TCM Syndrome Differentiation of Spleen Deficiency

The spleen is one of the five internal organs in traditional Chinese medicine. It is not the same concept as the "spleen" referred to in modern anatomy. The diagnosis of "spleen deficiency" in traditional Chinese medicine is based on a series of symptoms caused by the decline of the spleen's physiological function. Therefore, before understanding "spleen deficiency", we must first understand the physiological functions of the spleen.

The "spleen" in traditional Chinese medicine has three major physiological functions. The first is "transportation and transformation"; the second is "raising the clear"; the third is "regulating the blood".

According to traditional Chinese medicine, after birth, the spleen relies on its "transportation and transformation" function, which works with the stomach to absorb nutrients from the diet, transform them into qi and blood, nourish the body, and maintain life activities. Chinese medicine practitioners of all dynasties have attached great importance to the spleen's "transportation and transformation" function, believing that the spleen is the "source of qi and blood production" and the "foundation of acquired constitution", especially for conditioning those with weak constitutions, promoting growth and development of children, or delaying aging of middle-aged and elderly people. For patients, the spleen's "transportation and transformation" function is normal and the prognosis of the disease is good.

The spleen's transportation and transformation functions are normal, which is manifested by ruddy complexion, abundant energy, plump and powerful muscles, and a full pulse. If the spleen's "transportation and transformation" function is impaired, the following two types of symptoms will appear: First, the function of digesting food is impaired, which is manifested as no feeling of hunger, loss of appetite, reduced food intake, and abdominal distension after eating, especially after fatigue, when the abdominal distension is significantly aggravated. Decreased digestive function will inevitably reduce nutrient absorption, resulting in sallow complexion, muscle wasting, general weakness, pale tongue and weak pulse. Secondly, the spleen's function of "transporting and transforming" water is reduced, which can be seen as thin and unformed stools, swelling of the lower limbs after fatigue, drooling from the corners of the mouth after falling asleep, an enlarged tongue, and teeth marks on the edges of the tongue.

The second function of the spleen is to "raise the clear". What does "Shengqing" mean? "Sheng" means to transport upward; "Qing" refers to the nutrients in the body. The spleen's function of ascending clear fluid is mainly reflected in two aspects: one is to continuously transport nutrients to the head to maintain the normal physiological activities of various tissues and organs in the head. People with normal ascending function are energetic, quick thinking, sharp hearing and eyes, and are not easily tired. If the function of ascending clear fluid is reduced and the head is insufficiently supplied with nourishment, mental fatigue, lack of brain power, decreased work efficiency, inattention, dizziness, or drowsiness after meals, or temporary blockage in the ears, or incomplete closing of the eyes after falling asleep, etc. Second, the clear qi has the function of "supporting" the internal organs and tissues. The reason why the internal organs and other tissues and organs of the human body can maintain relatively fixed positions in the body is related to the spleen's function of ascending clearness. When this function declines, symptoms of "clear qi sinking" will appear, such as prolapse of internal organs, rectal prolapse, and uterine prolapse. "Clear Qi sinking" will also cause some special symptoms, such as wanting to defecate after meals, diarrhea after drinking cold drinks or eating greasy food, turbid urine when tired, etc. This indicates that "clear qi sinking" causes some nutrients to be lost through urination and defecation.

The third function of the spleen is to “regulate blood”. "Regulating blood" means that the spleen can make blood flow steadily in blood vessels without overflowing outside the vessels. This is the "control and consolidation" function of the spleen. When the spleen's blood-regulating function is impaired, bleeding is likely to occur, such as subcutaneous bleeding with purple bruises, gastrointestinal bleeding with hematemesis (coffee-colored vomitus), blood in the stool (tarry stool), or excessive menstruation or prolonged bleeding in women.

To sum up, when the three major functions of the spleen are diminished and the above-mentioned symptoms appear, they can all be diagnosed as "spleen deficiency". But everyone's performance will have different focuses.

There are many reasons for spleen deficiency, which are generally caused by eating disorders, long-term or serious illness, excessive physical and mental fatigue, or laziness and lack of exercise. According to investigation and statistics, spleen deficiency is more common in children and middle-aged and elderly people.

Modern research has confirmed that spleen deficiency can lead to decreased immune function, reduced external defense capabilities resulting in frequent colds and diarrhea, and reduced internal anti-mutation capabilities resulting in susceptibility to cancer. Diseases related to spleen deficiency include indigestion, leukopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, anemia, chronic colitis, childhood malnutrition, myasthenia gravis, gastrointestinal neurosis, etc.

Mild spleen deficiency can be corrected through dietary adjustments. It is advisable to eat spleen-strengthening foods such as red dates, yam, white lentils, coix seed, glutinous rice porridge, millet porridge, beef juice, royal jelly, maltose, etc.

Commonly used prescriptions for treating spleen deficiency include Sijunzi Decoction, Shenling Baizhu Powder, Buzhong Yiqi Decoction, Guipi Pills, etc.

In addition, you should eat at regular times and in regular amounts, avoid overeating or being hungry for a long time, get enough sleep, and do a certain amount of exercise every day. It is generally best not to feel tired the next day.