Evaluation of Voice

    Listening to the sound of a person’s speech, breathing and cough can help identify a disharmony that results from one or more pernicious influence and pattern of disharmony. For example, if the voice is too loud and strident, that indicates Excess, as does the sudden onset of a violent cough. A weak, low voice that doesn’t project and a weak cough indicate Deficiency. Losing your voice or hoarseness can indicate either Deficiency or Excess. Wheezing arises from Dampness.

Evaluation of smell

    According to TCM theory, there are two main odors that clue a doctor to the origin of disharmony. A strong stench from secretions or excretions indicates Excess and Heat. A weaker odor indicates Deficiency and Cold.
    Five Phases practitioners generally rely on smell more than TCM practitioners do. Each smell is associated with a phase and can indicate disharmony with the associated organ or among organs that are related through the Five Phases cycle. The smells used in Five Phases diagnosis are: goatish, associated with wood; burning, associated with fire; fragrant, associated with earth; rank, associated with metal; and rotten, associated with water.