TOTAL BODY CONNECTION

Understand your organ

systems, understand your life!

Lily Choi D. Ac. L. Ac

 from Dr. Lily Choi
As a private practitioner of acupuncture and traditional
Chinese medicine, I work towards bringing homeostasis to the
individual through treating the patient's mind, body, and spirit.
When I am not with my patients, I am in my herbal sanctuary
mixing herbs into tinctures, decoctions, salves and lotions. I
come from a long line of healers and herbalists, and followed
in my herbalist father's footsteps to create my own line of
tinctures. I love to help my patients and my community, it is
truly my passion.

What I Hope You

Discover...
The beauty of TCM is its
connection to nature. We can
learn through nature how to
connect to ourselves in order to
heal.

Dr. Lily Choi

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 Good health,
according to Dao,
requires living in
harmony with the
laws of nature.

04
There are many foundational aspects that create all that is
TCM, but one of the quickest ways to understand your body by
TCM standards is through the greater concept of organ
systems and how they relate to the body and our
environment.

The organs provide us with a larger concept as opposed to

just anatomical structures as we know them to be according
to Western medicine.

These concepts represent broad and intricate networks which

contain channels of life force weaving in and out of each
other, yet still occupying separate territory. Visualize a map
and how areas meet one another yet still are their own, that is
how you can think of the main organ systems: Liver, Heart,
Spleen, Lung, and Kidney.

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 The Five Element Framework is the foundation of Chinese
disciplines such as feng shui, the martial arts, and Chinese
medicine. It connects all things into categories of how nature
interacts with the body and how the different dimensions of
our being impact each other.

For example, the Liver system is correlated to the element

Wood and is said to manifest in the eyes. So for any eye
imbalances, they are often treated through treating the Liver.

Image from TCMWorld.org

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 Complete Guide to
The Liver System
The Liver regulates the smooth flow of Qi, Blood, and emotions
throughout the body. It is the organ system to pay most
attention to in our modern world. It is affected by anger,
excess stress, and emotional imbalance. The Gallbladder is
the paired organ to the Liver.

The Liver performs over 500 vital

functions including:
Bile secretion
Affected by excess stress or
emotions
Storing Blood for the the
menstrual cycle
Controlling the smooth flow of Qi,
Blood, and emotions
Expressions such as initiating,
flexibility, motivation, and coping
with change

The Liver:
Manifests in the nails
Opens to the eyes and controls tears
Controls the sinews for easy movement
Governs planning and decision making

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 Complete Guide to
The Liver System
Viscera: LIVER
Partner: GALLBLADDER
Element: WOOD
Sense organ: EYE
Tissue: TENDON
Emotion: ANGER
Season: SPRING
Environment: WIND
嘘
Sound: SHHHH (Xū )
Color: GREEN
Taste: SOUR
Direction: EAST
Time of day: 11PM-3AM

When our Qi (energy) and Blood are unable to freely flow

through the Liver, symptoms arise.

The associated season is Springtime, the energy of renewal

and rebirth, change and transformation. When we resist
change and are rigid, we are inflexible. This goes against
nature and creates stagnation, stopping the "free flow".

The most common symptoms of Liver imbalance include

digestive issues like IBS, headaches and migraines, irritability,
feeling easily angered or agitated, dizziness, tendonitis, dry or
red eyes and other eye conditions.

For those menstruating, it can include PMS, breast tenderness,

mood imbalances, migraines, and menstrual pain around the
cycle.
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 How to Support
The Liver System

Lifestyle
Supplement with magnesium.
Reduce stress and move your body, stretch.
Avoid greasy foods, fried foods, and processed foods.
Honor yourself through the graceful expression of how you
feel and your emotions. It takes practice, but keep at it.
Express and stimulate your creativity often.
Hot epsom salt baths help promote the natural
detoxification of the Liver, relieving stagnation, while your
body absorbs vital magnesium to further support the Liver.
Coffee enemas stimulate Liver function. Please discuss with
your practitioner prior to administering them.
Eat dinner as far away from bedtime as possible and don't
snack before bed.
Go to bed early, it is vital to be asleep before 11pm as the
Liver and Gallbladder most active time of day is from 11pm-
3am. If the body is digesting food instead, there is less
energy to detox.
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 How to Support
The Liver System

Foods
Green is the color that corresponds to the Liver - leafy
greens, green vegetables, sprouts, dandelion greens.
Sour is the flavor of the Liver - incorporate sauerkraut,
pickles, green apples, and citrus.

