TCM term for five organ exhaustions and seven damages; general physical debility
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
five exhaustions and seven damages (TCM pathology)
technicalSpecific Traditional Chinese Medicine term. 'Five Exhaustions' (五劳) refers to damage of the five zang organs: heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. 'Seven Damages' (七伤) refers to: (1) overeating damaging the spleen, (2) great anger damaging the liver, (3) lifting heavy weights or sitting on damp ground damaging the kidneys, (4) cold body and drinking cold damaging the lungs, (5) worry and anxiety damaging the heart, (6) exposure to weather elements damaging the physical form, and (7) uncontrolled fear damaging the will/spirit.
Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that sitting on damp ground for long periods can lead to the five exhaustions and seven damages.
This medical classic records in detail the prescriptions for treating the five exhaustions and seven damages.
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The five exhaustions and seven damages are systematically expounded in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon.
noun
general physical debility and chronic illness; weak health
Extended metaphorical usage describing someone who is physically frail, suffers from various chronic conditions, or has accumulated bodily damage from overwork or poor lifestyle. Often used to describe someone who looks sickly or has multiple health complaints.
He did too much heavy physical labor when he was young, and in his old age ended up with a body full of chronic ailments.
Despite his frail appearance, he's actually quite energetic.
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Years of continuous war left the common people chronically ill and emaciated.