TCM View of the Organs
In TCM, the “organs” that we use to diagnosis and treat are called the Zang Fu Organs. Unlike Western Medicine where the organ is a physical object located in a specific part of the body where specific physical tasks are performed, the Zang Fu organs are how the body functions and these functions are done at an energetic, physiological, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. Some of the functions associated with each Zang Fu organ align with Western Medicine model, others do not. Another major difference is that TCM looks for and treats the root cause of a disorder which presents as disfunction of the Zang Fu organs, whereas Western Medicine tends to just treat the symptoms from organ disfunction. The difference can be difficult to process at first since the organ functions in TCM are fundamentally different, but hopefully, I can help cultivate an understanding.
Zang Fu Theory
The Zang are what we call the Yin organs and the Fu are the Yang organs. These organs work as a paired system, in which each pair are independent of each other but hold functions that work symbiotically. The Zang Fu are paired up and based on Wu Xing theory (5 Element theory), which pairs them under Metal, Earth, Fire, Wood, and Water. There are 6 Zang and 6 Fu organs that make up the functions of the body, as well as govern certain aspects of body such as orifices (mouth, nose), somatic tissues (hair, skin, muscles), nutrients (Qi, Blood, Yin, Yang), and emotions. The Zang Fu organs work together to control all life activities. TCM practitioners use many diagnostics techniques to evaluate the Zang Fu by identifying pathological changes to body functions, somatic tissues, mental health, and more.
The Zang organs are considered Yin because they have Yin characteristics like being solid structures where nutrients are produced via transformative functions and then stored. Zang organs main functions are to transform the intake of food, drink, and air into pure and impure substances, where the pure is then transformed into Nutritive Qi for the body to use. The Fu organs are considered Yang because they are mostly hollow structures that mostly transport nutrients without storing anything until elimination. The Fu organs receive the impure substances, do another level of separating out any pure left, and then send the impure to the next Fu organ until the impure is eliminated via urine and stool.
It is important to note that when speaking about a specific disfunction of one or more Zang Fu organs that it is almost never speaking about that organ in a physical anatomical sense, but a physiological and functional (energetic) sense. If you hear your practitioner say “Your Kidney is deficient”, it does not necessarily mean that your physical kidney is not working, it means that the function of your Kidney energetically is not working to its fullest either because your Kidney Qi or Yin is low or another organ is impeding the Kidney’s function leading to its disfunction. When writing about TCM in general, I tend to capitalize the Zang Fu organs and TCM terms and keep the western organs and physiology lowercased— Kidney vs kidney— to help distinguish between the two systems.
Zang Fu Organs
Lung
The Lung’s primary function is to control respiration by governing the intake of pure Qi from the air during inhale and then releasing impure Qi during exhale. The Lung then combines this pure Qi with Gu Qi (Food Qi) to make the Nutritive Qi, which is spread throughout the body. Because the Lungs are responsible for spreading Qi throughout the body, it is the driving force behind healthy circulation of Qi & Blood in the vessels and channels.
The Lungs control the dispersing function of Qi and fluids. The Lung spreads Wei Qi all over the exterior of the body in the area between the skin and muscles to warm the muscles and skin, as well as to protect the body from external pathogens. It also spreads healthy fluids received from the Spleen and Kidneys across to the skin (and body hair) to keep the skin moist and control the opening and closing of the pores (sweating). Since the Lung is exposed to the exterior of the body via the nose and skin, it is called the “Tender Organ” and is easily susceptible to external pathogens invading.
The Lungs are one of several organs that support the descending function of the body. The Lungs helps Qi & fluids descend down to interact with the grasping function of the Kidneys. This function helps to insure that respiration is working correctly and that fluids are properly eliminated. If this function is not working correctly you can see coughing, wheezing, chest fullness, and edema of the upper body.
The Lungs govern both the sense of smell but also the strength, tone and clarity of the voice.
Large Intestine
The main function of the Large Intestine is to receive the impure food and fluids from the Small Intestine and do on last separation and reabsorption of the remaining fluids and pure Qi. What is left of the impure solids is eliminated from the body via the stool.
Spleen
The Spleen is central to the production of Qi through its function of “transforming & transporting” Qi. The Spleen takes food and drink that has been processed by the Stomach and extracts Gu Qi, or Food Qi, from it. Not only does the Spleen extract Gu Qi, it also extracts pure fluids to be transported up to the Lungs and sends the impure fluids and solids to the small intestine.
