The 'Sheng' and 'Bei' Pulses in the pulse-taking method Ren Ying and Cun Kou

Abstract

The Ren Ying and Cun Kou method is believed to be one of the most important pulse-taking methods in the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di Nei Jing). The key to explore the questions of the Ren Ying and Cun Kou method in pulse-taking is to understand the exact meanings of 'Sheng' or 'Bei' based on the theories in chapters of Zhongshi, Jingmai, and Jinfu in Lingshu. As it was known, 'Sheng' or 'Bei' indicate the grading of disease severity shown from diagnosis. This paper examined lexical items and related literature about the Ren Ying and Cun Kou method in pulse-taking, 'Sheng' or 'Bei' and corresponding three Yin and three Yang . It was found that when the pulse characteristics from three Yin and three Yang were different, 'Sheng' or 'Bei' showed various three Yin and three Yang. This, therefore, determined the grading of three Yin and three Yang. Additionally, the Ren Ying and Cun Kou method in pulse-taking and such medical cases in Shi Ji and the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor were also analysed in the paper.The Ren Ying and Cun Kou method is believed to be one of the most important pulse-taking methods in the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor (Huang Di Nei Jing). The key to explore the questions of the Ren Ying and Cun Kou method in pulse-taking is to understand the exact meanings of 'Sheng' or 'Bei' based on the theories in chapters of Zhongshi, Jingmai, and Jinfu in Lingshu. As it was known, 'Sheng' or 'Bei' indicate the grading of disease severity shown from diagnosis. This paper examined lexical items and related literature about the Ren Ying and Cun Kou method in pulse-taking, 'Sheng' or 'Bei' and corresponding three Yin and three Yang . It was found that when the pulse characteristics from three Yin and three Yang were different, 'Sheng' or 'Bei' showed various three Yin and three Yang. This, therefore, determined the grading of three Yin and three Yang. Additionally, the Ren Ying and Cun Kou method in pulse-taking and such medical cases in Shi Ji and the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor were also analysed in the paper.