In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the five organs refer to Heart (Xin), Liver (Gan), Spleen (Pi), Lung (Fei), and Kidney (Shen).
The common physiological characteristics of the five organs are the transformation and storage of vital essence, and they can house the spirit, thus being referred to as “Shen Zang” (spiritual organs). The Huangdi Neijing states: “The so-called five organs are those that store vital essence and do not leak, hence they are full but cannot be solid.” In another section, it states: “The five organs are responsible for housing the spirit, blood, qi, and soul.”
TCM believes that the five organs are the center of human life activities, with mental consciousness activities belonging to the five organs. Together with the six fu organs, they connect the body’s internal and external structures, 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 Ruler’s Organ: Heart
When playing chess, regardless of losing a rook or a knight, as long as the king is still there, the game is not lost; but if the king is captured, no matter how many pieces you have, you have lost.
The position of the heart among the five organs is akin to the king on the chessboard, thus the Huangdi Neijing refers to the heart as the “Ruler’s Organ,” governing the circulation of qi and blood throughout the body.
1. The 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, agility of thought, 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.
2. Excessive Joy Harms the Heart
TCM holds that excessive joy can harm the heart. This means that overwhelming joy can impair heart function, as exemplified by the character Fan Jin from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, who suffered from excessive joy.
3. The Heart Opens to the Tongue
TCM assesses the heart’s function by observing the tongue’s shape and color, as well as the fluency of speech. For instance, frequent ulcers on the tongue tip indicate excess heart fire; speech with frequent interruptions suggests fatigue and weak heart qi; dark and swollen veins under the tongue indicate potential cardiovascular issues.
4. Symptoms of Excess Heart Fire
Abnormal heart fire function often presents with 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?
5. Nourishing the Heart through Diet
According to the five-element theory of harmony between heaven and man, red foods such as red dates, red peppers, adzuki beans, cherries, chicken and 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, effectively draining excess heart fire.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound “he” is also beneficial for heart function.
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 the “General’s Organ,” using the strong and impulsive nature of a general to describe the physiological characteristics of the liver.
1. Anger Harms the Liver
In fact, people with a quick temper often have excess liver fire. Therefore, when someone is angry, it is best not to argue with them. This is because their liver qi is too strong and transforms into fire, which they cannot control. An irritable person often slams the table to release their anger; otherwise, holding it in can lead to illness. Once the anger dissipates, they naturally calm down.
However, if a person is constantly angry, it can lead to high blood pressure or even liver fibrosis. A classic example is Zhou Yu from the Three Kingdoms, who died from a sword injury after a fit of rage, illustrating the concept of “great anger harms the liver.”
Maintaining a tolerant attitude towards others and oneself, and keeping a peaceful mindset in life is crucial for health.
2. The Liver Stores Blood
The liver stores blood, and we can assess the abundance or deficiency of liver blood by examining the condition of the nails and eyes. The nails on a person’s hands serve as a barometer for liver blood; if they are thinner, brittle, and 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.
3. Symptoms of Liver Disease
Abnormal liver wood system function often presents with symptoms such as bitter mouth, dizziness, dry eyes, red and swollen eyes, pain in the flanks, irritability, liver disease, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and dry nails.
4. Nourishing the Liver through Diet
Sour flavors, green color, and the sound “xu” are all related to the liver and belong to the liver wood system. Therefore, foods with sour flavors such as black plums, vinegar, and hawthorn, as well as green foods like mint and celery, are excellent for nourishing the liver.Additionally, foods like chrysanthemum, onions, lychee, papaya, peaches, and carp are also representative of liver-nourishing foods.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound “xu” is also beneficial for liver function.
5. Meridian Regulation
Many people feel pain in the flanks when they are angry. This is due to the liver meridian passing through the flanks. In TCM health culture, patting the flanks helps promote the circulation of liver qi and blood, making it a simple and effective method for liver nourishment. For those with excess liver fire, frequently patting the flanks or gallbladder meridian can help clear excess liver fire.
3. The Postnatal Foundation: Spleen (Stomach)
The spleen in TCM 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).
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 (qi and blood) and transporting them throughout the body.
2. Overthinking Harms the Spleen
Throughout history, physicians have placed great importance on the health of the spleen and stomach. The Huangdi Neijing states: “The spleen is the foundation of the postnatal, governing transformation and generating qi and blood.” This means that the spleen and stomach are the “foundation of postnatal health,” the source of qi and blood generation for the five organs.
The function of the spleen and stomach is closely related to a person’s emotions; overthinking can harm the spleen. For example, Zhuge Liang from the Three Kingdoms died at the age of 54 due to excessive labor and overthinking, which led to a lack of appetite and weakened spleen and stomach, ultimately resulting in insufficient qi and blood production.
