Heart, Summertime, Heat and Joy...

This exploration of the heart system is the third in a series demystifying Chinese Medicine
Theory for Patients and the General Public. As we learned previously in the Liver and Kidney
system articles, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides us with unique and illustrative
ways of looking at our health and the relationships between ourselves, others, and our
environment. In this third article we will discuss the "heart" system in Chinese Medicine and
the relationships it has to our ability to experience and express joy, handle the summer heat,
and help us live more full lives. I hope you walk away from these articles with a new
appreciation for how amazing our bodies and our world is and also some ways to bring more
awareness into your life with these inter-relationships in mind.

As our hearts are an extremely vital organ and heart disease is a major health problem with
serious consequences, people may be a little uncomfortable when told by their practitioner
that they have a "heart" issue. As pointed out in previous articles, however, Chinese Medicine
diagnoses are referenc A problem with the "heart" system is simply part of the organ pattern
diagnoses that Chinese Medicine uses to describe processes and relationships within the body.
The heart system involves the heart, certain aspects of our emotional and intellectual mind,
the small intestine functions, and circulation generally. The system also includes the heart and
small intestine acupuncture meridians along with a host of imbalances from a Chinese
Medicine perspective and western conditions such as depression, anxiety, add/adhd,
hypertension, heart disease, poor memory, insomnia, night sweats, and more.

About The Heart:

While vital to human life the physical heart is basically just a pump. Just slightly larger than
the size of your fist, our hearts will beat over 2 billion times in an average lifetime. Working
with our lungs, our heart delivers oxygenated blood and nutrients to our organs, tissues and
cells. When we have circulatory problems this function can be diminished causing problems
elsewhere in the body and ultimately even with the heart itself.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, the heart system has a broad range of functions that
span from the physical to the psychological. Some of these functions are related to the
physical functions of the heart itself, but others are related to connections made by the heart
meridian and other relationships.

The "heart" in Chinese Medicine performs the following functions:

"Dominates" the blood and vessels and "manifests" in the face:

This function illustrates the crucial importance of the physical pumping function of the heart.
While the heart obviously requires the circulatory system to deliver blood effectively, without
the pumping function nothing works at all. When the circulatory function is strong in the
body, the vessels will be full of blood and the body and mind will be properly nourished. This
will be evident in techniques such as pulse diagnosis and through simple observations of ones
complexion. Manifesting in the face means that due to the large number of blood vessels in
the area, weaknesses in the system overall will be observable in the face. A common sign of

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Heart Yang Deficiency, for example, is a pale face. Imbalances in this function would include
a broad range of circulatory disorders.

"Houses" the mind:

In Chinese Medicine our psychologial and intellectual selves are "housed" or controlled by
various organ systems. The following chart illustrates these psychological connections (also
known as the "five shen"):

 Shen - Emotional Thought | Controlled/Housed by the Heart

 Yi - Intellectual Thought | Controlled/Housed by the Spleen
 Zhi - Willpower | Controlled/Housed by the Kidneys
 Hun - Our "Soul"/Courage/Dreams/Goals | Controlled/Housed by the Liver
 Po - Another aspect of our "soul" but more strongly tied to our physical body/Instincts
| Controlled/Housed by the Lungs

The heart, then, technically houses the shen. Shen is loosely translated as our spirit or
consciousness and proper shen will result in the ability to think and feel clearly, a strong
memory, and the ability to relax and sleep. Imbalances in this function can result in insomnia,
memory problems, depression, schizophrenia and the entire range of psychological issues.

"Opens" into the tongue:

The organs in Chinese Medicine are known as the "Zang-Fu". Zang organs such as the Heart,
Kidneys, Spleen, etc. are "solid" and "yin" in nature. Each meridan/organ system has a
yin/yang pairing - so each zang/yin organ has a paired fu/yang organ. The "zang"
counterparts, also known as the "fu" organs such as the Small Intestine, Urinary Bladder, and
Stomach respectively, are "hollow" and "yang" in nature. All of the zang organs have a
sensory organ connected to them. In the case of the heart it is the tongue. This relationship is
important for proper speech, taste, and a healthy tongue overall (as indicated by tongue
diagnosis). An imbalance in this connection may result in the loss of taste, speech disorders,
pale tongue, and more.

What symptoms may arise?

From a Chinese Medicine perspective imbalances in the heart system will lead to many
circulatory and psychological related problems such as: anxiety, insomnia, menopausal
syndrome, add/adhd, poor memory, fuzzy thinking, stuttering, manic depression, palpitations,
cold limbs, fatigue, coma, and many others.

As you can see from this brief foray into the heart system there is much more that is meant by
the "heart" than just the physical pumping function. The heart system provides nourishment to
much of our body and mind and allows us to move, think, and feel clearly.

Heart System Patterns and Their Meanings:

As discussed previously, Chinese Medicine treats "patterns" not "conditions." By examing the
patient, observing their face and body, their entire range of signs and symptoms, palpating
points, looking at their tongue and their pulse, practitioners of Chinese Medicine will arrive at
a pattern diagnosis. By choosing the appropriate pattern you can treat western conditions as
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well as offset any variety of more vague symptoms before they turn into full pledged
"conditions." This pattern diagnosis is also what gives Chinese Medicine the flexibility to
treat many poorly understood conditions and/or those that do not respond well to western
and/or other methods of medical intervention.

In the case of the heart system, patterns generally fall into two categories: Yang deficiency
(heat, movement, force) and Yin deficiency (coolness, relaxation, clarity). Physical heart
problems may be diagnosed as "Heart Blood Stagnation" whereas the emotional aspects may
be diagnosed as "Heart Yin Deficiency." Within the heart system, there are also some unique
diagnoses such as one pattern known as "phlegm misting the mind" which is discussed below.

Heart Yang Deficiency - is a further development of heart qi deficiency which often moves
from symptoms such as palpitations on exertion, fatique and spontaneous sweating to those
symptoms plus cold limbs, a sensation of cold and a bright pale face. This diagnosis may
indicate physical heart problems such as heart disease, coronary blockage, etc.

Heart Yin Deficiency - anxiety and restlessness, palpitations, insomnia, dream disturbed
sleep, easily startled, poor memory, fidgeting, mallor flush, night sweats, heat in the 5 palms
(hands, feet and face) and/or dry mouth. This pattern may indicate any number of western
psychological conditions.

Phlegm Misting The Mind - this rather unique diagnosis has to do with the hearts circulation
to the brain/mind and may be diagnosed in conditions where people lose consciousness and/or
an ability to know who or where they are. Traditional signs are mental confusion,
unconsciousness, a rattling sound in the throat, asphasia and/or vomiting.

