Foundations of TCM
The System of the Zang-Fu Organs in TCM
The Zang-Fu organs, sometimes referred to as bowels and viscera, play a central role in TCM. The understanding of the Zang-Fu organs is based on the physiology and pathology of the inner organs and is considered the most important system for differentiation and treatment of disease in TCM. In contrast to Western medicine, which is rather structurally oriented, the theory and system of the Zang-Fu organs in TCM is based on functional ideas. The functions of the various organs in Western medicine and Chinese medicine overlap in some areas but have significant differences in other areas. The Zang-Fu organs stand in reciprocal relationship to each other and must be viewed in the interplay with each other. The main function of the Zang-Fu organs is to assimilate and transform the energies of the earth (foods) and of the heaven (air). The Zang-organs produce and store the Substances. The Fu-organs decompose food and convey waste. It might be helpful to forget everything we have ever learned about the human body and its organs in order to appreciate the ideas of TCM. The bones, the brain and the ears are assigned to the Kidneys. Therefore, osteoporosis can be a malfunction of the Kidneys. The Kidneys stand in close contact with the Lungs. Consequently, asthma can have its cause in the Lungs as well as in the Kidneys. The Zang-Fu organs and their patterns shape the personality and the structure of a human being in a fascinating way. They have a direct relationship to our emotions and to our physical activities. The union of body, spirit and soul. E. g. fear is assigned to the Kidneys. Disease patterns of the Kidneys can cause fear and vice versa, fear can cause disease patterns of the Kidneys. If a patient presents a lot of fear, you can conclude that the Kidneys must have been unbalanced in one way or another. If you find symptoms of Kidney patterns, you can assume that fear is present too. Emotional strengths and weaknesses are influenced and could result from strengths and weaknesses of the Zang-Fu organs. The Kidneys govern the willpower. But in order to be able to implement goals, the willpower needs to be supplemented by the strength of decision-making, which is governed by the Gallbladder. Lacking the strength of decision making, in turn, influences our physical activities and depends on the Gallbladder. Applying these ideas of interaction allows us to view people in their wholeness. The Zang organs are full, belong to Yin, and are more interior. The Suwen states: "The five Zang organs store essential Qi and do not discharge waste. Thus they are full, but cannot be filled." One could say they are responsible for production, transformation, storage, release and regulation of substances. The five Zang organs are Heart, Lungs, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney. The Pericardium is considered the sixth Zang organ in channel theory. The Fu organs are hollow, belong to Yang, and are more exterior. The Suwen states: "The six Fu organs process and convey matter, and do not store. Thus they are filled, but not full." One could say they are filled and evacuated continuously. They are filled with food or digestive products and they evacuate these products into the next Fu organ or the body excretes these waste products. The six Fu organs are: Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Gallbladder, Bladder and Triple Burner (San Jiao). The Zang-Fu organ theory forms the basis of TCM pattern differentiation.