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Triple burner: Fire-energy yang organ

This organ-energy system, which is not recognized in Western physiology, is called the ‘Minister of Dykes and Dredges’ and is responsible for the movement and transformation of various solids and fluids throughout the system, as well as for the production and circulation of nourishing energy (ying chee) and protective energy (wei chee).  It is not a single self-contained organ, but rather a functional energy system involved in regulating the activities of other organs.  It is composed of three parts, known as ‘burners’, each associated with one of the body’s three main cavities: thorax, abdomen, and pelvis.  An ancient Chinese medical text states: ‘The Upper Burner controls intake, the Middle Burner controls transformation, the Lower Burner controls elimination.’

The Upper Burner runs from the base of the tongue to the entrance to the stomach and controls the intake of air, food, and fluids.  It harmonizes the functions of heart and lungs, governs respiration, and regulates the distribution of protective energy to the body’s external surfaces.

The Middle Burner runs from the entrance to the stomach down to its exit at the pyloric valve and controls digestion by harmonizing the functions of stomach, spleen, and pancreas.  It is responsible for extracting nourishing energy from food and fluids and distributing it via the meridian system to the lungs and other parts of the body.

The Lower Burner runs from the pyloric valve down to the anus and urinary tract and is responsible for separating the pure from the impure products of digestion, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating solid and liquid wastes.  It harmonizes the functions of liver, kidney, bladder, and large and small intestines and also regulates sexual and reproductive functions.

Some medical researchers believe that the Triple Burner is associated with the hypothalamus, the part of the brain which regulates appetite, digestion, fluid balance, body temperature, heartbeat, blood pressure, and other basic autonomous functions.

 

Sanjiao
Paired Organ Pericardium
Color orange red
Peak Hours 9pm-11pm
Physical Branches blood, tongue, throat, sweat, facial complexion
Functions regulates transformation and transportation of bodily fluids, and…

 

Note: Chinese; ‘Sanjiao’ Meridian: ‘San’ means three, ‘Jiao’ means ‘burn’.  It’s originally referred to as the ‘Triple Burner‘, but ‘Triple Warmer’ and ‘Triple Heater’ are also commonly used.

Triple Burner: Psycho-Emotional Aspects

The Triple Burners are considered the Ambassadors or “intermediaries” for the body’s Yuan (Original) Qi.  On a psychological level, they can be used to move Qi and lift depression derived from stagnation of Liver Qi.  When the Triple Burners, which regulate the consciousness, are full, the consciousness becomes stable and the Mind’s intent is benevolent and kindhearted.  The Triple Burners are also linked with the Heart and Pericardium and are affected by the emotion of joy.  When the energy of the heart is strong and pure (without guilt), and the desires and thoughts of an individual are at peace, then the energy of the boy’s sexual essence (Jing) will spread into the Triple Burners, and the Blood will flourish within the individual’s vessels.  If the “fire of desire” is allowed to Heat and combine with the energy of the Triple Burners, the energy of the individual’s sexual essence will overflow, mixing itself with the energy of the Mingmen and will leave the body via the reproductive organs and tissues.  This leads to Jing and Qi depletion.

The Triple Burner Channel Pathway, Acupuncture Points, and Internal Trajectories

Beginning on the fourth (ring) finger, by the outside corner of the nail, the triple burner channel passes between the knuckles of the fourth and fifth fingers to the wrist.  From here it ascends between the two bones of the forearm (radius and ulna), through the tip of the elbow, and up the back of the arm to the shoulder.  Behind the top of the shoulder it joins the small intestine and the governing vessel channels.  Then it rises over the shoulder to the collarbone region, descends internally to the pericardium in the upper burner, and then to the abdomen and the middle and lower burners.  Re-emerging from the chest at the collarbone, the channel ascends the side of the neck and around the back of the ear.  One branch rises internally to meet the gallbladder channel on the forehead, then descends to join the small intestine channel on the cheek.  The superficial branch continues to the front of the ear and crosses to the outer corner of the eyebrow, where it joins the gallbladder channel again.

