Zang-Fu theory is a concept within traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that describes the functions of the organs of the body and the interactions that occur between them. Zang 臟 refers to the yin organs - heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, pericardium - whilst Fu 腑 refers to the yang organs - small intestine, large intestine, gall bladder, urinary bladder, stomach and san jiao. Each of the twelve zang-fu organs listed have a corresponding organ, except the pericardium and san jiao which both describe functions that are not related to an organ. A recognised protocol in TCM texts will capitalise the first letter of the organ name when referring to the TCM concept of the organ (for example Liver, instead of liver; Spleen instead of spleen). Each zang is paired with a fu, and each pair are assigned to one of the five elements. TCM shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ...

The functions of the organs

Each organ has unique and distinct functions according to TCM; each organ also has a unique way of disfunctioning. A thorough understanding of each organ's signs of function and disfunction will give insight into the process of disease and illness according to TCM. In TCM theory, the description of each organ often defines a number of functions throughout the body, not just the biomedically recognised function of the organ itself.

The Lung

The function of the Lung is to descend and disperse qi throughout the body. It receives qi through the breath, and exhales the waste. The Lung governs the skin and hair and also governs the exterior (one part of immunity). A properly functioning Lung organ will ensure the skin and hair are of good quality and that the immune system is strong and able to fight disease. The normal direction of the Lung is downwards, when Lung qi "rebels" it goes upwards, causing coughing and wheezing. When the Lung is weak, there can be skin conditions such as eczema, thin or brittle hair, and a propensity to catching colds and flu. The Lung is weakened by dryness. QI, standing for Quite Interesting, is a comedy panel game television show shown on BBC Two and BBC Four and hosted by Stephen Fry. ...

The Liver

The function of the Liver is to ensure the smooth flow of qi throughout the body. The liver governs the sinews and tendons. A properly functioning Liver organ will ensure that the tendons are properly nourished and not too tense or gristly. The normal direction of Liver qi is downwards, when Liver qi "rebels" it can attack the Spleen causing nausea and poor appetite, it can rebel upwards causing tenseness in the shoulders and headaches, or it can stop flowing and become stagnant - leading to irritability and anger. When the Liver is disfunctional there can be conditions such as headaches, premenstrual symptoms, tense muscles, loss of appetite, insomnia, anger, irritability and frustration.

The Spleen

The function of the Spleen is to transform food and drink into qi and blood and transport these substances around the body. The Spleen governs the extremeties, the muscles and the blood vessels. When the Spleen is functioning well, digestion will be good, the muscles will be strong and circulation will be strong. When the Spleen is weak there can be nausea, this often occurs when the Liver "attacks" the Spleen. Cold hands and feet, lack of muscle tone, easy bruising or poor concentration can be signs that the Spleen is weak. The Spleen is weakened by dampness.

The Kidney

The Heart

The association between the zangfu and particular souls or spirits is a later accretion and has been largely absent from the discourse of traditional Chinese medicine for at least the past 200 years.

This theory treats each of the Zang organs as organs that nourish the body. The Zang systems include organs, senses, emotions, and the musculoskeletal system--essentially, the entire person divided into five categorical systems. Zang organs are also known as yin organs, and each has a Fu partner, a yang organ (see Yin Yang). Fu organs can be viewed as hollow organs that aid in digestion. In addition to bodily functions, each Zang organ is the home of an aspect of the spirit. Yin may refer to: Yin Dynasty, another name for the first historic Chinese nation and dynasty, the Shang. ... Look up yang in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Taoists Taijitu The concept of Yin Yang originates in ancient Chinese philosophy, most likely from the observations of day turning into night and night into day. ...

With a thorough understanding of the Zang Fu organs, practitioners can achieve therapeutic results accordingly. The theory is always in service of practical, therapeutic application, with the goal of an "elegant" treatment. An elegant treatment uses the least amount of force for the greatest therapeutic benefit, and requires true mastery of the art of traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM shop in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. ...

The five elements are associated energetically with the following Zang-Fu organs

• Wood: Liver, home of the Hun (魂, Ethereal Soul), paired with the Gall Bladder
• Fire: Heart, home of the Shen (神, Aggregate Soul) paired with the Small intestine (and secondarily, the San Jiao or Triple burner and Pericardium)
• Earth: Spleen, home of the Yi (意?, Intellect), paired with the Stomach
• Water: Kidney, home of the Zhi (志?, Will), paired with the Bladder
• Metal: Lung, home of the Po (魄, Corporeal Soul), paired with the Large Intestine

Distinct from the Western medical concept of Liver, the concept of the Liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Gall Bladder, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Heart, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Small Intestine, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... The San Jiao (三焦) is a traditional Chinese medical (TCM) concept of a functional organ that is not found outside of TCM (see Zang Fu theory). ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Pericardium, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Spleen, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Stomach, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Kidneys, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Urinary bladder, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated functions than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Lungs, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ... As distinct from the Western medical concept of Large Intestine, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. ...

See also

• Acupuncture
• Five elements
• Traditional Chinese medicine