The organs in traditional Chinese medicine do not literally correspond to the anatomical organs such as heart, liver or spleen. They are better understood in terms of the functions they perform, which incorporate energetic, emotional and spiritual aspects as well as physical. Since the meaning of the Chinese organs is broader than that of the organs as understood by Western medicine, in writing they are generally denoted with a capital letter to distinguish them from the anatomical organs.
There are two categories of organs in TCM. The Zang (Yin) organs are the solid organs, and the Fu (Yang) organs are the hollow organs. The Zang organs are considered to be more vital. Each Zang organ is coupled with a Fu organ according to what is known as the “Husband-Wife Law.” All of the organs are interrelated in a complex network.
The Zang, or Yin Organs in Traditional Chinese Medicine
The function of the Zang, or Yin organs is to produce, transform, regulate, and store.
Heart- Often called the emperor of the body, the heart rules over blood circulation and vessels, and controls sweating. Shen, the mind or spirit, resides in the Heart, and is responsible for mental processes, thinking, memory, sleep and dreams. Liver- Considered the general of the body, the liver stores the blood and directs the flow of blood and Qi (vital energy). Regulation of the flow of Qi affects digestion, bile flow and menstruation. When the smooth flow of Qi is obstructed, it can lead to emotional issues including anger and depression. Kidneys- The kidneys are in charge of fluid metabolism and the reproductive organs, and also rule the marrow, bones and teeth. They store Jing or Essence, an inherited substance that determines the constitutional strength of each individual at birth. The Kidneys provide the foundation of Yin and Yang for the body as a whole. Lungs- Taking in pure air and exhaling turbid air, the Lungs control respiration and produce and govern Qi. They are closely related to the Heart and aid in the circulation of the blood. Since the Lungs are exposed to the exterior, they are particularly vulnerable to external pathogens. Spleen- The Spleen regulates metabolism and plays the vitally important role of assimilating food and transforming it into blood and Qi. In addition, the Spleen is in charge of keeping the blood in the vessels.
The Fu, or Yang Organs in Traditional Chinese Medicine
The Fu, or Yang organs are the hollow organs whose function is to hold, transport, break down and absorb.
Stomach- As the partner of the Spleen, the Stomach receives food and is in charge of digestion, a process known in TCM as “ripening” or “rotting.” The Stomach has a descending action, and conditions such as belching, hiccupping or nausea indicate that Stomach Qi is not descending properly. Gall Bladder- The only Fu organ that is not directly involved with the processing of food or drink, the Gall Bladder stores and releases bile, a pure fluid. Paired with the Liver, the Gall Bladder is said to be in charge of making decisions by giving courage and initiative to take action. Small Intestine- The primary function of the Small Intestine is to receive food from the Stomach and “separate the pure from the impure,” sending the useful the nutrients to the Spleen and passing the solid and liquid waste to the Large Intestine and Urinary Bladder to be eliminated. The Small Intestine is paired with the Heart, and psychologically it helps to distinguish between what is right and true and what is not. Large Intestine- The partner of the Lungs, the Large Intestine’s main role is to reabsorb water and eliminate waste. This is analogous to the Lungs’ function of extracting what is beneficial from the air and expelling what is harmful. The Large Intestine is associated with the ability to let go of that which is unnecessary, in both a physical and emotional sense. Urinary Bladder- Paired with the Kidneys, the Urinary bladder helps to regulate fluid metabolism by receiving, storing and excreting urine.
Sources:
Tierra, Michael and Tierra, Lesley. Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine Vol. 1. Lotus Press, 1998.
Beinfield, Harriet and Korngold, Efrem. Between Heaven and Earth: A Guide to Chinese Medicine. New York, Ballantine Books, 1991.
The Internal Organs (Zang Fu), sacredlotus.com
Related article: Yin and Yang in Traditional Chinese Medicine