Treating Root and Branch
2 min readTraditional Chinese medicine advocates the principle,”In extreme cases treat the Branch; in moderate cases treat the Root.”Root and Branch are two complementary aspects of a whole.
They may referto the cause and symptoms or primary and secondary manifestations of a disease, or to the essentialnature and physical manifestation of a phenomenon. Root and Branch are not immutable; under certain circumstances they can transform into each other.
The principle of Root and Branch has widespread applications in clinical practice, and is often helpful in analyzing the stage or manifestations of a condition. For instance, beneficial Qiis considered the Root and pathogenic Qi the Branch; pathogens are the Root and symptoms are the Branch.
The initial stage of a disease is the Root and the advanced stage is the Branch; initial manifestations are the Root and subsequent manifestations are the Branch. Diseases of the zangfu organs(the interior) are the Root; diseases of the skin and meridians(the exterior) are the Branch.
Distinguishing the Root and Branch of a complex condition makes it easier to differentiate primary and secondary manifestations and determine treatment. Treating the Root of a disease is paramount. However, disease is not a static entity. Over the course of its development a disease goes through initial and advanced stages, primary and secondary manifestations, and severe and moderate states. Sometimes it may be advisable to first treat the Branch, sometimes the Root, and sometimes both concurrently. It is necessary to flexibly determine appropriate treatment according to the situation.