Internal Trajectories of the Triple Warmer Meridian

Having passed up the lateral aspect of the arm from the ring finger, the triple warmer meridian passes to ST-12:

[It] comes in at ST-12, then passes down to CV-17, disperses [into the chest], and drops down into the pericardium.  It then passes down through the diaphragm, circles down through and permeates the triple warmers.  A branch starting at CV-17 passes back up to ST-12.

When the meridian “disperses” into the chest it is like a pervasive spray.  The stream widens and becomes less dense, the picture is one of rain covering and moistening rather than a river passing through.  Notice also that it does not spirally wrap the pericardium.  Rather, it “drops down” as if it filtered through after dispersing from CV-17 into the chest.

 

    This idea helps us see the relationship of the triple warmer to the breathing process.  Perhaps this relationship to breath and the movement of breath downward to below the umbilicus is related to the action of “dispersion into the chest.”  Air is drawn into the lungs upon inhalation; once inside the lungs (inside the chest), it then mingles with the triple warmer pathway which is dispersing into the chest.  Then, it filters down to the the pericardium.  From there it may circle downward through the triple warmers.  This downward movement through the triple warmers may well be the means by which the qi of breathing arrives below the umbilicus where it is an important ingredient in the formation of the source qi and the nourishment of the source.

 

 

 

 

]]> Shen 神 http://acuherb.us/shen-%e7%a5%9e/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:55:32 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1576

Shen 神

Shen can be translated as “Spirit” or “Mind”, and implies our consciousness, mental functions, mental health, vitality, and our “presence”.

Shen lives in the Heart, where it retires to sleep during the night. If the Shen is disturbed, there may be insomnia. Shen is specifically said to live in the Blood Vessels (part of the system of the Heart) and to be nourished by the Blood. In TCM pathology, therefore, deficient Blood may fail to nourish the Shen. Alternatively, Heat (of various Organs) may disturb the Shen.

State of the Shen is said to be visible in the eyes. Healthy Shen produces bright, shining eyes, with vitality. Disturbed Shen produces dull eyes, which seem to have a curtain in front of them – as if no one were behind them. Often seen in those with long-term emotional problems or after serious shock (even a shock that occurred a long time ago.)

Healthy Shen depends on the strength of the Essence (stored in Kidneys) and Qi (produced by Spleen and Stomach). Thus, Shen is dependent on the Prenatal Jing and the Postnatal Jing. If Essence and Qi are healthy, the Shen will be nourished. As mentioned above, the Shen lives in the Blood Vessels, part of the Heart system in TCM. Blood is closely related to Qi in TCM, and is formed from the Postnatal Jing derived from food and fluids, hence Blood formation is simultaneous with that of the formation of Qi.

Jing, Qi and Shen are the “three treasures” in TCM. They represent three different states of condensation of Qi, ranging from Jing (more fluid, more material) to Qi, more rarefied, and Shen, more rarefied and immaterial.

This triad corresponds to the Heart, Stomach/Spleen and Kidneys.
SHEN HEART HEAVEN
QI STOMACH/SPLEEN PERSON
JING KIDNEYS EARTH

 

 

]]> The Six extraordinary Organs http://acuherb.us/the-six-extraordinary-organs/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:50:40 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1573

The Six extraordinary Organs


Marrow

  • Marrow is controlled and produced by the Kidneys, and equivalent to the brain and spinal cord.
  • Marrow includes Brain marrow, Spinal marrow, and Bone marrow
  • Marrow nourishes the Brain and Spinal Cord through the Jing
  • Nei Jing “If the Sea of Marrow is abundant, vitality is good, the body feels light and agile, and the span of life will be long. If it is deficient there will be dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, fatigue, and a great desire to lie down”
  • If the Marrow is Xu: Brain and Spinal cord are not adequately nourished and become deficient

