The Number Eight in Chinese Medicine

The word for the number eight (“Ba”) in Chinese language sounds similar to the word for prosperity, so this number usually represents luck in Chinese culture. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), there are several concepts that contain the number eight.

“Eight therapeutic methods (Ba Fa in Chinese)” refer to eight therapeutic strategies, including diaphoresis, emesis, purgation, mediation, warming, heat-clearing, resolution, and tonification. Here “mediation” means the reconciliation of the functional associations among the internal organs. These are strategies to use herbs for corresponding pathological syndromes.

“Eight principle syndromes (Ba Gang)” are eight types of syndromes in differential diagnosis in Chinese medicine, including yin and yang, exterior and interior, cold and heat, deficiency (or asthenia) and excessiveness (or sthenia).

“Eight principle syndromes for differential diagnosis (Ba Gang Bian Zheng)” refer to one of the fundamental methods of differential diagnosis in Chinese medicine, through the identification of the eight principle syndromes. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the complicated clinical symptoms, this method can be used to decide the features and locations of pathological changes in the human body.

“Eight confluent acupoints (Ba Hui Xue)” are eight influential acupuncture points and the gathering locations of the essential substances of internal organs (Zang and Fu), tendons, marrow, blood, bones, vessels, and qi. These points are closely related to the physiological functions of the body and are important for disease treatment of the corresponding tissues and organs. These points are located on the trunk, and below the knees and elbows on the four limbs.

“Eight convergent acupoints (Ba Mai Jiao Hui Xue)” are eight acupuncture points on the twelve meridians or channels that are connected with the Eight Extra Channels. These points are located below the knees and elbows. They are usually used to heal diseases of the face, head, and trunk that are relevant with the Eight Extra Channels.

“Eight crevices (Ba Xi)” refer to the eight joints at the elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles.