• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1397-1402
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• 2008

As eight constitution acupuncture began to be applied in clinics, the acupuncture method and the method of differentiating constitution became widely known. However, no official principles of composing acupuncture prescriptions have been established so far. Therefore, this study examined unique and novel interpretations among a variety of theories on the composition of acupoints of eight constitution medicine. The basic principles of the general formula of unit prescription discussed in the study are that the compatibility and incompatibility of the five elements is acknowledged not in one way but in interactive way, and that when an energy shown in the compatibility and incompatibility chart of five elements is tonified, its two neighboring competible energies are tonified due to the effects of compatibility. On the other hand, two other energies which are incompatible with the energy and exist on the opposite side of it are sedated due to the effect of incompatibility. In contrast, when an energy is sedated, its two neighboring competible energies are sedated while two other energies in incompatible with it are tonified. In addition, eight constitution acupuncture could be explained as a variant of Saam acupuncture. It is unfortunate that there exist no established theory but hypotheses with regard to the composition of acupoints of eight constitution acupuncture. It is expected that young scholars will produce better results if they continue researching eight constitution acupuncture.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.789-798
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• 2009

In Sasang constitutional medicine, I have researched the process of visceral structure in the Eight Constitutionals under circulation of the five elements and the formation of primary source of illness. From this research, I could draw following conclusions through combination of the auxiliary psycho-formulas by applying the constitutional acupuncture therapy on the five elements diagnostic calculation. Since the arrangement for the five dimensions of organs in the eight constitutions has been formulated by circulation of the five elements in Sasang constitutions, if the five elements begin circulating count-clockwise from the reference point at the organs in Sasang constitutional medicine, the positive constitutional arrangement of organs is built up such as, the positive constitution of metal, earth, wood and water, while begin circulating clockwise, the negative constitutional arrangement of organs is formulated, such as the negative constitutions of metal, earth, wood and water. The source of illness results from imbalance of the organic force being generated by transfer of the five elements from compatibility to incompatibility when the five elements circulate. Hence, it has been acknowledged that if the source of illness comes from the strongest organ, it is the time when circulation of the five elements progresses from the second organ (the second strongest) in incompatibility, and if the source of illness comes from the weakest organ, it is the time when circulation of the five elements progresses from the third organ (the middle) in incompatibility. It is considered proper to diagnose meridians of the pericardium and the Triple Burners rather than to diagnose meridians of the heart and the small intestine which forms the visceral arrangement of the eight constitutions. For instance, the auxiliary psycho-formula obtains its prescription by attenuating the first organ (the strongest) while augmenting the fourth organ (the second weakest) when the axis of incompatibility in the five elements circulation crosses the second and the third organs, and it gets its prescription by attenuating the second organ(the second strongest) while augmenting the fifth organ(the weakest) when the axis of incompatibility in the five elements circulation crosses the third and the fourth organs. In addition, when medicating, the $4{\sim}5$ times of repeated performance can be assumed to represent the amount of an energy that each organ bears depending on the phase in the arrangement of the eight constitutional organs.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.41-61
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• 2022

Objectives : This paper aims to examine the clinical meaning of treating with sweet medicinals where acupuncture fails, through studying the verse, "In case of both Yin and Yang deficiency, treat with sweet medicinals" in the Huangdineijing. Methods : Related contents in the chapters 「邪氣藏府病形」, 「根結」, 「終始」, 「經脈」, 「九鍼論」 of the Lingshu were analyzed threefold. The circumstances of the application of the "In case of both Yin and Yang deficiency, treat with sweet medicinals" principle to the late Han East Asian medicine as written in the Shanghanzabinglun were examined, and its meaning was explored. Results : The 'Yin Yang' in the verse could be substituted with the Five Zhang and Six Fu, Blood and Qi, Form and Qi, Form and Jing, Form and Zhi, etc. In patients with deficiency in Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang, we can observe external symptoms such as narrow pulse pattern, symptoms in the throat or below the throat, thirst, and coarse voice. To apply sweet medicinals is to supplement the Jing from food, Spleen and Stomach, Middle Qi and Earth Qi which produces and maintains Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang. Therefore, it is essential in treating disease patterns with deficiency in both Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang, and cannot be substituted with other means of treatment such as acupuncture, moxibustion, and other manipulative therapies. Conclusions : Sweet medicinals were applied in disease patterns with throat thirst and narrow pulse patterns which could not be managed with general acupuncture or moxibustion in the time of the Huangdineijing's publication, as it holds the Earth virtue which could harmoniously supplement the body's Qi, Blood, Yin, and Yang. Later its application broadened, treating various conditions accompanying Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang deficiency, which expanded potential of medicine and contributed to the generalization of drug treatment.