It sure is warm, you also said something about summertime and heat!?

As we learned above each of the organ systems has various relationships to sensory organs,
aspects of ourselves and more. These relationships come from "five element theory" and are
discussed in more detail in my general five element theory section. For our purposes,
however, we are going to limit the discussion to the emotional and seasonal relationships of
each meridian system. The chart belows shows these basic relationships:

* Organ              *  Season              * Emotion

Heart                      Summer               Joy
Spleen                   Late Summer      Worry/Pensiveness
Lungs                    Autumn                 Grief/Sadness
Kidneys                 Winter                   Fear
Liver                       Spring                  Anger
As you can see from the chart above, the heart system is related to the season of summer and
to the emotion of joy. This means that the heart system is strongest and aided by the summer
season (warmth helps circulation) and that a healthy "heart" will lead to the ability to feel and
express joy. As with any relationship, however, there is a counterpoint. Extreme heat will
harm the heart (too much heat makes us agitated and can lead to heat stroke, for example). On
the emotional side too much joy can cause issues and a complete lack of joy in our lives can
also lead to problems, perhaps even transferring to physical problems (palpitations under
extreme anxiety, depression after a failed relationship, etc.).

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To help aid our hearts and put some direct self-help advice into this article (for those of you in
the northern hemisphere anyhow), I am going to offer some advice on cooling your body and
helping with heat. Summer is the time for adding more of the cooling foods into our diets -
fruits, salads, water, etc. Watermelon in particular is an excellent remedy for summer heat. In
Chinese Medicine watermelon is used to clear summer heat, aid a sore throat, and relieve
mouth sores. A glass of fresh watermelon juice is a good remedy to relieve the vomiting and
dizziness which may accompany heat stroke.

Acupressure is also useful to both clear anxiety and to help with overheating of the body and
even to help restore consciousness if someone were to faint from the heat (medical attention is
of course strongly recommended). Two of the strongest points to help relieve anxiety,
palpitations, etc. are PC 7 and HT 7. Both of these points can be used when you feel restless,
anxious, and/or are having difficulty falling asleep. SP 10 and LI 11 are good points for
clearing heat from the body generally and can make you feel more comfortable when the heat
starts to get to you. Finally, GV 26 is a good point to learn to help anyone who has fainted or
appears to be slipping from consciousness. You can click on any of the points listed to find
their locations and usages. GV 26 in particular must be held fairly firmly, often with the
thumb.

What Else Can I Do?

As with the kidney system and our discussion of kidney yin deficiency, heart yin deficiency
issues (insomnia, anxiety, etc.) are often related to the general pace and pressures of our
culture. Western culture generally and american culture particularly can be very stressful and
somewhat lacking in joy and connection. Even for people who are not clinically depressed our
culture is somewhat isolating and individualistic as is the american spirit that helped to build
it. Compared to many other parts of the world where people generally live with extended
families and have towns and villages where their very design fosters more communication and
interaction amongst neighbors and other people in town, americans generally have less daily
interaction with family, friends, and other people near them. In addition to the setup of our
society, our long working hours, the pace of life that has been sped up with cell phones and
the computer, and other distractions such as TV can take a toll on our emotional,
psychological and physical selves.

While not everyone wants to live with 12 people in their house or live in dense city centers it
is important for us to be aware that every economic, social, and spatial decision we make
individually and collectively will have an impact on our lives and on our health. We know
that people who are too isolated have physiological changes that can lead to conditions such
as depression, addictions, and other issues such as alzheimers. We know that having towns
too spread out causes people to drive everywhere lowering their time in the sun (vitamin D
deficiency) and leads to increased rates of obesity and other cardiovascular issues. As with all
things, it's all about finding the proper balance and being aware enough to look around at our
situations and look for conditions that we can change instead of masking our issues or
expecting magical fixes from medications.

Can Chinese Herbal Medicine Help?

There are a variety of herbal formulas that are helpful for heart system imbalances - both yang
and yin. Within this article I am going to mention some of the more helpful formulas that
relate to Heart Yin Deficiency. This is in part because they are an important aspect of

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treatment in many cases. The yin of the body can be difficult to rebuild from the
accumulations of stress and anxiety that contributes to these issues and relatively short-term
usage of herbal medicine can be very useful.

The "Emperor's Tonic" or "Tian Wan Bu Xin Wan" works to replenish the yin and blood of
the heart system. This formula is commonly used for insomnia, anxiety, and related
conditions.

"Licorice, Triticum & Jujube Pills" or "Gan Mai Da Zao Wan" works to nourish the heart and
calm the mind. This formula is used for insomnia, nightsweats, depression, and related
conditions.

Finally, Chinese Herbal Medicine has a very long history of trial and error which gives us
many formulas that are many hundreds of years old with long tract records of success. One
aspect of herbal medicine to aid in calming and focusing the mind is the use of shells in
Chinese Medicine. These may be oyster shells, clam shells, etc. and they are incorporated in
with appropriate herbs to calm the mind in a non-narcotic way. This allows people to feel
calm but mentally more focused instead of sleepy and hazy like many medications. Two
formulas that are worth mentioning are listed below.  One is fairly strong and used for more
chronic/clinical psychological issues and the other is safely used with children, particularly
with add/adhd.

For Children with add/adhd, behavioral issues, and/or anxiety, our Pearl Kuding Tea
Lozenges is a safe and helpful formula. This formula is one of the few times in Chinese
Medicine where you use a single herb (in this case pearl powder). Pearl powder is a safe way
of helping to calm and focus the mind without side effects of any kind.

"Bupleuri, Dragon Bone & Oyster Combo Pills" or "Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li Wan" strongly
calms the mind, again using shells. This formula is used for more severe cases of anxiety,
bipolar disorder, and other psychological conditions.

So, what to do?

Well for one respect the relationships that each organ system has with each season. Summer is
a time for outward energy, being active, expressing ourselves and experiencing joy. Summer
is a great time to increase activity levels. It is also a great time to decrease the amount of food
we eat, as the summer heat provides us with warmth and nourishment we can focus on lighter
dishes and more fruits specifically. With even minor increases in activity and lighter dishes
we can eliminate some of the weight which naturally builds up over the winter and go into the
fall in much better shape.

So enjoy the summer, use the extended daylight hours to be outside more, and use the
happiness which everyone feels to at least some degree when it is sunny and warm to engage
more with others and your community. Your heart will thank you on all of the levels that we
discussed above and more...

