In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the term "Five Organs" refers to the heart (xin), liver (gan), spleen (pi), lung (fei), and kidney (shen).
The common physiological characteristics of the Five Organs are the generation and storage of vital essence (jing), and they are capable of housing the spirit (shen), thus being referred to as "spiritual organs". The Huangdi Neijing states: "The so-called Five Organs are those that store essence and do not leak; hence they are full but cannot be solid." In the Huangdi Neijing, it is also stated: "The Five Organs are responsible for housing the spirit, blood, qi, and soul."
TCM believes that the Five Organs are the center of life activities in the human body, with mental consciousness activities belonging to the Five Organs. Together with the Six Bowels, they connect the body's internal and external organs, forming a unified whole. Although the functions of the Five Organs are distinct, they coordinate with each other to maintain the life process.
1. The Monarch's Organ: Heart
When playing chess, regardless of losing a rook or a knight, as long as the king is still in play, the game is not lost; however, if the king is captured, no matter how many pieces remain, the game is lost.
The position of the heart in the Five Organs is akin to the king on the chessboard, thus the Huangdi Neijing refers to the heart as the "monarch's organ", governing the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body.
1.1 Heart Houses the Spirit
In TCM, it is said that the heart houses the spirit. When the heart's qi and blood are abundant, the spirit is nourished, leading to clarity of mind, quick thinking, and sweet sleep. Conversely, if a person experiences memory decline, shallow sleep, and frequent dreams, it indicates insufficient heart qi and blood, necessitating prompt replenishment.
1.2 Excessive Joy Harms the Heart
TCM posits that excessive joy can harm the heart. This means that overwhelming joy can impair heart function, as exemplified by the character Fan Jin in the story of "The Examination Success".
1.3 The Heart Opens to the Tongue
TCM assesses heart function by observing the tongue's shape and color changes, as well as the fluency of speech. For instance, individuals with frequent tongue ulcers may have excessive heart fire; those who frequently pause while speaking may be overly fatigued, indicating weak heart qi; and dark, engorged veins under the tongue suggest cardiovascular issues such as arteriosclerosis.
1.4 Symptoms of Excessive Heart Fire
Abnormal heart fire function may present symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, cyanosis of lips and nails, mouth ulcers, insomnia with vivid dreams, neurasthenia, and coronary heart disease. What effective methods does TCM offer for these symptoms?
1.5 Nourishing the Heart through Diet
According to the philosophy of harmony between heaven and humanity, red foods such as red dates, red peppers, red beans, cherries, duck blood, and longan are associated with the heart fire system and can nourish the heart.
The best foods for clearing heart fire are lotus seeds and bitter melon, both of which are bitter and belong to the heart fire system, capable of draining excess heart fire.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound "he" is also beneficial for heart function.
1.6 Meridian Regulation
Internally, we can promote the circulation of heart qi and blood through simple methods such as tapping the heart protector meridian, massaging the Neiguan point, striking the Daling point, and patting the Jiquan point.
2. The General's Organ: Liver
The Huangdi Neijing compares the liver to a "general's organ", reflecting the liver's physiological characteristics of strength and impulsiveness.
2.1 Anger Harms the Liver
In fact, individuals with a quick temper often have excessive liver fire. Therefore, when someone is angry, it is best not to argue with them. This is because their liver qi is too abundant and transforms into fire, which they cannot control. An irritable person may pound the table to release their anger; otherwise, holding it in can lead to illness. Once the anger dissipates, they will naturally regain their composure.
However, if a person is constantly angry, it can lead to high blood pressure or even liver fibrosis, as exemplified by the historical figure Zhou Yu, who died from a sword injury after a fit of rage.
Maintaining a tolerant attitude towards others and oneself, and keeping a calm mindset in daily life, is crucial for health.
2.2 The Liver Stores Blood
The liver stores blood, and we can assess the state of liver blood by examining the condition of the nails and eyes. The nails on our hands serve as a barometer for liver blood; if they are thinner, brittle, or pale compared to others, it indicates insufficient liver blood. The liver opens to the eyes; if the eyes are frequently dry and tear easily in the wind, it suggests a deficiency of liver yin and blood.
2.3 Symptoms of Liver Disease
Abnormal liver wood system function may present symptoms such as bitter mouth, dizziness, dry eyes, red and swollen eyes, rib pain, irritability, liver disease, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and dry nails.