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Brain (Sea of Marrow)

Controlled by the Kidney

  • Controls intelligence, memory, and the five senses

Related to Heart

  • Heart Blood nourishes the Shen and mental activity

Related to Liver

  • Controls circulation of Qi
  • Helps smooth flow of emotions

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Bone

  • Controlled by the Kidney, and any bone problem is treated through Kidneys
  • Stores bone marrow (“Simple Questions,” chapter 17, “The bones are the residence of Marrow.”)
  • The Chinese concept of “Marrow” should not be confused with bone marrow as defined by Western Medicine. In TCM, the function of Marrow is to nourish the Brain and spinal cord and to form Bone-Marrow. Bone Marrow produces Bone; it was not recognized that bone marrow produces blood as in Western thinking.
  • If Jing and Marrow are deficient, the Bones lose nourishment, cannot sustain the body and there will be inability to walk or stand.

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Uterus (Zi Cong, Baby Palace)

  • Controlled by the Kidney, especially the Jing
  • Controls reproduction and menstruation
  • Needs a rich supply of Qi, Blood, and essence for good function
  • Related to the Liver, especially Liver Blood

When Liver Blood is Xu

  • Menstrual problems
  • Sterility

Kidney Xu and Jing Xu

  • Sexual and reproductive disorders

Related to Conception Vessel

  • Pregnancy channel
  • Must be free of obstruction in order for pregnancy to occur

Related to Chong channel

  • The Sea of Blood must be abundant for fertility

Both the Chong Mai and Ren Mai originate in the Uterus

The Uterus is supported by the Heart and Spleen because of their production and circulation of Blood

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Vessels

Controlled by the Heart

  • Heart controls movement of Blood through the Vessels

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Gallbladder

Extraordinary because the GB does not receive food and water like other Fu organs and does not communicate with the exterior

Stores Bile

  • A pure refined substance
]]> The Internal Organ Relationships http://acuherb.us/the-internal-organ-relationships/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:10:31 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1566

The Internal Organ Relationships

Heart and Lungs

Heart governs Blood, Lungs govern Qi: relationship is that of Qi and Blood.

Qi and Blood are interdependent. Blood nourishes Qi but Qi pushes the Blood.

Heart moves the Blood but relies on Lung Qi to assist.

Lungs produce Ying (and Wei) Qi. Ying Qi flows with the Blood in the Vessels.

Heart and Lung connect via the Zong Qi (Chi of the Chest)

Deficient Lung Qi can lead to stagnation of Qi in the Heart and this can lead to stagnation of Blood of the Heart, with symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, blue lips.

Excessive Heart Fire can dry up Lung fluids and cause dry cough, dry nose and thirst.

In practice, Heart and Lung Qi are often deficient at the same time because of their close relationship.

Sadness often depletes both Lung and Heart Qi.

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Heart and Liver

The heart and the Liver are related via Blood.

Heart governs Blood, Liver stores Blood and regulates its volume. These two activities must be coordinated and harmonized. If Heart Blood is deficient, this may disrupt Liver’s ability to regulate Blood (dizziness, excessive dreaming).

Deficient Liver Blood can cause Deficient Heart Blood (palpitations and insomnia).

Heart stores Shen and Liver rules smooth flowing of the emotions.

Shen and emotions mutually support each other. Weak Heart and Shen may lead to depression and anxiety. Or, when Liver Qi stagnates, this constrains emotions and can weaken the Shen.

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Heart and Kidneys

Mutual assistance of Fire and Water.

Heart belongs to Fire element and is in Upper Burner. (Fire is Yang and corresponds to movement).

Kidneys belong to Water element and are in Lower Burner. (Water is Yin and corresponds to stillness).

Heart & Kidney must be in balance as they represent two fundamental polarities of Yang and Yin (Fire & Water).

Heart Yang descends to warm Kidney Yin while Kidney Yin ascends to nourish Heart Yang. This constant interchange is referred to as “mutual support of Fire and Water”.

