The Zang Organs of TCM
If you’ve had a Chinese Medicine-based therapy, or read about Chinese Medicine online or on social media, chances are you’ll have heard or seen us practitioners talk about different organs.
Understanding the role of the Organs or Zang Fu in Chinese Medicine is one of the foundations of navigating the mechanics of the body, and being aware of how they keep us healthy and basically alive!
The state and interplay of the different organ systems is very much at the heart (if you’ll excuse the pun) of treatment in Chinese Medicine, as is understanding where they should be in terms of health and how to get back to that point.
Most important to remember at this stage is that when we talk about Organs, we are talking about the physical state of the lungs, heart etc to a certain extent, but we’re also talking about the energetics and the processes as well, so it’s a combination of factors beyond just the physical function. As a general rule, if the first letter of the word is capitalised, then we’re speaking to the unique distinction of TCM organ rules!
For now, we’re going to focus on the key Yin Organs, the Zang, as they have more of a significant role in general heath and the body, and will produce the biggest impact when out of balance. Click on the links below to go to the relevant entry:
The Lungs
The Lungs are responsible for breath and circulation of Qi. They draw in clear Qi from the outside and exhale stale Qi, and this action of inhalation and exhalation helps with circulating Qi throughout the body. The daily cycle of Qi circulating the body begins with the Lungs, working in harmony with the Heart to help circulate blood.
Lungs are said to govern the skin and our defences against external illness via Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) the Lungs circulate Wei Qi to the surface, so strong Lungs and Wei Qi means the condition of the skin is well maintained, sweating is regulated and there is a strong defence against external pathogens.
As well as circulating Qi, the Lungs also have a role in helping to circulate fluids around the body - just like with poor Qi circulation, impaired diffusion of fluid can lead to a lack of sweating or oedema or urinary issues.
The Lungs are linked to the nose, so strong Lung Qi means a strong sense of smell.
A lack of Lung Qi often presents with a weak voice and lack of energy due to impaired circulation of Qi, which can also lead to poor circulation of Blood.
Spleen
The Spleen is central to nutrition and nourishment - it extracts nutrients from food and drink and distributes it to other organs. We also often talk about the Spleen and Stomach together as their functions are closely linked, but for now we’ll focus on the Spleen, but just bear in mind the partnership between the two is very close.
The Spleen’s action of digestion and absorption is central to production of Qi, Blood and fluids for the body, so a strong Spleen means there is enough nourishment for us through Qi and Blood and fluids.
Poor Spleen function means there could be digestive issues, bloating or diarrhoea. A weakness in the Spleen’s distribution function can also lead to accumulations of damp and phlegm or oedema.
The Spleen helps us manage Blood - as well as producing Blood from the food we eat, the Spleen’s own Qi helps to holds Blood in the vessels, so a poorly functioning Spleen might be reflected in easy bruising, blood clots or varicose veins.
The Spleen’s Qi also helps to hold the other organs in place with the same upward energy that spreads nourishment.
The Spleen’s central role in nourishing means it is considered to have a role in governing the flesh and limbs - good nutrition means strong muscles, whereas a lack of strength and weakness arises if the Spleen is not at its best.
As you would expect from the Organ that deals directly with food and drink, it is linked to the mouth, so a healthy Spleen means a strong appetite and ability to taste.
Heart
The Heart is said to govern the Blood - where the Spleen helps to produce and contain Blood, circulation and movement of Blood is the Heart’s domain. So the Heart also has a role in the nourishment of the body overall through ensuring Blood goes where it needs to go. A poorly functioning Heart means poor circulation, and that in turn leads to Blood Stasis or insufficient Blood.
This close relationship of Heart and circulation means that it is tied directly to the Blood vessels - the condition of the heart is reflected in the state of the blood vessels.
Just as important as Blood is the Heart’s role in housing the Shen, or the mind/spirit part of us. The Shen is nourished by the Blood and Qi of the heart, so if the Heart is doing well, the sprit will be calm and sleep will be good, the mind continues to be sharp, alert and responsive to the environment. If the Shen is not housed comfortably in the Heart, you might then find symptoms of restlessness, poor sleep or anxiety.
The Heart controls the tongue. This ties a little into taste, but the Heart’s role affects speech, talking, laughing etc - any disharmony might contribute to issues with speech or excessive, inappropriate talking or laughter.
Kidneys
The Kidneys store Jing and control reproduction, growth and development. The Qi of the Kidneys draws on Jing and the Qi and Blood produced by the Spleen to nourish all the organs and support the constitution overall. The opposite is also true, in that the constitution can be damaged by poor nutrition and exertion, which can also affect development and how we age.
The Kidneys have a strong affinity with Water. They regulate the upward motion of water metabolism to be distributed on by the Lungs, and regulate the Bladder and urination.
The Kidneys form the seat of the Gate of Life, the Ming Men. The Gate of Life is the concept of the motive force of all functional activity in the body, the essential fire for life, so the Kidneys maintain a balance of fire and water in the body.
The Kidneys are connected to our bones and Marrow - these are derived from our Jing, though important to note that in Chinese Medicine Marrow includes the spine and brain too, so strong Kidneys means strong bones and good brain function. If the Kidneys are weak, then you might find issues such as dizziness, tinnitus, poor memory, bone problems, or back and knee pain.
As the lowest of the Zang Organs, the Kidneys also have the function of “grasping” Qi. That means they help to descend and hold the downward motion of Qi. So interestingly the Kidneys have some role to play as well in respiration, especially with conditions such as asthma.
The Kidneys connect and nourish the ears, so hearing issues might be Kidney-related, as could some forms of tinnitus.
The condition of the hair is also reflection of state of Kidneys, which govern hair quality and colour. The quality and colour of our hair changes when we get older as the state of our Kidneys and Jing decline as we age.
Liver
Our Liver has the function of storing the Blood. Excess Blood is stored in the Liver when at rest, and it regulates the volume of Blood in the body at any given time, and this regulatory action of the Liver on blood also has a role to play in keeping menstruation healthy.
Enough Liver Blood is vital for good energy. A lack of or low Blood can lead to lack of energy and nourishment because of the close relationship with Qi.
And speaking of Qi, the Liver is responsible for ensuring free flow of Qi throughout the body. The free flow of Qi also has an impact on our emotions - emotional issues cause Qi to stagnate (pain or distension is a common feeling associated with Qi stagnation), and stagnation can in turn create emotional issues so the Liver’s responsibility for “coursing” Qi is vital for maintaining balance.
The Liver helps to coordinate bodily movement and maintains the mobility of the muscles and tendons. A lack of Liver Blood therefore fails to nourish muscles and tendons so can lead to muscle cramps, tremors.
The Liver connects with the eyes, so a strong Liver means good vision as it nourishes and moistens the eyes and takes in information. Otherwise poor Liver function can be reflected in poor eyesight, dry sore eyes or blurred vision or floaters.
Our nails are also a reflection of the Liver, with soft, thin, dull nails as specific signs.
Hopefully that will start to give a sense of what should and shouldn't be happening when you feel that things just aren't right, and as you get to know your body and learn more about Chinese Medicine, you'll be able to make teh necessary adjustments to get yourself back on track.
In the meantime, if you need a bit of extra boost for your health and wellbeing, then get in touch for a chat about how acupuncture could help, or book in for a session using the handy online booking page.
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