Zang-fu

Zang-fu is a fundamental concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which describes the physiological functions and pathological changes of the internal organs. The term "Zang" refers to the organs considered to be yin in nature - Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, Kidney - while "Fu" refers to the yang organs - Gallbladder, Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Bladder, and the 'Triple Burner'.

Overview

In TCM, the Zang-fu organs are not viewed merely as anatomical substances, but more importantly as entities with specific functions. The concept of Zang-fu encompasses not only the organs themselves but also their functional properties and interrelationships.

Zang Organs

The five Zang organs produce and store Qi and Blood (the vital substances of the human body), each with its own specific physiological function.

• Heart: The Heart governs blood and houses the mind. It controls the blood vessels and manifests in the complexion.
• Liver: The Liver stores blood and regulates the flow of Qi. It controls the tendons and manifests in the nails.
• Spleen: The Spleen governs transformation and transportation of food essence. It controls the muscles and manifests in the lips.
• Lung: The Lung governs Qi and respiration. It controls the skin and hair, and manifests in body hair.
• Kidney: The Kidney stores essence and governs birth, growth, reproduction, and development. It controls the bones and manifests in the hair on the head.

Fu Organs

The six Fu organs are responsible for receiving and digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and transmitting and excreting wastes.

• Gallbladder: The Gallbladder stores and excretes bile. It governs decision making.
• Stomach: The Stomach receives and decomposes food.
• Small Intestine: The Small Intestine receives and further decomposes food from the Stomach, separating the clear from the turbid.
• Large Intestine: The Large Intestine receives the turbid part of the food residue from the Small Intestine, absorbs its fluid part, and excretes the solid waste.
• Bladder: The Bladder stores and excretes urine.
• Triple Burner: The Triple Burner is a "Fu" organ but has no form. It is the pathway for water and is responsible for the transportation and transformation of various body fluids.

Interrelationships

The Zang-fu organs are interconnected through a network of channels and blood vessels. They mutually support and counteract each other to maintain the body's normal physiological functions.

Pathological Changes

When the balance of Yin and Yang in the Zang-fu organs is disturbed, it can lead to various diseases. The pathological changes of the Zang-fu organs can be reflected in the body surface through the channels, and can be diagnosed and treated by TCM practitioners.