Kidney Yang Deficient: 
Kidneys cannot transform fluids; these can overflow upward to Heart.

Kidney Yin Deficient: 
Yin cannot rise to nourish Heart Yin. This can cause overactive Heart Fire (mental restlessness, insomnia, agitation, etc.)

Both these situations represent loss of communication between Heart and Kidney.

Heart and Kidneys are Common Root of Shen and Essence (Jing). The Heart houses She, while the Kidneys store Jing.

Shen and Jing have common root. Jing is fundamental substance from which Shen is derived, in other words, Shen is external manifestation of Jing.

Prenatal Jing is the foundation of the Shen, Postnatal Jing provides nourishment for the Shen.

Normal mental activity needs good supply of Jing.

Weak Jing: Shen will be weakened and person will lack vitality, willpower, self confidence.

When Shen is disturbed by emotional problems, Jing will not be directed by the Shen and the person will feel tired and lack motivation. 

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Liver and Lungs

Reflects the relationship of Qi and Blood.

Lungs govern Qi, and the Liver regulates and stores the Blood.

They rely on each other in that the Liver relies on Lung Qi to regulate Blood, and the Lungs rely on Liver Qi to smoothly move Qi.

Deficient Lung Qi can affect Liver’s smooth movement of Qi (fatigue, depression, cough and hypochondriac pain).

Liver Qi can stagnate in the chest and interfere with the Lung’s function of descending (cough, dyspnea, asthma).

Stagnation of Liver Qi can cause Liver Fire to rise and injure Lung Yin (Hypochondriac pain, coughing blood, pain on breathing).

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Liver and Spleen

When healthy, Liver Qi aids Spleen in digestion, and ensures smooth flow of bile to aid digestion.

By ensuring smooth flow of Qi in all directions of the body, Liver ensures that Spleen Qi flows upwards in its right direction.

Stagnant Liver Qi disrupts Spleen ability to transform and transport food and fluids and to “raise the pure”. (abdominal distension, hypochondriac pain, diarrhea).

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Liver and Kidneys

Based on mutual exchange between Blood and Jing.

Kidney Jing contributes to the making of Blood. (Jing produces bone marrow which is connected with manufacture of Blood in the body).

“Liver and Kidneys have a common origin”.

“Essence and Blood have a common source”.

Kidney Yin nourishes Liver Yin (including Liver Blood).

Deficient Kidney Jing may lead to Blood becoming Deficient (dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus).

Kidney Yin fails to nourish Liver Yin, causing hyperactivity of Liver Yang (blurred vision, tinnitus, headaches, irritability, dizziness.

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Spleen and Lungs

Mutually assist each other.

Spleen extracts Food Qi and sends it up to the Lungs where it combines with air to form Zong Qi.

Spleen relies on Lung descending function to assist in the transformation and transportation of food (diaphragm movement helps Middle burner – “pumping” action).

Lung descending function also assists Spleen in the transformation of Body Fluids. Lung Qi weak, descending function impaired, Spleen cannot transform and transport the fluids, causing edema.

Deficient Spleen Qi: Food Qi deficient and production of Qi impaired (especially of Lung Qi: tiredness, weak limbs, breathlessness, weak voice) (Earth not producing Metal).

Spleen Deficiency: fluids not transformed but accumulate to form Phlegm, which settles in Lungs and impairs Lung function. “The Spleen forms Phlegm, the Lungs store it.”

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Spleen and Kidneys

Relationship is one of mutual nourishment.

Spleen: Root of Post-Heaven Qi (Foundation of Postnatal Existence)

Kidneys: Root of Pre-Heaven Qi (Foundation of Prenatal Existence)

The Postnatal Essence (Postnatal Jing) is formed from the food we eat and the air we breathe. The Spleen therefore plays the most important role in the formation of Postnatal Essence.

