The Lungs in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) are the lid of the yin organs – forming a cap on top of the thoracic cavity. They have two functions, (1) the descending and liquefying (su-jiang) and (2) disseminating or circulating (xuan) functions. They take in vital substances and propel waste products downward. It is where the Lung Qi meets external Air […]
Lungs in TCM
Heart TCM
The Heart (xin) is one of the zang organs and is yin in nature. It rules the blood and blood vessels. When the Heart in TCM is working properly the blood flows smoothly and we can expect to see a normal complexion. A pale complexion can indicate a lack of blood, purple complexions can indicate stagnant blood.
Six Pernicious Influences
In TCM, there are six pernicious (hurtful) influences that can cause disharmony within us. Long before the concepts of bacteria or viruses were understood, it is these six influences that the Chinese used to categorise the effects they observed when a patient was in a disharmonious state.
Jin Ye – TCM
Jin Ye (or Jin Je) are the body fluids that flow within us and are important for the correct functioning of our organs, muscles and joints. Some examples of these fluids are sweat, mucus, saliva and semen but any fluids excreted by the body can fall within this category.
Blood (Xue) in TCM
The concept of blood (Xue) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a broader and more philososophical meaning than the understanding of blood in western medicine. In the West, blood is seen as a fluid that carries nutrients, white blood cells and other organisms to all parts of the body. While that idea is certainly found in TCM as blood carrying […]
Jing in TCM
Jing in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is our essence and is stored in the kidneys. Without Jing, we could not be. Along with Shen and Qi it is part of the Three Treasures (mind-body-spirit balance). Jing is a type of Qi but it is the most material – it is our life energy. Jing is responsible for determining our basic […]
Shen
Shen is the ”spirit” in Traditional Chinese Medicine (tcm) and is one of the three treasures that constitute life. The other two are Qi (life force) and Jing (essence). Shen in TCM takes in not just spirit but also emotions, mental health and consciousness. Shen is said to live in the heart where it retires to sleep at night.
Qi
Qi or Chi (pronounced ‘chee’) is an eastern concept used in traditional chinese medicine (tcm) and philosophies. In a literal sense qi means ‘gas’ or ‘breath’ but it is viewed as the force that gives form to life. It is more than the western concept of spirit because in Chinese medicine it has a profound and real effect on blood […]