The Principle of Biao and Ben

Biao and ben are contrasting concepts used to indicate the primary and secondary relationships of contradictory sides in various kinds of diseases and syndromes in TCM. For example, body anti-pathogenic factors are considered ben (root) while pathogenic factors are biao (branch); etiology is ben, symptom is biao; primary disease is ben, secondary disease is biao; pathological changes of internal organs are ben, body surface is biao, etc.

The principle of biao and ben is used in Traditional Chinese medicine to treat the symptoms at the acute stage and to treat the root of disease at the chronic stage. If biao and ben have the same severity, treatment should then be applied to both root and branch.

Key Words: principle, biao, ben