Nippon Ishigaku Zasshi. 1994 Dec; 40(4): 435-46.

[History of the syndromes of Yin (retention of body fluids) - the relationship between the syndromes of Yin in Chinese medicine and those of Yin in Buddhist medicine]

Endo J, Nakamura T, Yamaki H, Miyamoto H.

We traced the history of the term "yin" by means of Chinese medical books and classical Chinese Buddhist literature. As a result of our study, the following points became clear. The syndromes of yin described in the Shan han za bing lun are divided into two groups. Those of the first group are characterized by short retention of body fluids. The yu yin is representative of this group. On the other hand, those of the second group are distinguished by long retention of body fluids. The tan yin is typical of this group. It was deduced that the former group originated in Chinese traditional medicine because it is found in the Su wen and the Ling shu. The latter is supposedly derived from Buddhist medicine because it is similar to the syndromes of yin in Buddhist medicine.