pale, dull, immobility, fatigue, sluggish etc
SUMMER-HEAT: HEATY AND HEAVY
Summer heat is a mix of excessive yang and dampness syndrome, including fever as well as feelings from characteristics of dampness such as heaviness and lethargy.
DAMPNESS: HEAVY
I’ll write more about this dampness as it’s a interesting topic and applies for to Asian context.
Read Everything you need to know about Dampness and What is Dampness here.
DRYNESS: DRY (duh)
Dryness and dehydration in all forms, skins, eyes, lips, throat…
FIRE: BURNING
Fire is different from Heat as Fire is the more extreme and unkind and lethal one. It can be presented in the forms of red boils, extreme inflammations such as those seen in Herpes and internally severe gastritis. These examples are not exhaustive.
I know after reading these you will be so excited to try to do self diagnosis or diagnose for your loved ones and friends whenever they are sick, but do note that diagnosis of illnesses is not as simple as you thought. There can be nth number of permutations and combinations for the final diagnosis, and it takes years of practice and clinical experiences to be able to do that. In other words, don’t try to be a doctor yourself. When sick, still go to a professional TCM doctor for help. The information here is just for your own self enrichment and empowerment =)