Listening to a persons voice and noticing any particular body odors that they may have are a basic part of the "Four Examinations" in Chinese medicine. Along with the more precise diagnostic tools such as pulse and tongue diagnosis, listening and smelling provide valuable input to form an appropriate TCM diagnosis.
While used more as a casual observation by most TCM practitioners, listening and smelling form an integral part of the Classical Five Element color, sound, odor and emotion (CSOE) method of diagnosis.
Quality |
Indications |
sudden loss of voice | wind heat |
gradual loss of voice | lu qi or yin def |
loud | excess |
soft | deficiency |
reluctance to speak | cold or def |
excessive speaking | heat or excess |
element - meridian |
|
shouting | wood - lv |
laughing | fire - ht |
singsong | earth - sp |
crying | metal - lu |
groaning | water - kd |
Quality |
Indications |
strong scent | heat |
bad breath | st heat a/or food stagnation |
strong smelling stools | heat and dampness |
strong smelling urine | heat and dampness |
element - meridian |
|
rancid | wood - lv |
burnt | fire - ht |
sweet | earth - sp |
rank | metal - lu |
putrid | water - kd |
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