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When the meridian undergoes pathological changes, symptoms include heat in the palm, spasm and stiffness of the elbow and arm, swelling of the axilla; in severe cases, there is a sensation of distension and fullness supporting the chest and hypochondrium, violent palpitations (heart moving greatly), red or yellow complexion, and uncontrollable laughter.

These symptoms belong to "diseases caused by movement" (Shi Dong Bing). The diseases primarily governed by the meridian's own qi and blood pathology (Zhu Mai Suo Sheng Bing) include vexation in the heart, heart pain, and heat in the palm. The treatment principles are the same as those for the Small Intestine Meridian.

The San Jiao (Triple Burner) is the convergence point of the body's Yuan Qi (Original Qi), known as the "Middle Clear Organ" (a zang-fu organ that is clean and free from turbid matter). It commands the five zang organs and six fu organs, Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) qi, and meridians, governing the qi mechanism throughout the interior and exterior, left and right, and upper and lower. When the San Jiao is unobstructed, the qi mechanism in all directions flows freely. In terms of irrigating the whole body, harmonizing the interior and exterior, nourishing the left and right, and circulating the upper and lower, nothing is more important than the San Jiao. The San Jiao is also called the "Jade Sea Water Channel." Pathological changes in the Upper Jiao are called "Three Tubes," in the Middle Jiao "Huo Luan" (Cholera-like syndrome), and in the Lower Jiao "Zou Xie" (Leaking Downward). Although named in three parts, they ultimately constitute one entity; it has a name but no specific form, hence it is also called the "Lonely Organ."

Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) emerges from the Upper Jiao, and Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) emerges from the Middle Jiao. The Upper Jiao mainly connects with collateral vessels, the Middle Jiao with main meridians, and the Lower Jiao with water passages. The San Jiao also belongs to the root source of the Bladder, governing the penetration of Yin and Yang, regulating deficiency and excess, and managing respiration. If the San Jiao is diseased, symptoms include abdominal distension and qi stagnation, hardness of the lower abdomen, difficulty in urination, and urgency/straining in defecation. If fluids overflow, edema results; if fluids remain stagnant, distension results. The Hand-Shaoyang San Jiao Meridian is its associated meridian.

If there is Excess-Heat in the Upper Jiao, symptoms include sweating on the forehead but no sweat on the body, normal appetite but obstructed qi mechanism, dry tongue, scorched mouth, closed throat, abdominal distension, and hypochondriac pain. If Cold affects the Upper Jiao, food intake is impaired, sour regurgitation occurs, pulling pain in the chest and back, dry throat, and inability to swallow fluids. If there is an Excess pattern in the Upper Jiao, food is vomited after eating, the abdomen is distended and uncomfortable, and mood is depressed. If there is a Deficiency pattern in the Upper Jiao, inability to control the lower part leads to enuresis, and swelling of the head and face.

If there is Excess-Heat in the Middle Jiao, the upper and lower qi mechanisms are blocked, leading to abdominal distension and panting, failure of lower qi to ascend and upper qi to descend, resulting in Guan Ge (Obstruction and Rejection) dysfunction. If Cold affects the Middle Jiao, continuous diarrhea occurs, food fails to digest, and epigastric fullness develops. If there is a Deficiency pattern in the Middle Jiao, borborygmus (intestinal rumbling) and abdominal distension occur.

If there is Excess-Heat in the Lower Jiao, urinary retention and difficult defecation occur, accompanied by heavy pain. If there is Deficiency-Cold in the Lower Jiao, continuous incontinence of urine and feces occurs.

When the Qi of the San Jiao is harmonious, the interior and exterior of the body are harmonious; when the Qi of the San Jiao is rebellious, the interior and exterior are disordered. Thus, it is said that the San Jiao is the Yuan Qi of the human body. This describes the methods for determining life and death, favorable and unfavorable outcomes based on the deficiency, excess, cold, and heat of the San Jiao.

*Zhu Zhi Bei Yao* states: When the San Jiao meridian undergoes pathological changes, symptoms include deafness, muffled hearing, swollen throat, and throat obstruction. The San Jiao governs diseases arising from qi disorders, including sweating, pain at the outer canthus of the eye, cheek pain, pain along the posterior ear, shoulder, elbow, and lateral aspect of the arm, and dysfunction of the little and ring fingers.

*Mai Jue* states: The Right Chi pulse is where the qi of the San Jiao and Ming Men (Gate of Life) emerges. Light pressure reveals the San Jiao pulse, which belongs to the Exterior; heavy pressure reveals the Ming Men pulse, which belongs to the Interior.

For Heat in the Upper Jiao, use Liang Ge San (Cool the Chest Powder) and Xie Xin Tang (Drain the Heart Decoction); for Heat in the Middle Jiao, use Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang (Regulate the Stomach and Direct Downward Decoction) and Xie Pi San (Drain the Spleen Powder); for Heat in the Lower Jiao, use Da Cheng Qi Tang (Great Direct Downward Decoction) and San Cai Feng Sui Dan (Three Talents Marrow-Sealing Pill). For Heat in the Qi Level, use Chai Hu Yin Zi (Bupleurum Drink) and Bai Hu Tang (White Tiger Decoction); for Heat in the Blood Level, use Tao Ren Cheng Qi Tang (Peach Kernel Direct Downward Decoction) and Qing Liang Yin Zi (Clearing and Cooling Drink). To treat heat generally across levels, formulas include San Huang Wan (Three Yellow Pill) and Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptis Detoxification Decoction).