Ross,


I can see the heart yin component that you are pointing to and it makes
perfect sense. With herbs I've often used Gan Lu Yin when hesitant is seen in
combination with a predominantly tight pulse on the right side. Back in the day
Leon described the Hesitant pulse to me as "a push pulse where the person is
overthinking more than overworking physically."
I see the Hesitant quality nit just on tight (yinxu) pulses but also
frequently on tense (Qi stagnation/heat) pulses. Of course, yin is being
depleted but stagnation is still the primary issue. I notice addiction to
thought, worry (si), perhaps even anxiety, insomnia etc. Formula's such as Gui
Pi Tang, Gan Mai Da Zao Tang, Bupleurum and DB, can all be helpfull depending on
the rest of the pulse picture etc. Of course I'm using acupuncture to calm the
mind adn ease the nervous system. In this regard I often find the "Calm the
Nervous System" protocol helpful that I published in Clinical Practice helpful.
It's derived from Dr. Shen's 4 system theory and works quite well. If you have
the text, take a look.