Chinese Medicine is over 3000 thousand-year-old medicine that has been studied over the years that has helped the population of China thrive for so long. The different modalities practiced have preserved lives in China despite war and famine over the several thousands of years, making China the most populated country in the world. If we can grasp the concept of how Chinese Medicine works and understand the medicinal properties of over 10000 herbs, we can eradicate disease by getting back to nature. But first we must understand the physiology of the body the way the Chinese define it. The Lung and spleen are synergistically involved in the metabolism body fluids and nutrition. Excess damp that is not metabolized by the lung system reflect singes of Spleen Qi deficiency such ahs fatigue, low appetite edema which are conditions of excess. A lack of dampness in the body will affect the lungs and may cause dry cough or even atrophy disorder.
In Chinese medicine the concept of ‘organ’ s both anatomical and functional, each organ has a number of interrelated physiological functions. For example the function of transforming dampness moving the qi, maintain the limbs, and storing intent are all interrelated aspects of the spleen ‘organ’.
Each organ Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Kidney and Liver are apart of groupings where each organ has a relationship with each other. The Spleen is the provider of nutrition,
The Heart gives movement to the blood, the liver stores the blood in the deepest level, and the spleen governs the nutritive blood. Dampness is a condition where fluid without beneficial qualities accumulates and develops pathology. For example, a tendency to bruise easily implies a lack of beneficial substance in the blood by the spleen at the capillary level. The most external level of the internal environment is not being maintained. This applies to other dermatological conditions if the spleen fails to nourish the skin. The Tai yin spleen channel is important in treating chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Tai yin is responsible fore transformation of nutrition and dampness, the spleen is involved in removing pathogenic dampness while the spleen is involved in providing nourishing fluids. Herbs that help remove dampness and support the Spleen are herbs that are acrid and dry like Bai Zhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhiozoma and Cang zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma). There are several different herbs , I will develop that topic in a future blog.
There is an effect of turning on the Spleen Qi. Spleen Qi is the concept of moving qi moving the act of warming the organ to get the Qi moving. This happens through respiration, absorbing nourishment, however it can also be achieved by being needled.
Another responsibility of the Spleen is nourishing the muscles when they become weak or atrophied, when they lack of nourishment from the spleen. Accumulation of dampness in the Spleen can lead to atrophy. Long term accumulation of dampness leads to the development of phlegm. The psychic aspect of the Spleen is intent, reflection they are both stored and regulated by the spleen. Over concentration is a loss of balance that becomes an obsession. Over thinking leads one to spend more time sitting and less time exercising. Tranquility and exercise are the basis for healthy thought and release a hormone that makes us feel happier.
Surround yourself with people who are smarter than yourself. They will shorten your road to success and help you avoid many costly mistakes.