The Postnatal Essence is stored in the Kidneys together with the Prenatal Essence. Where Spleen Qi is weak, Postnatal Essence will not be produced as effectively, and the Kidney will have less Postnatal Essence to store.

Prenatal Essence assists in the production of Qi via its active aspect (Original Qi): the Original Qi provides the necessary energy for the transformation and transportation of the substances and formation of Qi: this affects the Spleen’s function.

Spleen and Kidneys support one another regarding transformation/transportation of Body Fluids.

Where Spleen Qi is weak, and Body Fluids are not able to be transformed and transported, these accumulate to form Dampness, which can interfere with the Kidney’s function regarding fluid metabolism (which then makes the Dampness worse).

Where Kidney Yang is Deficient, there is not enough heat for the Spleen to transform Fluids: this can cause Dampness or edema, chilliness and diarrhea.

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Lungs and Kidneys

Important relationship with regard to Qi and Fluids

Qi

Lungs send Qi and Fluids down to the Kidneys. Kidneys hold down the Qi and evaporate some of the Fluids, then send fluid vapor back to the Lungs to moisten them and the Lung then sends Fluids to moisten the skin.

Lungs send Qi down the Kidney and Kidneys hold down the Qi. Therefore they have an important communication regarding respiration

Communication regarding Zong Qi and Original Qi. 
Zong Qi (in the chest) flows down to connect with the Original Qi from which it is nourished. Original Qi flows up to the chest to assist with the production of Qi and Blood in the Upper Burner.

The Lung function of governing Qi and respiration depends on the Kidney function of receiving Qi.

Where Kidney energy is weak: impaired reception of Qi. Kidneys fail to hold Qi down and Qi flows back up to the chest (“rebels”) and obstructs the Lung’s descending function. Result is asthma, cough and dyspnea (unable to inhale deeply).

Fluids

Lungs control Water passages and send Fluids down to the Kidneys. Kidneys evaporate some fluids and send them back up to the Lungs to keep Lungs moist. “Kidneys govern Water and the Lungs are the upper origin of Water.”

Deficient Lung Qi: Lung cannot send fluids downwards and Lung cannot communicate with Kidneys and Bladder (edema, especially of upper body).

Deficient Kidney Yang: Kidneys cannot transform and excrete Fluids in the Lower Burner. These Fluids then accumulate to form Dampness or edema (especially of lower body). Because of the close relationship of Lungs and Kidneys regarding fluid metabolism, this accumulation of Fluids can eventually affect the Lung and impair Lung’s descending and dispersing function.

Deficient Kidney Yin: leads to deficiency to Fluids in the Lower Burner. Fluids fail to rise to moisten the Lungs, causing Deficiency of Lung Yin (dry throat at night, dry cough, night sweats and feeling of heat in the palms and soles of the feet).

Deficient Lung Yin (can arise from smoking, or after a long febrile disease involving the Lungs). This implies Deficient Fluids in the Lungs, inability of Lungs to send Fluids to Kidneys, which then results in Deficient Kidney Yin. (Smokers usually end up with depleted Kidney Yin as a result of this mechanism).

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Spleen and Heart

Interrelated via the Blood.

Spleen provides Food Qi for the formation of Blood.

Deficient Spleen Qi can lead to Deficient Blood, which can cause Heart Blood to be Deficient (resulting in palpitations, dizziness, poor memory, insomnia).
]]> The Gallbladder http://acuherb.us/the-gallbladder/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:07:45 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1563

Functions of the Gall Bladder 

The Gall Bladder is unusual among Yang Organs, because it does not receive, transform or transport digestate and waste products, but it stores bile. Bile is a pure (refined) substance, unlike the digestate and its products, which are impure substances. 

Hence, since the Gall Bladder stores a pure substance, it resembles a Yin Organ. For this reason the Gall Bladder is included in the “Curious Organs”.

