Heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys

The heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes the entire health status of the human body to the heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys. The physical condition can be understood by taking the pulse. The veins of one hand are the heart, liver and spleen, and the veins of the other hand are the spleen, lungs and kidneys. There is a huge difference between the concepts of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. The kidney in Western medicine refers to the kidneys, while the kidney in traditional Chinese medicine covers a very broad range. The kidneys are the foundation of the innate constitution, and the spleen is the foundation of the acquired constitution.

The kidney, which is the innate foundation, needs to be maintained by the spleen, which is the acquired foundation. Simply put, the innate foundation is the physical condition given by our parents, and the acquired foundation is our daily diet. If you want to be healthy, you must understand the functions of the heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys, and regulate your physical condition in a timely manner.

The heart governs the mind and is the master of higher central nervous system activities; it is the master of the body, the ruler of the internal organs and bones; it governs the blood vessels, and its beauty is on the face; it governs sweat, and its orifice is on the tongue.

The liver stores blood and has the function of storing and regulating blood, hence the saying that "the liver governs the sea of ​​blood." When a person lies down, blood returns to the liver, and the liver opens to the eyes. The liver governs the tendons, and its essence is in the nails; it governs the release of qi, and helps the spleen and stomach digest food. When the liver qi rises, the qi movement is smooth; when the liver qi is stagnant, one becomes restless and uneasy. The liver is responsible for planning and thinking, and when the liver qi is depressed, one becomes restless and unable to think carefully.

The spleen is responsible for transporting and transforming the essence of food and water, distributing it throughout the body and maintaining life. The spleen and stomach are the source of blood metabolism, so they are called "the foundation of acquired constitution." Therefore, a person's acquired physical condition and health are closely related to the spleen.

The lungs control all kinds of qi and regulate breathing. They inhale fresh air and combine it with the essence of water and grain transformed by the spleen to transform it into vital energy to sustain life. The lungs are connected to all the meridians, and the circulation of qi and blood depends on the lungs. The lungs are involved in the body's water metabolism and regulate the water channels. The lungs open up to the nose and control the skin and hair. All skin, nose, and throat diseases are related to the lungs.

When the kidney qi is strong, people have sharp ears and eyes, strong digestion and absorption, abundant energy, straight neck and bright skin, which can delay aging by decades.

To keep the heart, liver, spleen, lungs and kidneys healthy, you must maintain a good attitude and continue to exercise properly. Proper exercise can help our metabolism, accelerate the transportation and excretion of nutrients and waste. According to Chinese medicine, the inside and outside are connected, and external exercise can strengthen the function of the organs in the body. Adequate sleep gives our bodies time to repair themselves.