Spleen

In the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a spleen or Pi (Chinese: 脾; pinyin: pí) is distinct from the concept of western or modern medicine. It is more a way to describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ, each organ cannot be explained fully unless its relationship and homeostasis with the other organs is understood. TCM also looks at the functions of the organs rather than fixed areas and, therefore, describes different organs that are not actually physical.

In the Zang-fu concept

As a "Zang" of the Zang-fu viscera, spleen is one of the Yin organs. It is the origin of blood, rules transformation and transportation. The spleen extracts essences from food and which later becomes Qi and blood (Xie). It directs the ascending movement, prevents extravasations of blood, and dominates muscles. The spleen assists with water metabolism, opens into the mouth and is manifest on the lips. It also houses the Yi (胰, pancreas). The peak energy time for the Spleen is 9-11am. The fluid secretion is saliva.

References

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2007)

Further reading

• Val Hopwood (1997). "Introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory". in Val Hopwood, Maureen Lovesey, and Sara Mokone. Acupuncture and Related Techniques in Physical Therapy. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 11. ISBN 0443055939. 
• Christopher M. Norris (2001). Acupuncture. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 17–18. ISBN 0750651733. 

This article about complementary and alternative medicine is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e