Herbs
Liver Recharge* tincture helps eliminate
toxins and balance the Liver system to
create a pain free, healthy, and an
emotional state that is balanced and
content.
Goji Berries* are a beloved TCM superfood
for their ability to manage Liver health, they
fight free radicals; protect and help treat
any eye problems; detoxify Liver; boost
fertility; keep energy and mood up; promote
healthy skin; help stabilize Blood sugar.
Chrysanthemum* brightens eyes, helps eye
pain; improves vision, can help hypertension,
acne, diabetes, dizziness, and skin irritation.

*Available in tincture form on my website shop.

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 Complete Guide to
The Heart System

Known as the "King Organ" in TCM, the Heart is the ruler. All
organs will sacrifice their own Qi (energy) to support the
Heart's functioning.

The Heart coordinates our physical, mental, emotional and

spiritual activity and is the home to what we refer to as the
"Shen". Shen doesn't have an exact translation but you can
think of it as our Spirit which also encompasses the mind.

Along with the Liver, the Heart is responsible for Blood

circulation. Blood moistens and nourishes the entire body, and
fuels all mental activity. Qi (our vital energy) and Blood are
inseparable. If there is insufficient Blood, you will feel the
symptoms emotionally, physically, and mentally.

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 Complete Guide to
The Heart System

Viscera: HEART
Partner: SMALL INTESTINE
Element: FIRE
Sense organ: TONGUE
Tissue: BLOOD VESSEL
Emotion: JOY
Season: SUMMER
Environment: HEAT
Color: RED
Taste: BITTER
Time of day: 11AM-3PM

The Heart's partner is the Small Intestine, this organ system

is miraculous in the way it separates the "turbid" from the
"pure" in regards to food, liquids, and even our thoughts.
The tongue is the sense organ of the Heart. A healthy
tongue is a nice red color. A pale tongue can mean
insufficient Blood in the Heart, whereas a Blood stagnation
can make the tongue dark purple.
Our face can give us a good indication of our Heart
because of all the Blood vessels it contains. Blood vessels
are the tissue of the Heart. A pale appearance can mean
insufficient Blood in the Heart whereas a red face can
signal excess heat.

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 How to Support
The Heart System

Lifestyle
Overexcitement to the point of agitation harms the Heart
system. This can be a result of caffeine, nicotine,
prescription and or recreational drugs, technology, the
"always busy" lifestyle.
Multiple studies show music, meditation and mindfulness
can nourish the Heart. Practicing mindfulness or
meditation for 10 minutes a day improves heart rate,
reduces stress and lowers blood pressure while regular
meditation lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes and
stroke.
Engage in activities like gratitude journaling, regular
moderate exercise, Qigong, acupuncture, and massage.
Be around people who support you and bring out the best
in you. Do the things that make you feel good in your Heart.
Laugh often.

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 How to Support
The Heart System

Foods
Red is the color that corresponds to the Heart - beets, beef,
cherries, goji berries*, raspberries, red beans, schisandra
pomegranates, watermelon.
Bitter is the flavor that corresponds to the Heart - bitter
melon, dandelion greens, parsley, endive, mustard greens,
collard greens, burdock root*, sesame seeds*.

*Available in tincture form on my website shop.

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 How to Support
The Heart System

Herbs
Hawthorn* is used in TCM uses to treat Heart problems
because of its ability to invigorate Blood and Qi. It is used
to treat the following coronary disease, hypertension,
hyperlipemia. Hawthorn has the ability to widen the
vessels, increasing the amount of blood pumped out from
the heart and increasing nerve signals responsible for
smooth flow.
San Qi* is one of the best, if not the best TCM herb for Heart
health and blood circulation support due to its ability to
improve circulation and microcirculation. The herb has
been used traditionally throughout China to treat and help
prevent heart disease.

*Available in tincture form on my website shop.

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 Complete Guide to

The Spleen System

Viscera: SPLEEN
Partner: STOMACH
Element: EARTH
Sense organ: MOUTH
Tissue: MUSCLE
Emotion: OVERTHINKING
Season: LATE SUMMER
Environment: DAMPNESS
Color: YELLOW
Taste: SWEET
Time of day: 7AM - 11AM

The Spleen is the organ system which is responsible for the

transformation and transportation of the energy derived from
the food, thoughts, air, and liquids we consume.

The Spleen governs our mouth and lips and is in charge of

fluid metabolism. Weak muscles or dry and cracked lips are a
sign that there are issues with fluid metabolism in the
digestive system.

Overthinking and worrying are the emotions related to the

Earth element, think about it - you are digesting the same
thought over and over again! This damages digestive
function. The stronger your digestion is, the less you will
overthink.

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 Complete Guide to

The Spleen System

Dampness is the pathogen associated to the Spleen system.

It forms when the Spleen is unable to properly transform and
transport nutrients during digestion, leading to failure to burn
off or transform moisture in the body, creating a sticky,
swamp-like environment where toxins love to hide. It can be
viewed as internal humidity.

What we ingest on a physical, emotional, and mental level is

so important. A strong digestive system is the root of our
health.

Dampness symptoms manifest to feeling sluggish, weight

gain, joint pain, puffy skin and swelling, phlegm discharge, and
many wipes after using the bathroom.

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 Complete Guide to

The Spleen System

Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day,

let me tell you why...

The Spleen and Stomach are most active between the time of
7am-11am according to the circadian rhythm. They need to
be fueled up in order to support Blood formation, energy,
immunity, cognitive function, and even our mood!

Constantly skipping breakfast depletes Spleen function which

can result in the following:
A weaker metabolism which can result in weight gain and
decreased circulation.
Form dampness in the body, which results in cysts, skin
issues, arthritis, and fatigue.
A weaker Lung system because the Spleen can't support
the Lung, resulting in skin problems, itchiness, and phlegm.
Being more susceptible to feelings of over worry, anxiety,
and brain fog as those feelings are the negative emotions
of the Spleen system.

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 How to Support
The Spleen System

Breakfast Ideas
1. Baked sweet potatoes support the digestion greatly and
help the body after it has been detoxing all night. They
contain vitamin E, B6, C and potassium with high levels of
carotenoids, like beta-carotene. I love to bake mine.
2. Congee - you can make this sweet or savory, or just plain,
depending on your mood. This is my favorite and the most
classic Asian breakfast because congee is a healing food
because its so easy to digest and provides the body with an
accessible source of energy along with deep hydration.
3. Organic oatmeal is a classic for good reason. Add walnuts,
cinnamon, stir in berries or apples and enjoy. I love to add a
sprinkle of Ginger Power on mine. Avoid instant oatmeal.
4. Organic eggs with vegetables are a great way to get your
veggies early in the day.
5. Begin your day with warm water and Ginger Power tea to
promote hydration, circulation, bowel movements, and
energy!

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 How to Support
The Spleen System
Lifestyle
Warmth: the digestive organs love warmth. They love to be
warm and love to be fed warming foods both in
temperature and essence.
Presence: stay in the now and don't over worry about
things you can't control.
Connect: be with nature as that will be the best way to
refuel, recharge and reconnect. Gardening is especially
therapeutic.
Boundaries: develop healthy boundaries and learn how to
graciously say "no" so you don't overextend yourself.

