For many people,spleen deficiency is a very common issue, and it can lead to various health problems. Are there more health tips regarding spleen deficiency?
Yes! Today, I will share some insights!
Spleen deficiency is not simple
When it comes to“tonifying the spleen”, many people think it is as simple as refueling a car by consuming some nourishing foods or herbs. However, spleen deficiency is a broad concept that can be categorized into manydifferent types and manifestations.
As is well known, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regards thespleen as the“foundation of postnatal life”, holding a significant position among the organs. It maintains the normal functioning of the body through its four main physiological characteristics and functions: “spleen qi should rise, likes dryness and dislikes dampness,” “spleen governs transportation and transformation,” “spleen governs lifting,” and “spleen governs blood regulation.” Once the physiological functions of the spleen are compromised, various problems arise, which we refer to as “spleen deficiency.”
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There are many causes of“spleen deficiency”, and its manifestations are diverse. For example:
- Spleen’s transportation dysfunction: abdominal distension, poor appetite, loose stools, or chronic constipation;
- Spleen’s lifting dysfunction: fatigue, shortness of breath, pale complexion;
- Spleen qi sinking: abdominal heaviness, persistent diarrhea, prolapse, organ descent;
- Spleen’s blood regulation dysfunction: blood in stools, blood in urine, excessive menstrual bleeding, or prolonged bleeding.
To tonify the spleen, one must differentiate the syndrome!
If you want to “tonify the spleen,” you need to understand where the problem lies.01Spleen Qi DeficiencyCauses:Irregular diet, worry and overthinking, prolonged illness, or a constitutionally weak spleen (innate spleen deficiency) can lead to spleen qi deficiency.Manifestations:Postprandial abdominal distension, reduced appetite, loose stools, fatigue, lack of energy, pale complexion, weak bowel movements.Tongue and Pulse:Pale tongue orwith tooth marks, thin white coating, weak pulse.
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Consequences of Spleen Qi Deficiency
- When spleen qi is deficient, the food consumed cannot be adequately transformed and absorbed, leading to dampness.
- Severe spleen qi deficiency can result in sinking qi, causing dizziness and organ prolapse;
- Spleen qi deficiency can impair its blood regulation function, making one prone to subcutaneous bruising, bleeding, blood in stools, excessive menstruation, and gum bleeding.
Recommended Diet1Huang Qi and Yi Yi Rice Porridge
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Ingredients:100 grams of rice, 30 grams of Huang Qi (Astragalus), 30 grams of Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears);Preparation:Wash and slice Huang Qi, rinse rice and Yi Yi Ren, place them in a pot with appropriate water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 40 minutes.Effects:Tonifies qi and stops diarrhea, especially beneficial for patients with chronic enteritis due to spleen deficiency.2Huang Qi and Dang Shen Porridge
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Ingredients:20 grams of Huang Qi, 20 grams of Dang Shen (Codonopsis), 20 grams of Fu Ling (Poria), 3 slices of ginger, 50 grams of rice (serves 2).Preparation:Soak ginger, Dang Shen, Huang Qi, and Fu Ling for half an hour, boil for 30 minutes, then add rinsed rice and cook into porridge.Effects:Strengthens the spleen, tonifies qi, and alleviates pallor. Suitable for those with spleen and stomach qi deficiency, presenting with pale complexion, fatigue, and loose stools.02Spleen Yang DeficiencySpleen qi deficiency can further develop into coldness of the spleen and stomach. In TCM, “yang” represents warmth; when yang is deficient, one feels cold.
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Causes:Excessive consumption of cold foods, and living in a cold environment can damage the yang energy of the spleen.Manifestations:Clear, watery stools, possibly multiple times a day,abdominal pain and distension, preference for warmth, desire to cover the abdomen, with abdominal pain worsening in cold conditions. Often feeling cold in the limbs, bland taste in the mouth, pale complexion, and excessive clear vaginal discharge in women.Tongue and Pulse:Pale, swollen tongue with tooth marks, a sensation of water dripping when the tongue is extended,white, slippery coating, and a slow, deep pulse.Recommended Diet1Warm Yang and Transform Damp Soup
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Ingredients:20 grams of Sha Ren (Amomum), 20 grams of lotus seeds, 20 grams of Bai Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean), 20 grams of Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears), 50 grams of lean meat.Preparation:Boil the four herbs in water for about half an hour, then add pork and cook for another half hour.Usage:As part of a normal diet, consume once or multiple times a week based on individual health conditions.Note:Those with heat or sores in the mouth should avoid this dish.People who feel cold can use roasted Yi Yi Ren, while those who feel hot can use raw Yi Yi Ren. Additionally, pork is considered cooling; chicken can be used as a substitute for those who feel cold.03Spleen Yin DeficiencyIn TCM, “yin” is the opposite of “yang.” “Yang deficiency” leads to cold, while “yin deficiency” leads to heat.The renowned TCM scholar Pu Fuzhou summarized: “Spleen yin deficiency presents with hot hands and feet, dry mouth with little desire to drink, irritability, and lack of appetite.”
Causes: Unbalanced diet, excessive consumption of spicy and rich foods; chronic depletion, especially from long-term spleen and stomach diseases, can deplete spleen yin, leading to spleen yin deficiency syndrome.
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Manifestations: Lack of appetite, low-grade fever, weakness in limbs, muscle atrophy, dry lips with little desire to drink, hot hands and feet, pale complexion with red cheeks, dry stools, and weak bowel movements, with abdominal distension worsening at night.Tongue and Pulse:Soft, slightly moist tongue with little coating,thin, weak, and rapid pulse.Recommended Diet1Sha Shen, Mai Dong, Bian Dou, and Shan Yao Porridge
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Ingredients:10 grams of Sha Shen (Glehnia), 10 grams of Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), 15 grams of fried Bian Dou, 20 grams of dried Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), 50 grams of japonica rice.Preparation:First, boil Sha Shen and Mai Dong in water for 20 minutes to extract the juice, then add the juice to japonica rice, Bian Dou, and Shan Yao to cook into porridge.
The Spleen has “Five Fears”
1Fear of Lack of ExerciseLack of exercise is a common issue among modern people, but the spleen governs the limbs and muscles. If your limbs and muscles are rarely active, how can the spleen and stomach be strong?
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2Fear of SuppressionWorry and overthinking harm the spleen. Ifemotions are suppressed, frequently fluctuate, or if one is burdened with worries and overthinking, this can significantly affect the digestive and absorptive functions of the spleen and stomach.
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3Fear of Irregular DietLong-term consumption of heavy oils, spicy, and other stimulating foodsis considered an irregular diet.
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Greasy foodsincrease the burden on the spleen and stomach, spicy foods consume qi and damage fluids, cold and chilled foods harm the yang energy of the spleen, and excessive sweets generate phlegm and dampness.4Fear of Irregular Eating PatternsEating irregularly, alternating between hunger and fullness, is referred to in TCM as “eating without moderation.”Long-term habits like this can damage stomach qi, leading to spleen and stomach weakness.
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5Fear of Irregular LifestyleAs the weather gets colder, neglecting warmth,cold can easily harm the spleen; also,long-term staying up late and insomnia can prevent the spleen and stomach from getting adequate rest, leading to spleen deficiency.
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Source: Huang Suiping on Spleen and Stomach,BTV Health Hall,Health China,Wen Xiaoshu,Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. If there is any infringement, please contact this public account.
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