The Role of Zang-Fu Organs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In TCM, the Five Zang Organs and Six Fu Organs play vital roles in maintaining the body’s health and balance.

  • Five Zang Organs: Responsible for storing and regulating essential energy (Qi).
  • Six Fu Organs: Primarily handle digestion and excretion of food and waste.

Focus on the Spleen

The Spleen holds a central position in TCM as the “Foundation of Postnatal Life.” Its functions and importance include:

  • Foundation After Birth: The spleen is considered the “warehouse” of the human body, essential for overall vitality and health after birth.
  • Connection to Health Issues: Frequent illnesses, chronic conditions, or unexplained diseases are often linked to spleen and stomach imbalances.
  • Key Physiological Functions:
    • Stores and transforms essence (Qi).
    • Digests food to produce qi and blood.
    • Serves as the primary source of nutrients and energy for the body.

Significance of the Spleen in TCM

The spleen works in harmony with the stomach to ensure the body’s physiological processes run smoothly. In clinical practice, TCM often starts by addressing spleen and stomach imbalances to restore overall health.

五脏六腑

中医中的五脏六腑

“五脏六腑” 在中医中是指人体的主要脏器和内脏系统。以下是它们的英文翻译：

五脏 (Five Zang Organs):

  • 心 (Heart)
  • 肝 (Liver)
  • 脾 (Spleen)
  • 肺 (Lungs)
  • 肾 (Kidneys)

六腑 (Six Fu Organs):

  • 胆 (Gallbladder)
  • 小肠 (Small intestine)
  • 大肠 (Large intestine)
  • 胃 (Stomach)
  • 膀胱 (Bladder)
  • 三焦 (San Jiao or Triple Burner)

这些器官在中医理论中各自有其功能和作用，五脏负责存储和调节精气，而六腑主要负责食物的消化和排泄等功能。

Five Zang and Six Fu Organs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the “Five Zang and Six Fu” refer to the major organs and internal systems of the human body.

Five Zang Organs:

  • Heart (心)
  • Liver (肝)
  • Spleen (脾)
  • Lungs (肺)
  • Kidneys (肾)

Six Fu Organs:

  • Gallbladder (胆)
  • Small intestine (小肠)
  • Large intestine (大肠)
  • Stomach (胃)
  • Bladder (膀胱)
  • San Jiao (Triple Burner) (三焦)
If a person has poor qi and blood, the first thing to consider is whether their diet is healthy and whether their digestion is functioning well. The spleen and stomach are involved in the digestion and absorption of food and drink. The stomach receives the food, and the spleen transforms it, gradually converting it into qi and blood. Without sufficient qi and blood, everything else is in vain. Qi and blood depend on the spleen and stomach. The spleen and stomach transform and distribute the essence of food and drink to all organs, nourishing the entire body.

五脏六腑

脾

脾为后天之本：人在落地之后的本。就是健脾。人体仓库。临床出现体弱多病、大病、多病、看不懂的病。一切的一切都从脾胃开始，人体的生理功能都是从脾胃开始。储藏、运化、存储我们的精，运化食物，生化气血。人体摄取营养和生化气血的主要来源。一个人的气血不好，先想想饮食是否吃得好，消化好吗，脾胃参与水谷的消化与吸收，胃接受的食物，靠脾去运化，然后慢慢化生为气血。人的身体没有气血，一切白搭，气血找脾胃。脾胃运化输布水谷精微到各个脏腑，滋养全身。

湿气重：行动慢，发展慢。湿气 = 湿邪，分为内生和外感。

内生：由情绪和饮食习惯引起。

外感：风寒湿、淋雨、涉水、长期生活在潮湿环境中。

症状：头重、身体沉重、关节酸痛、皮肤瘙痒、过敏。内生湿气通常伴有沉重感和酸痛。

内生湿气：例如脾虚（由于饮食习惯、生活方式或情绪问题）。

原因：食用油腻食物、饮酒、冷饮、冰可乐、炸食物、熬夜、吃宵夜、不良环境等。

症状：恶心、呕吐、口淡、口渴但不想喝水、舌苔厚腻、大便溏、白带过多。

湿邪阻碍气机，导致脾胃功能失调。

情志伤脾：过度忧虑伤脾胃，影响消化吸收。

症状：食欲不振、腹泻、腹胀、腹痛、恶心、呕吐、情绪不稳定、易发脾气。

脾虚湿盛：水湿内停，导致饮食不化、胸闷腹胀、泄泻便溏、四肢无力、舌淡、苔白腻、脉虚。

外感湿气：暴露在外部湿气中（如淋雨或长期生活在潮湿环境中）会导致头重、四肢困重、关节酸痛、皮肤瘙痒，以及湿邪阻滞经气。

脾虚湿盛：脾虚导致湿气内停，表现为饮食不化、腹部不适、腹泻、四肢无力、白带清稀。

脾喜欢甜：甜食可以缓解紧张情绪，放松气机，但过多糖分摄入可能导致胃热和酸吐。建议食用麦芽糖和甘蔗糖。

脾喜欢黄色：如小米，有助于养脾胃。

Dampness: Slow movement and development. Dampness = Damp evil, divided into internal and external causes.

Internal: Caused by emotions and dietary habits.

External: Wind, cold, dampness, exposure to rain, water, or living in a humid environment.

Symptoms: Heaviness in the head and body, joint pain, skin itching, and allergies. Internal dampness is often accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and soreness.

Internal Dampness: For example, spleen deficiency (due to dietary habits, lifestyle, or emotional issues).

Causes: Eating greasy food, drinking alcohol, consuming cold drinks, ice-cold sodas, fried foods, staying up late, eating late-night snacks, and living in poor environments.

Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, a bland taste in the mouth, thirst without wanting to drink, thick and greasy tongue coating, loose stools, and excessive vaginal discharge.

Dampness blocks the flow of qi, disrupting spleen and stomach functions.

Emotions Harm the Spleen: Excessive worry harms the spleen and stomach, affecting digestion and absorption.

Symptoms: Loss of appetite, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, emotional instability, and irritability.

Spleen Deficiency and Dampness: Water and dampness accumulate internally, leading to symptoms like indigestion, chest tightness, abdominal fullness, diarrhea, fatigue, a pale tongue, white greasy coating, and a weak pulse.

External Dampness: Exposure to external dampness (like rain or living in a humid environment) causes heaviness in the head and limbs, joint pain, skin itching, and blockage of the meridians due to dampness.

Spleen Deficiency and Dampness: Spleen deficiency leads to internal accumulation of dampness, causing symptoms like indigestion, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, fatigue, and clear vaginal discharge.

Spleen Likes Sweet: Sweet foods can relieve tension and relax the energy pathways, but excessive sugar intake can lead to stomach heat and acidity. It is recommended to consume maltose and cane sugar.

Spleen Likes Yellow: Foods like millet are beneficial for nourishing the spleen and stomach.