What is Exterior syndrome? How should one treat Exterior syndrome?

The term Exterior syndrome indicates, in a broad sense, which the pathogenic change is in the superficial layer of the body.

The main characteristic of this change is the conflict between the six exogenous pathogenic factors and the body’s resistance, which is represented mainly by the Defensive Qi in the superficial layer of the body. An Exterior syndrome also includes further pathogenic changes of the associated organs, meridians, Qi and Blood.

The Lung is an important organ in Exterior syndrome because it governs the Exterior by dispersing the Defensive Qi to the superficial layer of the body. Moreover, Wind-Heat and Dryness can directly disturb the function of the Lung because they can invade the body through the nose, and not the superficial level.

The main symptoms can be divided into two groups. On the one hand, chills, fever and aversion to cold or wind are present. These are the manifestations in the superficial layer of the body caused by the conflict between pathogenic factors and the Defensive Qi. On the other hand, headache, general pain, thirst, blocked nose, cough and sore throat may be present; these are manifestations caused by disharmony of the circulation of the Qi and Blood in the Bladder meridian and dysfunction of the Lung-Qi.

The purpose of treatment is to expel the exogenous pathogenic factors, and to restore the normal functioning and harmony of all the organs, meridians, Qi and Blood. Methods that can stimulate or strengthen the function of the Defensive Qi or disperse the Lung-Qi and therefore eliminate the pathogenic factors are often used. Other methods, such as promoting Qi and Blood circulation, or regulating the Large Intestine in order to regulate the Lung-Qi, can also be used as assistant procedures in the whole treatment strategy.

Herbs that release the Exterior have the functions of expelling Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat. They are used in conditions where the pathogenic Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat invades the superficial layer of the body. They have the following properties.

Pungent or pungent and warm

Most of the herbs in this category possess a pungent property. As pungency has a dispersing capacity, the pungent herbs are able to activate Qi movement, open the pores and subcutaneous layer, connect the Exterior with the Interior, disperse the Lung-Qi, harmonize the Nutritive and Defensive systems and therefore expel Wind. Moreover, many of the herbs are pungent and warm in nature. Their functions of activating the Yang and Qi and opening the pores are represented by their induction of sweating in different degrees. Through sweating, Wind and other exogenous pathogenic factors can be eliminated from the superficial layer of the body, therefore stopping the progress of the disease in its primary stage.

Aromatic

Many of the herbs in this category are aromatic, which gives them the ability to open the orifices, penetrate turbidity, spread the pure Qi and transform Dampness. They are therefore used to treat headache, dizziness, nasal obstruction and loss of the sense of smell.

Light in weight and gentle in nature

Many herbs in this category are light in weight and gentle in nature. They mainly enter the Lung and the Bladder meridians, so they are suitable for treating the external pathogenic syndromes that mainly affect those layers and meridians. As wind characteristically attacks the upper body, which includes the head, the Lung, the Upper Jiao and the superficial layer of the body, these herbs are often used to treat symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nasal obstruction, runny nose, itchy and painful eyes, cough with or without production, sore throat and general body pain. Many are also used to treat allergies such as hay fever and asthma, as well as many kinds of skin diseases.