Heart (Xin)
Relationships of the Heart
Heart-Small Intestine: | The Heart stands in interior-exterior relationship with the Small Intestine. The relationship between Heart and Small Intestine can also be transferred to the mental level. The Heart houses the spirit. The Small Intestine divides pure from impure and helps the spirit in its discernment of important and unimportant. Heart Fire, on the physical level, can move downward and affect the Small Intestine.
Heart-Gallbladder: | The Heart houses the spirit. The Gallbladder governs decision and provides the spirit with courage.
Heart-Lungs: | The Heart governs the Blood and the Lungs govern the Qi. The Blood of the Heart nourishes the Lungs. The Qi of the Lungs warms the Heart and supports it in the production and circulation of the Blood. The relationship between Heart and Lungs corresponds to the relationship between Qi and Blood. A disturbance of the Heart can result in a disturbance of the Lungs and vice versa.
Heart-Liver: | The Heart governs the Blood. The Liver stores the Blood and regulates its volume in accordance with physiological needs. The Liver regulates the volume of the Blood, the Heart moves the Blood. Liver Blood Deficiency can be accompanied by Heart Blood Deficiency. Hyperactive Liver Yang or Liver Fire can affect the Blood and therefore the Heart Yin. Which can lead to Heart Fire. Liver and Heart are the organs most affected by, and susceptible to, emotional disturbances.
Heart-Spleen: | The Spleen produces Food Qi, which is the basis of Qi and Blood production. The Heart governs the Blood and requires Qi for this function. A weak production of Food Qi can weaken the Blood and the Qi of the Heart.
Heart-Kidney: | Kidneys and Heart represent Yin and Yang. The Heart is located in the Upper Burner and the Kidneys are in the Lower Burner. Physiologically, the Heart connects with the Lower Burner through the Kidneys and the Kidneys connect with the Upper Burner through the Heart. The two organs are interdependent and counterbalance each other. The Kidneys send water (Yin) to the Heart, to cool the Heart fire (Yang). The Heart sends fire (Yang) to the Kidneys, to warm the Kidney water (Yin). The Kidney Yin is very important for the Yin in the entire body. The Heart requires the Yin of the Kidneys in order to be able to house the Spirit. Because the Kidneys have more Yin and little Yang and the Heart has more Yang and little Yin, the interaction of Heart and Kidney is important to root the Spirit.

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