This exploration of the heart system is the third in a series demystifying

Chinese Medicine Theory for Patients and the General Public. As we

learned previously in the Liver and Kidney system articles, Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides us with unique and illustrative ways of
looking at our health and the relationships between ourselves, others, and
our environment. In this third article we will discuss the heart system in
Chinese Medicine and the relationships it has to our ability to experience
and express joy, handle the summer heat, and help us live more full lives.
I hope you walk away from these articles with a new appreciation for how
amazing our bodies and our world is and also some ways to bring more
awareness into your life with these inter-relationships in mind.
As our hearts are an extremely vital organ and heart disease is a major
health problem with serious consequences, people may be a little
uncomfortable when told by their practitioner that they have a heart
issue. As pointed out in previous articles, however, Chinese Medicine
diagnoses are referencing the heart system of which only a small part is
the actual physical heart. In other words, you can have heart issues
without a physical heart problem or even known co-factors such as
hypertension or high cholesterol.
A problem with the heart system is simply part of the organ pattern
diagnoses that Chinese Medicine uses to describe processes and
relationships within the body. The heart system involves the heart, certain
aspects of our emotional and intellectual mind, the small intestine
functions, and circulation generally. The system also includes
the heart and small intestine acupuncture meridians along with a host of
imbalances from a Chinese Medicine perspective and western conditions
such as depression, anxiety, add/adhd, hypertension, heart disease, poor
memory, insomnia, night sweats, and more.

About The Heart:

While vital to human life the physical heart is basically just a pump. Just
slightly larger than the size of your fist, our hearts will beat over 2 billion
times in an average lifetime. Working with our lungs, our heart delivers
oxygenated blood and nutrients to our organs, tissues and cells. When we
have circulatory problems this function can be diminished causing
problems elsewhere in the body and ultimately even with the heart itself.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, the heart system has a broad range
of functions that span from the physical to the psychological. Some of
these functions are related to the physical functions of the heart itself, but
others are related to connections made by the heart meridian and other
relationships.

The heart in Chinese Medicine performs the

following functions:
Dominates the blood and vessels and manifests in the face:
This function illustrates the crucial importance of the physical pumping
function of the heart. While the heart obviously requires the circulatory
system to deliver blood effectively, without the pumping function nothing
works at all. When the circulatory function is strong in the body, the
vessels will be full of blood and the body and mind will be properly
nourished. This will be evident in techniques such as pulse diagnosis and
through simple observations of ones complexion. Manifesting in the face
means that due to the large number of blood vessels in the area,
weaknesses in the system overall will be observable in the face. A
common sign of Heart Yang Deficiency, for example, is a pale face.
Imbalances in this function would include a broad range of circulatory
disorders.
Houses the mind:
In Chinese Medicine our psychologial and intellectual selves are housed
or controlled by various organ systems. The following chart illustrates
these psychological connections (also known as the five shen):
Shen Emotional Thought | Controlled/Housed by the Heart
Yi Intellectual Thought | Controlled/Housed by the Spleen
Zhi Willpower | Controlled/Housed by the Kidneys
Hun Our Soul/Courage/Dreams/Goals | Controlled/Housed by
the Liver
Po Another aspect of our soul but more strongly tied to our
physical body/Instincts | Controlled/Housed by the Lungs

The heart, then, technically houses the shen. Shen is loosely translated as
our spirit or consciousness and proper shen will result in the ability to
think and feel clearly, a strong memory, and the ability to relax and sleep.
Imbalances in this function can result in insomnia, memory problems,
depression, schizophrenia and the entire range of psychological issues.
Opens into the tongue:
The organs in Chinese Medicine are known as the Zang-Fu. Zang organs
such as the Heart, Kidneys, Spleen, etc. are solid and yin in nature.
Each meridan/organ system has a yin/yang pairing so each zang/yin
organ has a paired fu/yang organ. The zang counterparts, also known as
the fu organs such as the Small Intestine, Urinary Bladder, and Stomach
respectively, are hollow and yang in nature. All of the zang organs
have a sensory organ connected to them. In the case of the heart it is the
tongue. This relationship is important for proper speech, taste, and a
healthy tongue overall (as indicated by tongue diagnosis). An imbalance
in this connection may result in the loss of taste, speech disorders, pale
tongue, and more.

What symptoms may arise?

From a Chinese Medicine perspective imbalances in the heart system will
lead to many circulatory and psychological related problems such as:
anxiety, insomnia, menopausal syndrome, add/adhd, poor memory, fuzzy
thinking, stuttering, manic depression, palpitations, cold limbs, fatigue,
coma, and many others.
As you can see from this brief foray into the heart system there is much
more that is meant by the heart than just the physical pumping
function. The heart system provides nourishment to much of our body and
mind and allows us to move, think, and feel clearly.

Heart System Patterns and Their Meanings:

As discussed previously, Chinese Medicine treats patterns not
conditions. By examing the patient, observing their face and body, their
entire range of signs and symptoms, palpating points, looking at
their tongue and their pulse, practitioners of Chinese Medicine will arrive
at a pattern diagnosis. By choosing the appropriate pattern you can treat
western conditions as well as offset any variety of more vague symptoms

before they turn into full pledged conditions. This pattern diagnosis is
also what gives Chinese Medicine the flexibility to treat many poorly
understood conditions and/or those that do not respond well to western
and/or other methods of medical intervention.
In the case of the heart system, patterns generally fall into two
categories: Yang deficiency (heat, movement, force) and Yin deficiency
(coolness, relaxation, clarity). Physical heart problems may be diagnosed
as Heart Blood Stagnation whereas the emotional aspects may be
diagnosed as Heart Yin Deficiency. Within the heart system, there are
also some unique diagnoses such as one pattern known as phlegm
misting the mind which is discussed below.
Heart Yang Deficiency is a further development of heart qi deficiency
which often moves from symptoms such as palpitations on exertion,
fatique and spontaneous sweating to those symptoms plus cold limbs, a
sensation of cold and a bright pale face. This diagnosis may indicate
physical heart problems such as heart disease, coronary blockage, etc.
Heart Yin Deficiency anxiety and restlessness, palpitations, insomnia,
dream disturbed sleep, easily startled, poor memory, fidgeting, mallor
flush, night sweats, heat in the 5 palms (hands, feet and face) and/or dry
mouth. This pattern may indicate any number of western psychological
conditions.
Phlegm Misting The Mind this rather unique diagnosis has to do with the
hearts circulation to the brain/mind and may be diagnosed in conditions
where people lose consciousness and/or an ability to know who or where
they are. Traditional signs are mental confusion, unconsciousness, a
rattling sound in the throat, asphasia and/or vomiting.
For a full list of all of the Heart related patterns and their symptoms, you
can see the Heart Related Disharmonies page within our Chinese
Medicine theorysection.

