Treatment of Goiters, January 13, 1978

Treatment of Goiters, January 13, 1978

Goiter represents yang, while tumor represents yin. Goiter is the traditional Chinese medical term for thyroid tumors. Goiters are red and protrude prominently, whereas tumors are pale and spread flatly. Although goiters occur locally, they are closely related to the entire body’s organs. The liver governs the tendons, so goiters with abundant blue veins are called tendon goiters, treated with Qing Gan Xiao Ying Tang (the mnemonic for this formula is: Qing Lu Kun Jie Si Hai Ya Huang). The heart governs the blood, so goiters with extensive blood vessels are called blood goiters, treated with Xie Xin Xiao Ying Tang (the mnemonic for this formula is: Si Mu Huang Di Huang Yang Cao). The lungs govern the qi, so goiters that expand and contract with the breath are called qi goiters, treated with Tong Qi San Jian Tang (the mnemonic for this formula is: Xiang Sha Liu Jun Ren Gui Dong, Zhi Mu Huang Bai Jia Di Long). The kidneys govern the bones, so goiters that feel as hard as bone are called bone goiters, treated with Tiao Yuan Shen Qi Tang (the mnemonic for this formula is: Chen Mu Xiang Yao Gui Pi Tang). The spleen governs the flesh, so goiters accompanied by muscle atrophy are called flesh goiters, treated with Shun Qi Gui Pi Wan. In addition to these five types of goiters, the basic formula for treating goiters is Hai Zao Yu Hu Wan (the mnemonic for this formula is: Hai Hai Du Qiao Cao, Dang Chuan Xia Er Pi), with the composition including Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong, Ban Xia, Qing Chen Pi, Hai Zao, Kun Bu, Hai Dai, Du Huo, Gan Cao Jie, and Lian Qiao.