Human beings and nature are unified and harmonious, and the various organs of the human body are also unified and coordinated. Therefore, the theory of the Five Elements not only connects humans with nature but also links the organs, body, emotions, and feelings. The movement characteristics of Qi in all systems of the human body correspond with the Five Elements.
Liver: Regulates Qi and blood, harmonizes emotions (Wood promotes growth, ascends, and prefers smoothness).
Heart: Warms Yang, blood flows when heated (Fire is warm).
Spleen: Transforms and transports food and fluids, source of Qi and blood (Earth generates all things).
Lung: Regulates and descends (Metal is clear and contracts).
Kidney: Stores essence, governs water (Water moistens, descends, and stores).
The generation cycle of the Five Elements refers to the orderly mutual support and promotion among Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. The sequence of generation is: Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal, Metal generates Water, and Water generates Wood.
Wood generates Fire: The liver stores blood to assist the heart.
Fire generates Earth: Heart Yang warms the spleen to assist in transformation.
Earth generates Metal: Spleen Qi disperses essence, which returns to the lungs.
Metal generates Water: Lung Qi clears and descends, regulating the water pathways to assist kidney water.
Water generates Wood: Kidney stores essence to nourish liver blood.
The controlling cycle of the Five Elements refers to the orderly mutual restraint and limitation among Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. The sequence of control is: Wood restrains Earth, Earth restrains Water, Water restrains Fire, Fire restrains Metal, and Metal restrains Wood.
Wood restrains Earth: Liver Wood smooths and relieves the stagnation of the spleen.
Fire restrains Metal: Heart Fire warms and assists lung Qi to disperse.
Earth restrains Water: Spleen transforms dampness to prevent kidney water from overflowing.
Metal restrains Wood: Lung Qi clears and descends to suppress excessive liver Qi.
Water restrains Fire: Kidney water moistens to control heart fire.
Mutual generation + mutual restraint = regulation and transformation, maintaining normal balance of Yin, Yang, Qi, and blood.
The pathological transmission between the liver and spleen is:
Excess Wood overcomes Earth, meaning excessive liver Qi affects spleen transformation. An overactive liver can excessively control the spleen.
Deficient Earth is overcome by Wood, meaning weak spleen function cannot withstand liver control, leading to excessive liver control over the spleen.
In spring, the liver meridian is active; if liver Qi is overly vigorous, it can excessively control spleen and stomach functions. If the diet is overly sour: sour flavor nourishes the liver, but excessive sourness can lead to excessive liver Qi, thus controlling the spleen and stomach (Wood restrains Earth), resulting in digestive dysfunction. If spleen function is weak and cannot withstand liver control, it leads to deficient Earth being overcome by Wood, resulting in excessive liver control over the spleen.
Strengthening the Spleen is Key:
In early spring, the weather is unpredictable; pay attention to “spring wrapping.” The principle of spring wrapping is to dress warmly on the bottom and lightly on the top. Friends with poor spleen and stomach function should pay attention to keeping the back, abdomen, and soles of the feet warm to prevent digestive issues and cold-induced diarrhea, protecting the Yang Qi of the spleen and stomach from cold pathogens.
In spring, it is also advisable to consume more porridge to nourish the spleen and stomach. Porridge made primarily from rice is easy to digest and absorb, and it can nourish the spleen, support the stomach, and eliminate turbidity.
During spring, the liver Qi can easily become excessive, adversely affecting the spleen and stomach, hindering normal digestion and absorption of food. Therefore, it is best to eat less sour food and avoid raw, cold, and greasy foods to protect the Yang Qi of the spleen and stomach. Sweet foods can nourish the spleen, so it is advisable to consume more yam, jujube, millet, glutinous rice, coix seed, cowpea, lentils, soybeans, carrots, taro, sweet potatoes, potatoes, pumpkins, longan, and chestnuts.
Spring is not only a time of unpredictable weather, but many people also easily experience excessive liver fire, leading to symptoms of depression and constant worry. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that excessive worry can affect spleen and stomach function. It is important to adjust one’s mindset and avoid overthinking or getting stuck in negative thoughts. Striving to promptly free oneself from negative emotions is essential. Only by maintaining a calm and peaceful state can liver Qi stabilize, allowing the spleen and stomach to be nourished.
In terms of lifestyle, it is important to go to bed late and rise early, following the natural changes to achieve the goal of promoting spleen and stomach health. Massaging the abdomen before sleep can also effectively nourish the spleen and stomach. The specific method is to lie on your back, centering on the navel, and use your palm to massage the abdomen in a clockwise direction for about 200 times. This not only promotes digestion and eliminates dampness and toxins from the spleen and stomach but also helps keep the abdomen warm, benefiting sleep quality.
Wishing you peace and health forever.
Spreading health, leaving a fragrant touch!