The Spleen is in charge of raising the Qi. It raises Gu Qi to the Lung and Heart and makes sure that all the organs are held up in place. When the Spleen can’t raise Qi then organ prolapse or blood deficiency can occur.
The Spleen is essential in the production of blood. Healthy and pure Gu Qi is used by the Lungs and Heart to make Blood, therefore the Spleen is the main building block of Qi and to nourish Blood one must treat the Spleen. The Spleen is also in charge of containing the blood in the vessels.
Gu Qi is also used to nourish and control the muscles of the body and especially the four limbs. The Spleen nourishes and controls the growth and bulk of the muscles. Good muscle tone is a sign of a healthy Spleen.
The Spleen digests thoughts and emotions like it does food and drink. It also houses intellect and influences our capability of thinking, concentration, and even memorizing information. Worry injures the Spleen and interrupts the smooth flow of Qi and Blood.
The Spleen opens to the mouth and governs taste. It also manifests in the health of the lips.
Stomach
The Stomach is in charge of the “ripening and rotting” of food and drinks so that the Spleen can extract Gu Qi. It works in tandem with the Spleen in transporting Qi where it needs to go. While the Spleen raises Qi to the upper body and organs, the Stomach descends Qi to the lower body and moves the digestive process forward to the intestines.
The Stomach needs a healthy amount of fluids to maintain the ripening process, so it relies heavily on the Spleen to extract enough fluids to keep it happy. On the flip side, if there is too much unhealthy fluids (dampness) the stomach can’t do its job and neither can the Spleen.
Like the Spleen, the Stomach helps to digest thoughts and experiences.
Heart
The Heart is the governor of Blood. It is responsible for turning Gu Qi into blood with the pure Qi from the Lungs, as well as regulating the smooth flow of blood throughout the vessels. The Spleen builds and contains blood in the vessels, the Lungs provide the pure Qi for production of Blood and is the driving force of Blood circulation, and the Heart is in control of the volume and pressure of the Blood in the vessels.
The Heart controls sweating as Blood is closely related to body fluids. Since the Heart controls the flow of Blood, it also controls the flow of body fluids. The Heart works in tandem with the Lungs in controlling sweating, where the Lungs control the opening and closing of the pores and acts as a gate letting the sweat out or keeping it in and the Heart controls the amount and flow of sweat that is let out by the Lungs.
The Heart also houses the Shen, your mind or Spirit. It’s your personality, demeanor, memories, and some cognitive functions. It is the relationship between your self and your environment, so it controls how you interact with the world. When your Heart is not being nourish your Shen is not nourished and can lead to insomnia, mania, depression, poor memory, etc.
The Heart opens to the tongue. Since the Heart houses the Shen and opens to the tongue it is also in control of speech.
Small Intestine
The Small Intestine receives and separates the pure from impure from the food and fluids received from the Stomach. The Small Intestine then communicates with the Bladder and Large Intestine to pass along the impure for excretion. The pure that is separated is sent back up to the Lung for distribution throughout the body.
Pericardium
The Pericardium is a magical organ that acts as a protector of the Heart and doesn’t have any distinct functions. Like the biological pericardium, the TCM Pericardium also encapsulates the Heart to help protect it from external and internal pathogens (Heat, Wind, etc). Since the Heart houses of the Shen and is vital to the smooth flow of the Blood, it is extremely important to basic life functions and requires extra protection. This vulnerability of the Heart and the fact that the Heart and Pericardium are almost indistinguishable energetically is the reason that we actually treat the Pericardium to treat the Heart.
Like the Heart, the Pericardium has a relationship with the Shen. It also acts an emotional shield for the Shen to help maintain healthy emotional boundaries with others and the environment.
Triple Burner
The Triple Burner or San Jiao does not have a Western equivalent, it is purely a TCM organ. It is the organ that divides the torso/trunk of the body into 3 divisions, or Jiaos, — Upper, Middle, and Lower Jiao. These divisions group Zang Fu organs into a working units based on location, as well as create an interconnected system for the organs to communicate with each other and transport fluids throughout the body.
The Upper Jiao houses the Heart, Lungs, and Pericardium. This is associated with breathing and Shen health.
The Middle Jiao houses the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver. It also houses the Gallbladder, but it’s not always talked about as being apart of the Middle Jiao. This is associated with digestion.
The Lower Jiao houses the Kidney, Bladder, Small Intestine, and Large Intestine. This is associated with urogenital and excretory systems.