It sure is warm, you also said something about

summertime and heat!?
As we learned above each of the organ systems has various relationships
to sensory organs, aspects of ourselves and more. These relationships
come from five element theory and are discussed in more detail in my
general five element theory section. For our purposes, however, we are

going to limit the discussion to the emotional and seasonal relationships

of each meridian system. The chart belows shows these basic
relationships:

* Organ
Heart
Spleen
Lungs
Kidneys
Liver

* Season
Summer
Late Summer
Autumn
Winter
Spring

* Emotion
Joy
Worry/Pensiveness
Grief/Sadness
Fear
Anger

As you can see from the chart above, the heart system is related to the
season of summer and to the emotion of joy. This means that the heart
system is strongest and aided by the summer season (warmth helps
circulation) and that a healthy heart will lead to the ability to feel and
express joy. As with any relationship, however, there is a counterpoint.
Extreme heat will harm the heart (too much heat makes us agitated and
can lead to heat stroke, for example). On the emotional side too much joy
can cause issues and a complete lack of joy in our lives can also lead to
problems, perhaps even transferring to physical problems (palpitations
under extreme anxiety, depression after a failed relationship, etc.).
To help aid our hearts and put some direct self-help advice into this

article (for those of you in the northern hemisphere anyhow), I am going

to offer some advice on cooling your body and helping with heat. Summer
is the time for adding more of the cooling foods into our diets fruits,
salads, water, etc. Watermelon in particular is an excellent remedy for
summer heat. In Chinese Medicine watermelon is used to clear summer
heat, aid a sore throat, and relieve mouth sores. A glass of fresh
watermelon juice is a good remedy to relieve the vomiting and dizziness
which may accompany heat stroke.
Acupressure is also useful to both clear anxiety and to help with
overheating of the body and even to help restore consciousness if
someone were to faint from the heat (medical attention is of course
strongly recommended). Two of the strongest points to help relieve
anxiety, palpitations, etc. are PC 7 and HT 7. Both of these points can be
used when you feel restless, anxious, and/or are having difficulty falling

asleep. SP 10 and LI 11 are good points for clearing heat from the body
generally and can make you feel more comfortable when the heat starts
to get to you. Finally, GV 26 is a good point to learn to help anyone who
has fainted or appears to be slipping from consciousness. You can click on
any of the points listed to find their locations and usages. GV 26 in
particular must be held fairly firmly, often with the thumb.

What Else Can I Do?

As with the kidney system and our discussion of kidney yin deficiency,
heart yin deficiency issues (insomnia, anxiety, etc.) are often related to
the general pace and pressures of our culture. Western culture generally
and american culture particularly can be very stressful and somewhat
lacking in joy and connection. Even for people who are not clinically
depressed our culture is somewhat isolating and individualistic as is the
american spirit that helped to build it. Compared to many other parts of
the world where people generally live with extended families and have
towns and villages where their very design fosters more communication
and interaction amongst neighbors and other people in town, americans
generally have less daily interaction with family, friends, and other people
near them. In addition to the setup of our society, our long working hours,
the pace of life that has been sped up with cell phones and the computer,
and other distractions such as TV can take a toll on our emotional,
psychological and physical selves.
While not everyone wants to live with 12 people in their house or live in
dense city centers it is important for us to be aware that every economic,
social, and spatial decision we make individually and collectively will have
an impact on our lives and on our health. We know that people who are
too isolated have physiological changes that can lead to conditions such
as depression, addictions, and other issues such as alzheimers. We know
that having towns too spread out causes people to drive everywhere
lowering their time in the sun (vitamin D deficiency) and leads to
increased rates of obesity and other cardiovascular issues. As with all
things, its all about finding the proper balance and being aware enough
to look around at our situations and look for conditions that we can
change instead of masking our issues or expecting magical fixes from
medications.

Can Chinese Herbal Medicine Help?

There are a variety of herbal formulas that are helpful for heart system
imbalances both yang and yin. Within this article I am going to mention
some of the more helpful formulas that relate to Heart Yin Deficiency. This
is in part because they are an important aspect of treatment in many
cases. The yin of the body can be difficult to rebuild from the
accumulations of stress and anxiety that contributes to these issues and
relatively short-term usage of herbal medicine can be very useful.
The Emperors Tonic or Tian Wan Bu Xin Wan works to replenish the
yin and blood of the heart system. This formula is commonly used for
insomnia, anxiety, and related conditions.
Licorice, Triticum & Jujube Pills or Gan Mai Da Zao Wan works to
nourish the heart and calm the mind. This formula is used for insomnia,
nightsweats, depression, and related conditions.
Finally, Chinese Herbal Medicine has a very long history of trial and error
which gives us many formulas that are many hundreds of years old with
long tract records of success. One aspect of herbal medicine to aid in
calming and focusing the mind is the use of shells in Chinese Medicine.
These may be oyster shells, clam shells, etc. and they are incorporated in
with appropriate herbs to calm the mind in a non-narcotic way. This allows
people to feel calm but mentally more focused instead of sleepy and hazy
like many medications. Two formulas that are worth mentioning are listed
below. One is fairly strong and used for more chronic/clinical
psychological issues and the other is safely used with children,
particularly with add/adhd.
For Children with add/adhd, behavioral issues, and/or anxiety, our Pearl
Kuding Tea Lozenges is a safe and helpful formula. This formula is one of
the few times in Chinese Medicine where you use a single herb (in this
case pearl powder). Pearl powder is a safe way of helping to calm and
focus the mind without side effects of any kind.
Bupleuri, Dragon Bone & Oyster Combo Pills or Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li
Wan strongly calms the mind, again using shells. This formula is used for
more severe cases of anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other psychological
conditions.

So, what to do?

Well for one respect the relationships that each organ system has with
each season. Summer is a time for outward energy, being active,
expressing ourselves and experiencing joy. Summer is a great time to
increase activity levels. It is also a great time to decrease the amount of
food we eat, as the summer heat provides us with warmth and
nourishment we can focus on lighter dishes and more fruits specifically.
With even minor increases in activity and lighter dishes we can eliminate
some of the weight which naturally builds up over the winter and go into
the fall in much better shape.
So enjoy the summer, use the extended daylight hours to be outside
more, and use the happiness which everyone feels to at least some
degree when it is sunny and warm to engage more with others and your
community. Your heart will thank you on all of the levels that we discussed
above and more

he second in a series demystifying Chinese Medicine

Theory for Patients and the General Public
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides us with unique and
illustrative ways of looking at our health and relationships between
ourselves, others, and our environment. This series of articles is part of
my ongoing goal of demystifying the world of acupuncture. In the first
article of the series, My Liver Is What, we discussed the liver system
from a Chinese Medicine perspective. This, the second article in the
series, will discuss the kidney system.
As is the case with other organ systems, people are often confused when
their acupuncturist or herbalist tells them they have a kidney problem.
While perhaps more comforting than when my first Korean acupuncturist
screamed out brain problem!, it raises an eye nonetheless.
As discussed in our first article, Chinese Medicine uses organ patterns to
help describe processes and relationships within the body. As we now
know, a kidney issue indicates a problem with the kidney system
which rarely indicates a problem with the physical organ. The kidney
system involves the physical kidneys, the adrenals, and the bladder which
is the paired organ to the kidney system. The system also includes the

kidney and bladder acupuncture meridians along with a host of

imbalances from a Chinese Medicine perspective and western conditions
such as nephritis.
About The Kidneys:
From a western perspective the kidneys perform very important
processing and filtration functions in the body. Each day the kidneys
process approximately 200 quarts of blood, taking out nearly 2 quarts of
waste products and water. These waste products come from the normal
breakdown of tissue in the body as well as from our food. The kidneys
also release some very important hormones; Erythropoletin which
stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells, Renin which
regulates blood pressure, and Calcitrol (the active form of Vitamin D),
which helps maintain calcium levels in the body.
We can live without one kidney, but without two we need to be on dialysis
for the rest of our life or get a transplant. From a western perspective the
kidneys are damaged by diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and a
host of auto-immune and infection related conditions. Trauma and genetic
conditions also play a role in kidney failure. General signs of kidney
disease can be vague and include changes in urination (more or less
often), fatigue, loss of appetite, swelling in the extremities, darkened skin,
and/or muscle cramps.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective the kidney system has a very broad
range of functions and is one of the most important systems in our body.
Some of these functions are related to the physical functions of the
kidneys, but others are related to connections made by the kidney
meridian and other relationships from a TCM perspective.
The kidneys in Chinese Medicine perform the following
functions:

Stores the Jing and controls development and

reproduction:
Jing, also called Essence, is a deep form of energy in our body. Some of it
we are born with and other aspects we get from food and other activities.
Jing is largely responsible for our mental and physical development and
forms the basis of our ability to reproduce. Imbalances in this function can

include infertility, sexual issues, and physical and/or mental

developmental issues. (For more about Qi and Jing see What Is Qi?)
Controls Water Metabolism:
This is related to the western function of the kidneys. Imbalances in this
function can lead to edema (body swelling) which can be very significant.
Within this function there is also a relationship with the lungs that does
not exist in western medicine. The control of water metabolism plays a
role in moistening the lungs and aiding in their function chronic dry
cough can be signs of a kidney system imbalance.
Receives Energy or Qi:
In TCM Theory the lungs and the kidneys work together to aid our ability
to breath and circulate energy within our body. Weaknesses in the kidney
aspect of this function can lead to issues such as shortness of breath,
asthma, and/or fatigue.
Controls the bones, manufactures marrow to fill the
brain, and manifests in the hair:
This function relates to the kidneys role in stimulating the production of
bone marrow. From a Chinese Medicine perspective this involves both the
bone marrow and the spinal marrow. Bone marrow is a crucial part of
immunity, strong bones and teeth and spinal marrow is a crucial part of
mental development, brain function, and hair growth. Dental problems
are a sign of weak bone marrow function and hair loss is a sign of weak
spinal marrow function. Imbalances in this role can lead to anything from
loss of hair and minor dental issues to serious developmental disabilities.
Opens into the ear and controls the anterior and
posterior orifices:
The Kidneys are said to open in the ear. Our ability to hear involves
proper nourishment of the ears from the kidney system. Weak kidney
energy can show up as poor hearing or other conditions such as tinnitus
(ringing in the ears). The anterior orifices refer to the urethra and

genitalia and imbalances here can result in urinary and/or reproductive

issues. The posterior orifices refers to the anus and the role of elimination
by the colon. Weakness in this role can lead to issues such as chronic
diarrhea or constipation.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective the following list of signs
and symptoms can arise from a kidney system imbalance:
Asthma, cold limbs, weak back and/or knees, incontinence, bedwetting,
tinnitus, constipation, night sweats, insomnia, diarrhea, poor physical
and/or mental development, weak bones, teeth, poor memory, poor libido
and reproductive issues.
As you can see the role of the kidney system in Chinese Medicine goes far
beyond the role of the physical kidneys as defined by western medicine.
The kidney system provides the root of our overall energy and has a large
influence over our development. This begins while we are still in the
womb and continues to influence how well we age throughout our life.
Kidney System Patterns and Their Meanings:
As discussed previously, Chinese Medicine treats patterns not
conditions. By examining the patient, their entire range of signs and
symptoms, palpating points, looking at their tongue and their pulse,
practitioners of Chinese Medicine will arrive at a pattern diagnosis. By
choosing the appropriate pattern you can treat western conditions as well
as offset any variety of more vague symptoms before they turn into full
pledged conditions.
In the case of the kidney system, patterns generally fall into two
categories: Yang deficiency (our heat, our movement, and our energy)
and Yin deficiency (our ability to cool, our relaxation, and our fluids). A
common pattern, particularly in modern western cultures, is known as
Kidney Yin Deficiency.
Kidney Yin Deficiency contains the following signs dizziness, tinnitus,
vertigo, sore back, constipation, empty heat signs such as flushed face,
nightsweats, hot palms, hot feet and/or hot chest, hot flashes, insomnia
and/or chronic dry throat. Related conditions are insomnia, menopausal
syndrome, and various anxiety disorders.
Kidney Yang Deficiency contains the following signs sore and/or weak
back/knees, sensation of cold, aversion to cold, weak lower limbs, fatigue,
clear copious urine, poor appetite, loose stools, sexual issues, fertility

problems and/or edema. Related conditions are chronic fatigue syndrome,

chronic back pain, and infertility.
For a full list of all of the kidney related patterns and their symptoms,
you can see the Kidney Related Disharmonies page.
How Does My Lifestyle and Diet Effect These Patterns?
As the effect of the kidney system is broad, our ability to foster these
imbalances is also quite broad. Generally if a chronic issue is anxiety
and/or insomnia and you have that go, go, go mentality you are likely to
be more yin deficient. If a chronic issue is fatigue and you are missing
your get up and go, you are more than likely on the yang deficient side.
In modern western culture we see a tremendous amount of yin deficiency.
The work hard, play hard mentality is a page from the how to create
yin deficiency playbook. Our culture rewards hard work and we have a
non-stop go, go, go culture increasingly so. There is certainly nothing
wrong with hard work, however, the kidney system above all other
systems stresses to us the need for moderation and balance. Some
people are at, or past, the point where relaxation becomes difficult and
for some even stressful this is yin deficiency. Yin deficiency is the
equivalent of your body being locked in the on position. It stays on until
you burn yourself out and crash which can be experienced in conditions
such as hypothyroidism, cancer, auto-immune conditions, and depression
to name a few.
For women this is a particularly acute issue as the yin of the body is an
aspect of the blood. As we age we lose yin naturally women lose more
from menstruation. So this normal process coupled with a hard working
lifestyle can lead to significant psychological and menstrual issues,
fertility issues, and later problems at menopause. Issues at menopause
are something many feel every women has to go through, yet in some
cultures they may not even have a word for menopause. The menstrual
cycle simply stops no hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes,
hormone replacement therapy it just stops naturally and they
experience no issues whatsoever. The concepts behind yin deficiency give
us some clues as to why we see increasing problems in these areas.
The Yang deficient side is more straightforward you run out of steam.
This can come from working too hard, yin deficiency turning into yang
deficiency, as a result of a significant illness, or perhaps starting life with

a constitutional weakness (part of why some people seem to age faster

than others even when lifestyle factors are taken into consideration).
So, what to do?
Moderation in all things appears to be very, very important. Respecting
our energy levels and our normal fluctuations instead of always pushing
through. When we need rest, rest dont just talk about resting, do it. All
of the relaxation exercises such as qi gong, tai chi, meditation and yoga
foster yin and help us to recharge and rebuild. As does a simple walk,
reading a book, and relaxing with friends. We need our time and our
space to regenerate and we will find that when we take this, not only do
we feel better, but we are more productive. Part of allowing this to happen
is the acknowledgement that the world will continue to revolve without
us
Foods Which Aid Kidney Yang Deficiency:
For Yang deficiency increasing your intake of warming wholesome foods
such as stews, roasts and hearty soups is beneficial. Focusing your diet on
cooked/steamed vegetables and avoiding cooling foods like salads and
raw foods, adding ginger and garlic to your diet, and herbs such as
ginseng can be helpful. Other foods such as shrimp, mussels, walnuts,
lamb, onions, radish, turnips, cinnamon, peppermint, and royal jelly
should be given precedence.
Techniques such as moxibustion (see What Is Moxibustion?), and
herbal formulas such as Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan are also helpful.
Food Which Aid Kidney Yin Deficiency:
For yin deficiency you need foods which calm the nervous system and
your mind and help build the fluids of the body. As yin deficiency often
presents with signs of heat (nightsweats, hot palms, etc.), many feel they
need cooling foods. But as it is ultimately a deficiency pattern, too much
cold/raw foods can aggravate the condition. Foods that are helpful are
sweet potatoes, squash, potatoes, string beans, lemons, black beans,
kidney beans, fish, oysters, clams, duck, and chicken eggs. As yin
deficiency is further aggravated by caffeine, alcohol, sugar and strong
spices, these should be avoided or used in moderation.
All of the relaxation techniques mentioned above are helpful for yin
deficient conditions. Herbal formulas such as Da Bu Yin Wan and Tian Wan
Bu Xin Wan are often very helpful as well.

Well, now its time to relax. Winter is the season of the kidneys which
means it is time to calm our minds, rest, and build our energy. Winter is a
great time to honor our energy and take more time to regenerate
ourselves, spend time with family and friends, and hibernate as best as
we can. If we give our body this time, we can literally spring up with the
trees and flowers as we all come out of our slumber rested, strong, and
more at peace.

The first in a series demystifying Chinese Medicine

Theory
for Patients and the General Public
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses a variety of unique terminology
to diagnose and treat a broad range of health issues. In this series of
articles I am going to discuss some of the more common TCM diagnoses
and their meanings in the hopes of demystifying the world of
acupuncture. This, the first article in the series, will discuss the Liver
system.
Many become concerned when their acupuncturist or herbalist tells them
they have Liver Qi Stagnation or Liver Blood Deficiency They often
assume that this means there is something wrong with their physical liver
and may go to their western doctor asking for Liver Blood tests or other
exams. They may also think their Liver is toxic and try any variety of
detoxifying diets or supplements. Or, as is often the case, they may just
stare at you and wonder what it is, exactly, that you are talking about.
Chinese Medicine theory uses the names of the organs to help illustrate a
pattern of related physical and psychological issues. When a practitioner
says you have a liver issue they are generally speaking of the liver
system from a Chinese Perspective. This system involves the physical
liver, the liver acupuncture meridian, liver related disharmonies (or
patterns), western medicine liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis,
and a range of health issues that arise from theliver related
disharmonies from a TCM perspective.
About The Liver:

From a western perspective the physical liver is a very important organ

that stores our blood, processes toxins and poisons, helps us store
energy, and aids in our overall immunity. General signs of physical liver
problems can be yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice), abdominal pain and
swelling and fatigue and/or loss of appetite. We cannot live without a liver
so fostering the health of our liver is very important to our overall
wellbeing.
From a Chinese Medicine perspective the liver system has a much wider
range of activities. Some of these are obvious from the functions of the
physical liver and others are more related to the liver meridian and how it
connects throughout the body.
The Liver in Chinese Medicine:
Stores the blood and aids in
the proper circulation of the
blood during movement:
A dysfunction here can result in
muscle spasms, numbness in the limbs, blurred vision, or menstrual
issues.
Controls the flow of qi, or energy, in the body:
This means the circulation of blood and energy for movement and
digestion (secretion of bile, for example), but also the smooth flow of
emotions (which are also a form of qi or energy). A dysfunction in this
role can result in depression, insomnia, anger and/or frustration. On the
digestive side symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may indicate
liver system issues.
Controls the tendons and manifests in the nails:
This has to do with the smooth circulation of blood (in actuality
nourishment) to the muscles and tendons. A dysfunction here can result
in joint and tendon problems anywhere in the body, knee pain and/or
brittle nails.

 Is said to Open into the eyes:

The connection here also has to do with that idea of nourishment from the
blood coupled with the path of the liver meridian. Symptoms of a
disharmony here can be night blindness, dry or red and irritated eyes.
From a Chinese Perspective the following list of symptoms and
conditions are some of the signs of a liver imbalance:
Headaches, irritability, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), insomnia, muscle
spasms, dizziness, stroke, bitter taste in the mouth, vomiting, purple lips,
abdominal pain,depression, anxiety, PMS, and menstrual issues.
As you can see the Chinese Medicine perspective contains a host of
symptoms and relationships that do not exist in Western Medicine and are
not necessarily connected with the physical functioning of the liver. So
when you are told that you have Liver Qi Stagnation, a western exam
would likely find nothing wrong with your physical liver.
As with most things in Chinese Medicine the terminology we use is to
categorize and make sense of natural functions and relationships in the
body that have been observed over time. Chinese Medicine is first and
foremost an observational form of medicine and over the thousands of
years of its existence the theory, terminology, and relationships have
been observed and cataloged and treated. Some of these findings map up
with modern western medical understandings, others may do so in the
future, and yet others will never be understood from a western medical
paradigm.
So What Do These Patterns Mean?
As Ive written about before, Chinese Medicine treats patterns and not
conditions. When you visit with a practitioner they often ask many
questions and ultimately find and use relationships among a variety of
symptoms that from a western perspective may seem unrelated. From a
Chinese perspective, however, treating the root pattern can lead to the
elimination of all of the related symptoms that you are experiencing. This
opposed to treating each symptom individually as is often the case in
western medicine.
Take for example the TCM diagnosis of Liver Qi Stagnation. A person
who has this pattern may experience any or all of the following
symptoms: Chest distention, hypochondriac pain a/or distention, sighing,

nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, diarrhea, depression, moodiness, plum

pit qi (a feeling of something stuck in your throat), PMS, breast
tenderness, painful a/or irregular menstruation.
As you can see there is quite a range of conditions that fall within this
single pattern. Certainly the nausea, vomiting and poor appetite are also
western diagnostic signs for physical liver problems, but depression, PMS
and moodiness are a unique relationship to the livers role in the smooth
circulation of blood and energy (qi) in the body from a Chinese Medicine
perspective.
For a full list of all of the Liver related conditions and their symptoms, you
can see the Liver Related Disharmonies page.
How Does My Lifestyle and Diet Effect These Patterns?
This question leads into the idea of toxicity of the liver which is a term
that is thrown around far too freely in alternative medicine circles.
Certainly if all you eat is fried foods and all you drink is beer and you work
20 hours a day in a high stress environment you are going to develop a
liver pattern from a Chinese perspective and quite likely physical liver
problems as well. That said, most people are not as toxic as they may
think and even minor changes in their diet and lifestyle can make a huge
impact on their overall health.
From a TCM dietary perspective the following foods are harmful to the
liver system: fried foods, fatty foods, alcohol, excessive caffeine and
excessive dairy particularly milk. A diet focused on these foods will foster
many of the symptoms of a liver system imbalance from a Chinese
perspective. Examples of foods which are beneficial are: oatmeal, rye
bread, lima beans, cashews, zucchini, green beans, lemons, limes and
avocados. For a full discussion of dietary change from a Chinese Medicine
perspective see the article TCM dietary therapy.
Lifestyle wise the liver is associated with the emotions of anger and
frustration. An excessive expression (or repression) of these emotions can
indicate and/or foster a liver system imbalance. Also generally high stress
levels will create an imbalance in this system. As the liver system enjoys
and fosters movement, exercise (walking, tai chi, jogging, etc.) along with
dietary change will help to resolve the stagnation that is caused by stress
and emotions such as frustration.

So if you have any of the symptoms listed above working to improve the
functioning of the liver system is in your best interest. With a free flowing
liver system your joints will be smooth, your eyes bright, and the energy
in your body (both physical and emotional) will flow freely. Liver Qi
Stagnation in particular is a very common imbalance found in our modern
western society. Being aware of the more mild signs of the imbalance and
working now to correct them can avoid more serious issues later and help
us to live better in the present.

This is the fifth and final edition in my general introductory series to the
five main organ systems (5 elements) in Traditional Chinese Medicine
(TCM). As we are heading into fall we are entering into the Lung phase of
our bodys seasonal cycle. Similar to previous articles on
the Liver, Kidney, Heart, and Spleen systems, this article will discuss in
detail what the lung system means within Chinese Medicine and the
relationships it has to specific mental states, diseases, and your ability to
maintain health. Hopefully after reading this article the next time your
acupuncturist says you have Lung Qi Deficiency you wont stare back
and think what is this crazy acupuncturist talking about
More important than regaining the image of your acupuncturist as a sane
person however, is regaining awareness of these connections between
seasons, our emotions, our health and our lifestyle. While life is
unpredictable certainly working against the normal ebbs and flows of the
world will bring about imbalance, while working with the natural world in
as much as possible will bring us greater health. Out of all of our systems
of medicine, Chinese Medicine has the living tradition within which these
relationships are explained and utilized.
As discussed previously within this series, Chinese Medicine uses organ
names to describe an entire system of connections within the body. The
lung system from a Chinese perspective describes the physical lungs,
the lung acupuncture meridian, lung system related disharmonies (or
patterns) and any number of western conditions
from allergies and asthma to frequent colds and flus todepression and
grief.

In previous articles we also discussed the zang (solid) and fu (hollow), or

simply yin and yang system pairings within Chinese Medicine. As the
spleen is paired with the stomach, the liver with the gall bladder, the
heart with the small intestine, the kidneys with the urinary bladder the
lung is paired with the large intestine. In one sense the lung is a part of
what we bring in (or cannot bring in) and the large intestine is a part of
what we get rid of (or cannot rid ourselves of) which has obvious
physical and psychological implications.

About The Lungs:

To start our discussion, lets bring in a general

western description of lung function in the body to help us compare
viewpoints between the east and the west. The lungs have a number of
blood vessel connections which allow their function of oxygenating the
blood to happen along with the removal of carbon dioxide from our body.
This oxygen rich blood is quickly transferred to the heart and then
pumped through our entire body to enrich our muscles, organs and
tissues. While we can go sometime without food or water, without oxygen
we cease to live quite quickly.
The process of breathing requires our diaphragm and muscular
contractions in the abdomen and chest. And while we can regulate our
own breathing to some degree with exercise, physical control of the
process, and stress most of this happens without conscious effort. Our
respiratory system relies on our respiratory control center in the brain
(located within the medulla oblongata) and various sensors throughout

our muscles, lungs and blood vessels. The sensors help to regulate when
certain tissues need more oxygen (such as during exercise) or when the
air is unhealthy for us to breath (chemical irritants, various allergies, etc.).
Part of allergies, asthma, sneezing, and coughing are related to these
sensors.

To segway into our Chinese Medicine

discussion I wanted to highlight a particular five element relationship
between the earth element (spleen) and the metal element (lungs). This
pertains directly to the concept of dampness we discussed in the last
spleen article and how this impacts allergies and asthma particularly. (For
more on the five elements generally, read this article). As you can see
from the five element chart the spleen (earth) helps feed/support the
lungs (metal). If the spleen is weakened from a poor diet that is high in
dairy particularly (but also too much cold/raw foods, fried foods, juices,
etc.) and bad habits such as eating too quickly or at odd hours then
dampness will result. With dampness present in the system the spleen
cannot properly nourish the lungs and then their function will begin to
suffer by way of allergies and asthma. (For more on allergies,
specifically read this article). It is only by respecting the relationships
between all of the systems of our body that we can truly maintain our
health.

The Lung in Chinese Medicine performs

the following functions:
Dominates Qi and Controls Respiration:

This function describes the critical role of the lungs in both bringing in qi
(energy) from the air we breath and in being a principle force for the
nourishment of all of our muscles, tendons, organs and tissues through its
role in oxygenating our blood. A weakness in this function can lead to lung
related conditions such as shortness of breath but also generalized
fatigue of the entire body.

Dominates Distribution and the Skin and Hair:

This function again describes the role in dispersing energy throughout our
body. More specifically the lung in this function disperses qi and body
fluids to warm and moisten the muscles, skin and hair. This can be
thought of as spreading the morning mist throughout the body.
The skin and hair in this context also includes the sweat glands which are
part of our ability to get rid of things we dont need as well as to protect
us from invasions from the outside. The common cold, for example, is
thought of in Chinese Medicine as a wind-cold invasion. This can happen
when the lung system is too weak and the protective layer of our body
(also called the wei-qi) allows the cold to enter into our body. This is
why we use famous herbal formulas such as Yin Qiao to help treat colds.
Functionally these formulas induce perspiration to push cold out
through the sweat glands and help strengthen the lungs so this doesnt
happen again.
Along that note, we all know those people that get colds frequently and
they very often turn directly to bronchitis or some other deep
manifestation. Within these people not only is the protective energy (weiqi) weak, but the deeper layers of the lung energy are weak as well. This
in effect makes an open path from the outside directly to the internal
lungs with no protective barriers.
An imbalance in this function, then, can lead to colds, flus, bronchitis, as
well as to frequent spontaneous sweating and other sweat related
conditions (except night sweats which are most often Kidney Yin
Deficiency).

Dominates Descending and Regulates the Water

Passages

The descending aspect of the body describes a general flow of energy

from the upper part of the body to the lower which further describes the
dispersion functions. It also serves to illustrate that when this function is
weak chronic cough, for example, can arise which is energy ascending
rather than descending due to weakness.
Regulating the water passages in this context further describes the sweat
glands and their role but also provides more context for the descending
action of the lungs. If you view the five element chart again above you
will see that the lungs (metal) help feed the kidneys (water). From above
we are reminded that the Kidneys are paired with the Urinary Bladder and
have an obvious role in urinary issues. The descending function of the
lung helps to feed the removal of water within our body via the bladder.
An imbalance in this area can lead to edema (swelling) in the lower body
or any number of urinary problems.

Opens into the Nose

As anyone with allergies can attest, we need our nose for breathing. The
energy of the lung system is required for proper respiratory and olfactory
functions of the nose. When this function is working well we will breathe
easily and our sense of smell will be sharp. An imbalance in this function
can lead to a stuffy nose, among other symptoms.
The throat is also part of respiration and accordingly is influenced by the
energy of the lung system. Weak lung energy will often manifest as weak
speech or a constant hoarse voice.

What Symptoms May Arise?

Colds, flus, allergies, and asthma are among the most common lung
issues. This along with other deeper western issues such as COPD,
bronchitis, sinus infections and more. What stands outside of common
western conditions is the process by which certain people catch more
colds and flus primarily and the process by which many others have colds
that go deeply into their bodies very quickly. Also outside of western
medicine is the relationship between the lungs and overall immunity,
sweat and urine related issues, and relationships with depression and
other psychological states.

Lung System Patterns and Their Meanings

As with the other organ systems, Chinese Medicine treats patterns and
not specific conditions. Another way to look at this is to treat the root
and not chase after symptoms. Generally lung related patterns fall into
two categories those that arise from an excess in the body (often
externally derived) and those that arise from an internal
deficiency/weakness of some nature. Lets look at two of the most
common.
The first common presentation is essentially the common cold in western
terms what we in TCM call a wind-cold invasion or a wind-heat
invasion. A wind invasion in this case refers to something contracted
from the outside like a cold, flu, or other infection. The main signs would
be body ache, stuffy nose, scratchy throat, etc. with wind-cold having
more chills than fever and clear/white mucus and wind-heat having more
fever than chills with yellow mucus.
Another common presentation is Lung Qi Deficiency. This is generally
the pattern that people have when they catch colds all the time and often
experience them turning into worse conditions such as bronchitis. The
general signs are generalized fatigue, shortness of breath, a weak voice,
spontaneous sweating during the day, and a pale complexion.
To see all of the lung related patterns and general treatment points you
can read the Lung Related Disharmonies page.

The Lungs and the Emotion of Grief

All of the organ systems have an associated emotion for the heart it is
joy, for the liver it is anger, for the kidneys it is fear, for the spleen it is
worry and for the lungs it is grief. As humans we naturally experience a
range of emotions and the proper expression of them is simply a part of
life. When something good happens to someone it is right that we would
feel happiness or joyful. When a close friend passes on it is right for us to
express our sadness and grief.
On the emotional side of things, what Chinese Medicine is concerned with
is when these expressions are either repressed, unable to be

expressed/experienced, or are expressed without control or without

proper context.
When the lung qi is deficient you can experience an overwhelming
constant sense of grief that does not ease. This deficiency then can lead
to what we know as depression and related conditions in western terms.

What Can I Do to Keep My Lungs System

Strong?

A very helpful tool to strengthen the lungs on an

emotional and physical level is deep breathing (diaphragmatic breathing)
as it is often practiced in meditation, tai chi, yoga, and various other
breathwork therapies. The breath is really the gateway to releasing many
physical and emotional issues and simple breathing techniques can
greatly improve a number of lung related issues.
From a dietary perspective certainly reducing mucus generating foods
such as excessive dairy, too much raw/cold foods/juices, fried foods, etc.
will go a long way towards aiding any cases of allergies, asthma, or
sluggish energy (emotionally or physically). From a five element
perspective the lungs are aided by the pungent flavor so foods with this
quality tend to strengthen the lung energy. A few examples of good foods
for the lungs are those that help immunity and/or reduce mucus (garlic,
ginger, cinnamon) and those that fall within the pungent category (navy
beans, almonds, broccoli, onion, radish, pears). See (five element
nutrition therapy).
From a seasonal perspective, the lungs are the principle system active
within the fall. Keeping them strong will help to avoid the seasonal colds
and fall time allergies. On an emotional level, however, fall is a good time
to begin to recoil from the outgoing summer months and to begin to slow

down (if ever so slightly) to harness our energy as we will need it for the
winter months. It is a good time to be more introspective and to work on
resolving, or at least coming to terms with, any underlying emotional
issues. Walks in the crisp dry air with deep breaths will aid this immensely.

This the fourth edition in my general introduction to the meridian/organ

systems in Chinese Medicine will focus on
the Stomach and Spleen meridians. As we have discussed in previous
articles on the Liver, Kidney, and Heart systems, Chinese Medicine uses
meridians named after and related to our physical organs to treat disease
and imbalances in the body. The organ names are there to help describe
the function of the related meridian and also to describe the myriad of
relationships that exist in our bodies and between us and our
environment. When your acupuncturist tells you that you have Spleen Qi
Deficiency you might just stare back at him or her blankly not
understanding a word of how that explains the issues that you are
seeking to resolve. This set of articles was prompted by that blank stare
and serve to help us all understand each other better and benefit as
much as possible from this amazing form of medicine.
As described previously, Chinese Medicine theory uses the names of the
organs to help illustrate a pattern of related physical and psychological
issues. When a practitioner says you have a spleen issue they are
generally speaking of the spleen system from a Chinese Perspective.
This system involves the physical spleen, the pancreas, the spleen
acupuncture meridian, spleen related disharmonies (or patterns), western
medicine spleen/pancrease related diseases such as diabetes and chronic
fatigue, and a range of health issues that arise from the spleen related
disharmonies from a TCM perspective.
As all of the organ systems in Chinese Medicine are discussed in yin and
yang pairings or what is also known as the zang (solid, full) and fu
(hollow) pairings the spleen is no exception. As the liver is paired with
the gall bladder, the heart with the small intestine, and the kidneys with
the urinary bladder, the spleen is paired with the stomach. What is unique
about the spleen pairing is that the system functionally comprises the
spleen, the pancreas, and the stomach. As opposed to other systems in

Chinese Medicine you will see the terms stomach and spleen used far
more interchangeably due to the complex relationships between these
organs. The spleen ultimately refers to the spleen/pancreas system so
an understanding of both of these organs is important to grasp the range
of health issues that may be contributed to by imbalances in these
systems.

About The Spleen:

The spleen is a fist sized organ located in

the upper-left portion of the abdomen between the stomach and the
diaphragm. The principle functions of the spleen have nothing to do with
digestion (whereas the pancreas has quite a bit to do with digestion) and
revolve around our immune and cardiovascular systems. The spleen is
responsible for the removal of old red blood cells and the production and
storage of white blood cells (lymphocytes) which will cleanse bacteria
from the blood in the spleen and provide important tissue healing and
other immune responses throughout our body. The spleen is functionally
equivalent to a large lymph node with a focus on cleansing our blood and
aiding immunity.

About The Pancreas:

The pancreas is a roughly 6-10 inch gland organ located behind the
stomach with a narrow tail that extends to the left abdomen next to the

spleen. The pancreas produces various chemicals which allow for proper
digestion of food. The chemicals help us to digest protein, break down
carbohydrates and break down fats into fatty acids and cholesterol.

There is an endocrine portion of the

pancreas which secretes insulin when blood sugar is elevated. Insulin
moves sugar (glucose) from our blood into muscles and other tissues so it
can be used for energy. On the opposite side, the pancreas also releases
glucagon when blood sugar levels are low. Glucagon causes stored sugar
to be broken down into glucose by the liver to return blood sugar levels to
a normal balance. These functions are obviously critical in conditions such
as diabetes.

The Spleen in Chinese Medicine

performs the following functions:
Governs transportation and transformation:
This function involves the transformation of water and food into the qi and
blood of the body. The spleen is the principle organ for the production of
qi and blood in the body and serves a vital function in this capacity. When
the spleen is functioning well a person has a good appetite, strong
digestion, and vibrant energy. When this function is weak you will see
issues such as bloating, reflux, fatigue, diarrhea, poor appetite and/or
malnutrition.
Another transformative function of the spleen relates to the resolution of
dampness in the body. Dampness is a topic we will discuss later in this
article but it refers to an internal issue which can result in sluggish

energy, poor digestive functions, may solidify into fibroids/cysts/tumors

and can cause many other issues. Within this function the spleen helps
remove this dampness from the meridians and all organs of the body. A
weakness in this function may lead to conditions such as edema, diarrhea
and other fluid retention issues.
Controls the blood:
The spleen serves an important role in keeping the blood circulating in the
body and meridians. If a weakness occurs in the spleen (which also plays
an important role in the production of blood) you will see many of the
signs listed above along with bleeding issues such as blood in the stool,
hemorrhage and uterine bleeding among other issues.
Dominates the muscles and the four limbs:
This function relates to the spleens role in providing nourishment to the
body. If the body is nourished the muscles and limbs will be strong and
able and a weakness in this function will lead to weakness, atrophy, and
other issues.
Opens into the mouth and manifests in the lips:
Proper spleen function will lead to a good appetite and a good sense of
taste. A weakness in this function will lead to a poor appetite, diminished
(or loss) of taste. Generally the condition of the lips will in part indicate
the relative level of functioning of the spleen. Dry and cracked lips
indicate issues with fluid metabolism and pale lips indicate an overall
weakness of spleen qi.

What Symptoms May Arise?

As you can see the functions of the spleen in Chinese Medicine are
functionally related to the spleen and pancreas as we understand them in
western medicine. Conditions that may arise from a spleen imbalance in
TCM terms are wide and varied starting with a range of digestive issues
(poor appetite, bloating, reflux, diarrhea) to systemic issues (fatigue, poor
thinking, muscle weakness, loss of control of muscles, cysts) and more. As
the spleen plays a foundational role in the production of our bodies
energy and nourishment many conditions can arise from weaknesses in
this system.

Spleen System Patterns and Their

Meanings:
One of the most common patterns found in western people is something
we callSpleen Qi Deficiency. This can arise from any number of reasons
but a poor diet mixed with irregular eating patterns and stress is a
common way to develop this pattern. Spleen qi deficiency involves
symptoms such as poor appetite, bloating (particularly after eating),
weakness of the arms and legs, fatigue and/or loose stools.
As spleen qi deficiency continues to progress a subsequent pattern may
develop called Spleen Qi Sinking. This pattern is essentially the same as
spleen qi deficiency but with prolapses of the stomach, uterus, anus
and/or vagina along with frequency or urgency of urination. This pattern
shows a more internal weakness where the body can no longer hold the
organs in place.
Another progression of spleen qi deficiency is the Spleen Not
Controlling The Blood. This pattern has signs of spleen qi deficiency
along with blood related symptoms such as hemorrhages, vaginal
bleeding and/or bleeding under the skin. Another term for this pattern is
reckless bleeding.
A final progression of spleen qi deficiency (not that you have to go
through all of the stages) is Spleen Yang Deficiency. Yang deficiencies
are much deeper than qi deficiencies and are often involved with people
experiencing serious or chronic illnesses. Symptoms of spleen yang
deficiency are similar to that of qi deficiency along with more signs of cold
in the body, cold limbs, chilliness, edema, etc.

Two Acupuncture Point Examples:

The extent of conditions that can arise from these patterns is best
illustrated by looking at two very widely used acupuncture points,
Stomach 36 (ST 36) and Spleen 6 (SP 6).

Stomach 36 may be used with

acupuncture,acupressure, moxibustion and through other methods. It is
found by sliding your 4 fingers together up your shin towards the knee
stopping when your finger hits the knee. The point will be one finger width
from the tibia on the outside of the leg just in line with the bottom of your
pinky finger, pressing where it is most tender.
The functions of this point include aiding in nearly all digestive and
weakness issues, building the wei-qi which is the loose equivalent to our
immunity to colds/flus and other infections, the strengthening of our blood
(a strong part of our overall immunity), also problems with the breasts
(distention, lactation), pain in the lower leg, aids the lungs in conditions
such as asthma and wheezing, and serves to balance a range of
psychological issues such as depression and anxiety as well as issues
such as PMS.
Spleen 6 may also be used with acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion or
other methods of stimulation. It is found by sliding your finger along the
inside of the tibia (inside of leg) up from the ankle about 4 fingers width
and pressing where it most sore.

The functions of this point include all spleen

related issues including your energy overall, digestive issues, prolapses of
organs, along with a range of gynecological issues, sexual issues in men
(impotence, etc.), promotion of labor, hot skin diseases (eczema, acne,
rashes, etc.), as well as a range of psychological issues such as insomnia
and anxiety.
You can see from these two points the range of spleen issues range from
mild digestive issues to fatigue and muscle strength to the strength of
thought and emotion.

What Is Dampness in Chinese Medicine?

One of the patterns left out from above is that of dampness in the body.
This is a somewhat intricate but ultimately worthwhile pattern of disease
to understand. As I mentioned earlier, one of the principle functions of the
spleen is fluid metabolism. The fluids in the body comprise saliva,
digestive enzymes, intestinal enzymes, the fluid in the joints, tears,
mucus, sweat and urine. In Chinese Medicine theory fluidsare divided into
two basic categories, Jin (clear and thin) and Ye (thick and heavy) and
the spleen is in charge of both of these. Together these fluids nourish all
the tissues and organs of the body.
What happens, then, when these fluids are out of balance? One possibility
is the lack of fluids which on a mild scale can lead to brittle joints, dry
mouth, sensations of rising heat in the body, and ultimately while we can
live without food without water our bodies will literally burn up, dry out,
and we will extinguish.

But what of too much?

Dampness is the result of too many fluids, too weak of a spleen, and/or
living in a damp environment.
The difficulty of this for us westerners is that our ability to eat and drink in
excess which one might perceive as beneficial to our health (as opposed
to not having enough to eat) overloads and potentially weakens the
spleen system leading to this issue of dampness.
Within our body dampness can lead to many relatively mild issues all the
way to serious health problems such as cancer, muscle control disorders
such as ALS, and more.
Generally speaking a principle sign of dampness is heaviness (lethargy,
fatigue, sinking, depression) which many of us mask with caffeine and
other stimulants. One may feel a heavy sensation in the head particularly
or the body as a whole. If the dampness is prolonged in the body it has a
tendency to create stagnation (fixed masses), settle in joints (arthritis), or
create heat which can rise up and/or towards the surface (eczema).
A clinical example of dampness is arthritis. Arthritis within Chinese
Medicine is actually something called bi-syndrome, of which there are four
kinds wind, cold, damp and heat. Arthritis that results from dampness
typically involves heaviness of the local area, numbness of the skin and/or
muscles, a very fixed pain with swelling and pain that is aggravated in
damp weather/conditions. Here the function of the spleen to drain fluids is
comprised so the joints become swollen, potentially numb and painful.

So More May Not Be Better Dampness,

Obesity, and TCM:
Another all too common condition that often involves dampness is obesity.
Obesity is a tremendous public health issue, perhaps the most important
of our time. Many people come to acupuncture for help with weight loss
and they say things like the following:

I dont understand, I drink a gallon of water daily, eat salads at lunch, and
am working out and I still cannot lose weight
From a Chinese Medicine perspective they may simply have a weak
transformative function within their spleen system. This is actually
contributed to if not outright caused by the intake of too many fluids and
too many damp foods (raw foods, juicing, salads in particular, see diet
article) they are literally drowning their spleen. So what may look
like it should be helpful is actually contributing to the underlying cause.
This helps to explain why so many people who appear to be doing the
right things do not lose weight.
All in all these patterns indicate our need for regulation. As all systems
have relationships to the seasons, the spleen system relates to the earth.
The earth element in Chinese Medicine provides us with our stability,
groundedness and our root. Without a strong root nothing can grow. When
you drown a plant with water it dies, when it is too hot it wilts and dies, if
you overfeed your plant it dies and if you dont feed your plant it dies
we are no different except the process takes longer and goes through
many different avenues.

How Do I Balance My Spleen?

The take away from all of this is that our body needs to be properly
nourished to nourish us. Too much or too little, as with anything else, will
cause problems. The spleen is a system that we need to keep functioning
well by not overloading it and not overworking ourselves. A more
moderate lifestyle and diet will lead to a more harmonious function
internally which leaves us with vibrant energy, a strong body, and
perhaps most importantly a calm and balanced mind with clear thinking,
balanced emotions and a feeling of ease. Acupuncture, moxibustion,
dietary counseling, exercises such as qigong and tai chi can all help
balance this system. As you can see from how the degradation of the
spleen system seems to progress, now is the time to start.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

When high blood pressure is evident, TCM recognizes and treats the related symptoms of this including
headache, stiff neck, and dizziness. Other related symptoms may include irritability, excess body heat,
red eyes and face, insomnia, and high pitched ringing in one or both ears. In TCM, these symptoms are
recognized as a dysfunction in liver energy (liver Qi).
Liver Qi functions to facilitate a free and smooth flow of body energy to normalize the function of our body
organs. In the case of high blood pressure (hypertension), the flow of the liver Qi is reversed upward and
stuck in the upper part of the body, particularly in the head. As a result, liver heat is created constantly.
Heat has the nature of Yang energy in the terms of TCM and consequently, the rise of Liver Qi (heat) is
termed Liver Yang Ascending. Because the rise of blood pressure coincides with the Liver Yang
Ascending, Liver Yang Ascending is regarded as the direct cause of high blood pressure and is treated
accordingly. Healing is achieved by reversing the Liver Yang ascending direction and bringing it back into
balance through both acupuncture and herbs.
In addition to liver dysfunction, hypertension is also related to a dysfunction in both the kidneys and the
heart. This condition is the usual result of a long period of uncontrollable hypertension. The symptoms
that relate to heart dysfunction include shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest tightness, fatigue,
edema, etc. The symptoms that relate to kidney dysfunction include frequent urination, especially at
night, swollen legs or feet, lower back pain, weakness or pain in the knees, dry mouth, dry eyes, and a
low ringing tone in the ears.
As a result of long-term hypertension, the human body may produce two pathogenic factors.
1.

Blood stasis due to long time poor blood circulation. The patient may complain of
body aches, cold limbs, leg cramps, poor memory, and numbness or tingling sensations
in their body.

2.

Phlegm toxin is produced by the excessive liver Qi invading the spleen Qi. The
spleen Qi is unable to control the normal body liquid metabolism. Therefore, dampness

or phlegm toxin is formed in the body. As this occurs, the patient may experience
dizziness, light-headedness, numbness, tingling sensations, and throat mucous or postnasal drip.
In a clinical setting, a patient is most likely to have high cholesterol and arteriosclerosis problems while the
blood stasis and phlegm toxins are being formed. As a direct result of these conditions, the patient has
increased risk of developing a stroke or heart attack.
The goal of TCM treatment is to bring all these organs back into balance and harmony and keep the
bodys Qi flowing freely and smoothly.
The treatment process utilizes both acupuncture and a formula of appropriate Chinese medicinal herbs.

How Acupuncture Is Used to Treat Hypertension

The acupuncture treatment points include LI 11 (Xiu Chi), ST 36 (Zu San Li), GB 20 (Feng Chi), LR 3 (Tai
Chong), and L 14 (He Gu). Two or three additional points are utilized for each additional symptom such
as with severe headache, insomnia, palpitation, frequent urination or swellings of the feet or legs, poor
blood circulation or phlegm syndrome.
Generally, the needles remain in place for 30-45 minutes for each acupuncture session. In order to
achieve the best effect, the patient must feel the needle sensation. Chinese doctors call this sensation
Gain Qi. The sensation can be described as heaviness or a pressure feeling around the needle sites or
along the energy (Qi) pathway called a meridian. The more sensation a patient has, the better the
results. The sensation is not felt as pain. In my clinic, those patients who initially fear the needles
become comfortable with them and come to enjoy the session.
Generally two to three acupuncture treatments per week are required based on the patients blood
pressure level and his or her general health condition in the first three to five months. In most cases,
Chinese herbs are also required (this will be explained in next section). During the acupuncture and/or
Chinese herbal medicine treatments, the patient should continue taking any medications (pills) prescribed
by their physician until the blood pressure level returns to an normal range (approximately 120/80) and
remains there for at least 8 weeks. This is required because the acupuncture and Chinese medicinal
herbs and your chemical pills must be maintained in the same treatment level to prevent a rebound in the
blood pressure. After that time, your Chinese doctor may assist you in gradually reducing your
dependency on chemical pill only with your primary physicians consent.

High blood pressure is a common condition in this country. The effective treatment of high blood pressure is essen
preventing related complication, in particular coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and renal disease. Al
high blood pressure has been on the decline in many Western nations over the past few decades, there has been incre
concern about the long-term health risks of prescription blood pressure drugs. According to the American Heart Associati
50% of people taking drugs for blood pressure problems stops within six months, largely because of the unpleasant side
these drugs cause. In this article we will discuss the possible side effect of the drugs and introduce the Chinese system to
blood pressure with all natural products and therapies.
Side Effect of Prescription Blood Pressure Drugs

Many of the drugs are very effective to lower blood pressure because they are efficient inhibitors in certain pathways in th
These drugs work by blocking or inhibiting natural processes in the body with an unnatural way. This seems to be one
reasons why their negative effects can build up to become life-threatening problems over time. They completely block
pathways, which may be necessary for normal functioning of the body. There are different types of the prescription blood pr
drugs. Most of them have known short-term side effects on heart and possible long-term effects on heart, brain and kidne
Table for details).
The Negative Effects of Blood Pressure Drugs

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Type

Common names

Known short-term
effects

Possible long-term
effects

Calcium-channel
blockers (block
calcium to stop
vessel narrowing)

Norvasc, Procardia,
Cardizem, Plendil

Constipation,
nausea, dizziness,
headache, fatigue,
hypotension

Digestive diseases,
brain impairment,
cancer

Beta blockers (block

the heart's nerve
response and
beating rate)

Tenormin, Lopressor,
Inderal, Normodyne

Fatigue, slow heart

rate, insomnia,
impotence

Heat problems,
sexual dysfunction,
clinical depression

Alpha Blockers
(block vessels'
nerve response to
decrease pressure)

Cardura, Minipress,
Hytrin

Dizziness, fainting,
drowsiness,
headache, rapid
heartbeat

Brain impairment,
heart problems

ACE inhibitors
(block formation of
an enzyme that
narrows blood
vessels)

Lotensin, Capotin,
Vasotec, Accupril

Dry cough, skin rash,

rapid heartbeat,
hypotension

Breathing problems,
heart problems

Diuretics (rid body

of excess salt and
water)

Lasix, Esidred,
Aldactone, Dyrenium

Increased urination,
potassium loss,
muscle loss

Kidney failure,
bone/joint damage

Centrally acting
(decrease brain
nerve responses)

Catapres, Aldomet

Drowsiness,
dizziness, mental
slowness, edema,
constipation, cancer

Brain impairment,
kidney failure,
digestive diseases

Cholesterol is a type of waxy lipid (fat). We need some cholesterol in our blood and
in the cell membrane of every cell of the body. We also need cholesterol to make
vitamin D and all of the steroid hormones, including cortisol, testosterone,
estrogen, and progesterone.
However, unless you were born with the rare genetic Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome
(SLOS) that affects only 1 in 20,000 births, your liver and body cells can produce all
the cholesterol you need on a daily basis from other nutrients. Except for infants
who require breast milk (which contains cholesterol), there is no dietary
requirement for cholesterol during any stage of life, including childhood,
adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy, lactation, or late in life.[1]
In short, since dietary cholesterol is not a required nutrient, there is no such thing as
dietary cholesterol deficiency. For everyone other than people who have SLOS and
infants before the age of 1 year, dietary cholesterol is excess cholesterol. In 1985,
Michael Brown and Joseph Goldstein received a Nobel Prize in Medicine for
demonstrating the mechanism by which high blood cholesterol derived from diet
promotes atherosclerosis.[2]

What Causes High Cholesterol?

By far the most important cause of high cholesterol is consumption of a diet rich in
cholesterol, saturated fats, and animal protein. Only animal products contain
enough cholesterol to cause high blood cholesterol. It is a little known fact that
because cholesterol is part of the cell membranes of all animals, red meat, poultry
and fish flesh all contain similar amounts of cholesterol (mg/100g).

Except for coconut and palm oils, animal fats are also the richest sources of
saturated fats.
Some people are claiming that for most people dietary cholesterol does not raise
blood cholesterol. These claims are based on egg-industry funded, rigged studies
that involved feeding cholesterol-rich foods to people who are already eating animal
products and already have elevated cholesterol. When people who already have high
cholesterol intakes and high blood cholesterol are given more cholesterol-rich food,
the additional cholesterol has little effect.
However, if you take people who eat whole foods plant-based diets and have a very
low cholesterol, then feed them foods rich in cholesterol such as whole eggs, the
dietary cholesterol causes a very large increase in blood cholesterol.[3] Also, if you
put people on a zero cholesterol diet for a couple of weeks, their cholesterol
plummets, and when you add cholesterol back to their diets, their blood cholesterol
rises dramatically.[4]
Whole plant foods contain so little cholesterol that for practical purposes it is
negligible. Further, whole plant foods contain many components that increase the
elimination of cholesterol, including fiber and phytonutrients. This is why all

authoritative medical organizations such as the American Heart Association

recommend increasing intake of fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, and
seeds and reducing animal food intake.
Research has also shown that stress will cause cholesterol levels to rise.[5] The effect
of stress is much less than the effect of diet, but it is still significant. If you want to
reduce high cholesterol, it pays to reduce your stress as well as improve your diet.