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My Kidneys Are What?

The second in a series demystifying Chinese Medicine Theory for Patients and
the General Public

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) provides us with unique and illustrative ways of looking
at our health and relationships between ourselves, others, and our environment. This series of
articles is part of my ongoing goal of demystifying the world of acupuncture. In the first
article of the series, "My Liver Is What", we discussed the liver system from a Chinese
Medicine perspective. This, the second article in the series, will discuss the "kidney" system.

As is the case with other organ systems, people are often confused when their acupuncturist or
herbalist tells them they have a "kidney" problem. While perhaps more comforting than when
my first Korean acupuncturist screamed out "brain problem!", it raises an eye nonetheless.

As discussed in our first article, Chinese Medicine uses organ patterns to help describe
processes and relationships within the body. As we now know, a "kidney" issue indicates a
problem with the "kidney system" which rarely indicates a problem with the physical organ.
The kidney system involves the physical kidneys, the adrenals, and the bladder which is the
paired organ to the kidney system. The system also includes the kidney and bladder
acupuncture meridians along with a host of imbalances from a Chinese Medicine perspective
and western conditions such as nephritis.

About The Kidneys:

From a western perspective the kidneys perform very important processing and filtration
functions in the body. Each day the kidneys process approximately 200 quarts of blood,
taking out nearly 2 quarts of waste products and water. These waste products come from the
normal breakdown of tissue in the body as well as from our food. The kidneys also release
some very important hormones; Erythropoletin which stimulates the bone marrow to make
red blood cells, Renin which regulates blood pressure, and Calcitrol (the active form of
Vitamin D), which helps maintain calcium levels in the body.

We can live without one kidney, but without two we need to be on dialysis for the rest of our
life or get a transplant. From a western perspective the kidneys are damaged by diabetes, high
blood pressure, smoking, and a host of auto-immune and infection related conditions. Trauma
and genetic conditions also play a role in kidney failure. General signs of kidney disease can
be vague and include changes in urination (more or less often), fatigue, loss of appetite,
swelling in the extremities, darkened skin, and/or muscle cramps.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective the kidney system has a very broad range of functions
and is one of the most important systems in our body. Some of these functions are related to
the physical functions of the kidneys, but others are related to connections made by the kidney
meridian and other relationships from a TCM perspective.

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The "kidneys" in Chinese Medicine perform the following functions:

 "Stores" the "Jing" and controls development and reproduction:

Jing, also called Essence, is a deep form of energy in our body. Some of it we are born with
and other aspects we get from food and other activities. Jing is largely responsible for our
mental and physical development and forms the basis of our ability to reproduce. Imbalances
in this function can include infertility, sexual issues, and physical and/or mental
developmental issues.

 "Controls" Water Metabolism:

This is related to the western function of the kidneys. Imbalances in this function can lead to
edema (body swelling) which can be very significant. Within this function there is also a
relationship with the lungs that does not exist in western medicine. The control of water
metabolism plays a role in moistening the lungs and aiding in their function - chronic dry
cough can be signs of a kidney system imbalance.

 "Receives" Energy or "Qi":

In TCM Theory the lungs and the kidneys work together to aid our ability to breath and
circulate energy within our body. Weaknesses in the kidney aspect of this function can lead to
issues such as shortness of breath, asthma, and/or fatigue.

 "Controls" the bones, manufactures marrow to "fill the brain", and "manifests"
in the hair:

This function relates to the kidney's role in stimulating the production of bone marrow. From
a Chinese Medicine perspective this involves both the bone marrow and the spinal marrow.
Bone marrow is a crucial part of immunity, strong bones and teeth and spinal marrow is a
crucial part of mental development, brain function, and hair growth. Dental problems are a
sign of weak bone marrow function and hair loss is a sign of weak spinal marrow function.
Imbalances in this role can lead to anything from loss of hair and minor dental issues to
serious developmental disabilities.

 "Opens" into the ear and "controls" the anterior and posterior orifices:

The Kidneys are said to "open in the ear." Our ability to hear involves proper nourishment of
the ears from the kidney system. Weak kidney energy can show up as poor hearing or other

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conditions such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The anterior orifices refer to the urethra and
genitalia and imbalances here can result in urinary and/or reproductive issues. The posterior
orifices refers to the anus and the role of elimination by the colon. Weakness in this role can
lead to issues such as chronic diarrhea or constipation.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective the following list of signs and symptoms can arise
from a kidney system imbalance:

Asthma, cold limbs, weak back and/or knees, incontinence, bedwetting, tinnitus, constipation,
night sweats, insomnia, diarrhea, poor physical and/or mental development, weak bones,
teeth, poor memory, poor libido and reproductive issues.

As you can see the role of the kidney system in Chinese Medicine goes far beyond the role of
the physical kidneys as defined by western medicine. The kidney system provides the root of
our overall energy and has a large influence over our development. This begins while we are
still in the womb and continues to influence how well we age throughout our life.

Kidney System Patterns and Their Meanings:

As discussed previously, Chinese Medicine treats "patterns" not "conditions." By examining

the patient, their entire range of signs and symptoms, palpating points, looking at their tongue
and their pulse, practitioners of Chinese Medicine will arrive at a pattern diagnosis. By
choosing the appropriate pattern you can treat western conditions as well as offset any variety
of more vague symptoms before they turn into full pledged "conditions."

In the case of the kidney system, patterns generally fall into two categories: Yang deficiency
(our heat, our movement, and our energy) and Yin deficiency (our ability to cool, our
relaxation, and our fluids). A common pattern, particularly in modern western cultures, is
known as Kidney Yin Deficiency.

Kidney Yin Deficiency contains the following signs - dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, sore back,
constipation, "empty heat" signs such as flushed face, nightsweats, hot palms, hot feet and/or
hot chest, hot flashes, insomnia and/or chronic dry throat. Related conditions are insomnia,
menopausal syndrome, and various anxiety disorders.

Kidney Yang Deficiency contains the following signs - sore and/or weak back/knees,
sensation of cold, aversion to cold, weak lower limbs, fatigue, clear copious urine, poor
appetite, loose stools, sexual issues, fertility problems and/or edema. Related conditions are
chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic back pain, and infertility.

How Does My Lifestyle and Diet Effect These Patterns?

As the effect of the kidney system is broad, our ability to foster these imbalances is also quite
broad. Generally if a chronic issue is anxiety and/or insomnia and you have that "go, go, go"
mentality you are likely to be more yin deficient. If a chronic issue is fatigue and you are
missing your "get up and go", you are more than likely on the yang deficient side.

