The five zang organs are:
The six fu organs are:
Each of these organs is affiliated to one of the Five Elements, and is either Yin or Yang. Yin organs have a corresponding Yang organ, and vice versa.
The following table illustrate their association.
Five Zang (Yin) | Six Fu (Yang) | Element |
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The facial blood vessels can show the condition of the heart:
The heart also regulates the flow of qi, which affects the emotions. The symptoms of disharmony include cold hands, lack of vigour or tiredness.
The heart is closely linked with emotions and mental activities, and also with the Shen, or Spirit. In time of disharmony, the person will display some of these symptoms:
The liver stores and regulates blood volume. It is closely linked to menstruation, the eyes, tendons and sinews, and nails. The nails reflect the health of the Liver.
The symptoms of disharmony include:
The soul and the spirit have the blood as their foundation. The Chinese believes that, as the liver stores blood, it also stores the soul.
Deficiency of yin and blood in the liver or excess of yang in the liver will cause irritability in a person.
Sufficient blood in the liver will show in strong and pink nails; insufficient blood in the liver will show in thin, soft and pale nails.
The symptoms of disharmony are: Bloating, poor appetite, tiredness, loose stools, weight gain, food intolerance, nausea, high or low thirst.
It also transports bodily fluids and maintains fluid balance.
The spleen regulates the flow of blood in the blood vessels. It helps to nourish the limbs and muscles. A healthy spleen will mean strong limbs and muscles. A weak spleen will mean heaviness and weakness of arms and legs, poor muscle tone and atrophy.
It also controls the flow of blood in the arteries and veins, and prevents bleeding, prolapse, diarrhea and spontaneous brusing.
The mouth and Spleen are related through the muscles, therefore the health of the Spleen is reflected in the lips. Ample qi and blood will show in red and lustrous lips; deficiency of blood in the spleen will result in pale lips, and problem with sense of taste.
Intellect resides in the Spleen. Poor Spleen energy can cause mental confusion, poor concentration, muzzy-headedness and forgetfulness.
The lung regulates the movement of fluids and qi in the body; a fall directs qi downwards to the kidneys and urinary bladder to maintain the normal flow and expulsion of bodily fluids. It also disperses the Wei Qi (defence energy) through the body and to the skin and muscle. In sending the Wei Qi to the skin, the lung also influence the pores. Healthy skin reflects good lung function and is more resistant to pathogens.
Breathing massages the colon via the diaphragm and helps to ensure regular bowel movement. Disharmony of lung could lead to constipation.
Through the blood, hair is nourished by kidney king. Therefore, thick and glossy hairs reflect young and healthy kidneys, while hair loss, premature balding and greying reflect weak and old kidneys.
The Kidneys store reproductive Qi, which is linked to inherited Qi. Some symptoms of disharmony include: Infertility, impotence, retarded development, premature ageing, menarche to menopause.