How Traditional Chinese Medicine Treats Autism in Children:Based on Classical Theory"God Comes from the Heart and Gives to the Kidney"
10.16466/j.issn1005-5509.2024.09.021
- VernacularTitle:从"神发于心而交于肾"看儿童孤独症的中医治疗
- Author:
Si ZHANG
1
;
Fei HAN
Author Information
1. 中国中医科学院广安门医院 北京 100053
- Keywords:
childhood autism;
HUANG Yuanyu;
Sisheng Xinyuan;
spirit;
essence;
heart-kidney interaction;
traditional Chinese medicine treatment;
case study
- From:
Journal of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University
2024;48(9):1186-1190
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
[Objective]To analyze the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)treatment of autism spectrum disorder(ASD)based on the theoretical perspective of"spirit originating from the heart and connecting with the kidneys".[Methods]By studying the chapters"Shen Jing"and"Jing Yi"in HUANG Yuanyu's Sisheng Xinyuan and combining these with the clinical symptoms of childhood autism,this paper analyzes the key pathogenesis of autism from the physiological and pathological perspectives of the heart and kidneys,and the related theories of heart-kidney interactions.Corresponding treatment methods and medications are proposed,accompanied by clinical cases for discussion.[Results]The syndrome analysis of childhood autism indicates that the disease primarily affects the heart and kidneys.The key pathogenesis involves insufficient development of the Shen(spirit)and deficiency of kidney essence.Based on HUANG Yuanyu's theory that"Shen originates from the heart and communicates with the kidneys...essence is stored in the kidneys and communicates with the heart,"the functionality of the Shen and essence depends not only on the normal functioning of the heart and kidneys but also on the proper relationship between them.Specifically,this is reflected in the mutual use of spirit and essence,the generation of essence and blood,the stability of the monarch(heart)and minister(kidneys),and the harmony of water and fire.Therefore,TCM treatment should focus on benefiting kidney essence and controlling heart fire to achieve mutual use of spirit and essence,and harmony of water and fire;strengthening kidney willpower and calming the spirit to stabilize the monarch and minister;regulating the middle earth to ascend and descend,and soothing liver and gallbladder Qi to ensure the proper movement of Qi and heart-kidney harmony.The case study presented involved a diagnosis of insufficient kidney essence and virtual fire disturbing the heart.The treatment focused on nourishing the kidneys,replenishing essence,clearing the heart and calming the spirit,with adjustments to strengthen the spleen,boost Qi,and clear liver fire,achieving satisfactory clinical efficacy.[Conclusion]TCM treatment of childhood autism from the perspective of regulating the heart-kidney relationship shows that proper heart-kidney coordination leads to sufficient essence and vigorous spirit,improving social,language and behavioral abnormalities in children.This provides broader ideas and methods for the clinical treatment of childhood autism in the future.
