Chinese medicine considers the Spleen’s main function to be assisting the Stomach’s function of digestion, by transporting and transforming food essences, absorbing the nourishment from food and separating the usable from the unusable part of food. The Spleen organ is central in the production of Qi (energy). It extracts Food-Qi from food and drink and this is the basis for the formation of Qi and blood.
The Spleen dominates the circulation of energy around the arms and legs and controls the muscles. The Spleen plays an important part in the direction of fluid metabolism in these main areas. The Spleen’s organ function of transformation and transportation is extremely important.
The Spleen works on food and fluids warmed and ripened by the Stomach, in order to absorb the essential Qi (energy) of each. The warming ability of the Spleen relies on the support of Kidney Yang energy. The Spleen then transports the clear essence and Jin and Ye fluids. The inability of the Spleen to transform, absorb and lift the fluids has a direct effect on fluid metabolism, slowing it and bringing about oedema and similar symptoms.
If the Spleen is functioning normally it is able to restrain Kidney Water, and then prevent any abnormal activity on the part of Kidney Water. If, however, Spleen Earth is weak two things occur;
The Spleen’s own transformation will suffer and allow damp to form
Kidney Water loses Spleen’s restraint and begins to move in a disorderly fashion throughout the body.
The main symptoms experienced when the Spleen is not functioning properly are:
- Poor appetite
- Abdominal distension especially after eating
- Tiredness
- Weakness or heaviness of the limbs
- Loose or sluggish stools
- Oedema, puffiness under the eyes, legs and arms and the tongue
- Prolapse of uterus, anus or vagina
- Period problems
- Sugar cravings
- Poor absorption of food, indigestion, weight loss or gain