Root, Branch, and Middle Qi
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Root and branch are relative concepts (healthy qi is the root, pathogenic qi is the branch; cause is the root, symptoms are the branch; old disease is the root, new disease is the branch). In acute conditions, treat the branch; in chronic conditions, treat the root.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Emergency triage. When facing multiple complications, it is the basis for decision priority. When a patient has massive bleeding (acute branch), stop the bleeding first (treat the branch), regardless of qi deficiency (root); after bleeding is controlled, then gradually tonify qi (treat the root).
Anchor fast decisions
In the theory of five movements and six qi, 'Root, Branch, and Middle Qi' describes the transformative relationships of the six qi (wind, cold, summer heat, dampness, dryness, fire) at the levels of root, branch, and middle qi, used to determine the exterior-interior, cold-heat direction of the pathogenesis. The root, branch, and middle are mutually visible, and there are rules for following the root or the branch.
MINIMUM ACTION
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- baike.baidu.comhttps://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%A0%87%E6%9C%AC%E4%B8%AD%E6%B0%94verified
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