Similarities Of Traditional Chinese Medicine And Ayurveda

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda use similar diagnostic procedures. In TCM, a constant flow of qi, which is the life force that flows through our bodies and the universe – is central to good health. When there is
too little, too much, or stagnating qi, illness results. This same basic concept applies to the system of Ayurvedic Medicine, where the human body is viewed as a series of channels and disease is seen as an impairment to the flow of energy
through these channels.

Both TCM and Ayurvedic practitioners perform a series of examinations and observations which include: looking, listening, smelling, asking, and touching. Each symptom means very little by itself, and only when viewed in conjunction with other signs can a proper diagnoses come about.
Both systems base diagnosis on an individual’s body type. TCM bases its analysis of body type on a Yin, Yang theory, which refers to polar opposites in the universe - like hot and cold, dry and damp. TCM practitioners see the body as
a unified whole with opposing aspects-every element, function and feeling has a complementary opposite. They see illness as a result of yin/yang imbalance. A patient possessing Yin (being cold), qualities would exhibit a passive, quiet
manner, whereas a Yang (being hot), individual would show an outwardly aggressive, talkative, irritated manner.

Ayurvedic's classification of an individual's body type is based on Doshas.
All individuals possess three doshas; however, at birth one dosha is usually predominant, and this dosha becomes that individual’s body type throughout their lives. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

A patient with mostly Vata (air-ether) traits could be tall, or short with a
thin frame and prominent bones due to under-developed muscles. Their extremities tend
to be cold, and eyes are small with thin lashes. They suffer from dryness of the skin, eyes
and nails being brittle, they are nervous, active and alert.

Pitta individuals are generally medium height with a moderate weight frame. The skin is soft and warm and not as dry as Vata types and they have sharp and penetrating eyes. Pitta types can be aggressive and intelligent, determined, irritable and at times jealous.
Kapha individuals tend to have large, heavy frames and cool skin, which is
on the pale and oily side. They usually have big attractive eyes with thick lashes
and their minds are calm, slow and receptive. They can be greedy, attached and
self-contented, but also steadfast and loyal.

Appearance also is a factor in TCM, where a strong robust appearance
indicates strong organs, and a weak looking, frail appearance would indicate weak
organs. The order of examination is of the utmost importance and some signs are
far more significant than others in diagnosis, such as the pulse and tongue.

This diagnostic emphasis on the pulse and tongue common to both TCM
and Ayurvedic systems. Both systems believe that the best time to take a pulse
is in the morning when the body is at rest and the pulse is cool. The best time is
before 10 a.m. after expelling stool and urine and before eating.

TCM suggests taking a pulse at the radial artery near the wrist, although it
may be felt at various points of the body. Ayurvedic Medicine also suggests
taking the pulse at the radial artery, but has different points of location on the
wrist for each of the three doshas. Finger positioning is the same in both
systems, where the index, middle and ring finger drape over the top of the wrist
and rest on the underside of the wrist, with the index finger closest to the palm of
the hand.

Both systems distinguish between various types of pulse. In TCM they
are based on speed, width, strength, shape and quality, length, and rhythm. TCM
has about eighteen primary types of pulses which are very important in
determining possible disharmonies.

Ayurvedic Medicine categorizes the different pulses by types of ailments.
For example, an asthmatic individual would have a thin, steady, accelerated,
hard, speedy, intense, hollow pulse that could be felt under all three fingers. By
contrast, an obese person would have a thick, slow pulse which is the same as a
person with excess phlegm in the system. According to Ayurvedic Medicine, a
healthy pulse should be continuously cool and slow in the morning, hot at noon,
and fast in the evening.

In TCM various areas on the wrists correspond with different organs. For
Example, first position on the left wrist corresponds to the heart, but on the right
wrist it corresponds to the lungs, or second position on the left wrist corresponds
to the liver, and on the right it corresponds to the spleen and so on.

This same system of “wrist/organ correspondence” is also true in
Ayurveda, where the three wrist positions reveal the health of twelve different
body organs. This correspondence is possible because certain “meridian” or
energy lines connect the organ energy currents to corresponding wrist positions.

The tongue is another important factor in determining an individual’s
health. In TCM, the tongue’s color is of the utmost importance, a normal tongue
would appear pale red and somewhat moist. A pale tongue would indicate that
there is deficient blood, qi, or excess cold. A red tongue would be a sign of a
heat condition in the body, and scarlet would signify extreme heat. A purple
tongue indicates that qi and blood are not flowing harmoniously and pale purple
signifies an obstruction related to cold. In general, a lack of flow due to cold
makes the tongue appear moist, and a heat condition would result in a dryness of
the tongue.

The coating, fur, or moss on the surface of the tongue is the result of
spleen activity. The tongue moss covers the whole surface or patches of the
surface of the tongue and can vary in thickness, color, texture or general
appearance.

In a healthy individual the density of moss is relatively uniform,
although it may be slightly thicker in the tongue’s center. The moss is thin,
whitish, and moist, and the tongue’s surface can be seen through it. A thin moss
can be normal, but during an illness it may be a sign of deficiency. A very thick
moss is nearly always a sign of excess.

Ayurvedic medicine is very similar its observation of the tongue. The
color, size shape and coating help in diagnostic procedures. A blackish brown
color shows Vata disorders. Yellow, green or reddish colors suggest Pitta
problems in the liver or gall bladder. Kapha problems are revealed by a whitish
color. Blue may suggest heart problems, whereas blue or purple would indicate
stagnation or liver disorders.

The coating of the tongue suggests toxins in the system, e.g. when only a
thin coating is on the tongue, the person is generally healthy. A thick, white
coating indicates Kapha. Thick greasy, yellow or inflamed tongues suggest
fermentation or Pitta conditions.

Both TCM and Ayurveda use the tongue as a map to the diagnosis of
various organs. The specific areas of various “tongue/organ correspondences” are
remarkably similar in both systems of diagnoses e.g. the heart being at the very
tip, the stomach in the middle and kidneys located in the back area of the tongue.

While both tongue and pulse play an important role in determining illness,
other factors such as facial color also need to be considered. In TCM the color of
the face and it’s moistness are closely related to the body’s Qi and blood. The
Nei Jing states that, “all the Qi and Blood of the Meridians pour upward into the
face.” Normal and healthy facial color would appear shiny and moist. White is
associated with disharmonies of deficiency or of Cold, whereas a darkness or
blackness, usually the greatest under the eyes, is associated with deficient kidneys
and congealed blood.

In Ayurveda, facial observation deals mostly with the expressions of
the individual. For example, liver lines between the eyebrows are a sign of
repressed anger, whereas worry lines across the forehead signify excess Vata or
worry, and dark under eye rings suggest a kidney disorder.

Observation of the eyes in diagnoses is also very important to both healing
systems. TCM states that although it is the liver that opens into the eyes, the
health of all the organs is reflected in them because the pure Qi of all the organs,
“pours through the eyes.” Lively eyes indicate that the Qi is uninjured, stiff
“wooden,” inflexible eyes show either a Wind or a deficient condition, and if the
whites of the eyes are red, it is a sign of a Heat condition caused by external
pernicious influences or excess heat of an organ.

Ayurveda believes that the eyes help to show an individual’s dosha, (Vata,
Pitta, or Kapha). Generally, Vata eyes are small and unsteady, Pitta eyes are
sharp and piercing, reddish or bloodshot, and Kapha eyes appear large, wide and
white. Healthy eyes are characterized as, “serene, cheerful, and beautiful.”
Observation of an individual’s secretions and excretions is another
necessary step when diagnosing an illness in both TCM and Ayurveda. In TCM,
the principal secretions and excretions are phlegm, vomit, urine and stool.
Because the physician may see phlegm and vomit, they are considered part
of the “Looking Examination”. Urine and stool are usually discussed with the
patient and are therefore covered in the “Asking Examination”.

The same is true in Ayurveda where by asking and observing, a physician
can gain knowledge of an individual’s constitution through the type of secretions
and excretions they exhibit. By taking all of these signs into consideration,
weighing and comparing them to other signs in the examination, an accurate
diagnoses is eventually attained.

Although TCM and Ayurveda practice many of the same diagnostic
techniques, this thesis also illustrated how each system is distinct through its
discussion of Doshas and Qi. Both TCM and Ayurveda are ancient healing
systems of the East which are finally being valued for their non-invasive
techniques here in the West. In contrast to Allopathic medicine which simply
treats specific symptoms, both Eastern systems view the patient as a unique
individual whose habits and lifestyle must be taken into consideration when
making a diagnosis and prescribing treatment. As a result of this individualized,
holistic approach, both TCM and Ayurveda offer patients a viable alternative to traditional Western medicine.