RH Ayurveda & TCM Foundations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Ayurveda, 'Prakriti' refers to:
- The current imbalanced state of the doshas
- An individual's innate constitutional doshic makeup established at conception (Correct answer)
- The seasonal influence on the doshas
- The therapeutic action of an herb on the doshas
Correct answer: An individual's innate constitutional doshic makeup established at conception
Prakriti is an individual's original, fixed constitution determined at conception by the relative proportions of the three doshas.
Question 2: Which TCM organ system is primarily responsible for storing Blood and ensuring the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body?
- Heart
- Spleen
- Liver (Correct answer)
- Lung
Correct answer: Liver
The Liver stores Blood and is responsible for the smooth and free flow of Qi; its dysfunction commonly leads to Qi stagnation and Blood deficiency.
Question 3: In TCM pulse diagnosis, a 'wiry' (string-like) pulse most commonly indicates:
- Kidney Yang deficiency
- Heart Blood deficiency
- Liver Qi stagnation or pain (Correct answer)
- Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness
Correct answer: Liver Qi stagnation or pain
A wiry pulse feels taut like a guitar string and is classically associated with Liver Qi stagnation, pain conditions, or phlegm.
Question 4: Which Ayurvedic concept describes the seven sequential tissue layers through which nutrition is progressively transformed?
- Srotas
- Malas
- Dhatus (Correct answer)
- Gunas
Correct answer: Dhatus
The seven dhatus (plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow/nerve, and reproductive tissue) represent successive levels of tissue refinement in Ayurveda.
Question 5: In TCM, the 'Three Burners' (San Jiao) is best understood as:
- Three distinct organs located in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis
- A functional concept coordinating Qi and fluid transformation across three body regions (Correct answer)
- The triple heating vessels of the heart fire
- Three pathways for phlegm elimination
Correct answer: A functional concept coordinating Qi and fluid transformation across three body regions
The San Jiao is a functional concept — not a discrete organ — that coordinates transformation of Qi, water, and food across the upper, middle, and lower burners.
Question 6: In Ayurveda, herbs classified as 'Rasayanas' are primarily used to:
- Purge excess doshas from the GI tract
- Promote longevity, rejuvenation, and enhance ojas (Correct answer)
- Stimulate digestion and increase Agni
- Reduce fever by cooling Pitta
Correct answer: Promote longevity, rejuvenation, and enhance ojas
Rasayanas are rejuvenative herbs and formulas that enhance ojas, promote longevity, and restore vitality to the tissues.
Question 7: Which TCM concept describes the dynamic interdependence where each organ system's excess or deficiency can directly affect a paired organ?
- Five Phase Generating Cycle
- Exterior-Interior Relationship (Correct answer)
- Eight Principle Differentiation
- Ying-Wei disharmony
Correct answer: Exterior-Interior Relationship
The Exterior-Interior (Biao-Li) relationship pairs Yin and Yang organs (e.g., Lung-Large Intestine) so that pathology in one directly influences the other.
RH Ayurveda & TCM Foundations 3
In Ayurveda, 'Prakriti' refers to: