It is the most superficial layer in the diagnosis of the four layers.

Pathogenic Heat energy attacks the body through the mouth, nose... the surface of the body. The Wei layer is the first affected in a Heat attack. It represents the initial phase of a febrile disease. Typical symptoms: common cold or flu.

Wei Qi, the Defensive Qi, loses its defense and diffusing function. Lung-Qi loses the function of diffusion and descending.

Symptoms

• Slight sweating or no sweating (diffusing blocked). All exterior symptoms must have fever and aversion to cold.
• There is slight thirst. Heat has not yet blazed.
• Tongue tip red.
• Superficial and rapid pulse.
• Headache, cough, sore throat, dizziness of the head, feeling of oppression in the chest, nausea, etc.
• Also: pharyngitis and tonsillitis.

Treatment

In this case of attack to Wei, whether Heat or Cold, one can use the release of sweating.

A common cold can be from attack of Greater Yang or Wei layer. The common points are those that release Wei Qi:

• LU-7 + LI-4, treat all symptoms of the head also;
• GV-14 gathering of the Yang channels that connect with the entire surface;
• GB-20 mobilize Lesser Yang to release Greater Yang, can release Wind and Heat.
• Greater Yang points: BL-30, 62 BL, ...
• Wei points: TE-5, LU-10 (inflamed throat), LU-11 + LI-1 (if there is much inflammation and obstruction in the throat); ST-8 to descend Yang Ming.

Wei Pattern: infusion of chrysanthemum and mulberry (releases surface and eliminates Heat).

We can also do diagnosis of Eight Principles (Cold-exterior, Heat-exterior).