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百合病 is named after the herb that is used to treat it, 百合, otherwise known as Bulbus Lilii, a common ingredient in many a health-conscious meal.

From “百合病者，百脉一宗” we understand that that all the blood vessels congregate at the Heart and Lungs, the location of the illness. In this illness, there is deficiency of yin in these two organs, resulting in internal heat.

In describing the signs of this illness pattern, the book uses phrases like “a desire to eat without the ability to”, “a dullness envelopes, a desire to lie down but unable to”, “wanting to move and experience pleasure but unable to”. In addition, we have a inability to clear experience hot and cold in the body. Overall, this sounds like a manifestation of depression and the lack of motivation and will. It is certainly a mental state, a lack of spirit; but may also be physiologically induced. In any case, this illness is tied to the treatment herb 百合.

In addition to these observations, we know the following:

• 口苦 (bitter mouth)
• 小便赤 (reddish urine)
• 脉微数 (pulse weak and fast)

This chap is not only dull in spirit, he is weak and has heat in his system. This heat may be from a previous illness charaterized by heat, or it could be due to heat generated from emotional repression. Apart from depression, perimenopause and also neurosis are illnesses that this pattern may appear in.