How does TCM understand the spleen and stomach? What are the symptoms of a weak spleen and stomach?

Author: Li Fangjie, Chief Physician, Wangjing Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

Reviewer: Dong Fuhui, Chief Physician, Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences

When talking about loss of appetite, especially in children, we often say that it is caused by weak spleen and stomach or poor spleen and stomach function.

Weak spleen and stomach are often mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine. How does traditional Chinese medicine understand the spleen and stomach? How is it different from the spleen and stomach in Western medicine?

1. What functions does the spleen and stomach have according to traditional Chinese medicine?

To understand the functions of the spleen and stomach, we must first know the properties of the spleen and stomach, because the functions are determined by the properties.

The human body has five zang-organs and six fu-organs. The five zang-organs refer to the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, and the six fu-organs refer to the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, gallbladder, bladder, and triple energizer. The six fu-organs, except the triple energizer, form an exterior-interior relationship with the five zang-organs.

Figure 1 Original copyright image, no permission to reprint

For example, the spleen and stomach are a pair of internal organs that are related to each other. They are related in the meridians and have close connections and mutual influences in physiology and pathology.

The functions of the spleen and stomach are actually complementary to each other. The stomach is responsible for receiving and storing the food. The food we eat needs to be digested in the stomach. Traditional Chinese medicine calls this the process of rotting grain and water. This is the main function of the stomach.

The spleen mainly absorbs and transports food. After the stomach digests part of the food, the spleen continues to digest, absorb, and then transports and transforms it into nutrients and transports it to the whole body. At the same time, the spleen controls blood, allowing the blood to flow normally in the meridians, that is, in the blood vessels, so that it will not overflow from the meridians during the process of circulation. Hemorrhagic diseases are caused by blood overflowing from the meridians, which is also related to the function of the spleen.

What is the spleen and stomach called together? They are called the foundation of acquired constitution, the source of Qi and blood production. The Qi and blood of the whole body are related to the spleen and stomach.

The function of the spleen and stomach is accomplished through the spleen and stomach ascending and descending mechanism. The stomach needs to receive food, which is actually a downward Qi movement, and the spleen needs to transport nutrients to the whole body, which is an upward Qi movement to the whole body. Therefore, the spleen and stomach have another important function. The spleen and stomach are the pivot of the ascending and descending Qi movement, like a hub. Whichever direction the spleen and stomach hub turns, our Qi will circulate in that direction.

The spleen and stomach are the most important organs in the human body. They are the foundation of acquired constitution, the source of Qi and blood production, and the pivot of the rise and fall of Qi. These are the most basic functions of the spleen and stomach.

Figure 2 Original copyright image, no permission to reprint

The stomach in Western medicine refers to the digestive organ, which holds food and preliminarily digests it. The spleen in Western medicine can store blood, regulate blood volume, phagocytize pathogens, foreign matter, aging and dead cells in the blood, and can also produce immune substances such as immunoglobulins and lymphocytes, making it an important lymphatic organ. The spleen and stomach functions in traditional Chinese medicine actually cover the digestive system in Western medicine, and also have the function of ascending and descending qi.

2. What are the symptoms of weak spleen and stomach according to traditional Chinese medicine?

Don’t like to eat, have no appetite, feel bloated after eating, or feel that it is difficult to digest, don’t like to digest, and digest slowly;

The stool is dry and hard. The contents of the intestines have been stored in the body for too long, and the water has been absorbed, so constipation occurs and the stool is not smooth.

Uncomfortable bowel movements and sticky stools are often caused by spleen dampness;

Loose stools, unformed and watery stools, frequent bowel movements every day, and an urgent need to go to the toilet;

Bad complexion and complexion due to insufficient Qi and blood;

I am particularly prone to fatigue and sleepiness, and I lose strength and feel tired and exhausted at any time.

These are all common manifestations of weak spleen and stomach.

At the same time, there are some bleeding diseases, such as thrombocytopenia, or unexplained bleeding spots on the skin, heavy menstrual flow, or long menstrual flow. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, it is necessary to consider whether it is due to spleen deficiency and inability to control blood, resulting in bleeding or heavy menstrual flow.

3. How to regulate your spleen and stomach if you have a bad spleen and stomach?

Generally speaking, weak spleen and stomach is three parts treatment and seven parts care, and the care means self-regulation.

First of all, you should eat a balanced diet, not overeat, and eat in moderation;

If you have a cold constitution, you should not eat too many cold foods, such as food or drinks that have just been taken out of the refrigerator, especially in winter. You should not eat cold foods. Because the human body needs some enzymes to digest and decompose grains, these enzymes are active only in a suitable environment and temperature. 37°C is a normal body temperature, and the enzyme activity is the best. If you eat very cold foods, the temperature of the food in the refrigerator at about 4°C will drop to a very low level when it enters the stomach, and the digestive enzymes will be inactive, and the spleen and stomach will not function properly. This is called a direct attack by the cold evil, which directly attacks the spleen and stomach. After the attack, the spleen yang will be deficient, and the spleen will not be able to transport and transform water and grain.

If you have a hot constitution, you should not eat too much spicy food as it will cause dampness and heat.

In short, the spleen and stomach should not be too cold, and should not eat too much or overuse. Also, you should not eat too much fatty and sweet food, and should not overeat or eat irregularly. You should eat a balanced diet. If you stick to this, you will have a healthy spleen and stomach. A good spleen and stomach function will contribute to good health.