The meridians of the

Stomach and Spleen
run down the
abdomen, through
the thighs, legs,
ankles, and feet.
Therefore, these the
legs are crucial to
keep warm as
weather transitions,
and all through cold
weather.

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 How to Support
The Spleen System

Foods
Orange and yellow are the colors for the Spleen - carrots,
ginger, sweet potatoes, squashes, and pumpkin.
Sweet is the flavor that corresponds to the Spleen - pples,
apricots, dates, figs, poultry, lamb, beef, salmon, rice,
honey, oats, peanuts.
Foods with a warming essence - cayenne pepper,
cinnamon, fennel, nutmeg and of course, ginger!

Ginger is perhaps the most beloved

food of the Spleen system, it has all
the properties which compliment
the Earth element— it's grown in the
soil, yellow in color and has the
essential warming essence which is
crucial in powering the digestion.

I formulate my own ginger powder called "Ginger Power". My

ginger is organic, with all impurities removed, and dehydrated.
The natural oils in dry ginger contain more potent anti-cancer,
antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while the volatile
oils in fresh ginger show greater potency as immune stimulants
and antimicrobial agents [1].

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
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 How to Support
The Spleen System

Because digestion is our Earth - our center where everything

else derives, it is essential to support it. Herbs have great
efficacy in supporting the digestion and therefore, the body.

Spleen Rescue* is an herbal blend which boosts digestion

and therefore supports cognitive health, mood, and Blood
flow.
Vitality* is an herbal blend to support the Stomach and
Lungs while removing dampness and digestive issues.
According to the Five Element Framework, the Spleen
system is the "mother" to the Lung system. For Lung
function to be optimal, the Stomach and Spleen have to be
healthy in order to adequately support and nurture their
child, the Lung system! This is why Vitality can create a
balance not only in the Stomach and Spleen, but the Lung,
too.
Job's Tear* also known as pearl barley has long been used
in Asian skincare products as well as in TCM herbal
formulas because of its ability to dispel dampness while
strengthening the Spleen. Job's Tear can help skin ailments
like acne, eczema, and rosacea by gently cooling down
inflammation. It is best known for draining dampness,
water retention, swelling, and edema.

*Available in tincture form on my website shop.

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 Complete Guide to

The Lung System

Viscera: LUNG
Partner: SMALL INTESTINE
Element: METAL
Sense organ: NOSE
Tissue: SKIN & HAIR
Emotion: GRIEF
Season: AUTUMN
Environment: DRYNESS
Color: WHITE
Taste: SPICY
Time of day: 3AM - 7AM

Autumn is the season of the Lung and the Large Intestine.

These organs are associated with the element metal. Just
like a metal object absorbs the temperature of its
environment in an instant, the metal organ is most easily
influenced by external influences of pernicious heat or cold.
The Lungs are our first defense to the outside world.

The nose is the sensory organ related to the Lung. Runny nose,
sneezing, congested sinuses, loss of smell, are all symptoms of
compromised Lung function.

The skin is considered the "third Lung", and is the tissue

associated with this organ system. For beautiful skin, healthy
Lung function and bowel movements are imperative.

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 How to Support
The Lung System

The color that corresponds to the Lung is white and the flavor
is pungent (spicy).

Beneficial Lung foods include almonds, leek, celery, daikon

radish, honey, garlic, ginger, lily bulbs, miso, onion, rice, rice
water, radish, red dates, walnuts.
Spicy things like hot sauce actually dry up fluids and
create dryness, but eating naturally pungent foods like
ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper, scallions, daikon, onions,
radishes, and peppercorns strengthen the Lung.

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 How to Support
The Lung System

Ginseng 人参: Very strongly tonifies the Qi

(energy) and the Lungs and Spleen
systems. It is the main ingredient in my
Vitality* tincture which supports the
functioning of the Stomach and Lungs. In
TCM, the Lungs can only be strong if the
digestive system is strong.
Astragalus* 黄芪
is: one of the most
commonly used and prescribed herbs for
strengthening the immune system. In
Chinese medicine, astragalus is thought
to build up immunity to protect us from
external pathogens. Astragalus is most
useful for those who frequently come
down with a cold or the flu, and have
difficulty breathing (such as asthma). This
herb should not be used on its own if you
have autoimmune conditions.
Schisandra* 五味子
helps to moisten the
Lungs by retaining clean Lung fluid, so it’s
best for those with weak breath function,
such as people with asthma and chronic
wheezing.

*Available in tincture form on my website shop.

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 Complete Guide to

The Kidney System

Viscera: KIDNEY
Partner: BLADDER
Element: WATER
Sense organ: EAR
Tissue: BONE
Emotion: FEAR
Season: WINTER
Environment: COLD
Color: BLACK
Taste: SALTY
Time of day: 3PM - 7PM

Our Kidneys are the batteries of our body, keeping our energy
balanced and storing the the life force essence we refer to as
Jing in TCM. They are responsible for much more than just
regulating our body's fluids as they supply Qi (energy) to any
organ system in need of it.

Symptoms of premature aging like early gray hair, joint pain,

bone issues, dental problems, hearing troubles and sexual
dysfunction are all treated through the Kidneys as they are the
organ system responsible for our growth, maturation, and
reproduction.

When we burn our energy too hard and too fast, the Kidney
system suffers.

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 How to Support
The Kidney System

Foods
Black is the associated color - black beans, black sesame
seeds*, black lentils, dark leafy greens, blueberries,
blackberries, mulberries*, wild rice.
Salty is the corresponding flavor - miso, shellfish, seafood,
seaweed, Spirulina, bone marrow, and bone broth.
Kidney shaped foods like beans are shaped like seeds
which signify potential for new life, just as our Kidneys
govern reproduction.
Walnuts are a superfood for the the Kidney system, as
they strengthen and increase Kidney Qi and Jing, treat
pain and weakness in the knees and back that stem from
Kidney imbalance. This special nuts helps with Kidney
deficiency, impotency, sexual disfunction, infertility,
frequent urination, back and leg pain, stones in the
urinary tract.

Bone broth is a superfood

for the Kidneys.

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 Complete Guide to

The Kidney System

The Kidney system is highlighted during the Winter season.

This is the time the system, which includes the Urinary Bladder
and the adrenals, can be restored, nurtured, and energized. At
the same time, it is also when they can become easily
depleted. When we view Winter through nature, it is quiet and
retreating which correlates to Yin energy. Yin is slow,
introspective, and introverted. It is indeed time to hibernate.

Think of your energy like a precious flame, conserve it at all

costs and nurture it.

Lifestyle
Qigong, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, simple walks, and
quality rest with no screen-time or WiFi.
Go to bed earlier and wake up a little later.

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 Complete Guide to

The Kidney System

Herbs
Du Zhong* 杜仲
is a powerful anti-aging herb which
strengthens the Kidney system greatly. You can use it
directly as a tincture or drop it in hot water for tea.
Mulberries* 黑桑堪
strengthen Kidney essence, nourish Yin,
and promote body fluid to moisten dryness syndrome in
the body which can be a result of weak Kidneys.
Kidney Recharge* is an ancient formula to invigorate the
Kidneys and dispel symptoms like tinnitus, weakness in the
knees, poor hearing, and adrenal fatigue.
Black Sesame Seeds* 黑芝麻
are a superfood for the
Kidneys as they are said to strengthen the bones, help the
hair and complexion, and tonify Jing and Yin.

*Available in tincture form on my website shop.

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Our bodies are always communicating with us. I hope from
seeing how our organs are connected to other parts of our
body, nature, foods, herbs, and even times of day, you can
connect deeply with yourself and practice natural ways to
support your body and entire being!

Remember that our symptoms are clues. They are reminders

that a certain experience doesn't agree with your body— this
"experience" can be mental, physical or emotional.

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