Liver
The Liver governs the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body via the Meridians (Channels). The smooth flow of Qi is principle for the regulation of the emotions and healthy digestion. The emotions are tied to Qi and when the flow of Qi is stagnant the emotions then stagnate leading to frustration, depression, anger, and irritability. Digestion is also impacted as the Spleen and Stomach’s digestive function is reliant on the healthy movement of Qi. When Qi stagnates the Liver tends to attack the Spleen and Stomach, since they share a home in Middle Jiao.
The Liver is the wood element, and like a tree its energy is moving and growing, therefore the Liver plays a large role in personal growth and gives us the ability to change. When Liver stagnates we can feel stuck and immovable.
The Liver also plays an important role in regulating Blood, as it actually stores Blood and thus regulates the volume of Blood running through the vessels. When the blood is at rest and not in circulation the Liver stores it, and when the body is in action the Blood circulates to the muscles. When Liver is not storing Blood correctly, the volume of Blood decreases and the body suffers— tight/ropey muscles, muscle aches, dryness, fatigue, and more. The Blood and Liver have a reciprocal relationship, so when one is in disfunction it effects the function of the other.
This role in regulating Blood is also why the Liver is the commander of the menstrual cycle. The health of the menses is dependent on the volume and health of the Blood. The Liver influences the Chong and Ren Mai, two extra channels that also play an important role in the menses.
The Liver controls the sinews, which include the ligaments, tendons, muscles, and connective tissues. Liver Blood nourishes and moistens the sinews to help joints and muscles contract and relax normally and smoothly. The Spleen controls the mass or bulk of the muscles, whereas the Liver controls the contractibility and movement of the muscles. The Liver manifests in the nails, as they are also considered a part of the sinews, and therefore are also nourished by Liver Blood.
The Liver opens to the eyes. The Liver moistens the eyes and gives the eyes the ability to see.
The Liver houses the Hun or Ethereal Soul. The Hun is needed for planning, creative drive, assertiveness, and to be resolute. When the Liver is not functioning, the Hun is disrupted and can easily become anger or irritability. The Gallbladder is closely linked to the Liver and it gives us the ability to make decisions which helps the Liver in its ability to plan.
Gallbladder
The Gallbladder is a unique Fu organ known as a Curious Organ. It does not receive, transform or transport waste (impure) products, rather it actually stores bile, a pure substance. Bile aides the Spleen and Stomach in digesting food and fluids. The smooth flow of bile is reliant on the Liver’s smooth flow of Qi.
The Gallbladder controls our ability to make decisions and judgements (positive and negative). It also gives us the courage and initiative to act on our decisions.
Like the Liver, the Gallbladder also supports the health of the sinews. It provides Qi to ensure the sinews have correct movements and proper flexibility.
Kidney
The Kidney is the foundation of all Yin & Yang in the body. It is considered the “Root of Life” because of this connection to Yin & Yang, as well as being the house of Jing. Jing is the energy of life— growth, reproduction, and development. There is Pre-Natal Jing which is the essence that you receive from both your parents and it is akin to genetics. This predetermines your constitution, strength, and basic health. Post-Natal Jing is a refined Qi and essence that is extracted from food and drinks that is stored in the Kidneys. Both types of Jing are the used as the basis of Yin & Yang. When we are born we are given a set amount of Pre-Natal Jing and certain activities deplete this Jing, which is where the Post-Natal Jing is used to replenish what has been lost. Jing is fundamental to the proper physical and mental development of our bodies. The Kidney governs marrow which is produced by Jing. The marrow fills the bones, spinal cord, and brain.
The Kidneys belong to the water element and therefore control water passages of the body. They govern the transformation and transportation of fluids throughout the body. They keep healthy fluids flowing freely and stops the unhealthy stasis of water (edema).
The Kidney governs inspiration of air by working with the Lungs to grasp the inhaled Qi and pull it down. This helps to stop coughing and wheezing, essentially asthma.
The Kidney opens to the ears, as Jing nourishes their health and enables hearing. The Jing also nourishes the hair on the head. The Kidney controls the two lower orifices— the urethra and anus.
Bladder
The Bladders primary function is to receive the impure fluids from the Small Intestine, Large Intestine, and Kidneys and store it. It does one last separation and sends any pure back to the Kidneys and excretes the impure via urination.
Interested in learning how Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine can help you take control of your health? Schedule your appointment today!