This video course is on the Zang-Fu Organ Theory in Chinese medicine made easy. The Yin TCM Organs functions (HT, SP, LV, LU AND KD), the Yang Fu TCM Organs functions (ST, SI, LI, UB, GB AND SJ), and the 6 Extraordinary TCM Organs (Uterus/Dan Tian, Bones, Blood Vessels, Marrow, Brain and GB).

I’ve been teaching TCM to future acupuncture professionals since 2008 and absolutely love it! Now, my goal is to expand my reach to TCM Rock Stars (yep, that’s you!) all over the world. I want to make Chinese medicine easy to grasp and fun to learn. Enjoy!

Keep rocking using TCM,

Clara
TCM Geek

PS: If you want more, check out these Chinese medicine foundation made easy lessons: The 5 Element Theory and The Yin Yang Theory, and The 4 Vital Substances. 

The Zang-Fu Organ Theory in Chinese medicine

  • 5 Zang Organs: produce, store & reserve.
  • 6 Fu organs: transport and transform food
  • 6 extraordinary organs: store essential substances


Heart in Chinese medicine

  • Heart governs blood (responsible for blood circulation)
  • The TCM heart controls blood vessels including the pulse strength.
  • Heart houses the mind (Shen), and the spirit: mental activity, memory, consciousness, thinking, and sleep (dreams)
  • The Heart is responsible for happiness & joy
  • It manifests in the complexion (face color)
  • The TCM Heart opens into the tongue (especially the tip). The condition of the heart also affects the speech.
  • It controls sweat


Liver in Chinese medicine 

  • The liver stores blood (for regular activities & menstruation)
  • Ensures the smooth flow of Qi (for energy, mental state & digestion)
  • Liver controls the tendons (sinews): in charge of movement (muscle, ligaments, tendons)
  • The TCM liver manifests in the nails (good for Diagnosis observation)
  • The liver opens into the eyes
  • The TCM Liver corresponds to tears (moistening and protecting the eyes)
  • It houses the ethereal soul (finding direction in life, visions, planning)


Lung in Chinese medicine 

  • Lung governs Qi & respiration: extract the good Qi from the SP and send it all over the body
  • TCM Lung controls all Channels of circulation (blood through meridians)
  • It controls descending (Down & inward) & dispersing(upward & outward): Descending (Sending Qi to Kd, purify Qi to keep it clean) & dispersing (spreading Defensive Qi to the skin to help fight diseases)
  • Regulates Water metabolism: Some spread to the skin & some are sent to Kd to excrete).
  • Lung controls skin & body hair: for body resistance
  • TCM lung opens into the nose & controls the nasal discharge
  • It houses the Corporal soul (resides in the body): physical strength

Spleen in Chinese medicine 

  • The spleen governs transformation & transportation: food & drink. Preventing water retention
  • The TCM Spleen controls raising function: keeps internal organs in place & sends essential substances to the head
  • It controls the blood to keep the blood within the vessels (preventing hemorrhages)
  • The spleen controls muscles and the 4 limbs (for energy)
  • The TCM Spleen opens into the mouth and manifests in the lips
  • It controls saliva
  • Spleen houses the thoughts (clear thinking)


The Chinese medicine Kidneys

  • KD Yin & KD Yang are the root of the genes: if one is a disease the other will be too.
  • Kidneys store essence and govern birth, growth, reproduction & development
  • They produce marrow, fill up the brain & control bones
  • The TCM kidneys govern water: San Jiao (lower burner part) will be in charge of getting rid of “bad” water
  • They control the reception of Qi from the Lung
  • Kidneys open into the ears
  • The TCM Kidneys manifest on the Hair
  • Kidneys control the lower orifices (spermatic duct, urethra & anus) opening & closing function
  • They house the willpower (motivation)
  • The Gate of Vitality (Ming Men): between the 2 Kd. It provides heat for all body functions, warms lower burner, Stomach & Spleen to aid in digestion, harmonizes sexual function, supports all other organs, warms the KD Yang & nourishes KD Yin.


Stomach in Chinese medicine 

  • The TCM Stomach is the most important Yang organ!
  • It controls the ripening & rotting of food (with the SP)
  • If ST Qi is strong, the prognosis of any disease will be good.
  • Controls the transportation of Food Qi
  • The TCM Stomach is the origin of fluids (like moisture)
  • ST & SP are very closely related (dry & damp, Excess & deficiency, heat & cold, ascending & descending)


Small Intestine in Chinese Medicine 

  • It Controls the receiving & transforming
  • SI separates the fluids (Food goes to LI and fluids to BL)
  • SI & HT are related but not as closely as ST & SP


Large Intestine in Chinese Medicine 

  • Excretion of rotten food
  • LI & LU are interiorly-exteriorly related. If LU qi is def. LI won’t have enough energy to defecate.


Gallbladder in Chinese medicine 

  • GB is the only yang organ that doesn’t deal with food directly.
  • GB stores Bile
  • The TCM Gallbladder controls judgment and decision
  • It also controls the joints
  • LV & GB depend on each other


Urinary Bladder in Chinese Medicine 

  • BL removes Water by Qi transformation (with the help of the SI & SJ)
  • Imbalance of BL will provoke jealousy, suspicion, and long-standing grudge
  • BL & KD are quite close in the fluids transformation.


San Jiao in Chinese medicine (Triple Burner)

  • The upper burner: Lu & Ht
  • The middle burner: Sp & St
  • The lower burner: Lv & Kd, Li, Si, Bl, Gb
  • SJ & PC is related through the meridians


The extraordinary organs are shaped like the Yang organs but have the functions of the Yin organs.

Uterus (Male equivalent is called the Dan Tian)

Brain (The brain is called the Sea of Marrow).

Marrow

Bones

Blood Vessels

Gallbladder