2.4 Nourishing the Liver through Diet
Sour flavors, green colors, and the sound "xu" are all related to the liver and belong to the liver wood system. Therefore, sour foods like black plums, vinegar, and hawthorn, as well as green foods like mint and celery, are excellent for liver nourishment. Additionally, foods such as chrysanthemum, onion, lychee, papaya, peach, and carp are also representative of liver-nourishing foods.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound "xu" is also beneficial for liver function.
2.5 Meridian Regulation
Many people experience rib pain when angry, which is due to the liver meridian passing through the ribs. In TCM health culture, patting the ribs helps promote the circulation of liver qi and blood, making it a simple and effective method for liver nourishment. For those with excessive liver fire, regularly patting the ribs or gallbladder meridian can help clear excess liver fire.
3. The Foundation of Postnatal Life: Spleen (Stomach)
In TCM, the spleen does not refer to the anatomical spleen in Western medicine, but encompasses the comprehensive functions of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine (the other organs, heart, liver, lung, and kidney, also do not correspond to the anatomical heart, liver, lung, and kidney in Western medicine, but refer to the heart fire system, liver wood system, lung metal system, and kidney water system in TCM).
3.1 The Spleen Governs Transformation and Transportation
The spleen belongs to the earth system in the five elements and is the "production factory" of qi and blood in the human body. Its physiological function is to "govern transformation and transportation", which means digesting food into nutrients (i.e., qi and blood) and transporting them throughout the body.
3.2 Overthinking Harms the Spleen
Throughout history, physicians have emphasized the importance of nourishing the spleen and stomach. The Huangdi Neijing states: "The spleen is the foundation of postnatal life, governing transformation and generating qi and blood." This means that the spleen and stomach are the "foundation of postnatal life" for human health and the source of qi and blood generation in the Five Organs.
The function of the spleen and stomach is closely related to a person's emotions; excessive thinking can harm the spleen. For example, Zhuge Liang from the Three Kingdoms period died at the age of 54 due to overwork and excessive worry, leading to a lack of appetite and weakened spleen and stomach, ultimately resulting in insufficient qi and blood production and his untimely death.
3.3 The Spleen Opens to the Mouth
In TCM, a small trick to understand the state of qi and blood in the body is to observe the color of the lips. Since the spleen opens to the mouth, the color of the lips represents the state of qi and blood. If the lips are pale or dull, it indicates insufficient spleen qi and blood production, suggesting that the person likely has qi and blood deficiency.
3.4 Symptoms of Spleen and Stomach Disorders
Abnormalities in the spleen and stomach system often manifest as indigestion, loss of appetite, abdominal bloating after eating, nausea, vomiting, belching, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, gastritis, and gastrointestinal ulcers. We can assess the health of the spleen and stomach based on the presence or absence of these symptoms. If these symptoms occur, it indicates a problem with the spleen and stomach system.
3.5 Nourishing the Spleen through Diet
According to the philosophy of harmony between heaven and humanity, TCM believes that yellow color, sweet flavor, and the sound "hu" are all related to the spleen and stomach, belonging to the spleen earth system, and can nourish and benefit the spleen and stomach qi. Therefore, individuals with spleen and stomach issues should wear yellow clothing, and their living spaces can incorporate more yellow colors. In terms of diet, they should consume more yellow and sweet foods, such as millet, sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkin, and yellow beans, which are all excellent for nourishing the spleen and stomach.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound "hu" is also beneficial for spleen and stomach function. The idea that sound can heal is not too mystical; in fact, TCM's phonetic health principles share similarities with Western music therapy. The Records of the Grand Historian states: "Music stirs the blood and circulates the spirit." This shows that sound can indeed reflect a person's physical condition and promote recovery from illness.
3.6 Meridian Regulation
Within our bodies lies the power to nourish the spleen and stomach. There is a saying that "massaging the Zusanli point daily is equivalent to eating a whole chicken", meaning that regularly stimulating the Zusanli point can enhance the spleen and stomach's transformation and transportation functions.
Additionally, abdominal breathing, massaging the abdomen, or practicing static squats can strengthen the spleen and stomach system.
4. The Chancellor of the Body: Lung
The Huangdi Neijing states: "The lungs govern the qi of the entire body, control respiration, and govern the skin and hair, opening to the nose." Therefore, the lungs are referred to as the chancellor of the body, overseeing the operation of life qi.
