Spleen (Chinese Medicine)
The Spleen (Chinese: 脾; pinyin: pí) is one of the zàng organs stipulated by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is a functionally defined entity and not equivalent to the anatomical organ of the same name.
In the context of the zang-fu concept: As a zàng, the Spleen is considered to be a yin organ. Its associated yang organ is the Stomach. Both Spleen and Stomach are attributed to the Earth element.
Spleen Functions
- governs "transportation and transformation" (运化, pinyin: yùn-huà), i.e. the extraction of jīng weī (精微, lit. "essence bits", usually translated as food essence or gu qi (谷氣), sometimes also called jīng qì [精氣, essence qi]) – and water – from food and drink, and the successive distribution of it to the other zàng organs.
- the jīng weī constitutes a large part of the body's acquired qì (the other part coming from breathing, by facilitation of the Lung zàng). In this spirit, the Spleen is also called "root of the postnatal" (后天之本, pinyin: hoùtiān zhī běn)[4] – as opposed to the congenital qì, which is stored by the Kidney zàng. The Spleen absorbs jīng weī from the food after it has been preprocessed by the Stomach and the Small Intestine, and then distributes it to the whole body, especially upwards to the Lung and Heart, where jīng weī is transformed into qì and xuě (blood). Thus, TCM also describes the Spleen as the source of "production and mutual transformation" (生化, pinyin: shēng-huà) of qì and xuě.
- the Spleen distributes the water extracted from the food and distributes it to the whole of the body, especially to the Lung and Kidney zàng, and thus assists the body's water metabolism.
- "contains" (统, pinyin: tǒng) the blood inside the vessels (this is also one of the functions of qì)
- governs muscles and limbs
- opens into the lips (and mouth)
- houses the yì (意, "thinking")
- governs intellect, pondering (思, pinyin: sī)
- Its associated body fluid is saliva.
The Spleen's holding function (i.e., the Spleen-qì) is said to be strongest between 9 and 11am. When the Spleen is functioning well, digestion will be good, the muscles will be strong and circulation will be efficient. Dysfunction of the Spleen typically presents as diarrhea, malnutrition, edema, weak/atrophic muscles, greasy taste in the mouth, or excessive bleeding and prolapse. The Spleen is especially weakened by Damp one of the Six Excesses and overthinking.[1]
Spleen Patterns -TCM
One of the most common patterns found in western people is something we call Spleen Qi Deficiency. This can arise from any number of reasons but a poor diet mixed with irregular eating patterns and stress is a common way to develop this pattern. Spleen qi deficiency involves symptoms such as poor appetite, bloating (particularly after eating), weakness of the arms and legs, fatigue and/or loose stools.In Chinese medicine, the spleen energy is directly related to the earth element and one’s ability to not worry excessively and to have total mental clarity.
- Mental factors - Excessive thinking, studying, concentrating, brooding, obsessing, worrying, etc., weakens the Spleen.
- Diet is very important. Spleen likes foods that are warm (in energy & temperature) e.g. meat, pepper, ginger, orange peel, kumquat, and dry foods.
- Excessive consumption of Cold foods (in temperature & energy) will impair Spleen function of transformation/transportation and cause interior Dampness & digestive problems. In addition, eating in a hurry, when stressed or upset, skipping meals and eating poor quality food all significantly weaken Spleen Qi.[2]
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