Basic Medical Theory of Chinese Medicine: Spleen of the Five Organs

The spleen is located in the middle jiao, under the diaphragm. The continuation of the body's vital activities and the production of qi, blood and fluids depends on the water and grain essence transported by the spleen and stomach, which is why the spleen and stomach are called "the foundation of the latter part of the body, and the source of qi and blood production". The spleen in the five elements of the earth, and the stomach with the table.

1. The main physiological functions of the spleen

(1) The main transport: transport, i.e., transit, transportation; chemical; i.e., digestion and absorption. The main transportation of the spleen means that the spleen has the role of transforming water and grain into essence and further transferring it to the organs and tissues of the body. Specifically embodied in the transportation of water and grain and transportation of water and liquid two aspects.

1) The main transportation of water and grain: refers to the role of the spleen on the digestion and absorption of food and drink, as well as the distribution of water and grain essence to nourish the whole body's function. Diet enters the stomach, is further digested and absorbed by the small intestine, and the spleen's transmitting function transforms water and grains into essence, which is transmitted to the heart and lungs, and spreads throughout the body via the heart and lungs. The normal transport function of the spleen, for the production of essence, gas, blood, fluid to provide a material basis, but also for the five viscera and organs and tissues to provide adequate nutrition. If the spleen qi healthy transportation, the nutrition is sufficient, the internal organs function vigorously, the body is strong. If the spleen is not healthy, digestion and absorption malfunction, you will see bloating, loose stools, loss of appetite, emaciation, tiredness and weakness, as well as insufficient qi and blood biochemistry and other pathological manifestations. Therefore, the spleen is "the foundation of the latter day, the source of qi and blood biochemistry," said.

2) Transportation of water and fluid: the spleen has the role of absorption, transfer and dissemination of water and fluid, which is an important link in the metabolism of water and fluid in the human body. Water in the stomach, through the role of the spleen transfer up to the lungs, through the lungs of the role of the XuanDong, out to the skin to moisturize the skin, sweat, down to the kidneys, through the role of the kidneys of the qi, the production of urine out of the body. Therefore, the spleen is an important part of water metabolism. If the spleen's function of transporting and transforming water and fluid is strong, it can prevent stagnation of water and fluid; otherwise, it will lead to the stagnation of water and dampness, and produce pathological products such as phlegm, drink, and water-dampness, and the pathological manifestations of diarrhea, loose stools, and edema will be seen. As stated in "Su Wen. To Zhen Yao Da Lun" says: "All dampness, swelling and fullness belong to the spleen".

(2) the main ascending clear: refers to the physiological characteristics of the spleen. It is the physiological characteristics of the spleen. It rises, transmits and lifts; and it is the nutrients such as water, grain, essence and micro-organisms. The spleen's main function of ascending and clearing refers to the spleen's ability to transport water and grain essence upward to the heart, lungs, and head and eyes, and through the heart and lungs, it generates qi and blood in order to nourish the whole body. The characteristics of its transportation are mainly ascending, so it is said that "Spleen qi is mainly ascending". Spleen qi's main function is to elevate and clear, as opposed to the stomach's function of lowering turbidity. On the other hand, the ascending action of the Spleen-Qi can maintain the relative constancy of the internal organs. If the Spleen is able to elevate the qi, then the water and grains can be absorbed and transported normally, and the internal organs will not sag. If the spleen qi is weak and the qi does not rise, then the water and grains are not transformed, and there is a lack of source of qi and blood biochemistry, which results in fatigue, dizziness, abdominal distension, loose stools, etc.; or the spleen qi sinks, and the internal organs prolapse.

(3) The main unity of blood: unity, i.e. the meaning of unity, control, constraint. The spleen's role in regulating blood means that it can regulate and control the flow of blood in the veins without overflowing the veins. The Spleen's role in regulating blood is realized through the qi's ingestion of blood. When Spleen-Qi is abundant, it not only generates Qi and blood, but also restrains the blood so that it travels within the veins. If the spleen qi is weak and has no power to regulate the blood, the blood will overflow outside the veins, i.e., "the spleen does not regulate the blood", which can be seen in excessive menstruation, metrorrhagia, blood in stool, blood in urine and epistaxis.

2. Physiology of the spleen

(1) Spleen is thinking: thinking is a state of mind, consciousness and thinking activity unique to human beings. If one thinks too much, or if one's thoughts are not satisfied, it can lead to depression of spleen qi, dysfunction of transportation, and abnormal manifestations such as not thinking about food and drink, distension of the epigastric region, less food and tiredness, loose stools, and palpitation and insomnia.

(2) In the body and flesh, the main limbs: the spleen in the body and flesh, refers to the spleen can produce essence to nourish the muscles, muscle fullness and thinning and the spleen qi of the abundance of close relationship. Spleen main limbs, because the movement of the limbs and muscle contraction, stretching function is closely related, so the movement of the limbs also rely on the spleen produced by the filling effect of the essence of the grain. Therefore, the spleen qi healthy transportation, nutrition is sufficient, the muscle plump, strong, limbs activity powerful; on the contrary, if the spleen is not healthy transportation, qi and blood production is insufficient, the muscle wasting, limb weakness, or even waste impotence.

(3) Opening in the mouth, its Hua in the lips: spleen opening in the mouth, refers to the human dietary taste and the spleen's transport function is closely related. If the spleen is healthy, the appetite is strong and the taste is normal. If the spleen is not healthy, the mouth is bland and tasteless; spleen congestion and dampness, the mouth is sweet and sticky.

The color of the lips can reflect the strength or weakness of the spleen. Because the spleen is the source of qi and blood biochemistry, the spleen qi healthy transportation, the source of sufficient blood, full of blood, lips red and glossy; spleen qi deficiency, insufficient qi and blood, the blood is not full, lips pale white.

(4) Saliva is the fluid of the spleen: salivation is the thinner part of the mouth fluid, which is generated by the spleen qi, and transferred and dispersed. Saliva has the role of cleaning the mouth and protecting the oral mucosa. The role of the spleen and qi clearing, can make the saliva on the cloth in the mouth, and not overflow; if the spleen and stomach disharmony, can lead to the secretion of saliva is not normal, and see the mouth salivation since the performance.