  1. The Gall BladderStores and Releases Bile

    It receives bile from the Liver and stores it, releasing it when needed during digestion (same as in Western biomedicine). 

    Smooth flow of bile aids Stomach and Spleen digestive functions. 

    When Liver Qi stagnates and bile does not flow smoothly, digestive signs such as nausea and belching occur.

  2. Gall BladderControls Judgment
    1. (Liver controls planning), Gall Bladder controls ability to make decisions. These two functions are interdependent.
    2. Gall Bladder gives a person courage and initiative, i.e., courage to make decisions, act, make changes: positive and decisive action. Deficient Gall Bladder can result in indecision, timidity and easily becoming discouraged.
  3. Controls the Sinews (Tendons), With the Liver

    Wood element (Gall Bladder and Liver) control sinews. Liver nourishes tendons with Blood, Gall Bladder provides Qi to ensure correct movement and flexibility of tendons. The influential point for tendons is Gall Bladder 34, i.e., on Gall Bladder channel.

]]> The Urinary Bladder http://acuherb.us/the-urinary-bladder/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:06:36 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1560

Functions of the Urinary Bladder 

“Bladder is like a district official; it stores the fluids so that they can be excreted by its action of Qi transformation.” 

Bladder has wider sphere of activity than in Western medicine. Stores/excretes urine but also has role in transformation of fluids necessary for the production of urine. 

  1. Bladder Removes Water by QiTransformation

    “Dirty” or “impure” part of fluids is sent by Small Intestine to the bladder, which further transforms them into urine. Bladder then stores and excretes urine. 

    Bladder function of transforming fluids depends on the Kidney Yang. If Kidney Yang is deficient, Bladder will lack Qi and heat to transform fluids and symptoms will include profuse, clear urine, frequent urination or even incontinence. 

    Bladder and Small Intestine both depend on Kidney Yang and both work together to move fluids in Lower Burner.

]]> The Small Intestine http://acuherb.us/the-small-intestine/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:05:04 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1557

Functions of the Small Intestine 

 

The Small Intestine Controls Receiving and Transforming

Small Intestine receives food and fluids from the Stomach, after the Stomach has “rotted and ripened” and after the Spleen has extracted the food essences. It communicates with the Bladder, which excretes the impure fluids, and with the Large Intestine, which excretes the impure solid waste. 

It further transforms the digestate by separating the “pure” part of the food and fluids from the “impure”. The pure part goes to the Spleen to form part of the essences of food and fluids, which the Spleen then transports all over the body. The impure or “dirty” part of the food is passed to the Large Intestine for excretion as stool. 

The impure part of the fluids are passed to the Bladder for excretion as urine. (Small Intestine has close functional relationship with Bladder and influences urination). If Small Intestine function impaired, there may be excessive urination (Deficient Yang) or scanty urination (Heat).

Small Intestine’s Relationship with the Heart

in pathology: Heart Fire can be transmitted to Small Intestine, which then transmits it to the Bladder. Symptoms include thirst, bitter taste in the mouth, canker sores and burning urine or hematuria.

]]> The Stomach http://acuherb.us/the-stomach/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:04:01 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1554

Functions of the Stomach 

      1. Controls Rotting and Ripening of Food
        1. Stomach transforms the food and drink we ingest. “Rotting and ripening” is the process of fermentation which prepares the way for the Spleen to extract the refined essence from food.
        2. After the refined part of the food and fluids has been extracted by the Spleen, the Stomach passes the remainder to the Small Intestine for further separation and absorption.
      2. Controls Transportation of Food Essences
        1. Together with the Spleen, the Stomach controls the transportation of the food essence to the whole body including limbs. 
          • Strong Stomach Qi: strong energy.
          • Deficient Stomach Qi, weak food essences, and
          • Stomach will not have Qi to transport them to the whole body, hence fatigue, and especially weak limbs.
        2. Stomach affects tongue coating.
          • Tongue coating or “fur” is formed by some “turbid dampness” that is a by-product of the Stomach’s rotting and ripening activity. This dirty dampness rises up to the tongue to form the coating.
          • Thin white coating on tongue = Stomach is functioning properly. No coating or peeled coating = Stomach’s digesting function is impaired and Stomach Qi and perhaps Yin severely weakened.
      3. Controls the Descending of Qi

        Stomach sends the transformed food down to Small Intestine for further separation. Therefore, in health, Stomach Qi moves downwards.

