A rapid pulse is considered to be from 90-110 beats per minute. More than 5 beats per breath of the therapist.

• Children have a rapid pulse. This is normal. In their life cycle they are in spring, it is more Yang.
• In autumn it is pathological: it indicates fire. Fire dominates metal, preventing interiorization.

The rapid pulse indicates heat:

• Full-Heat, excess of Yang, attack of external heat: fever, red face, sweating of the head...
• Empty-Heat: Yin deficiency.
• Damp-Heat: When body temperature rises 1º, the pulse is 15 beats faster. If the pulse only increases by 6 beats it indicates that something is preventing the pulse from increasing: dampness. Observe other signs (seborrheic, swollen tongue).
• Excess of Yin: Yin repels Yang. If Yin is very strong, Yang cannot be interiorized and an escape of Yang occurs. It is a pulse without strength, without root. The patient worsens with bitter and cold herbs. Heart very rapid and Kidney very weak.

Return to pulse