Disease is a manifestation of an unstable process, a pattern of disharmonious relationships. From the perspective of Chinese medicine, such disharmonies are understood in terms of [Blood], [Fluids] ( [Moisture]) and [Qi]. Although these are distinct, they have a mutually dependent and indissoluble relationship. [Qi] is understood as creating and moving the [Blood], and keeping it in place, whereas [Blood] nourishes the [Organs] that produce and regulate [Qi]. Without proper [Moisture], the [Qi] becomes hot and agitated and the [Blood] dries up and congeals.
The three factors influencing in producing patterns of harmony and disharmony and so precipitating illness are environment, emotional outlook and way of life.
Like the gardener, the doctor observes the patient and perceives signs and symptoms to determine the nature of the problem. The doctor's diagnosis may sound similar to the gardener's. They use the same vocabulary. Both are concerned with the balance of heat and cold, moisture and dryness and the excess or deficiency of these conditions. A person, like a garden, is subject to external excesses of [Heat], [Cold], [Wind], [Dampness] and [Dryness], as well as to [Deficiency] of [Blood], [Moisture] and [Qi].