Exploring autism spectrum disorder in children from the perspective of "the sovereign fire illuminates, while the ministerial fire occupies its position"
10.3969/j.issn.1006-2157.2025.03.004
- VernacularTitle:基于“君火以明，相火以位”探讨儿童孤独症
- Author:
Zilin CHEN
1
,
2
;
Xu WANG
3
;
Fei HAN
1
,
2
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Guang&prime
2. anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences
3. The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
autism spectrum disorder in children;
sovereign and ministerial fire;
illuminate the sovereign fire;
supplement the ministerial fire;
harmonize the sovereign and ministerial fires
- From:
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2025;48(3):318-322
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorder in children (hereinafter called "childhood autism") is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition; however, ancient Chinese medical texts did not provide detailed accounts of it. The concept of "the sovereign fire illuminates, while the ministerial fire occupies its position" was first introduced in the Plain Questions: The Great Treatise on the Origin of Heavenly Influences chapter. Subsequent medical practitioners have elaborated on this idea, identifying the sovereign fire as the master of the spirit and governing life activities, while the ministerial fire is the assisting minister that supports the functions of the zang-fu organs. When these two are in harmony, they complement each other, collectively sustaining the body′s normal physiological functions. In the context of this theory, the pathogenesis of childhood autism is attributed to the imbalance between the sovereign and ministerial fires. The root cause lies in the mutual antagonism of these two fires, resulting in the dysfunction of the spirit. Central to childhood autism onset is the dimming of the sovereign fire and a deficiency in the spirit, while the displacement of the ministerial fire and the impaired function of the five viscera contribute significantly to the progression of the condition. Effective treatment for childhood autism involves restoring these imbalances: dispelling yin-related obstructions to illuminate the sovereign fire, nourishing the spleen and kidney to nourish the ministerial fire, and regulating the liver and lung to harmonize the sovereign and ministerial fires. The ultimate goal is to integrate body and spirit, harmonize the sovereign and ministerial fires, and restore the interconnectedness between spirit and the function of the five zang viscera. This article, based on the "the sovereign fire illuminates, while the ministerial fire occupies its position" theory, provides a novel perspective and insights for understanding and treating childhood autism through the holistic principles of traditional Chinese medicine. Emphasizing the integration of body and spirit offers new insights and approaches for the clinical management of childhood autism in traditional Chinese medicine.
- Full text:2025052115122257458Exploring autism spectrum disorder in children from the perspective of _the sovereign fire illuminates, while the ministerial fire occupies its position_.pdf