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In modern western culture we see a tremendous amount of yin deficiency. The "work hard,
play hard" mentality is a page from the "how to create yin deficiency" playbook. Our culture
rewards hard work and we have a non-stop go, go, go culture - increasingly so. There is
certainly nothing wrong with hard work, however, the kidney system above all other systems
stresses to us the need for moderation and balance. Some people are at, or past, the point
where relaxation becomes difficult and for some even stressful - this is yin deficiency. Yin
deficiency is the equivalent of your body being locked in the "on" position. It stays on until
you burn yourself out and crash which can be experienced in conditions such as
hypothyroidism, cancer, auto-immune conditions, and depression to name a few.

For women this is a particularly acute issue as the yin of the body is an aspect of the blood. As
we age we lose yin naturally - women lose more from menstruation. So this normal process
coupled with a hard working lifestyle can lead to significant psychological and menstrual
issues, fertility issues, and later problems at menopause. Issues at menopause are something
many feel every women has to go through, yet in some cultures they may not even have a
word for menopause. The menstrual cycle simply stops - no hot flashes, night sweats, mood
changes, hormone replacement therapy - it just stops naturally and they experience no issues
whatsoever. The concepts behind yin deficiency give us some clues as to why we see
increasing problems in these areas.

The Yang deficient side is more straightforward - you run out of steam. This can come from
working too hard, yin deficiency turning into yang deficiency, as a result of a significant
illness, or perhaps starting life with a constitutional weakness (part of why some people seem
to age faster than others even when lifestyle factors are taken into consideration).

So, what to do?

Moderation in all things appears to be very, very important. Respecting our energy levels and
our normal fluctuations instead of always "pushing" through. When we need rest, rest - don't
just talk about resting, do it. All of the relaxation exercises such as qi gong, tai chi, meditation
and yoga foster yin and help us to recharge and rebuild. As does a simple walk, reading a
book, and relaxing with friends. We need our time and our space to regenerate and we will
find that when we take this, not only do we feel better, but we are more productive. Part of
allowing this to happen is the acknowledgement that the world will continue to revolve
without us...

Foods Which Aid Kidney Yang Deficiency:

For Yang deficiency increasing your intake of warming wholesome foods such as stews,
roasts and hearty soups is beneficial. Focusing your diet on cooked/steamed vegetables and
avoiding cooling foods like salads and raw foods, adding ginger and garlic to your diet, and
herbs such as ginseng can be helpful. Other foods such as shrimp, mussels, walnuts, lamb,
onions, radish, turnips, cinnamon, peppermint, and royal jelly should be given precedence.

Food Which Aid Kidney Yin Deficiency:

For yin deficiency you need foods which calm the nervous system and your mind and help
build the fluids of the body. As yin deficiency often presents with signs of heat (nightsweats,
hot palms, etc.), many feel they need cooling foods. But as it is ultimately a deficiency
pattern, too much cold/raw foods can aggravate the condition. Foods that are helpful are sweet

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potatoes, squash, potatoes, string beans, lemons, black beans, kidney beans, fish, oysters,
clams, duck, and chicken eggs. As yin deficiency is further aggravated by caffeine, alcohol,
sugar and strong spices, these should be avoided or used in moderation.

All of the relaxation techniques mentioned above are helpful for yin deficient conditions.
Herbal formulas such as Da Bu Yin Wan and Tian Wan Bu Xin Wan are often very helpful as
well.

Well, now it's time to relax. Winter is the season of the kidneys which means it is time to
calm our minds, rest, and build our energy. Winter is a great time to honor our energy and
take more time to regenerate ourselves, spend time with family and friends, and hibernate as
best as we can. If we give our body this time, we can literally spring up with the trees and
flowers as we all come out of our slumber - rested, strong, and more at peace.

My Liver is What?

The first in a series demystifying Chinese Medicine Theory

    for Patients and the General Public

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses a variety of unique terminology to diagnose and
treat a broad range of health issues. In this series of articles I am going to discuss some of the
more common TCM diagnoses and their meanings in the hopes of demystifying the world of
acupuncture. This, the first article in the series, will discuss the "Liver" system.

Many become concerned when their acupuncturist or herbalist tells them they have "Liver Qi
Stagnation" or "Liver Blood Deficiency"... They often assume that this means there is
something wrong with their physical liver and may go to their western doctor asking for Liver
Blood tests or other exams. They may also think their Liver is "toxic" and try any variety of
detoxifying diets or supplements. Or, as is often the case, they may just stare at you and
wonder what it is, exactly, that you are talking about....

Chinese Medicine theory uses the names of the organs to help illustrate a pattern of related
physical and psychological issues. When a practitioner says you have a "liver" issue they are
generally speaking of the "liver system" from a Chinese Perspective. This system involves the
physical liver, the liver acupuncture meridian, liver related disharmonies (or patterns),
western medicine liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, and a range of health issues
that arise from the liver related disharmonies from a TCM perspective.

About The Liver:

From a western perspective the physical liver is a very important organ that stores our blood,
processes toxins and poisons, helps us store energy, and aids in our overall immunity. General
signs of physical liver problems can be yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice), abdominal pain
and swelling and fatigue and/or loss of appetite. We cannot live without a liver so fostering
the health of our liver is very important to our overall wellbeing.

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The "Liver" in Chinese Medicine:

 Stores the blood and aids in the proper circulation of the blood during
movement:

A dysfunction here can result in muscle spasms, numbness in the limbs, blurred vision, or
menstrual issues.
 

 Controls the flow of "qi," or "energy", in the body:

This means the circulation of blood and energy for movement and digestion (secretion of bile,
for example), but also the smooth flow of emotions (which are also a form of "qi" or
"energy"). A dysfunction in this role can result in depression, insomnia, anger and/or
frustration. On the digestive side symptoms such as nausea and vomiting may indicate "liver"
system issues.
 

 "Controls" the tendons and manifests in the nails:

This has to do with the smooth circulation of blood (in actuality nourishment) to the muscles
and tendons. A dysfunction here can result in joint and tendon problems anywhere in the
body, knee pain and/or brittle nails.
 

 Is said to "Open into the eyes":

The connection here also has to do with that idea of nourishment from the blood coupled with
the path of the liver meridian. Symptoms of a disharmony here can be night blindness, dry or
red and irritated eyes.

From a Chinese Perspective the following list of symptoms and conditions are some of
the signs of a liver imbalance:

Headaches, irritability, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), insomnia, muscle spasms, dizziness,
stroke, bitter taste in the mouth, vomiting, purple lips, abdominal pain, depression, anxiety,
PMS, and menstrual issues.

