Which pulse indicates an extreme deficiency and is just perceptible?

The minute pulse is characterized by its extreme deficiency, representing a very weak and barely perceptible quality. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this pulse reflects a severe lack of Qi and blood, often seen in conditions of significant weakness or depletion within the body. When practitioners assess the minute pulse, they can barely feel it, indicating that the body's vitality is critically low.

This pulse's characteristics make it particularly important in diagnosing serious conditions that require immediate attention and support. The term "minute" itself suggests something that is minimal or hardly detectable, aligning perfectly with the concept of pronounced deficiency.

Other types of pulses, like the thin pulse, while also indicating some level of deficiency, are generally more discernible and may suggest different imbalances or conditions rather than the extreme state that the minute pulse conveys. A short pulse indicates a lack of depth in the pulse but does not specifically denote the same level of deficiency. The soggy pulse, while also indicative of deficiency, reflects a different quality, often associated with more moisture or dampness presence. In contrast, the minute pulse is distinctly minimal and feeble, essential for recognizing severe conditions in Chinese medicine practice.