        If Stomach Qi fails to descend, food can stagnate in Stomach and cause feelings of fullness/distention, sour regurgitation, belching, hiccup, nausea and vomiting. 

        Causes of Stomach Qi failing to descend: 

        1. Overeating, which “overwhelms” Stomach
        2. Liver invading Stomach (Five Element scenario)
      4. Stomach is the Origin of Fluids
        1. Stomach needs plenty of fluids in order to perform its rotting and ripening function.
        2. Fluids themselves are actually derived from ingested food and fluids. 
          • Stomach ensures that part of food and drink goes to form essences (which are extracted by the Spleen). The Stomach ensures that the other part of food and fluids condenses to form body fluids. Hence, Stomach is important source of fluids.

        In the Nei Jing, it states: “The Stomach likes wetness and dislikes dryness.”

        If Stomach fluids are abundant, digestion will be good, sense of taste will be normal. Deficient Stomach fluids (Deficient Stomach Yin): poor digestion, thirst, dry, cracked tongue.

        Causes of deficient Stomach fluids:

        1. eating large meals late at night
        2. deficiency of Kidney Yin, or from long-term loss of fluids.

Stomach can suffer from Yin Deficiency (Deficient Fluids) or from Yang Deficiency (producing insufficient warmth to rot and ripen) or from Retention of Food (which can relate to either).

    1. Stomach’s Relationship with the Spleen

      Stomach = Yang Earth. Spleen = Yin Earth. Close relationship Stomach Qi descends, Spleen Qi ascends. 

      Stomach likes wetness and dislikes dryness; Spleen likes dryness and dislikes wetness. 

      If Stomach too dry, Stomach Qi cannot descend and food cannot be moved down to Small Intestine. If Spleen too damp, Spleen Qi cannot ascend and fluids and food cannot be transformed. Stomach easily suffers from Excess, Spleen easily suffers from Deficiency. Stomach is prone to Heat, Spleen is prone to Cold (producing Dampness). Stomach tends to suffer from Deficiency of Yin, Spleen tends to suffer from Deficiency of Yang.


]]> The Large Intestine http://acuherb.us/the-large-intestine/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:02:32 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1551

Functions of the Large Intestine 

The Large Intestines main function is to receive food and fluids from the Small Intestine, re-absorb some of the fluids then excrete the remainder as feces. 

Many functions attributed to the Small Intestine in Western bio-medicine are attributed to the Spleen in Chinese medicine. 

The Spleen controls the transformation/transportation of food and fluids throughout the digestive system, including Small and Large Intestine. 

Hence signs such as diarrhea, abdominal distention and discomfort usually listed as Spleen imbalance (Deficient Spleen Qi or Yang).

]]> The Liver http://acuherb.us/the-liver/ Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:00:06 +0000 http://acuherb.us/?p=1547

Functions of the Liver 

    1. Liver Ensures Smooth Flow of Qi
    2. Stores the Blood
    3. Controls The Sinews
    4. Manifests in the Nails
    5. Opens into the Eyes
    6. Houses the Hun (Ethereal Soul)

Liver Ensures Smooth Flow of Qi 

It is extremely common to find Stagnation of Liver Qi in clinic. Liver ensures smooth flow of Qi throughout all the body, in all directions. 

Any activity that depends on Qi relies on the Liver’s “flowing and spreading”. 

