Basic theory of traditional Chinese medicine: physiological function of eight strange meridians

Eight strange meridians crisscross between the twelve meridians, and have the following three physiological functions:

1. Further strengthen the ties between the twelve meridians.

During its circulation, the eight meridians of the odd meridian intersect with some meridians in the twelve meridians, thus closely communicating the relationship between the meridians.

2. Regulate the twelve meridians's Qi and blood.

Eight strange meridians are intricately distributed and circulate between the twelve meridians. When the twelve meridians's qi and blood are abundant and surplus, it flows into the odd meridians and eight veins for standby. When the physiological function of human body is needed or the twelve meridians's qi and blood are insufficient, it can be "overflowed" by the strange meridians, infiltrated and supplied to the whole body tissues, and supplemented. Li Shizhen called the strange classics "Huze" in "On Eight Veins of Strange Classics", which means that the strange classics have the function of regulating qi and blood. Being fat and thin, Lingshu points out that ascending pulse can "penetrate Yang" and "irrigate meridians", while descending pulse can "penetrate Three Yin" and "irrigate meridians", which also shows that odd meridians have the function of infiltrating and overflowing, and regulate the twelve meridians's qi and blood.

3. It is related to viscera such as liver and kidney, and viscera such as brain marrow and daughter cells.

Among them, daughter cells and brain marrow are mainly directly related to the strange meridians, and have certain physiological and pathological effects on each other. For example, Chong, Ren and Du branch from the same source, all of which start from the cell, and the pulse encircles the waist, so that they are connected and become a system of mutual communication and mutual adjustment. They are connected with the liver meridian and the reproductive organs in the pelvic cavity, so they are closely related to women's menstruation, leucorrhea, fetus and delivery.