4.1 Excessive Sadness Harms the Lungs
Sadness can obstruct the flow of qi in the body, thus excessive sadness harms the lungs. The overly sentimental character Lin Daiyu, who was perpetually melancholic, ultimately succumbed to lung disease, exemplifying the harm of excessive sadness to the lungs.
Therefore, we should maintain an optimistic mindset and avoid unnecessary sadness, as it is detrimental to lung health.
4.2 Symptoms of Lung Disease
If pathogenic factors invade the lungs, causing dysfunction in the lung qi's regulation of inhalation and exhalation, the following symptoms may appear: cough, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, susceptibility to colds, chronic bronchitis, asthma, rhinitis, and chronic pharyngitis. Over time, qi stagnation can lead to skin roughness and acne.
4.3 Nourishing the Lungs through Diet
According to the five-element theory, white color, pungent flavor, and the sound "xi" are all related to the lungs, belonging to the lung metal system. Therefore, white foods such as tremella, lily, and pear are excellent for nourishing lung yin; pungent foods like ginger juice, onion, and cilantro can help open lung qi, especially beneficial during wind-cold colds.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound "xi" is also beneficial for lung function.
4.4 Meridian Regulation
In the body's meridian points, the Yingxiang point is effective for treating rhinitis; regular massage of this point can effectively prevent rhinitis. The Shanzhong point is a key point for regulating lung qi; frequent tapping of this area can have beneficial effects on various lung diseases.
5. The Foundation of Prenatal Life: Kidney
5.1 The Kidneys Store Essence and Govern Marrow
The Huangdi Neijing states that the kidneys are "the place where essence is stored and govern the production of marrow", meaning they are the engine of life, hence ancient physicians referred to the kidneys as "the foundation of prenatal life".
The kidneys store essence and govern the reproductive system; if there are issues with the reproductive system, such as prostate enlargement, it indicates insufficient kidney essence, necessitating prompt replenishment.
5.2 The Kidneys Open to the Ears
It is commonly said that "large ears bring fortune"; the underlying principle is that the kidneys open to the ears. Sufficient kidney qi leads to full and robust ears, abundant energy, and success in endeavors. Zeng Guofan stated: "One's achievements reflect their demeanor, while their career reflects their spirit", which conveys this idea.
Individuals who frequently experience tinnitus or hearing loss indicate insufficient kidney qi.
5.3 The Kidneys Govern Bones
What does it mean that the kidneys govern bones? TCM believes that the strength of a person's bones is determined by the abundance or deficiency of kidney essence. Individuals with osteoporosis should nourish their kidney essence; when kidney essence is sufficient, the bones will be strong and robust.
5.4 Saliva Belongs to Kidney Water
When walking, various physiological responses occur, one of which is the production of saliva. This indicates that your kidney qi and essence are being replenished, as saliva is associated with kidney water in the five-element theory. Therefore, individuals with kidney yin deficiency often experience dry mouths due to insufficient saliva, indicating a lack of kidney essence.
5.5 Symptoms of Kidney Deficiency
What symptoms may arise from insufficient kidney essence? Common symptoms include lower back and knee weakness, cold hands and feet, fatigue, tinnitus, hair loss, loose teeth, osteoporosis, frequent urination at night, prostate enlargement, reduced sexual function, infertility, kidney deficiency, and menopausal syndrome.
5.6 Nourishing the Kidneys through Diet
According to the five-element health philosophy, black color, salty flavor, and the sound "chui" are all related to the kidneys, belonging to the kidney water system.
Salty foods, particularly seafood like sea cucumber and shrimp, are excellent for nourishing the kidneys; black foods such as black sesame, black beans, and black chicken are also great for kidney nourishment. Additionally, pork kidneys, walnuts, and chives are also beneficial for the kidneys.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound "chui" is also beneficial for kidney function.
5.7 Meridian Regulation
The lower back is the residence of the kidneys. TCM believes that lower back and knee weakness indicates kidney deficiency. Regularly rotating the waist is beneficial for the kidneys, a practice referred to as "shaking the dragon" in traditional health culture. Tai Chi or Qigong standing postures emphasize the importance of relaxing the waist, which helps nourish kidney qi.
There is an acupoint called Shenshu; regularly tapping this point can greatly benefit kidney essence.
In conclusion, the above is a detailed explanation of the Five Organs. If you like our content, please follow us for more!
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