The Smooth Flow of Liver Qi Affects Three Main Areas

  1. Emotions

    The emotional state is seriously affected by the Liver’s function of “Flowing and Spreading” Qi. When it flows normally, emotions are approximate and easy. When the spreading of Qi impaired or the circulation of Qi restrained, there will be emotional depression, frustration, repressed anger, and physical symptoms. 

    There is a relationship between emotional state and Liver Qi. “Anger makes Qi rise and Blood stagnate in the chest.” 

    Stagnation along channels related to Liver: hypochondriac and costal pain, “plum pit Qi“, chest oppression, swollen/tender breasts and genitals, lower abdominal pain. 

  2. Digestion and Bile Secretion

    Digestion and the Liver – Five element: Wood controls Earth. 

    The Liver’s function of spreading Qi aids the Spleen and Stomach’s digestive functions, and is important to ensure harmonious Qi movement in Middle Burner. But Stagnant Liver Qi can “invade” or “attack” the Stomach or Spleen (Wood overacts on Earth). 

    Smooth flowing of Liver Qi affects bile flow. Stagnant Liver Qi can obstruct bile flow (bitter taste, belching, or jaundice). 

  3. Menstruation

Stores Blood

  1. Regulates volume of Blood according to physical activity

    When at rest, Blood returns to Liver (Liver contributes to restoring energy). When body is active, Blood nourishes muscles to enable them to perform. 

    Blood regulation function influences energy level: if this function impaired, lack of Blood (= nourishment) where needed, hence easily tired. 

    If Liver Blood is deficient, there can be muscle cramps, tics and twitches or tremors/shaking in muscles. (Liver Wind from Blood Deficiency)

  2. Regulates menstruation 

    Liver is very important in gynecology. If Blood storage function is abnormal, e.g. Liver Blood is deficient, menstrual problems e.g. amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea. If Liver is Hot or Excess, menorrhagia or metrorrhagia can occur. 

    If Liver Qi stagnant, Liver Blood can stagnate (dysmenorrhea, PMS, dark clots). 

    Liver malfunction influences energy of Ren Mai & Chong Mai which are closely related to uterus.

    Blood& Liver function reciprocally affect each other. Where Blood is Deficient or Hot, Liver function can be affected. If Liver function abnormal, can affect quality of Blood. For example: If Liver is Hot, Blood can become Hot (causing skin eruptions, eczema, etc.: Blood becomes heated by being stored in a hot “container”).

Controls Sinews

Sinews (tendons) depend on Liver Blood to moisten and nourish them so they can contract and relax as needed (smooth movement of joints and good muscle action). Deficient Liver Blood leads to lack of nourishment in the tendons, which leads to contractions, spasms, impaired extension/flexion, numbness of limbs, cramps, tremors, muscle weakness, etc. 

The Liver controls the Sinews (tendons), or the contractile aspect of the muslces. The Spleen controls the muscles, or the mass or bulk. Liver imbalances are more likely to affect movement, and Spleen weakness more likely affects flaccidity, atrophy, etc. 

Manifests in the Nails

The finger and toe nails are the outgrowth of sinews and are influenced by Liver Blood. When Liver Blood is deficient, the nails will lack nourishment and become dark, indented, dry, cracked, brittle, etc. 

Opens to the Eyes

Liver Blood nourishes and moistens eyes and gives capacity to see. Liver Blood deficient: blurred vision, myopia, “floaters” color blindness, dry “sandy” eyes. If heat in Liver, eyes bloodshot, sore and burning. 

Houses the Hun

The Hun is also called the ethereal Soul 

Hun is related to ability to be resolute, to plan and have creative drive and assertiveness. When the Liver is out of balance in excess for instance, this becomes anger.

Influences Rising and Growth

Energy moves up and out like tree (Wood element). The liver also relates to growth in the sense of personal growth, ability to change. People who feel stuck in life or a situation usually have Liver Qi Stagnation. 

Controls Planning

Liver gives capacity to plan. Said to be like General of an army (Gall Bladder gives ability to make decisions, hence very closely linked).

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