Zang-Fu theory is a concept within traditional Chinese medicine that describes the functions of the organs of the body and the interactions that occur between them. Zang 臟 refers to the yin organs - heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, pericardium - whilst Fu 腑 refers to the yang organs - small intestine, large intestine, gall bladder, urinary bladder, stomach and san jiao. Each of the twelve zang-fu organs listed have a corresponding organ, except the pericardium and san jiao which both describe functions that are not related to an organ. As convention, the names of the zang fu organs are often capitalized to highlight the fact that the organs being referred to are not equivalent to those of western medicine, despite the similarity in names. Each zang is paired with a fu, and each pair are assigned to one of the .
Major differences between Zang Fu anatomy and western anatomy
To understand Zang Fu theory, it is important to realize that TCM anatomy did not develop primarily out of anatomical studies , as did western notions of anatomy. The need to describe a function carried out in the body was more important to ancient physicians than opening up the body and seeing what different parts there were. Consequently, fundamental concepts of TCM anatomy such as meridians can seem metaphorical and elusive to the western audience.
The organs themselves are characterized not by anatomical position but by a general function within the system as a whole that may not necessarily correspond to any western anatomical account. The functions of the organs are described with respect to their roles and connections throughout the body, including , Qi , , Jing , Xue , and "fluids."
Moreover, western notions of the organs are often carried into the translations of the original Chinese concepts. There are two organs in the system that don't actually occupy a specific location in the body and can only be understood in terms of their function: the pericardium, and the triple burner. In western Medicine, the pericardium is a literal sac of membrane that encases the heart. In the Zang Fu system, the "role" of the 'pericardium' is to protect the heart. So, translators assumed Chinese physicians were talking about the sac when in fact they were not. The triple burner has no correlate in western medicine and is often described as global immune function.
The functions of the organs
The organs dynamically regulate each other cyclically. Each organ has two corresponding organs that it is responsible for either negatively or positively regulating. The manner in which the organs interact with each other is described by . Each organ is associated with one of the five elements, and behaves appropriately with respect to that element . Organ regulatory systems, with respect to the elements, to the Yin organs or the yang organs. The Yin and Yang organs relate to each other primarily in resonating energies. For example, the kidneys and the bladder are the yin and yang water organs, respectively, and resonate with each other. One does not really regulate the other, they work together.
The ''five elements'' are associated energetically with the following ''Zang-Fu'' organs
* ''Wood'': '''', home of the '''' , paired with the ''''
* ''Fire'': '''', home of the '''' paired with the ''''
* ''Earth'': '''', home of the ''Yi'' , paired with the ''''
* ''Water'': '''', home of the ''Zhi'' , paired with the ''''
* ''Metal'': '''', home of the '''' , paired with the ''''
TCM diagnoses rely on recognizing global patterns of disfunction in the patient, explainable in terms of five element theory and yin-yang theory. A thorough understanding of each organ's function and symptoms of disfunction will give insight into the process of disease and illness according to TCM.
Yin organs
Lung
Metal. home of the '''' , paired with the ''''
The function of the Lung is to descend and disperse qi throughout the body. It receives qi through the breath, and exhales the waste. The Lung governs the skin and hair and also governs the exterior . A properly functioning Lung organ will ensure the skin and hair are of good quality and that the immune system is strong and able to fight disease. The normal direction of the Lung is downwards, when Lung qi "rebels" it goes upwards, causing coughing and wheezing. When the Lung is weak, there can be skin conditions such as eczema, thin or brittle hair, and a propensity to catching colds and flu. The Lung is weakened by dryness and the emotion of grief or sadness.
