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The organs which are referred to in TCM mean a different thing from the anatomic organs known to conventional Western medicine. In addition, TCM links the organs, their functions and interactions in ways which may not make sense from an anatomic and physiological point of view.

However, through thousands of years of observation, TCM has come up with a paradigm that can assist the physician with effective treatment based on conjectures which are fairly consistent with classic symptoms and their external manifestations. Most of the organ functions and interactions in TCM cannot be demonstrated in the laboratory. We now know that some of the ancient beliefs of the TCM masters are incorrect. However, this ancient philosophy of diagnosis and treatment, even though it is based on very little real understanding of medical science, is still highly effective and reliable.

The modern physician has many tools at his disposal and has the benefit of knowing exactly how organs interact on a molecular level. Nevertheless, TCM, in all its imprecision, provides an alternative and complimentary treatment modality that will only benefit the patient.

TCM classifies organs into 5 zang 脏, 6 fu 腑 and the 奇恒.

Heart
The heart “governs” blood. The heart’s yang qi is what drives blood in the vessels. From the TCM point of view, the heart also produces blood. The heart makes blood by combining body fluid with nutritive qi. Besides governing blood, the heart also houses the body’s “spirit”. In other words, it is the person’s mind. Extreme joy is said to hurt the heart. The condition of the heart is manifested on the face and tongue. The heart also produces a fluid. Heart fluid is sweat.

The heart is closely related to the small intestine. Any condition in one “organ” will affect the other. The heart come under fire in the 5 Element Theory. It is promoted by wood (liver) and restrained by water (kidney).

Lungs
The lungs govern all qi in the body. It is closely related to the large intestines and the condition of the lungs can be observed from the skin and body hair condition. Grief is the emotional state that harms the lung. The lung’s opening is the nose. Lung fluid is mucus.

The lungs govern ascending nutritive qi which nourishes the head and neck region. It also pushes qi downwards for impurities to be excreted by the bowels and kidneys. Normal lung function will circulate body fluids effectively throughout the body. Normal lung function is also required to circulate the blood in the entire body.

In the 5 Element Theory, the lung is considered metal in nature. It is derived from earth (spleen) and restrained by fire (heart).

Spleen
The spleen is mainly involved in digestion of food and the transport of fluid in the body. Besides this, the spleen also governs the integrity of blood vessels, making sure there is no leakage of blood when it is transported throughout the body. The organ or fu closely associated with the spleen is the stomach.

Condition of the spleen is seen externally in the muscles and the mouth. Like the heart and lungs, emotional states will affect the spleen. Mental strain taxes the spleen and affects its function. The spleen produces a fluid and that is saliva.

In the 5 Element Theory, spleen is represents earth. It is derived from fire (heart) and restrained by wood (liver).

Liver
Closely associated with the fu gall bladder, liver qi mainly governs the diffusion of blood and other substances in the lower half of the body. In TCM, the production of sperm and regulation of menstruation is controlled by the liver. The liver also governs our emotions. Any blockage or weakening of qi in the liver will result in bad temper. Anger is the emotion that damages the liver. Condition of the liver is manifested in the eyes and tendons.

Closer to Western medicine, TCM also believes that the liver produces bile and stores it in the gall bladder. Like Western medicine, TCM says that the liver stores blood.

In the 5 Element Theory, liver is represented by wood. It is restrained by the lung (metal) and drived from kidney (water).

Kidney
Kidneys stores and produces jing 精 or essence. Kidney essence is partly innate and partly derived. The abstract concept of kidney essence is something that has both yin and yang functions. It nourishes the yin in all the organs. It also nourishes the yang or qi in all the organs. Any yin deficiency affecting the kidney will eventually affect the yin of all the organs. Any yang deficiency affecting the kidney will eventually result in yang deficiency of all the other organs.

The kidney also governs water as in Western medicine. From what we’ve seen so far, TCM believes that the stomach absorbs water. The lung pushes the water upwards and downwards. The spleen further processes the water, pushing beneficial fluids using spleen qi.

The downward movement of waste water is facilitated by the liver. Waste water is then excreted by the kidneys through the bladder which is also the fu organ related to the kidney as in Western medicine. Thus, also in TCM, the fluid produced by the kidney is urine.

TCM also believes that the kidneys can store up qi that the lungs have absorbed. Only when kidney essence is sufficient can it play its role of storing up qi and regulating the yin and yang balance of the organs. When kidney essence is insufficient, the storage of qi is impaired. This results in shortness of breath.

What about external manifestations? According to TCM, the kidney produces bone marrow, brain and bone. It’s condition is also reflected in the hair and ears. Insufficient kidney essence in children can cause brittle bones and loss of teeth. Insufficient kidney essence may also present as early loss of hair and deafness, tinnitus. Like the other organs, the kidney is affected by emotions. Fright or terror is damaging to the kidney.