What does evil mean in traditional Chinese medicine?

The "evil" in Chinese medicine, that is, pathogenic factors, generally refers to various pathogenic factors.

The etiology of traditional Chinese medicine can be divided into two categories: exogenous diseases and internal injuries. External causes include six evils and epidemic diseases; Internal injuries include seven emotions, diet, work and rest, etc. The "pathogenic factors" mentioned in Chinese medicine include all kinds of pathogenic factors that can lead to human dysfunction and imbalance of internal and external environment.

For example, six evils, namely wind, cold, dampness, dryness and fire, also known as six qi, including pathogenic factors that cause infectious diseases, are exogenous pathogenic qi that causes exogenous diseases. Healthy qi is damaged, and evil spirits take advantage of it.

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the process of disease is the process of struggle between healthy qi and evil qi. With the growth of healthy qi, the disease will develop in a good direction; With the growth of pathogens, the disease will develop in a bad direction, so the practical significance of treatment, whether it is to eliminate pathogens and strengthen the body, or to eliminate pathogens at the same time, is to promote healthy qi to overcome pathogens.