This is How to Link The TCM Fundamentals of the 3rd Yin Organ - The Spleen with The Integumentary System in its liquid state.
TCM FUNDAMENTALS
Master of: Transportation of Nutrients
Once the baby left the mother's body, the TCM Spleen acquired the responsibility to transport and transform the biochemistry produce of Qi and nutrients to all parts of the body.
Grouping to 5 Elements: Earth
TCM Spleen is grouped as Earth in the 5 Elements Theory more like in the centre between Metal with Fire and Wood with Water. I have to write 2 blogs just to explain these 5 elements which are necessary later on.
Physiological Function:
1) The TCM Spleen is situated at:
- Midstream(Zhong Jiao) between the Lung at the Upper stream(Shang Jiao) and the Kidney at the lower end(Xia Jiao) of the blood and water flow dictates whether to raise clear or lower the turbidity and
- Its transformation of nutrients into 4 categories namely Essence, Qi, Blood And Fluid to nourish the 5 Yin and 6 Yang organs as well as muscles, bones and the integumentary system.
3) Transform it into the blood to the brain for thinking activities to be carried out in the effect of 'rising' the Clear(good nutrients) in that sense. It is due to this ability to raise and thus prevents organs in the lower abdomen from prolapsing. I will discuss cervical prolapse in a later blog.
4) The TCM Spleen is to govern and hold the blood within its flow path and is related to the deficiency in The TCM Spleen Qi in area of massive menstrual bleeding or endless menstrual seeping for a period long enough to see a doctor or TCM practitioner, for example. I will discuss more on the topic of gynaecology.
5) TCM Spleen also governs the fluid flow in the body in correlations with these organs to metabolise and prevent water retention in the tissue:
- Upstream - Lung and Big Intestine-metabolise and reabsorb
- Midstream - Spleen and Stomach-raise and produce
- Downstream - Kidney and Bladder excrete turbid urine
Orifice: The Mouth
Digestion starts right at the mouth where the secretion of saliva to dissolve the nutrients to be sent down to the digestion tract for the further break up into clear nutrients or turbidity. The Spleen Meridian path in acupuncture dictates its flows to permeate the whole tongue as well as to disperse in the cavity under the tongue. Am I going too fast? It's from here, the tongue sends the signal to the central nervous system to tell you whether is the food delicious or not? (taste discrimination)
Bodily Association: The Muscle
This should be easy to understand as the TCM spleen raise the clear (good Nutrients) to nourish all parts of the body. The physiological growth of the muscle is greatly influenced by the feeding of these clear nutrients from the spleen. I will discuss the muscle atrophy about libido in clinical studies later on.
State of Condition: Manifest in the Lips
Generally, in TCM Context, the condition of the Spleen is observed on the Lips as follows:- Colour: Red, Pale, Slightly dull Red, dull Red.
- Texture: Dry, Cracked, Moisturising, With Ulcers
Emotional Classification: Thoughts
The TCM Spleen is in charge of thoughts because of its TCM nature to uplift the clear nutrient to reach all parts of the body so that the thoughts and thinking power is clear and unblock. Imagine if the brain can get all the necessary good nutrients, neurons would be better off as well as the thoughts would be unblocked further and clear in that perception. Likewise, stress or worry can cause a deficiency in the TCM Spleen over thoughts. Again, I'll discuss more in my later blogs on this topic.
Liquidity State: The Saliva
The TCM Spleen has become the Saliva in the Liquidity State with
Functions to:
- Keep the mucous membrane moist
- Lubricate food and
- Start digestion by dissolving the chewed food.
Correlation Match: Stomach
The Stomach digest and produce clear nutrients for the TCM Spleen to raise them to all parts of the body. I will discuss more in my blogs later on.
***Reference:
Best of all,
Xiong