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The 8 Guiding Principles

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), 8 guiding principles known as "Ba Gang" (four sets of two opposites) are used as a diagnostic method to analyze patterns of energetic disharmony. These principles consist of four pairs of opposites (totaling eight):

1) Interior/Exterior (This principle is used to determine whether the condition is caused by an internal or external source)

2) Cold/Heat (This principle is used to determine the overall nature of the imbalance, and if it is associated with cold or heat. A cold condition would be indicated by symptoms such as a slow metabolism or low grade fever. A hot condition would be indicated by a high metabolism, fevers, or a flushed complexion)

3) Excess/Deficiency (This principle is used to determine the strength of an illness. A deficiency would be indicated by a lack, e.g. a lack of energy, lack of fluids, or lack of a required nutrients. Excess is indicated by too much of something)

4) Yin/Yang (This principle is a generalization of the former three principles, and helps determine if a condition can be categorized as being primarily yin or yang. Chronic illness is seen as yin, whereas acute illness is seen as yang)

TCM practitioners diagnose health issues by identifying patterns of distress within these opposites. Used in conjunction with the principles of the five elements, yin/yang, and external/internal causes, these principles provide a complete picture of the energetic state of the patient and help the practitioner determine which TCM treatment(s) would be appropriate.

External and Internal Causes of Disease

In TCM, diseases are classes as either internal or external. Continue on to learn about the "External and Internal Causes of Disease."

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