The “Stress Response State” and the Six Channel Differentiation

The “Stress Response State” (应激态) is a common phenomenon encountered during the use of Xiao Yi. If we rule out special physiological activities or cycles (such as 4–8 hours after exercise or alcohol consumption, or the period before and after menstruation), this pattern of qi and blood energy distribution represents a typical chronic Shang Han (cold damage) pulse. This is considered one of Professor Wang Weigong’s two most important discoveries.

Based on the pathological progression in Treatise on Cold Damage (伤寒论) and modern pulse diagnosis studies, the main harmonic features corresponding to each stage of Six Channels Differentiation (六经辨证) are summarized below:

Six Channels Stage	Corresponding Meridians & Harmonics	Harmonic Features	Pathology & Energy State
Taiyang (Exterior Syndrome)	Sanjiao (9th harmonic), Gallbladder (6th), Spleen (3rd)	Harmonics 3, 6, 9 show low energy; 4th (Lung), 7th (Bladder) show high energy	Initial invasion by external pathogen; Wei Qi (Sanjiao) is suppressed; Lung and Bladder meridians show compensatory energy surge as central defense is activated
Yangming (Interior Heat)	Stomach (5th), Large Intestine (8th)	Harmonics 5, 6, 8 elevated; 9th harmonic further decreased	Pathogen turns into internal heat; Stomach meridian becomes overactive (digestive issues); Gallbladder energy fluctuates in sync; Sanjiao defense continues to weaken
Shaoyang (Half-Exterior, Half-Interior)	Gallbladder (6th), Sanjiao (9th)	Harmonic 6 fluctuates sharply (alternating positive/negative); partial recovery of 9th harmonic	Conflict between upright and pathogenic qi occurs in the Gallbladder (metabolic hub); Sanjiao shows partial energy repair; pulse manifests as "string-like" (弦脉)
Taiyin (Deficiency Cold)	Spleen (3rd), Lung (4th)	3rd harmonic stays negative; 4th harmonic drops from high to low	Spleen fails to transform and transport (metabolic decline); Lung function weakens (decreased respiratory power); overall qi and blood production is insufficient
Shaoyin (Heart-Kidney Deficiency)	Kidney (2nd), Heart (11th)	2nd harmonic drops significantly; 11th harmonic becomes chaotic	Kidney qi exhausted (fluid metabolism impaired); Heart meridian imbalanced (circulatory issues); pulse shows "faint" or "thin" characteristics
Jueyin (Collapse of Yin and Yang)	Liver (1st), Pericardium (0th)	1st harmonic nearly zero; 0th harmonic fluctuates violently	Liver wind stirs internally (nervous system disorder); Pericardium energy destabilized (circulatory collapse); near separation of yin and yang

Supplementary Notes – Correspondence Between Harmonics and Meridians:

• The twelve meridians correspond to harmonics numbered 0 to 11 (e.g., Liver = 1st harmonic, Kidney = 2nd, Spleen = 3rd, etc.).

• The energy distribution generally follows the rule:“Low-frequency harmonics > High-frequency harmonics.”

• The Six Channels Differentiation (六经辨证) is a simplified model of the twelve meridians, using three core harmonic groups (e.g., 3, 6, 9) to represent different pathological layers.

Physiological Implications of Energy Changes:

• Low-frequency harmonics (e.g., 2nd, 3rd):Represent visceral blood supply (e.g., Kidney and Spleen). Low values suggest metabolic decline.

• Mid- to high-frequency harmonics (e.g., 6th, 9th):Related to Gallbladder and Sanjiao meridians. Fluctuations reflect the state of the immune and defense systems.

• Harmonic variation coefficient:In healthy individuals, the coefficient of variation in harmonic amplitude can be 5x lower than in pathological states, indicating disordered qi and blood flow.

Clinical Relevance for Diagnosis and Treatment:

By regulating specific harmonic energies (e.g., tonifying the 3rd harmonic to support the Spleen, clearing the 6th harmonic to soothe the Gallbladder), balance among the Six Channels can be restored.

Example: In the Taiyang stage, using Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction) can raise the 3rd and 9th harmonics and suppress excessive compensation in the 4th and 7th harmonics.