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As you can see the Chinese Medicine perspective contains a host of symptoms and
relationships that do not exist in Western Medicine and are not necessarily connected with the
physical functioning of the liver. So when you are told that you have Liver Qi Stagnation, a
western exam would likely find nothing wrong with your physical liver.

As with most things in Chinese Medicine the terminology we use is to categorize and make
sense of natural functions and relationships in the body that have been observed over time.
Chinese Medicine is first and foremost an observational form of medicine and over the
thousands of years of its existence the theory, terminology, and relationships have been
observed and cataloged and treated. Some of these findings map up with modern western
medical understandings, others may do so in the future, and yet others will never be
"understood" from a western medical paradigm.

So What Do These Patterns Mean?

As I've written about before, Chinese Medicine treats "patterns" and not "conditions". When
you visit with a practitioner they often ask many questions and ultimately find and use
relationships among a variety of symptoms that from a western perspective may seem
unrelated. From a Chinese perspective, however, treating the root pattern can lead to the
elimination of all of the related symptoms that you are experiencing. This opposed to treating
each symptom individually as is often the case in western medicine.

Take for example the TCM diagnosis of "Liver Qi Stagnation". A person who has this pattern
may experience any or all of the following symptoms: Chest distention, hypochondriac pain
a/or distention, sighing, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, diarrhea, depression, moodiness,
plum pit qi (a feeling of something stuck in your throat), PMS, breast tenderness, painful a/or
irregular menstruation.

As you can see there is quite a range of conditions that fall within this single pattern.
Certainly the nausea, vomiting and poor appetite are also western diagnostic signs for
physical liver problems, but depression, PMS and moodiness are a unique relationship to the
livers role in the smooth circulation of blood and energy (qi) in the body from a Chinese
Medicine perspective.

How Does My Lifestyle and Diet Effect These Patterns?

This question leads into the idea of toxicity of the liver which is a term that is thrown around
far too freely in alternative medicine circles. Certainly if all you eat is fried foods and all you
drink is beer and you work 20 hours a day in a high stress environment you are going to
develop a liver pattern from a Chinese perspective and quite likely physical liver problems as
well. That said, most people are not as "toxic" as they may think and even minor changes in
their diet and lifestyle can make a huge impact on their overall health.

From a TCM dietary perspective the following foods are harmful to the liver system: fried
foods, fatty foods, alcohol, excessive caffeine and excessive dairy particularly milk. A diet
focused on these foods will foster many of the symptoms of a liver system imbalance from a

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Chinese perspective. Examples of foods which are beneficial are: oatmeal, rye bread, lima
beans, cashews, zucchini, green beans, lemons, limes and avocados.

Lifestyle wise the liver is associated with the emotions of anger and frustration. An excessive
expression (or repression) of these emotions can indicate and/or foster a liver system
imbalance. Also generally high stress levels will create an imbalance in this system. As the
liver system enjoys and fosters movement, exercise (walking, tai chi, jogging, etc.) along with
dietary change will help to resolve the stagnation that is caused by stress and emotions such as
frustration.

So if you have any of the symptoms listed above working to improve the functioning of the
liver system is in your best interest. With a free flowing liver system your joints will be
smooth, your eyes bright, and the energy in your body (both physical and emotional) will flow
freely. Liver Qi Stagnation in particular is a very common imbalance found in our modern
western society. Being aware of the more mild signs of the imbalance and working now to
correct them can avoid more serious issues later and help us to live better in the present.  

Lungs ,Melancholy, Fall, and A Good Deep

Breath
This is the fifth and final edition in my general introductory series to the five main organ
systems (5 elements) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As we are heading into fall we
are entering into the Lung phase of our body's seasonal cycle. Similar to previous articles on
the Liver, Kidney, Heart, and Spleen systems, this article will discuss in detail what the lung
system means within Chinese Medicine and the relationships it has to specific mental states,
diseases, and your ability to maintain health. Hopefully after reading this article the next time
your acupuncturist says you have "Lung Qi Deficiency" you won't stare back and think what
is this crazy acupuncturist talking about...

More important than regaining the image of your acupuncturist as a sane person however, is
regaining awareness of these connections between seasons, our emotions, our health and our
lifestyle. While life is unpredictable certainly working against the normal ebbs and flows of
the world will bring about imbalance, while working with the natural world in as much as
possible will bring us greater health. Out of all of our systems of medicine, Chinese Medicine
has the living tradition within which these relationships are explained and utilized.

As discussed previously within this series, Chinese Medicine uses organ names to describe an
entire system of connections within the body. The "lung" system from a Chinese perspective
describes the physical lungs, the lung acupuncture meridian, lung system related disharmonies
(or patterns) and any number of western conditions from allergies and asthma to frequent
colds and flus to depression and grief.

In previous articles we also discussed the zang (solid) and fu (hollow), or simply yin and yang
system pairings within Chinese Medicine. As the spleen is paired with the stomach, the liver
with the gall bladder, the heart with the small intestine, the kidneys with the urinary bladder -
the lung is paired with the large intestine. In one sense the lung is a part of what we bring in
(or cannot bring in) and the large intestine is a part of what we get rid of (or cannot rid
ourselves of) - which has obvious physical and psychological implications.

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About The Lungs:

To start our discussion, lets bring in a general western description of lung function in the body
to help us compare viewpoints between the east and the west. The lungs have a number of
blood vessel connections which allow their function of oxygenating the blood to happen along
with the removal of carbon dioxide from our body. This oxygen rich blood is quickly
transferred to the heart and then pumped through our entire body to enrich our muscles,
organs and tissues. While we can go sometime without food or water, without oxygen we
cease to live quite quickly.

The process of breathing requires our diaphragm and muscular contractions in the abdomen
and chest. And while we can regulate our own breathing to some degree with exercise,
physical control of the process, and stress - most of this happens without conscious effort. Our
respiratory system relies on our respiratory control center in the brain (located within the
medulla oblongata) and various sensors throughout our muscles, lungs and blood vessels. The
sensors help to regulate when certain tissues need more oxygen (such as during exercise) or
when the air is unhealthy for us to breath (chemical irritants, various allergies, etc.). Part of
allergies, asthma, sneezing, and coughing are related to these sensors.

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 To segway into our Chinese Medicine discussion I wanted
to highlight a particular five element relationship between the earth element (spleen) and the
metal element (lungs). This pertains directly to the concept of dampness we discussed in the
last spleen article and how this impacts allergies and asthma particularly. (For more on the
five elements generally, read this article or for more clinical details, this section). As you can
see from the five element chart the spleen (earth) helps feed/support the lungs (metal). If the
spleen is weakened from a poor diet that is high in dairy particularly (but also too much
cold/raw foods, fried foods, juices, etc.) and bad habits such as eating too quickly or at odd
hours then dampness will result. With dampness present in the system the spleen cannot
properly nourish the lungs and then their function will begin to suffer by way of allergies and
asthma. (For more on allergies, specifically read this article). It is only by respecting the
relationships between all of the systems of our body that we can truly maintain our health.

The "Lung" in Chinese Medicine performs the following

functions:
"Dominates" Qi and "Controls" Respiration:

This function describes the critical role of the lungs in both bringing in "qi" (energy) from the
air we breath and in being a principle force for the nourishment of all of our muscles, tendons,
organs and tissues through its role in oxygenating our blood. A weakness in this function can
lead to lung related conditions such as shortness of breath but also generalized fatigue of the
entire body.

"Dominates" Distribution and the Skin and Hair:

This function again describes the role in dispersing energy throughout our body. More
specifically the lung in this function disperses qi and body fluids to warm and moisten the
muscles, skin and hair. This can be thought of as spreading the morning mist throughout the
body.

The skin and hair in this context also includes the sweat glands which are part of our ability to
get rid of things we don't need as well as to protect us from "invasions" from the outside. The
common cold, for example, is thought of in Chinese Medicine as a "wind-cold invasion." This
can happen when the lung system is too weak and the protective layer of our body (also called
the "wei-qi") allows the "cold" to enter into our body. This is why we use famous herbal
formulas such as Yin Qiao to help treat colds. Functionally these formulas induce perspiration

15
to "push" cold out through the sweat glands and help strengthen the lungs so this doesn't
happen again.

Along that note, we all know those people that get colds frequently and they very often turn
directly to bronchitis or some other deep manifestation. Within these people not only is the
protective energy (wei-qi) weak, but the deeper layers of the lung energy are weak as well.
This in effect makes an open path from the outside directly to the internal lungs with no
protective barriers.

An imbalance in this function, then, can lead to colds, flus, bronchitis, as well as to frequent
spontaneous sweating and other sweat related conditions (except night sweats which are most
often Kidney Yin Deficiency).

"Dominates" Descending and "Regulates" the Water Passages

The descending aspect of the body describes a general flow of energy from the upper part of
the body to the lower which further describes the dispersion functions. It also serves to
illustrate that when this function is weak chronic cough, for example, can arise which is
energy ascending rather than descending due to weakness.

Regulating the water passages in this context further describes the sweat glands and their role
but also provides more context for the descending action of the lungs. If you view the five
element chart again above you will see that the lungs (metal) help feed the kidneys (water).
From above we are reminded that the Kidneys are paired with the Urinary Bladder and have
an obvious role in urinary issues. The descending function of the lung helps to feed the
removal of water within our body via the bladder. An imbalance in this area can lead to
edema (swelling) in the lower body or any number of urinary problems.

"Opens" into the Nose

As anyone with allergies can attest, we need our nose for breathing. The energy of the lung
system is required for proper respiratory and olfactory functions of the nose. When this
function is working well we will breathe easily and our sense of smell will be sharp. An
imbalance in this function can lead to a stuffy nose, among other symptoms.

The throat is also part of respiration and accordingly is influenced by the energy of the lung
system. Weak lung energy will often manifest as weak speech or a constant hoarse voice.

What Symptoms May Arise?

Colds, flus, allergies, and asthma are among the most common lung issues. This along with
other deeper western issues such as COPD, bronchitis, sinus infections and more. What stands
outside of common western conditions is the process by which certain people catch more
colds and flus primarily and the process by which many others have colds that go deeply into
their bodies very quickly. Also outside of western medicine is the relationship between the
lungs and overall immunity, sweat and urine related issues, and relationships with depression
and other psychological states.

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Lung System Patterns and Their Meanings
As with the other organ systems, Chinese Medicine treats "patterns" and not specific
conditions. Another way to look at this is to treat the "root" and not chase after symptoms.
Generally lung related patterns fall into two categories - those that arise from an excess in the
body (often externally derived) and those that arise from an internal deficiency/weakness of
some nature. Let's look at two of the most common.

The first common presentation is essentially the common cold in western terms - what we in
TCM call a "wind-cold invasion" or a "wind-heat invasion." A wind invasion in this case
refers to something contracted from the outside - like a cold, flu, or other infection. The main
signs would be body ache, stuffy nose, scratchy throat, etc. with wind-cold having more chills
than fever and clear/white mucus and wind-heat having more fever than chills with yellow
mucus.

Another common presentation is "Lung Qi Deficiency." This is generally the pattern that
people have when they catch colds all the time and often experience them turning into worse
conditions such as bronchitis. The general signs are generalized fatigue, shortness of breath, a
weak voice, spontaneous sweating during the day, and a pale complexion.

The Lungs and the Emotion of Grief

All of the organ systems have an associated emotion - for the heart it is joy, for the liver it is
anger, for the kidneys it is fear, for the spleen it is worry and for the lungs it is grief. As
humans we naturally experience a range of emotions and the proper expression of them is
simply a part of life. When something good happens to someone it is right that we would feel
happiness or joyful. When a close friend passes on it is right for us to express our sadness and
grief.

On the emotional side of things, what Chinese Medicine is concerned with is when these
expressions are either repressed, unable to be expressed/experienced, or are expressed without
control or without proper context.

When the lung qi is deficient you can experience an overwhelming constant sense of grief that
does not ease. This deficiency then can lead to what we know as depression and related
conditions in western terms.

What Can I Do to Keep My Lungs System Strong?

A very helpful tool to strengthen the lungs on an emotional and physical level is deep
breathing (diaphragmatic breathing) as it is often practiced in meditation, tai chi, yoga, and
various other breathwork therapies. The breath is really the gateway to releasing many
physical and emotional issues and simple breathing techniques can greatly improve a number
of lung related issues.

From a dietary perspective certainly reducing mucus generating foods such as excessive dairy,
too much raw/cold foods/juices, fried foods, etc. will go a long way towards aiding any cases
of allergies, asthma, or sluggish energy (emotionally or physically). From a five element
perspective the lungs are aided by the "pungent" flavor so foods with this quality tend to
17
strengthen the lung energy. A few examples of good foods for the lungs are those that help
immunity and/or reduce mucus (garlic, ginger, cinnamon) and those that fall within the
pungent category (navy beans, almonds, broccoli, onion, radish, pears).

From a seasonal perspective, the lungs are the principle system active within the fall. Keeping
them strong will help to avoid the seasonal colds and fall time allergies. On an emotional
level, however, fall is a good time to begin to recoil from the outgoing summer months and to
begin to slow down (if ever so slightly) to harness our energy as we will need it for the winter
months. It is a good time to be more introspective and to work on resolving, or at least coming
to terms with, any underlying emotional issues. Walks in the crisp dry air with deep breaths
will aid this immensely.

Spleen - The Earth Element in Chinese

Medicine...
This the fourth edition in my general introduction to the meridian/organ systems in Chinese
Medicine will focus on the Stomach and Spleen meridians. As we have discussed in previous
articles on the Liver, Kidney, and Heart systems, Chinese Medicine uses meridians named
after and related to our physical organs to treat disease and imbalances in the body. The organ
names are there to help describe the function of the related meridian and also to describe the
myriad of relationships that exist in our bodies and between us and our environment. When
your acupuncturist tells you that you have "Spleen Qi Deficiency" you might just stare back at
him or her blankly not understanding a word of how that explains the issues that you are
seeking to resolve. This set of articles was prompted by that blank stare and serve to help us
all understand each other better and benefit as much as possible from this amazing form of
medicine.

As described previously, Chinese Medicine theory uses the names of the organs to help
illustrate a pattern of related physical and psychological issues. When a practitioner says you
have a "spleen" issue they are generally speaking of the "spleen system" from a Chinese
Perspective. This system involves the physical spleen, the pancreas, the spleen acupuncture
meridian, spleen related disharmonies (or patterns), western medicine spleen/pancrease
related diseases such as diabetes and chronic fatigue, and a range of health issues that arise
from the spleen related disharmonies from a TCM perspective.

As all of the organ systems in Chinese Medicine are discussed in yin and yang pairings or
what is also known as the zang (solid, full) and fu (hollow) pairings - the spleen is no
exception. As the liver is paired with the gall bladder, the heart with the small intestine, and
the kidneys with the urinary bladder, the spleen is paired with the stomach. What is unique
about the spleen pairing is that the system functionally comprises the spleen, the pancreas,
and the stomach. As opposed to other systems in Chinese Medicine you will see the terms
stomach and spleen used far more interchangeably due to the complex relationships between
these organs. The "spleen" ultimately refers to the spleen/pancreas system so an
understanding of both of these organs is important to grasp the range of health issues that may
be contributed to by imbalances in these systems.

About The Spleen:

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 The spleen is a fist sized organ located in the upper-left portion of the
abdomen between the stomach and the diaphragm. The principle functions of the spleen have
nothing to do with digestion (whereas the pancreas has quite a bit to do with digestion) and
revolve around our immune and cardiovascular systems. The spleen is responsible for the
removal of old red blood cells and the production and storage of white blood cells
(lymphocytes) which will cleanse bacteria from the blood in the spleen and provide important
tissue healing and other immune responses throughout our body. The spleen is functionally
equivalent to a large lymph node with a focus on cleansing our blood and aiding immunity.

About The Pancreas:

The pancreas is a roughly 6-10 inch gland organ located behind the stomach with a narrow
tail that extends to the left abdomen next to the spleen. The pancreas produces various
chemicals which allow for proper digestion of food. The chemicals help us to digest protein,
break down carbohydrates and break down fats into fatty acids and cholesterol.

There is an endocrine portion of the pancreas which

secretes insulin when blood sugar is elevated. Insulin moves sugar (glucose) from our blood
into muscles and other tissues so it can be used for energy. On the opposite side, the pancreas
also releases glucagon when blood sugar levels are low. Glucagon causes stored sugar to be
broken down into glucose by the liver to return blood sugar levels to a normal balance. These
functions are obviously critical in conditions such as diabetes.

The "Spleen" in Chinese Medicine performs the following

functions:
"Governs" transportation and transformation:

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This function involves the transformation of water and food into the qi and blood of the body.
The spleen is the principle organ for the production of qi and blood in the body and serves a
vital function in this capacity. When the spleen is functioning well a person has a good
appetite, strong digestion, and vibrant energy. When this function is weak you will see issues
such as bloating, reflux, fatigue, diarrhea, poor appetite and/or malnutrition.

Another transformative function of the spleen relates to the resolution of dampness in the
body. Dampness is a topic we will discuss later in this article but it refers to an internal issue
which can result in sluggish energy, poor digestive functions, may solidify into
fibroids/cysts/tumors and can cause many other issues. Within this function the spleen helps
remove this dampness from the meridians and all organs of the body. A weakness in this
function may lead to conditions such as edema, diarrhea and other fluid retention issues.

"Controls" the blood:

The spleen serves an important role in keeping the blood circulating in the body and
meridians. If a weakness occurs in the spleen (which also plays an important role in the
production of blood) you will see many of the signs listed above along with bleeding issues
such as blood in the stool, hemorrhage and uterine bleeding among other issues.

"Dominates" the muscles and the four limbs:

This function relates to the spleens role in providing nourishment to the body. If the body is
nourished the muscles and limbs will be strong and able and a weakness in this function will
lead to weakness, atrophy, and other issues.

"Opens" into the mouth and "manifests" in the lips:

Proper spleen function will lead to a good appetite and a good sense of taste. A weakness in
this function will lead to a poor appetite, diminished (or loss) of taste. Generally the condition
of the lips will in part indicate the relative level of functioning of the spleen. Dry and cracked
lips indicate issues with fluid metabolism and pale lips indicate an overall weakness of spleen
qi.

What Symptoms May Arise?

As you can see the functions of the "spleen" in Chinese Medicine are functionally related to
the spleen and pancreas as we understand them in western medicine. Conditions that may
arise from a spleen imbalance in TCM terms are wide and varied starting with a range of
digestive issues (poor appetite, bloating, reflux, diarrhea) to systemic issues (fatigue, poor
thinking, muscle weakness, loss of control of muscles, cysts) and more. As the spleen plays a
foundational role in the production of our bodies energy and nourishment many conditions
can arise from weaknesses in this system.

Spleen System Patterns and Their Meanings:

One of the most common patterns found in western people is something we call Spleen Qi
Deficiency. This can arise from any number of reasons but a poor diet mixed with irregular
eating patterns and stress is a common way to develop this pattern. Spleen qi deficiency

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involves symptoms such as poor appetite, bloating (particularly after eating), weakness of the
arms and legs, fatigue and/or loose stools.

