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Five
Spiritual
Organs
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
In TCM culture,
the Five Organs refer to the Heart (Xin), Liver (Gan), Spleen (Pi), Lungs (Fei), and Kidneys (Shen)
These five internal organs of the human body
The main physiological functions of the Five Organs are
to transform and store Essence (Jing), Qi (Vital Energy), Blood (Xue), Body Fluids (Jin Ye), and Spirit (Shen)
Thus, they are also known as the Five Spiritual Organs
Since Essence, Qi, and Spirit are
the foundation of human life activities,
the Five Organs play an important role in human life.
When problems arise in the Five Organs early on,
they will send out SOS signals to the body.
1
Stomach
The Stomach Fears Fullness
Overeating can increase the burden on the stomach, and prolonged fullness is detrimental to the self-repair of the gastric mucosa, leading to various health issues.
The Stomach is in Distress
Symptoms include acid reflux, nausea, desire to vomit, frequent belching, loss of appetite, thick and greasy tongue coating, drooling during sleep, poor digestion, and bloating.
Foods Beneficial for the Stomach
Black Rice (Heimi)
Chinese Yam (Shanyao)
Radish (Luobo)
2
Liver
The Liver Fears Alcohol
People who often stay up late or drink alcohol should pay extra attention to liver health. The liver is the body’s detoxification organ, and excessive toxin accumulation can easily lead to liver diseases.
The Liver is in Distress
Symptoms include emotional instability, irritability, oily skin, fatigue, drowsiness, and vertical ridges on the nails.
Foods Beneficial for the Liver
Cassia Seeds (Juemingzi)
Tomato (Xihongshi)
Pomelo (Youzi)
3
Kidneys
The Kidneys Fear Thirst
Autumn and winter are the best seasons for kidney nourishment. The kidneys are the foundation of congenital health; insufficient water intake or frequent urination can affect kidney function.
The Kidneys are in Distress
Symptoms include easy fatigue, acne on the jawline, insomnia with vivid dreams, sensitivity to cold, frequent nighttime urination, excessive hair loss, and premature graying of hair.
Foods Beneficial for the Kidneys
Goji Berries (Gouqi)
Black Beans (Heidou)
Pumpkin (Nangua)
4
Lungs
The Lungs Fear Smoke
Whether from smoking or secondhand smoke, it can lead to phlegm accumulation in the alveoli, preventing fresh oxygen from being absorbed properly and causing stagnant turbid air, which affects cardiovascular health.
The Lungs are in Distress
Symptoms include constipation, frequent coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dull complexion, and dry, lackluster skin.
Foods Beneficial for the Lungs
Loquat (Pipa)
Lily (Baihe)
Snow Pear (Xueli)
5
Heart
The Heart Fears Salty Foods
The heart is the main organ supplying blood to the entire body. If your diet is too salty, you may notice symptoms like rapid heartbeat or chest tightness.
The Heart is in Distress
Symptoms include dizziness, palpitations, insomnia with vivid dreams, shortness of breath, acne on the forehead, and tongue ulcers.
Foods Beneficial for the Heart
Kelp (Hai dai)
Sweet Potato (Hongshu)
Red Dates (Hongzao)
❗️ If your body starts showing these health ‘SOS signals’
do not ignore them!
Image/Text: Liao Jie (Department of Liver and Spleen Diseases)
Editor: Ling Dongyu
Proofreader: Yan Wei
Reviewers: Huang Weiyi, Liu Dehui