Foundations Flashcards
Why is the heart considered the ‘Emperor of the body’?
Because it governs the Shen and is the ‘monarch organ’ (Su Wen) of the 5 Zang and 6 Fu organs. Being Yang within Yin it plays a major role in dominating the life activities of the human body
What does the Heart represent in TCM?
The heart represents the consciousness of ones being and the root of life. As long as the heart remains on its rightful path, all other organs will follow along and function properly
What is the relationship b/w the heart and small intestines?
The two major meridians, heart meridian of hand shaoyin and small intestine of hand shaoyang, connect and tangle each other between the heart and small intestine. Hence the heart and small intestine are believed to be related internally and externally, on a pathological and psychological level. The small intestine is the Fu organ of the Heart Zang organ
What is Shen and what organ houses it?
Shen is the spiritual element of a person’s psyche. It is housed by the heart which is known as the ‘sea of shen’
What are the four basic principles of the Yin and Yang theory?
- Fundamental opposition the Yin and Yang
- Inter-dependance of Yin and Yang
- Mutual consumption of Yin and Yang
- Inter-transformation of Yin and Yang
What organ provides the small intestines with Qi and heat?
The Kidneys
What is the relationship b/w the heart and the tongue?
The heart and tongue are connected through an internal branch and is considered to be the ‘offshoot’ of the heart.
The function of the heart can be seen by looking at the tongue, particularly the tip.
It controls the colour and appearance, taste and speech.
Heat in the heart =. dry, dark red, bitter taste and may have ulcers
Blood deficiency in the heart = pale and thin
What is the function of the pericardium?
Known as the “Heart Protector” (Dan Zhong) and acts as a shield to external pathogens (evil Qi) which will invade the pericardium before the heart
What are symptoms of heat in the pericardium?
Delirium, mental confusion, aphasia and very high temperatures may develop
What are the emotions of the 5 Zang organs?
Heart - Joy Liver - Anger Spleen - Overthinking, worry Lung - Grief, sadness Kidney - Fear
What are the Zang/Fu Pairs?
Heart - small intestines Liver - gallbladder Spleen - Stomach Lung - Large intestine Kidney- Bladder
Pericardium - Triple Burner (San Jiao)
What are the openings on the head of the 5 Zang organs?
Heart - Tongue Liver - Eyes Spleen - Mouth Lung - Nose Kidneys - Ears
What are the outer manifested regions of the 5 Zang organs?
Heart - Face (Complexion) Liver - Nails Spleen - Lips Lung - Body hair Kidneys - Head hair
What are the tastes of the 5 Zang organs?
Heart - Bitter Liver - Sour Spleen - Sweet Lung - Spicy Kidneys - Salty
What are the dominated body tissues of the 5 Zang organs?
Heart - Blood vessels Liver - Tendons and ligaments (sinew) Spleen - Muscles (limbs) Lung - Skin Kidneys - Bones (bone marrow)
What are some primary opposites of Yin and Yang?
Yin: Dark, cooling, inaction, substance, soft, descending, inward. Total material and corresponds to matter
Yang: Light, warming, action, function, hard, ascending, outward. Pure energy, creation and activity
Explain the Fundamental opposition of Yin and Yang
Opposite is relative and by no means absolute.
Nothing is totally yin or yang.
Everything contains the seed of its opposite.
Every single object in the universe has these two aspects.
What is the interdependence of Yin and Yang?
Yin and Yang cannot be separated and cannot exist without the other. Total separation will result in death.
Candle analogy: Yin represents the wax in the candle, yang the flame. Wax nourishes and supports the flame, flame needs the wax for its existence. Yang consumes yin and when the wax is gone, so is the flame.
What is the mutual consumption of Yin and Yang?
Yin and Yang are in a constant state of change, which is a normal process that keeps the balance of physiological functions.
What are the 4 states of imbalance in Yin and Yang? What are the reasons and symptoms?
Excess Yin: Cold from weather or eating cooling foods
Excess Yang: Heat from the weather or heat generated internally from eating hot, spicy foods
Deficient Yin: Decrease in Yin may lead to symptoms of apparent excess of Yang - however very different. Yang is only in apparent excess because Yin is depleted. ‘Known as empty heat’. Can be caused by heavy periods and present as 5 palm heat (heat in chest, palms and soles), dry mouth, heat in afternoon/evening.
Deficient Yang: Decrease in Yang lead to symptoms of apparent excess of yin. Again very different as Yin is only in apparent excess because yang is depleted. Can present with empty pulse and cold feet
What is the inter-transformation of Yin and Yang?
Yin changes into Yang and vice a versa. Change does not happen randomly but when internal conditions are ripe and when the time is right. Ie -sickness, eating cooling/warming foods.
All phenomena have within them the seeds of the opposite state
If Liver-Qi stagnates what emotional symptoms can occur?
Depression, irritability, volatile moods, increase in PMS symptoms
What is the relationship b/w the liver, stomach and spleen Qi?
Spleen: The Liver Qi assists transformation and transportation and facilitates the ASCENDING of Qi. If Liver Qi is not free flowing Spleen Qi will descend leading to loose stools. This corresponds to wood overacting on earth
Stomach: Assists rotting and ripening and facilitates DESCENDING Qi. . If Liver Qi is not free flowing Stomach Qi will ascend leading to nausea, vomiting, hiccups, belching
What elements do the Zang organs correspond to?
Heart - Fire Liver - Wood Spleen - Earth Lung - Metal Kidneys - Water