Liver
Wood. home of the '''' , paired with the ''''
The function of the Liver is to ensure the smooth flow of qi throughout the body. The liver opens to the eyes and manifests in the finger and toe nails. It also governs the sinews and tendons. A properly functioning Liver organ will ensure that the tendons are properly nourished and not too tense or gristly. The normal direction of Liver qi is downwards, when Liver qi "rebels" it can attack the Spleen causing nausea and poor appetite, it can rebel upwards causing tenseness in the shoulders and headaches, or it can stop flowing and become stagnant - leading to irritability and anger. When the Liver is dysfunctional there can be conditions such as headaches, premenstrual symptoms, tense muscles, loss of appetite, insomnia, anger, irritability and frustration. Liver blood stagnation may lead to amenorrhea, blood clotting, or a bearing down sensation with menstruation.
Spleen
Earth. Home of the '''' , paired with the ''''
The function of the Spleen is to transform food and drink into qi and blood and transport these substances around the body. The Spleen governs the extremities, the muscles, and the four extremities. When the Spleen is functioning well, digestion will be good, the muscles will be strong and circulation will be efficient. When the Spleen is weak there can be nausea, this often occurs when the Liver "attacks" the Spleen. Cold hands and feet, lack of muscle tone, easy bruising and poor concentration/overthinking can be signs that the Spleen is weak. The Spleen is weakened by dampness.
Kidney
Water. Home of the '''' , paired with the ''''
The Kidneys store Essence, govern birth, growth, reproduction and development. They also produce the Marrow which fills the brain and control the bones. The Kidneys are often referred to as the 'Root of Life' or the 'Root of the Pre-Heaven Qi'. Kidneys house the Will Power .
Heart
Fire. Home of the '''' paired with the ''''
The Heart is considered to be the most important Internal Organ, sometimes described as the 'ruler', 'emperor' or monarch. The main function of the Heart is to govern the blood, which it does in two ways: transforming Food-Qi into Blood, and circulating the Blood just the same as in Western Medicine.
Pericardium
Fire. Paired with the ''San Jiao'' or ''Triple burner''
The pericardium is closely related to the Heart. Known as 'Master of the Heart' and 'Envelope of the Heart' . The pericardium protects the heart from attacks by exterior pathogenic factors. Like the Heart, the Pericardium governs Blood and houses the Mind. The Pericardium as a channel is also linked to the Triple Burner: 'The Triple Burner protects the Internal Organs on the outside and the Pericardium protects the Heart on the outside'. The pericardium, in the zang fu system, does not occupy a particular position in the body .
Yang organs
Large intestine
Metal
The function of the Large Intestine is to control the passage and conduction of stools. In the process, it transforms the stools and reabsorbs fluids from them. It receives food and drink from the Small Intestine, conducts the food and drink down, and after absorbing some of the fluids, it excretes the stools. The Large Intestine is closely related to the Lungs, in the way that Lung Qi aids in its downward movement, therefore influencing defecation. As the Lungs control the skin, the Large Intestine also has influence on it.
Gall bladder
Wood
Urinary bladder
Water
Stomach
Earth
Small intestine
Fire
Triple Burner
, Three jiaos
Fire
Association between the zangfu and particular souls
The association between the zangfu and particular souls or spirits is a later accretion and has been largely absent from the discourse of traditional Chinese medicine for at least the past 200 years.
This theory treats each of the Zang organs as organs that nourish the body. The Zang systems include organs, senses, emotions, and the
musculoskeletal system--essentially, the entire person divided into five
categorical systems. Zang organs are also known as yin organs, and each has a Fu partner, a yang organ . Fu organs can be viewed as hollow organs that aid in digestion. In addition to bodily functions, each Zang organ is the home of an aspect of the spirit.
With a thorough understanding of the Zang Fu organs, practitioners can achieve therapeutic results accordingly. The theory is always in service of practical, therapeutic application, with the goal of an "elegant" treatment. An elegant treatment uses the least amount of force for the greatest therapeutic benefit, and requires true mastery of the art of traditional Chinese Medicine.
Criticism
Some scholars have characterized the conceptual framework of TCM as .
Proponents reply that TCM is a prescientific system that continues to have practical relevance.
See .
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