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
Why is the Liver known as the ‘army general’?
Because it ensures all Qi flow is smooth and flows in the proper direction
What are the 4 important features of Qi regulation by the liver?
Regulation of digestion
Harmony of emotions
Harmony of mensuration
Harmony of bile secretions
What is the relationship b/w Liver-Blood, activity and rest?
The Liver regulates the volume of blood according to physical activity eg - during rest the body rqs less blood and will flow back to the liver, when the body is active blood flows to the muscles
What are 4 tissues and organs that require liver-blood nourishment?
Eyes
Sinew
Nails
Uterus
What is the relationship between the Liver, eyes and sinew?
The liver channel connects with the eyes and blood of the liver nourishes and moistens the eyes and gives it its capacity to see, if deficient liver blood it would causes dry eyes, blurry vision and night blindness.
The liver controls the sinews ability to contract and relax, and insufficiency of liver blood will result in malnourishment leading to spasms and tremors
What will the nails look like with abundant and deficient liver blood?
*Nails are a continuation of sinew
Abundant = moist, strong and healthy Deficient = soft, thin and brittle
***What do the Zang organs house and describe what each mean?
Heart - The mind (Shen) -
Liver - Ethereal Soul (Hun) - Holds life purpose, survives death and is capable of coming and going in the body. Correlates to spirits and demons. Can present with insomnia, vivid dreams, sleeping difficulties
Spleen - Thought (Yi) - Influences our capacity to think, study, concentrate, focus, memorising and generating ideas.
Lung - Corporeal Soul (Po) - The most physical and material part of a human’s soul. Especially sensitive to mourning and grief
Kidneys - Gate of Vitality (Ming Men)
Why does the liver loathe wind?
Wind affects the liver by interfering with the Livers function of ensuring smooth flow of Qi and storing blood, causes erratic movements such as spasms, convulsions, paralysis or tremors
How can pensiveness affect the Spleen?
Cause Spleen Qi to stagnate resulting in difficulties with digesting food
Why is the Spleen called the ‘Root of post-natal Qi’?
Because Food-Qi extracted by the spleen is the material basis for the production of Qi and blood
Why is the Spleen called the ‘Root of post-natal Qi’?
Because Food-Qi (Gu Qi) extracted by the spleen is the material basis for the production of Qi and blood
What is the central organ in the production of Qi?
The spleen. Food Qi produced by the spleen combines with air in the lungs to form gathering Qi which is the basis for the formation of True Qi
Where does the original Qi come from?
The Kidneys - stores essence of all organs
What is dampness?
When the Spleen is incapable of transforming or transporting body fluids causing accumulation of moisture within the body, often presents as phlegm or oedema
How does the Spleen control the muscles and 4 limbs?
The flesh of the entire body and 4 limbs require nourishment of Food Qi from the Spleen. If deficient will cause weakness or atrophy
Whats the relationship b/w the Spleen and the mouth/lips?
The Spleen channel connects to the mouth and the lips and empowers the mouth to detect and distinguish the 5 flavours. Lips will appear moist and rosy when Spleen is functioning well. The lips reflect the blood in particular
How does the Spleen Qi prevent the prolapse of organs?
The Spleen produces a lifting effect along the midline of the body that make sure the internal organs are in their proper place, which is attributed to the ascending of Spleen Qi. If weak may cause Uterus, bladder or anus prolapse.
How does the Spleen Qi prevent the prolapse of organs?
The Spleen produces a lifting effect along the midline of the body that make sure the internal organs are in their proper place, which is attributed to the ascending of Spleen Qi. If weak may cause Uterus, bladder or anus prolapse.
The coordination b/w the (clear) ascending Qi (Yang in nature) and the descending (turbid) Qi (Yin in nature) also plays a role in keeping the organs in place
What does the Spleen separate fluids into?
Into pure and impure fluids.
Pure part is sent to the lungs to be distributed to the skin and the space b/w the skin and muscles
Impure part moves downward to the intestines where it is further separated
What is the relationship b/w the Spleen and the Stomach?