3. The Spleen Opens to the Mouth
In TCM, a small trick to understand the state of qi and blood is to observe the color of the lips. Since the spleen opens to the mouth, the color of the lips represents the abundance or deficiency of qi and blood. If the lips are pale or dull, it indicates insufficient spleen qi, leading to inadequate qi and blood production, suggesting the person likely suffers from qi and blood deficiency.
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.
5. Nourishing the Spleen through Diet
According to the five-element theory of harmony between heaven and man, 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, people with spleen and stomach issues should wear yellow clothing and use yellow colors in their living spaces. In terms of diet, they should consume more yellow and sweet foods, such as millet, sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkin, and yellow soybeans, which are excellent for nourishing the spleen and stomach.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound “hu” is also beneficial for spleen and stomach function. The concept that sound can heal is not too mystical; in fact, it shares similarities with Western music therapy. The Records of the Grand Historian states: “Music stirs the blood and circulates the spirit,” indicating that sound can indeed reflect a person’s physical condition and promote recovery from illness.
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 hen,” meaning that regularly stimulating the Zusanli point can enhance the spleen and stomach’s function.
Additionally, practicing abdominal breathing, massaging the abdomen, or squatting can strengthen the spleen and stomach system.
4. The Prime Minister of the Body: Lung
The Huangdi Neijing states: “The lungs govern the qi of the entire body, control respiration, and are associated with the skin and hair, opening to the nose.” Therefore, the lungs are referred to as the prime minister of the body, overseeing the operation of life qi.
1. Excessive Sadness Harms the Lungs
Sadness can obstruct the flow of qi in the body, thus excessive sadness harms the lungs. The character Lin Daiyu, who was overly sentimental and melancholic, ultimately died from lung disease, exemplifying the concept of “excessive sadness harms the lungs.”
Therefore, we should maintain an optimistic mindset and avoid unnecessary sadness, as it is detrimental to lung health.
2. Symptoms of Lung Disease
If pathogenic factors invade the lungs, causing dysfunction in lung qi regulation, the following symptoms may appear: cough, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, susceptibility to colds, chronic bronchitis, asthma, rhinitis, and chronic pharyngitis. Over time, qi stagnation can lead to skin roughness and acne.
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 and belong 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, onions, and cilantro can help open lung qi, especially during wind-cold colds.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound “xi” is also beneficial for lung function.
4. Meridian Regulation
In the body’s meridian points, the Yingxiang point is effective for treating rhinitis; regularly massaging this point can effectively prevent rhinitis. The Danzhong point is a key point for regulating lung qi; frequently tapping this area can have beneficial effects on various lung diseases.
5. The Innate Foundation: Kidney1. The Kidney Stores Essence and Governs Marrow
The Huangdi Neijing states that the kidney is the “storehouse of essence and governs the production of marrow,” meaning it is the engine of life, thus ancient physicians referred to the kidney as the “innate foundation.”
The kidney stores essence and governs the reproductive system; if there are issues with the reproductive system, such as prostate enlargement, it indicates insufficient kidney essence, necessitating prompt replenishment.
2. The Kidney Opens to the Ears
It is commonly said that “large ears bring fortune,” which is based on the principle that the kidneys open to the ears. Sufficient kidney qi results in large, full ears and abundant energy, leading to success in endeavors. Zeng Guofan stated: “Success is reflected in one’s demeanor, while one’s spirit reflects their career,” which conveys this meaning.
Frequent tinnitus or hearing loss indicates insufficient kidney qi.
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.
4. Saliva Belongs to Kidney Water
When walking, various physiological responses occur, one of which is increased salivation. 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 and lack of saliva, indicating insufficient kidney essence.
5. Symptoms of Kidney Disease
What symptoms arise from insufficient kidney essence? Common symptoms include soreness in the lower back and knees, cold hands and feet, physical weakness, tinnitus, hair loss, loose teeth, osteoporosis, frequent urination at night, prostate enlargement, reduced sexual function, infertility, kidney deficiency, and menopausal syndrome.
6. Nourishing the Kidneys through Diet
According to the five-element theory of health, black color, salty flavor, and the sound “chui” are all related to the kidneys and belong to the kidney water system.
Salty seafood is particularly beneficial for the kidneys, with sea cucumber and shrimp as representatives; black foods like black sesame, black beans, and black chicken are excellent for kidney nourishment; additionally, pork kidneys, walnuts, and chives are also great for nourishing the kidneys.
In daily life, frequently pronouncing the sound “chui” is also beneficial for kidney function.
7. Meridian Regulation
The lower back is the residence of the kidneys. TCM believes that soreness in the lower back and knees 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 relaxing the waist, which helps nourish kidney qi.
There is an important acupoint on the lower back called the Shenshu point; frequently tapping this point has a great nourishing effect on kidney essence.
【Source: Huai’en Book Society WeChat (Author: Xu Wenbing), Textbook of Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine】
Reprinted: Guangdong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine