From Wang Kentang and Wu Mianxue, The Compendium of Traditional Diagnosis (Gu Jin Yitong Zhengmai Quanshu), 1601:

The stomach is called the sea of grain and water; ever thing is assimilated here! The s"leen is in charge of trans"ortation; ever thing is moved # its wor$ings! %#sor#ing and moving: these are the essential actions which define the s"leen&stomach networ$ as the main source of the life'sustaining "ostnatal energ ! From (i )hong*i, A Primer of Medical Objectives (Yizong Bidu), 16+,: What ma$es the s"leen the source of "ostnatal energ - .nce a child has #een #orn, it will feel hungr after one da without food, and it will die after seven da s without food! .nce we have entered the realm of the "h sical #od , therefore, we have to #e nourished # /i that is derived from food 0 gu qi1! .nce the food enters the stomach, it is trans"orted to the six fu organs, and thus there will #e /i! 2t will #e a""ro"riatel dis"ensed to the five *ang organs, and thus there will #e #lood! 3uman #eings must rel on this t "e of nourishment in order to sta alive! 2t is for this reason that the s"leen is called the source of "ostnatal energ ! From 4heng Wen ou, Quotes from Medicine (Yishu), 1566:

7e aware that the s"leen networ$ cannot #e com"ared to a s stem of mills or mortars that grind or "ound awa on the incoming food! 8ather, the s"leen9s a#ilit to transform food and drin$ "rimaril de"ends on its suctioning affect: "reventing the food from falling down: ;ver food item entering the stomach consists of #oth a /i com"onent and a material com"onent! The material com"onent of the food naturall sin$s downwards, while its /i com"onent naturall rises u"wards! .nce in the stomach, the food gets <steamed< under the influence of stomach /i! Then, in the "rocess of #eing se"arated into its material and its light "arts, it is #eing suctioned # the /i of the neigh#oring s"leen! 2n this fashion, the stomach /i is #eing assisted in its vital wor$ and all of the food essence remains where it needs to #e for "rocessing'all the wa until ever #it of food /i has #een extracted and onl the material shell remains, at which time the lower gate of the stomach o"ens and the dregs are #eing discarded downwards! From (i =ong uan, A Treatise on the pleen and tomach (Piwei Lun), 16>?: The stomach is called the sea of grain and water! .nce food enters the stomach, its essential energ is moved u"wards to infuse first the s"leen and then the lung! 2n this fashion, the command of s"ring and summer is #eing carried out, and the entire #od receives nourishment! This is due to the influence of clear heavenl /i! .nce the ascending motion has reached its climax, this current shifts directions and flows downwards toward the #ladder! 2n this fashion, the command of autumn and winter is #eing carried out, and the waste #ecomes "rocessed and the flavors will manifest! This is due to the influence of tur#id earth /i! 2f we then regulate our dail lives # ad@usting them to the "revailing energ of the seasons, if we avoid ex"osure to extreme cold and extreme heat, if we eat and drin$ in regular intervals, if we "rotect our shen # avoiding states of extreme anger or extreme ecstas , and if we strive for #alance # living in moderation during all four seasons, there will #e "eace! .therwise, the s"leen and stomach will suffer harm, and our true /i will lea$ downward in tric$les or currents Ai!e!, diarrheaB, with the "ossi#ilit of failing to rise again! This, then, would #e li$e having autumn and winter #ut no s"ring and summer, and a situation would arise in which the functions of #irth and growth are muffled # the /i of death and extinction! Caturall , all $inds of diseases would arise from such a situation! %t the same time it

is without /uestion that if there was onl rising and no descending momentum within the #od there would #e disease! From Du 4hang, The tatutes of Medicine (Yimen Fal), 16E5: 7oth the zang and the fu organ networ$s de"end "rimaril on the s"leen and the stomach! %ll food we eat enters the stomach and is then trans"orted # the s"leen, @ust li$e the dirt on earth Ais distri#uted # wind and water to nourish all life formsB! 2t should #e "ointed out, however, that the s"leen&stomach9s ca"a#ilit of transforming the food is actuall de"endent on the two essential /ualities of fire and water! The s"leen and stomach cannot do this # themselves! When fire is in a state of excess, the s"leen and stomach will #e dr ; when water is in a state of excess, the s"leen and stomach will #e dam"! ;ither situation will cause the hundred diseases to arise! From Dang Fi*hou, The !reat Compendium of Acupuncture and Mo"ibustion (Zhenjiu Dacheng), ca! 1E?0; listed in the s"leen channel section as a /uote from an older =aoist source, The Original Classic of !uiding the #reath (Daoyin Benjing) : The s"leen is situated at the center of the five organ networ$s! Therefore, it is assigned to no "articular season #ut flourishes during all four seasons! 2t contains and fosters the five flavors, it #rings a#out the five mental faculties, and it moves the four extremities and the one hundred marrows! %s soon as there is irregular inta$e of food and drin$ or overexertion of an $ind, the s"leen /i will #e harmed! %s soon as the s"leen and stomach suffer damage, food and drin$ stagnate and do not transform: the mouth loses its a#ilit to distinguish flavors, the extremities feel lim" and tired, discomfort and distention is felt in the stomach and a#dominal regions, s m"toms of vomiting and diarrhea a""ear, and there ma #e d senter or a host of other s m"toms which have #een s"ecified in the Cei@ing and other #oo$s, and which can #e loo$ed u" there! 2f we therefore force ourselves to eat when we are not hungr , the s"leen will suffer! 2f we force ourselves to drin$ when we are not thirst , the stomach will #loat! 2f we eat #e ond ca"acit , the vessels in which the /i circulates will #ecome o#structed, and the #od 9s center 0stomach region1 will #ecome @ammed and shut off! 2f we eat too little, on the other hand, the #od will #ecome emaciated, the stomach will grow anxious, and our thoughts will #ecome unstead ! 2f we eat contaminated food, the heart9s a#ilit to differentiate will #ecome #lurred, and we will grow more and more restless! 2f we eat things that we should not eat, the four

great u"heavals will occur and #ring along disease! Cone of these t "es of #ehavior re"resents the wa of good health! Therefore, it is most im"ortant to consume our food at the a""ro"riate time, to drin$ our fluids in regular intervals, and to avoid #oth overeating and hunger "ains! 2f we eat and drin$ according to these sim"le guidelines, then not onl the s"leen&stomach networ$ itself will remain uns"oiled and function "erfectl , #ut also the five *ang and the six fu organ networ$s will all #e in a harmonious state of health! %fter food and drin$ enter the mouth, the "ass through the e"igastric region into the stomach! From the stomach, the immaterial flavors contained in the food "enetrate the five organs, whereas the material com"onents enter the small intestine where the are further transformed! When the reach the lower o"ening of the small intestine, the first stage of the "rocess of se"arating clear and mur$ materials occurs! Mur$ materials are the waste, to #e "assed on to the large intestine! The clear materials are the source of all #odil fluids; the enter the #ladder which is called the store house of fluids! 2n the #ladder, once again a se"aration of "ure and mur$ materials ta$es "lace! The mur$ de#ris goes into the urine to #e excreted, while the clear material enters the gall#ladder! The gall#ladder, finall , guides this "urified fluid essence to the s"leen which dis"enses it to the five organ networ$s; the , in turn, utili*e it to "roduce digestive saliva, nourishing saliva, nasal discharge, tears, and sweat! The flavors, meanwhile, "enetrate the five organs and transform into the five t "es of essential dew, which return to the s"leen where the are transformed into #lood! 2n the form of nourishing #lood, finall , the are returned to the organs! The 4lassic states: <When the s"leen is health it can generate all living things! 2f it #ecomes de"leted, it can #ring a#out the hundred diseases!< The ancient "oet, "olitician, and medical scholar Gu =ong"o 010+,'11011 used to harmoni*e the s"leen # moderating food inta$e, even when there was enough mone to eat lots! Therefore, 2 wish to extend the following advice to "eo"le who are in the ha#it of throwing lavish #an/uets: derive ha""iness from internal "eace; alwa s leave room in our stomach, so ou can nourish our /i; and s"end less if ou wish to increase our material wealth! The health "erson maintains the inside, while the unhealth "erson maintains the outside! The "erson who maintains the inside "acifies his&her zang and fu organ networ$s, and thus causes the #lood in the vessels to flow smoothl and uninhi#ited!

The "erson who maintains the outside indulges in da**ling flavors and luxuriant culinar delights; al#eit at first glance the #od of such a "erson ma a""ear strong and sturd , a fierce verminous /i is corroding the zang and fu organs inside!

The stomach is in charge of receiving food and drin$ via the mouth and eso"hagus, containing them, and finall fermenting them! The stomach is therefore called the <sea of grain and water!< %fter <grinding and fermenting< the incoming materials "art of the essence distilled from food is "assed on to the s"leen, while the rest is "assed on downwards to the small intestine! 2f the stomach fails to receive and ferment "ro"erl , the su""l of "ostnatal /i to the other organ networ$s will #e distur#ed! Master $ua%s Classic of the Central &iscera states: <2f the stomach /i is strong, all of the five *ang and the six fu networ$s will #e strong!< The s"leen is in charge of the transformation and distri#ution of food essence and fluids, as well as the transformation of "athological dam"ness! % health s"leen will facilitate the o"timal a#sor"tion and distri#ution of essence! 4onse/uentl , the entire #od will #e "rovided with the nutrients that are essential for survival! 2t is for this reason that the s"leen has #een la#eled the "ostnatal root of life! 2f there is "ro"er a#sor"tion and transformation of food essence, the food will turn into refined essence rather than into <dam"< slush stagnating in the digestive tract! 4onversel , the "resence of dam"ness in the s stem will severel ham"er the transformative actions of the s"leen! Hart of the s"leen9s trans"orting function, moreover, is to move fluids u"wards to the lung, from where the are <s"rin$led< over the entire #od to ensure "ro"er moisturi*ation! 2f this #asic meta#olism of fluids can function undistur#ed, no #uildu" of "athological dam"ness will occur within the s stem! The crucial trans"orting function of the s"leen is entirel #ased on its action of <raising the "ure 0essence1!< This means that in its "h siological state the s"leen /i exhi#its a rising momentum! 2f the s"leen /i rises, a <trans"orting< affect will ensue! .n the other hand, the e/uall im"ortant action of "assing on of the dregs'and the continued differentiation of "ure and tur#id fluids'are a result

of the stomach9s downward momentum, generall referred to as <descending the tur#id!< Fluid differentiation and a#sor"tion is achieved coo"erativel # the small intestine, the tri"le warmer, and the #ladder, #ut these as"ects of fluid meta#olism are often attri#uted, sim"l , to the descending function of the stomach! The influential Treatise on the pleen and tomach 0Pi Wei Lun1, written # the Duan = nast medical authorit (i =ong uan, strongl underscores the rising function of the s"leen! To clarif his "oint, (i refers to the wor$ings of nature! 3e reminds his readers that the human #od is a miniature re"lica of the surrounding macrocosm! %ll "henomena on earth, the Treatise "oints out, are "roduced # the intercourse of ascending earthl and descending heavenl /i! The u"ward momentum of the essence /i, "ro"elled # the s"leen, can #e com"ared to the clear ang of nature which ascends toward heaven until it congeals into clouds in the s$ ! The ethereal "art of this essence 0the ang within ang1 "urifies and nourishes lung /i, thus maintaining an atmos"here of moistness, freshness, and clarit in the u""er #urner 0which affects the sensor orifices of the ears, e es, mouth, and nose1! The denser "ortion of this ascending ang su#stance 0the in within ang1 moistens the s$in, strengthens the "ores, and gives firmness to the lim#s! %nd @ust as the tur#id in in nature condenses #elow to form earth, the Treatise goes on to ex"lain, the clear essence of the tur#id in derived from food 0the ang within in1 <turns red< and transforms into #lood, thus nourishing the #od , while the dregs and su"erfluous fluids are excreted! The tur#id "art of the tur#id 0the in within in1, finall , forms the material #asis for the #one marrow! The Iing = nast essa collection, pontaneous Thoughts 'nspired b( )eading the Medical Classics 0Duyi ui!i1, summari*es this "ivotal role of the s"leen&stomach # drawing a Tai@i 0 in' ang s m#ol1 of #odil waxing and waning: <The heart and the lung are ang; as the follow the downward im"ulse of stomach /i and descend on the right, the transform into in! The liver and the $idne are in; as the follow the u"ward im"ulse of s"leen /i and ascend on the left, the transform into ang!<

The hollow stomach is in charge of <fermenting and ri"ening< incoming food! The character wei 0stomach1 reflects the stomach9s li$eness to a high altitude field! Gince fields in higher locations are closer to the sun and their moisture can easil drain downwards, their earth has a tendenc to get dr , earning it the designation < ang earth!< %s the ang earth of the #od , the stomach is $nown to easil #ecome dr !

The s"leen, among other things, is in charge of transforming dam"ness! The character "i 0s"leen1 reflects the s"leen9s li$eness to a low'altitude field! (i$e the earth at the #ottom of a valle , the s"leen has a tendenc to #ecome dam", and is thus $nown as < in earth!< The ideal milieu for their functioning is slight moistness for the stomach and near dr ness for the s"leen; that is the exact o""osite of their natural tendencies, so the s"leen and stomach must rel on each other to achieve a state of #alance! .therwise, the dr ing action of the stomach ma fail to control s"leen dam", and signs of stagnant water accumulation in the s stem will arise! .r the moistening /ualit of the s"leen ma fail to nourish the dr stomach, and s m"toms of thirst, voracious a""etite, or other signs of stomach heat will a""ear! %lthough it is "rimaril the lung which governs #odil /i, and "rimaril the heart which governs #lood, the s"leen is the "h sical earth center which is the source of #oth the #od 9s /i and #lood! 7oth of these vital su#stances are considered to #e transformations of food essence! Ii does not onl move #od essences, #ut it also holds them in "lace! The fact that the #lood circulates in the vessels without leaving its "ro"er "ath is "articularl attri#uted to the restraining function of s"leen /i! The Classic of Difficulties 0"anjing1 sim"l states: <The s"leen contains the #lood A pi tong xueB< This function of the s"leen Aassociated with the earth element or "haseB is evocative of the characteristics of earth: @ust as the rivers and streams are contained # an earthen #ed, the #od 9s #lood is contained in the channels!

The a#sor#ing and trans"orting function of the s"leen&stomach is directl reflected in the develo"ment of a "erson9s flesh and muscles! Gtrong and well develo"ed arms and legs are therefore considered to #e an im"ortant indicator for good s"leen function! Wea$, cold, "ainful, o#ese, or malformed arms and legs are a "rimar sign of s"leen wea$ness!

The condition of the s"leen manifests in the flesh of the mouth'the li"s! 7right red li"s, for instance, ma indicate dam" heat in the stomach! 4hronic gum #leeding or structural changes of the gums ma arise from s"leen deficienc , while s m"toms of severe dr ness in the mouth, gum

swelling, tooth aches, or severe hemorrhaging ma #e the result of a stomach excess 0heat, dr ness1 condition! Gtructural "athologies in the oral cavit 0including tongue sha"e and tongue coating1 and unusual taste sensations in the mouth 0or lac$ thereof1 are almost alwa s indicative of s"leen&stomach distur#ances!

The mental "rocesses of thin$ing and remem#ering are considered to #e "art of the "h siological activit of the s"leen! % "erson with a "oor digestive s stem usuall cannot thin$ clearl ! This is #ecause clear ang energ fails to rise u" to the heart and #rain, or #ecause of accumulating dam"ness clouding the orifices! %s alwa s, this relationshi" also wor$s the other wa around: if a "erson thin$s or worries too much, this can easil lead to digestive s m"toms such as "oor a""etite, diarrhea, or consti"ation! The pleen* tomach 's +nable to Absorb, Transform, and Transport2f stomach /i #ecomes in@ured, the stomach loses its a#ilit to contain food, and the "erson will exhi#it s m"toms of aversion to food or drin$, nausea and vomiting, hiccu"ing, or fre/uent #elching! 2f the s"leen loses its a#ilit to transform and trans"ort the essence of food, a#dominal distention, loose stools or diarrhea, fatigue, or emaciation ma occur! %lso, if the s"leen loses its a#ilit to trans"ort fluids and transform dam"ness, internal dam"ness and "hlegm will accumulate, "otentiall manifesting in a variet of "hlegm disorders, diarrhea, or edema! The #alance #et.een )aising the Clear and Descending the Turbid is Disturbed- 2f the stomach9s tur#id su#stances do not descend, #ut "ush u"wards instead, there will #e s m"toms of distention, vomiting, hiccu"ing, or #elching of foul gases or sour li/uids! 2f <the clear< cannot #e "ro"erl raised u"wards # the s"leen, t "ical s m"toms that ma result are diarrhea, "rola"se of the stomach, "rola"se of the anus, or "rola"se of the uterus&vagina! Collected a(ings b( Dr/ 0u (Wu Yi #ui Jiang) "ointed out: <%mong the man thera"eutic a""roaches to s"leen and stomach disorders, none is su"erior to harmoni*ing the d namics of raising and descending!< 'mbalance of Dr(ness and Dampness- 2f dam"ness ham"ers the free unfolding of s"leen ang and thus the s"leen9s trans"orting a#ilit , the stomach function will immediatel #e affected and s m"toms of "oor a""etite or nausea will result! .n the other hand, if there is excessive heat and dr ness "resent in the stomach, this condition will in turn influence the function of the s"leen: fluids will #e scorched, resulting in consti"ation; or

the s"leen ang ma colla"se downward, causing s m"toms of fatigue, constant slee"iness, frail extremities, diarrhea, and a slow "ulse! tomach Disorder 'nfluencing the i" 1u Organs- 2f there is dr heat in the stomach, it scorches the #od 9s fluids; as a result, there will #e consti"ation, and the trans"orting function of the large intestine will #ecome severel inhi#ited! =am" heat in the s"leen&stomach <steaming< the neigh#oring gall#ladder can cause the #ile to overflow and "roduce @aundice! =own"ouring of dam" heat from the s"leen&stomach can have a detrimental effect on the tri"le warmer, the small intestine, and the #ladder, and thus cause s m"toms of dar$ and #urning urination or dri##ling urinar #loc$! 2n the stomach itself, dr heat or food stagnation usuall cause a loss of descending action, manifesting as e"igastric stuffiness, vomiting, #elching, acid regurgitation, a#dominal distention, or consti"ation! The pleen Cannot Contain the #lood .ithin the &essels- 2f s"leen /i decreases in strength, a loss of the s"leen9s function of containing the #lood within the vessels ma result! Jarious t "es of #leeding are thus sometimes associated with a deficienc of s"leen /i, "articularl recurrent hematomas, certain t "es of "ur"ura, and "rolonged menstrual #leeding! Gince s"leen'related hemorrhaging is alwa s caused # a deficienc s ndrome and usuall involves slow lea$age of "ale #lood, it should not #e confused with the acute loss of "rofuse amounts of dar$ red #lood caused # #lood heat! +nbalanced Mental Activit( $arming the pleen- 2f a "erson is involved in excessive worr ing, thin$ing in "ensive circles that lead nowhere, or sim"l has a mental focus that is too narrow or too intense, s"leen s m"toms such as loss of a""etite, general exhaustion, or inhi#ited /i flow 0causing insomnia, slee"iness, or lac$ of vision and mental clarit 1 ma graduall manifest! Mental and Ph(sical 2"haustion Ta3ing Their Toll on the pleen%ncient 4hinese texts "lace "articular em"hasis on the fact that an exertion #e ond one9s individual limits will result in in@ur to the /i of the s"leen&stomach! 2f a "erson is not allowed to recover from extreme exhaustion, there ma #e "ermanent wea$ness and fatigue, shallow #reathing and a decreased desire to tal$, heat sensations and s"ontaneous sweating, or asthmatic #reathing that comes on with even slight "h sical exertion! 2n "eijing terms: <;xertion fritters awa the /i!< The pleen 's +nable to !overn the 1lesh and the Muscles- Hrolonged sitting or l ing down is said to harm the s"leen, and thus cause atro"h of the muscles! Gince the s"leen governs the flesh la er, all disorders such as a heav and sore #od , slow healing wounds, #ed sores, emaciated arms and legs, the wea$ extremities of the chronicall #ed'ridden "atient, and certain t "es of "aral sis are results of s"leen in@ur !

pleen Disorder Affecting Changes in Appetite and Taste ensation% "oor a""etite, the feeling that <ever thing tastes li$e nothing,< a voracious a""etite, sugar cravings, or other "athological changes in a""etite or taste sensation usuall involve the s"leen&stomach networ$! %s the res"ective cha"ter in the historic reference wor$, An 'llustrated 2nc(clopedia 0$ushu Bian1, ex"lains: <Hoor a""etite is a sign of acute food stagnation or in@ur to the s"leen&stomach! 2f the "atient is hungr , #ut cannot get much of the food down, this is a sign of cold "athogens in the s"leen! 2f a "erson craves sweets, this is a sign of s"leen deficienc !<

Tonif( the spleen (.ith bland*s.eet flavors) ( !u %i& gan dan shi %i)dioscorea 0shanyao1, hoelen 0fuling1, lotus seed 0lianzi1, eur ale 0qianshi1, coix 0yiyiren1, dolichos 0biandou1! #uild the center and uplift 4i ( jian zhong yi 'i)- codono"sis 0dangshen1, atract lodes 0baizhu1, astragalus 0huangqi1, @u@u#e 0dazao1! 0arm the spleen (wen %i)- dr ginger 0ganjiang1, evodia 0wuzhuyu1, #lac$ "e""er 0hujiao1, *anthox lum 0shujiao1! Move the spleen (yun %i)- red atract lodes 0cangzhu1, magnolia #ar$ 0houpo1, cardamon 0sharen1, amomum 0baidoukou1! $armoni5e the center and regulate 4i ( li 'i)- citrus 0chenpi1, saussurea 0muxiang1, agastache 0huoxiang1, "erilla stal$ 0sugeng1, clove 0dingxiang1, galanga 0gaoliangjiang1! 2molliate acute central distress (huan ji)- licorice 0gancao1, @u@u#e 0dazao1, hone 0fengmi1! )aise central (ang and lift collapse ( sheng yang ju (ian)- cimicifuga 0shengma1, "ueraria 0gegen1, astragalus 0huangqi1! Dr( damp (zao shi)- red atract lodes 0cangzhu1, tsao'$uo 0caoguo1, cardamon 0sharen1, "inellia 0banxia1! Transform phlegm (hua tan)- citrus 0chenpi1, "inellia 0banxia1, #am#oo s$in 0zhuru1, #am#oo resin 0tianzhuhuang1, #am#oo sa" 0zhuli1, sina"is 0baijiezi1, arisaema 0tiannanxing1! Percolate damp (shen shi)- hoelen 0fuling1, coix 0yiyiren1! Disinhibit damp (li shi)- "ol "orus 0zhuling1, alisma 0zexie1, a$e#ia 0mutong1, ca"illaris 0yinchen1, "ol gonum 0bianxu1! Drive out .ater rheum (zhu yin)- *anthox lum seed 0jiaomu1, atract lodes 0baizhu1, eu"hor#ia 0daji1, da"hne 0yuanhua1, $an'sui 0gansui1, "h tolacca 0shanglu1!

6ourish stomach (in (yang wei yin)- o"hio"ogon 0maimendong1, u'chu 0yuzhu1, trichosanthes root 0tianhuafen1, dendro#ium 0shihu1! Clear stomach heat ('ing wei )e)- g "sum 0shigao1, co"tis 0huanglian1! Purge stomach fire ((ie wei huo)- rhu#ar# 0dahuang1, mira#ilitum 0mangxiao1! Dissolve food accumulation ((iao dao)- crataegus 0shanzha1, shen'chu 0shenqu1, malt 0maiya1, gallus 0jineijin1, chih'$o 0zhike1, ra"hanus 0laifuzi1! $armoni5e the stomach and descend rebellious 4i (he wei jiang ni)fresh ginger 0shengjiang1, "inellia 0banxia1, clove 0dingxiang1, agastache 0huoxiang1, hematite 0daizheshi1! Control acid (zhi suan)- evodia 0wuzhuyu1, co"tis 0huanglian1, cardamon 0sharen1, fritillaria 0zhe beimu1, cuttlefish #one 0wuzegu1, calcined o ster shell 0duan muli1!

Fust as the earth assumes the "osition of centeredness, #alance, and harmon in nature, the s"leen&stomach networ$ is the #od 9s center of #alance! %ll u" and down movements "ivot around it, and #oth dam" and dr /ualities come together here to form a "h siologicall #eneficial alliance! %s the main text of the fever school, Wen!ing $iao!ian, "oints out: <The s"leen should #e treated li$e the #eam of a scale: if it is not in hori*ontal #alance, it will not #e at "eace!< Treating the s"leen&stomach also re/uires the use of su#stances that are harmoniousl #alanced! Foods and her#s that are overl hot or cold or dr or moistening should #e avoided! %s a general rule, s"leen disorders are usuall of a deficient nature, re/uiring the tonification of central /i and the stimulation of the ascending movement of clear ang /i! Gtomach disorders, though the ma #e #ased on deficient functions, usuall involve excess or accumulation "ro#lems; accumulation needs to #e dissolved and guided out! Gince the functioning of #oth the s"leen and the stomach are closel tied to their res"ective directional momentum, "ro"er /i movement needs to #e restored in case of erratic movement! 2f the u"wardl mo#ile s"leen ang colla"ses downward 0diarrhea, organ "rola"se, etc!1, it should #e lifted # em"lo ing measures that tonif the s"leen and #oost central /i! 2f the stomach9s descending motion is u"set, as is the case with re#ellious stomach /i 0nausea, vomiting, etc!1, the situation should #e rectified # harmoni*ing the stomach and descending the re#ellious /i!

3er#s that eliminate "athological dam"ness are common s"leen thera"ies, including #itter her#s that dr dam", #land her#s that "ercolate dam", and s"ic her#s that #rea$ down and eliminate "hlegm and other t "es of "athological li/uid! The stomach is often treated with su#stances that nourish and "rotect its "h siological fluids: sweet and cold her#s that moisten dr ness; salt and cold her#s that clear stomach heat; and her#s that "rotect its in # clearing stomach heat, cleansing stomach fire, or in severe cases, effecting emetic or "urgative action! %s the "rinci"al flavor of harmon , sweet has a "rimar affinit to the earth networ$! Therefore, if the s"leen is in acute distress, sweet flavors can harmoni*e the s"leen and #e #eneficial to the "roduction of central /i! %s the "eijing "oints out: <Gweet generates the s"leen!< 2f sweet foods are used excessivel , however, the will "roduce "hlegm, o#struct transformation, and harm the flesh la er that is associated with the s"leen! Gwelling, #loating, and o#esit will result! %gain, this fundamental "rinci"le has #een recorded # the "eijing, stating that <sweet harms the flesh,< and <if the disease is in the flesh la er, the "atient should a#stain from the excessive consum"tion of sweet flavors!< When treating s"leen&stomach disorders, the s stem9s relationshi" to other organ networ$s needs to #e ta$en into consideration! Harticularl the liver9s over#earing influence needs to #e corrected if it is the original cause for the s"leen9s distress! G"leen tonics are therefore often accom"anied # her#s that smooth and emolliate the liver!

P7226 Q' D21'C'26C8 (%i 'i (u)- "rimar s m"toms include decreased a""etite; sallow com"lexion; fatigue; shallow #reathing or shortness of #reath; little desire to tal$; e"igastric and&or a#dominal #loating 0es"eciall after eating1; loose or unformed #owel movements! Gecondar s m"toms ma include wea$ or emaciated extremities; edematous extremities; inhi#ited urination; decreased amount of 0"ale colored1 menstrual flow! The tongue t "icall manifests with a "ale #od , toothmar$s, and a thin white coating; the "ulse tends to #e wea$ and slow! )epresentative $erbs- codono"sis 0dangshen1, astragalus 0huangqi1, atract lodes 0baizhu1, hoelen 0fuling1, dioscorea 0shanyao1, lotus seed 0lianzi1, coix 0yiyiren1, dolichos 0biandou1, @u@u#e 0dazao1; citrus 0chenpi1, shen'chu 0shenqu1! )epresentative 1ormulas- Four Ma@or 3er#s 4om#ination 0Si Junzi Tang1; Gix Ma@or 3er#s 4om#ination 0Liu Junzi Tang1!

DO060A)D CO77AP 2 O1 P7226 Q' ( %i 'i (ia (ian)- "rimar s m"toms include wea$ voice; shortness of #reath; fatigue; #loating sensation right after eating; "rola"sing sensation in stomach and a#domen 0wan fu *hong duo1; 0#ian i "inshuo1; or "ossi#l "rola"se of anus due to chronic diarrhea; or "rola"se of stomach or uterus! Gecondar s m"toms ma include di**iness; unclear sensor "erce"tion 0es"eciall #lurr vision1; "oor a""etite; s"ontaneous sweating; mental and "h sical fatigue; diarrhea! The tongue t "icall "resents with a "ale #od and a thin white coating; the "ulse tends to #e wea$ and em"t ! )epresentative $erbs- astragalus 0huangqi1, codono"sis 0dangshen1, atract lodes 0baizhu1, dioscorea 0shanyao1, dolichos 0biandou1, cimicifuga 0shengma1, "ueraria 0gegen1; #u"leurum 0chaihu1, citrus 0chenpi1! )epresentative 1ormula- Kinseng and %stragalus 4om#ination 07u*hong Di/i Tang1! TOMAC$ 8'6 D21'C'26C8 (wei yin (u)- "rimar s m"toms include dr li"s; fre/uent thirst sensation; dr throat; stic$ sensation in the mouth; "oor a""etite; sensation of em"tiness, stuc$ness, or "ain in e"igastric region! Gecondar s m"toms ma include hunger sensation without desire for food; consti"ation; restlessness; sensations of surging heat! The tongue t "icall "resents with a red #od and a mirror surface without coating, or with a red #od and little coating, or with a dr tongue and little moisture; the "ulse tends to #e fine and ra"id! )epresentative $erbs- glehnia 0bei shashen1, o"hio"ogon 0maimendong1, u'chu 0yuzhu1, dendro#ium 0shihu1, raw rehmannia 0sheng dihuang1, trichosanthes root 0tianhuafen1, %sian "ear @uice 0li zhi1, sugar cane @uice 0ganzhe zhi1; #am#oo s$in 0zhuru1! )epresentative 1ormulas- Klehnia and ."hio"ogon Formula 0Shashen Maidong in1, 7oost the Gtomach =ecoction 0 iwei Tang1! P7226 8A6! D21'C'26C8 (%i yang (u)- "rimar s m"toms are s"leen /i deficienc s m"toms with an em"hasis on cold signs, such as a#dominal "ain that im"roves with the a""lication of heat and "ressure; cold extremities; "oor a""etite; a#dominal #loating; loose or unformed stools! Gecondar s m"toms include decreased taste sensation; little desire to drin$; edematous extremities; inhi#ited urination; increased amounts of clear vaginal discharge! The tongue t "icall "resents with a "ale and tender #od and a white and sli""er coating; the "ulse tends to #e dee" and fine, or dee" and slow! )epresentative $erbs- dr ginger 0ganjiang1, aconite 0fuzi1, evodia 0wuzhuyu1, *anthox lum 0chuanjiao1, clove 0dingxiang1, atract lodes 0baizhu1, codono"sis 0dangshen1!

)epresentative 1ormulas- Kinseng and Kinger 4om#ination 0Lizhong Tang1, Fill the G"leen Formula; Magnolia and %tract lodes 4om#ination 0Shipi in1! CO7D DAMP O# T)+CT'6! T$2 P7226 (han shi *un %i)- "rimar s m"toms are a general sense of heaviness in the #od and&or the head; discomfort or #loating in the a#domen or e"igastric region; reduced taste sensation; little or no thirst; a#dominal "ain; unformed stools or diarrhea! Gecondar s m"toms include no a""etite; nausea and vomiting; stic$ sensation in mouth; "uff face; edematous extremities; #ags under the e es; increased vaginal discharge! The tongue is t "icall fat and has a greas white coating; the "ulse tends to #e soft and moderate! )epresentative $erbs- red atract lodes 0cangzhu1, atract lodes 0baizhu1, hoelen 0fuling1, magnolia #ar$ 0houpo1, citrus 0chenpi1, "inellia 0banxia1, tsao'$uo 0caoguo1, agastache 0huoxiang1, 0peilan1, "erilla stal$ 0 zi sugeng1! )epresentative 1ormulas- Magnolia and 4itrus 4om#ination 0!ingwei San1; Magnolia and 3oelen 4om#ination 0"ei Ling Tang1! DAMP $2AT 'MP7'CAT'6! T$2 P7226 ( shi )e yun %i)- "rimar s m"toms are stuff sensation in the su#costal and e"igastric regions; a#dominal #loating; "oor a""etite; dr and stic$ sensation in mouth; aversion to greas foods; nausea and vomiting; general sensation of heaviness; @aundiced e es and face! Gecondar s m"toms ma #e #od itch; fever; dar$ and scant urination; o#structed #owel movements! The tongue t "icall "resents with a greas and ellow coating; the "ulse tends to #e soft and ra"id! )epresentative $erbs- ca"illaris 0yinchen1, #am#oo s$in 0zhuru1, red atract lodes 0cangzhu1, atract lodes 0baizhu1, hoelen 0fuling1, "ol "orus 0zhuling1, alisma 0zexie1, chih'shih 0zhishi1! )epresentative 1ormulas- 4a"illaris and 3oelen Five Formula 0 inchen "uling San1; 4a"illaris and 3oelen Four Formula 0 inchen Siling San1! T$2 P7226 CA66OT CO6TA'6 T$2 #7OOD 0'T$'6 T$2 &2 27 (%i !u tong (ue)- "rimar s m"toms are general signs of s"leen /i deficienc , such as "ale face and tendenc towards diarrhea, accom"anied # signs of #leeding, such as #lood in the stool, nose #leed, gum #leeding, su#cutaneous #leeding 0"ur"ura1, increased amounts of menstrual #leeding or continuous s"otting! Gecondar s m"toms ma include other s"leen deficienc s m"toms, such as decreased a""etite; fatigue, #loating after eating; shallow #reathing or shortness of #reath; cold extremities; s$inn constitution! The tongue t "icall "resents with a "ale #od and a white coating; the "ulse tends to #e soft, fine, and wea$!

)epresentative $erbs- codono"sis 0dangshen1, astragalus 0huangqi1, atract lodes 0baizhu1, tang'$uei 0danggui1, dioscorea 0shanyao1, lotus seed 0lianzi1, roasted ginger 0paojiang1, longan 0longyanrou1, #a$ed licorice 0zhi gancao1! )epresentative 1ormula- Kinseng and (ongan 4om#ination 0#uipi Tang1!