They worked together to guarantee a balance process of digestion and absorption and are pivotal in the production of Qi and Blood.
They are considered the root of Post-natal Qi
What are the yin and yang aspects of the Spleen and stomach?
Spleen: Stomach:
Yin Yang
Dislikes wetness Likes wetness
Qi ascends Qi descends
Likes dryness Dislikes dryness
Easily suffers for deficiency Easily suffers from excess
Prone to cold Prone to heat
Suffers from yang deficiency Suffers from Yin deficiency
What directions are Yin and Yang?
Yin - North and west
Yang - South and east
What is the difference b/w defensive and nutritive Qi and which is Yin or Yang?
Defensive Qi is Yang in relation and circulates in the skin and muscles (Yang area) and has the function of protecting and warming the body (Yang function)
Nutritive Qi circulates in the internal organs (Yin area) and has the function of nourishing the body (Yin function)
What is the Heart, Spleen and Kidneys influence on memory?
Heart - Memory of distant events
Spleen - Memorising and studying
Kidneys - Memory of recent events
Described how Yin and Yang are known as a divided and unbroken line?
Yang is an unbroken line ______ Solid, closed, unyielding and impenetrable
Yin is a divided line ——- diffuse, open, yielding and responsive
Why is Yin Earth and Yang Heaven?
Yin energy descends and condenses to form the earth.
Yang energy rises and pure Yang should ascend to form heaven
How does sickness affected a person who is more Yin or Yang differently?
Yin - illness develops gradually but symptoms linger
Yang - suffers intensely but recovers quickly
Which organs are more important and why?
Yin organs are more important as they store all the vital substances, whereas Yang are their functional aspect
What is the generating cycle in the Wu Xing theory?
Supportive nourishing cycle where one element gives birth to the other
What does Metal and Water elements correspond to?
Metal - nose, skin and grief
Water - Ears, bones and fear
Explain the elements of the generating cycle?
Fire - produced by rubbing together wood
Earth - Fire reduces everything to ash which becomes part of the earth again
Metal - Derived from earth/
Water - Metal engenders water
Wood - Depends on water for life and growth
What is the restraining or destructive “Ke” cycle?
One element suppresses the other Wood controls Earth Earth absorbs water Water puts out fire Fire melts metal Metal cuts wood
What is the overwhelming cycle?
One element is weakened and each element over controls the other eg - wood will overact on earth if earth is already deficient
What is the rebellion/insulting cycle?
The reverse of the Controlling sequence. Wood insults metal Metal insults fire fire insults water water insults earth earth insults wood
What are the 5 elements cardinal directions?
Water - North Fire - South Earth - centre Wood - east Metal - West
What are the 5 elements as seasonal cycles?
Fire - Summer Water - Winter Metal - Autumn Wood - Spring Earth - centre, point of reference
What is the cosmological sequence of the 5 elements?
- Water
- Fire
- Wood
- Metal
- Earth
What element is the beginning of the 5 element sequence?
Water - it is the basis of the sequence just is the Kidneys being the foundation for all other organs
What is the driving force that pumps blood around the body?
The Yang Qi of the heart is the driving force that pumps heart blood around the body. They are mutually dependant on each other.
What happens if heart Qi fails to promote blood movement and what are some symptoms?
Blood flow stagnates and the heart becomes malnourished leading to pain, palpitations, increase or decrease in HR, change in strength and rhythm.
What organ houses the the true (Primary) Yin and Yang of the body?
The Kidneys
What affect does Heart Qi have on the blood vessels?
If Heart Qi is strong the blood vessels will be in a good state and the pulse will be full and regular
If heart Qi is weak the blood vessels will loose fullness and pulse will the weak and irregular
What does heart blood stasis cause?
Arteriosclerosis
What are the 5 energetic layers?
In order of depth: Skin (Lungs) Muscles (Spleen) Sinew (Liver) Blood vessels (Heart) Bones (Kidneys)
Why are the Kidneys referred to the ‘root of life’?
Because they store the Essence (Jing) which in its Pre-Heaven form is derived from the the parents and established at conception and determines our basic constitution
What is essence and what are the 3 subdivisions?
Essence is the source of life, the root of the human body
- Pre-Heaven essence (Pre-Natal) - DNA
- Post -Heaven essence (Post-Natal) - From nutrition
- Kidney Essence
What is Kidney Essence?
Derived from both pre and post Heaven essence.
More functional form of pre-heaven essence that is stored in the Kidneys and replenished by post-heaven essence.
What does essence control and what happens when it declines.
Essence controls birth, puberty, menopause and death.
Ageing is due to a decline in essence
What is the Kidneys relationship with the brain?
Kidneys store essence that produce bone marrow and marrow fills up the brain. The brain has a physiological connection to the kidneys.
If Kidney essence is strong it will nourish the brain and improve memory, concentration and sight
What is the relationship between the Kidneys and the Bladder (Fluids)?
Kidney Yang supplies heat and Qi to the Bladder enabling it to transform the fluids and excrete impurities in urine.
Kidney Yang deficiency = frequent urination
Kidneys control the flow of urine by acting like gates
What is the relationship between the Lungs and the Kidneys (Fluids)?
The Lungs direct fluid to the Kidneys and Bladder and the Kidneys vaporise part of this fluid and send it back to the lungs to keep them moist
What is the relationship between the Spleen and the Kidneys (Fluids)?
Kidneys provide the Spleen with heat to carry out transformation and transportation of fluids
What is the relationship between the Intestines and the Kidneys (Fluids)?
The Small and Large intestines are under control of Kidney Yang to seperate clean and dirty fluids
How do the Kidneys control the reception of Qi?
The Lungs have a descending action on Qi by directing the natural air breathed in (Da Qi) downward to the Kidneys.
Kidneys respond by anchoring the Qi allowing deep inhalation
Only if Kidney Qi is plentiful and grasping power sufficient can breath be harmonious
If insufficient = Qi rebels upward creating congestion in the chest (breathlessness, asthma)
Which organ controls the lower orifices?
The Kidneys
What symptoms will strong/weak Kidneys have on will-power?
Strong Kidneys = focused mind, overcome fear, pursue goals
Weak Kidneys = lack of will power, easily discouraged, unmotivated (depression)
Where is the Ming Men: Gate of Vitality located and what is its role?
Between the two Kidneys.
Provides heat for all bodily functions
What is the Kidneys relationship with the heart?
Fire from the heart is sent down to the Kidneys to warm them. Kidneys cool the Heart Yang
Why are some urinary problems due to Lung Qi?
Because the Lungs descend water to the Kidneys to keep urination smooth
List 5 functions of the Lung:
Govern Qi and respiration Controls channels and blood vessels Controls dispensing and descending Controls defensive Qi Regulates water metabolism
What is the highest organ of the body?
The lungs
How do the Lung’s govern Qi?
Fresh hair inhaled (Pure Qi) and Food Qi combine to form Zong Qi (gathering Qi) which takes place and gathers in the chest.
Zong Qi promotes lung respiration and aids in the beating of the heart
Overuse of the voice can lead to a weakness in what Qi?
Zong Qi (Gathering Qi)
Where do the blood vessels of the entire body meet?
In the lungs
Blood circulation depends on what Qi?
Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) If weak - blood will pool and stagnate in the chest and heart giving rise to fullness, oppression and heart pain
What organ is known as the Prime Minister and why?
The lungs. As they assist the Emperor (the heart) to control the body
What are the three functions of Wei Qi (Defensive Qi)?
- To protect the body from attack by exterior pathogenic influences eg- wind, cold, Heat
- To warm, moisten and nourish the skin and muscles
- To adjust the opening and closing of pores
What is the relationship b/w the lungs and Wei Qi?
The lungs disperse Wei Qi and fluids all over the body to the space b/w the skin and muscles. Wei Qi warms the skin and muscles and protects the body from external invasion