As spleen qi deficiency continues to progress a subsequent pattern may develop called Spleen
Qi Sinking. This pattern is essentially the same as spleen qi deficiency but with prolapses of
the stomach, uterus, anus and/or vagina along with frequency or urgency of urination. This
pattern shows a more internal weakness where the body can no longer hold the organs in
place.

Another progression of spleen qi deficiency is the Spleen Not Controlling The Blood. This
pattern has signs of spleen qi deficiency along with blood related symptoms such as
hemorrhages, vaginal bleeding and/or bleeding under the skin. Another term for this pattern is
"reckless bleeding".

A final progression of spleen qi deficiency (not that you have to go through all of the stages)
is Spleen Yang Deficiency. Yang deficiencies are much deeper than qi deficiencies and are
often involved with people experiencing serious or chronic illnesses. Symptoms of spleen
yang deficiency are similar to that of qi deficiency along with more signs of cold in the body,
cold limbs, chilliness, edema, etc.

Two Acupuncture Point Examples:

The extent of conditions that can arise from these patterns is best illustrated by looking at two
very widely used acupuncture points, Stomach 36 (ST 36) and Spleen 6 (SP 6).

Stomach 36 may be used with acupuncture, acupressure,

moxibustion and through other methods. It is found by sliding your 4 fingers together up your
shin towards the knee stopping when your finger hits the knee. The point will be one finger
width from the tibia on the outside of the leg just in line with the bottom of your pinky finger,
pressing where it is most tender.

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The functions of this point include aiding in nearly all digestive and weakness issues, building
the "wei-qi" which is the loose equivalent to our immunity to colds/flus and other infections,
the strengthening of our blood (a strong part of our overall immunity), also problems with the
breasts (distention, lactation), pain in the lower leg, aids the lungs in conditions such as
asthma and wheezing, and serves to balance a range of psychological issues such as
depression and anxiety as well as issues such as PMS.

Spleen 6 may also be used with acupuncture, acupressure, moxibustion or other methods of
stimulation. It is found by sliding your finger along the inside of the tibia (inside of leg) up
from the ankle about 4 fingers width and pressing where it most sore.

The functions of this point include all spleen related issues

including your energy overall, digestive issues, prolapses of organs, along with a range of
gynecological issues, sexual issues in men (impotence, etc.), promotion of labor, hot skin
diseases (eczema, acne, rashes, etc.), as well as a range of psychological issues such as
insomnia and anxiety.

You can see from these two points the range of spleen issues range from mild digestive issues
to fatigue and muscle strength to the strength of thought and emotion.

What Is Dampness in Chinese Medicine?

One of the patterns left out from above is that of dampness in the body. This is a somewhat
intricate but ultimately worthwhile pattern of disease to understand. As I mentioned earlier,
one of the principle functions of the spleen is fluid metabolism. The fluids in the body
comprise saliva, digestive enzymes, intestinal enzymes, the fluid in the joints, tears, mucus,
sweat and urine. In Chinese Medicine theory fluids are divided into two basic categories,
"Jin" (clear and thin) and "Ye" (thick and heavy) and the spleen is in charge of both of these.
Together these fluids nourish all the tissues and organs of the body.

What happens, then, when these fluids are out of balance? One possibility is the lack of fluids
which on a mild scale can lead to brittle joints, dry mouth, sensations of rising heat in the
body, and ultimately while we can live without food without water our bodies will literally
burn up, dry out, and we will extinguish.

But what of too much?

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Dampness is the result of too many fluids, too weak of a spleen, and/or living in a damp
environment. 

The difficulty of this for us westerners is that our ability to eat and drink in excess which one
might perceive as beneficial to our health (as opposed to not having enough to eat) overloads
and potentially weakens the spleen system leading to this issue of dampness.

  Within our body dampness can lead to many relatively mild issues all the way to serious
health problems such as cancer, muscle control disorders such as ALS, and more.

Generally speaking a principle sign of dampness is heaviness (lethargy, fatigue, sinking,

depression) which many of us mask with caffeine and other stimulants. One may feel a heavy
sensation in the head particularly or the body as a whole. If the dampness is prolonged in the
body it has a tendency to create stagnation (fixed masses), settle in joints (arthritis), or create
heat which can rise up and/or towards the surface (eczema).

A clinical example of dampness is arthritis. Arthritis within Chinese Medicine is actually

something called bi-syndrome, of which there are four kinds - wind, cold, damp and heat.
Arthritis that results from dampness typically involves heaviness of the local area, numbness
of the skin and/or muscles, a very fixed pain with swelling and pain that is aggravated in
damp weather/conditions. Here the function of the spleen to drain fluids is comprised so the
joints become swollen, potentially numb and painful.

So More May Not Be Better... Dampness, Obesity, and

TCM:
Another all too common condition that often involves dampness is obesity. Obesity is a
tremendous public health issue, perhaps the most important of our time. Many people come to
acupuncture for help with weight loss and they say things like the following:

I don't understand, I drink a gallon of water daily, eat salads at lunch, and am working out and
I still cannot lose weight...

From a Chinese Medicine perspective they may simply have a weak transformative function
within their spleen system. This is actually contributed to if not outright caused by the intake
of too many fluids and too many damp foods (raw foods, juicing, salads in particular,- they
are literally drowning their "spleen". So what may look like it should be helpful is actually
contributing to the underlying cause. This helps to explain why so many people who appear to
be doing the "right" things do not lose weight.

All in all these patterns indicate our need for regulation. As all systems have relationships to
the seasons, the spleen system relates to the earth. The earth element in Chinese Medicine
provides us with our stability, groundedness and our root. Without a strong root nothing can
grow. When you drown a plant with water it dies, when it is too hot it wilts and dies, if you
overfeed your plant it dies and if you don't feed your plant it dies - we are no different except
the process takes longer and goes through many different avenues.

How Do I Balance My Spleen?

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The take away from all of this is that our body needs to be properly nourished to nourish us.
Too much or too little, as with anything else, will cause problems. The spleen is a system that
we need to keep functioning well by not overloading it and not overworking ourselves. A
more moderate lifestyle and diet will lead to a more harmonious function internally which
leaves us with vibrant energy, a strong body, and perhaps most importantly a calm and
balanced mind with clear thinking, balanced emotions and a feeling of ease. Acupuncture,
moxibustion, dietary counseling, exercises such as qigong and tai chi can all help balance this
system. As you can see from how the degradation of the spleen system seems to progress,
now is the time to start.

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