Harmonizing to Maciocia, “ Interrelation is the kernel of Chinese medical specialty since the organic structure is regarded as an incorporate whole. ” ( Maciocia, 2005, p. 171 ) Therefore, even though the five Zang variety meats, which are known in TCM theory as the Heart, Lungs, Spleen, Liver and Kidneys, have their ain critical maps, they are besides interrelated and coordinated in order to keep a balance among the Internal Organs.
Hence, in order to understand them decently, it is of import that these critical maps are non considered in isolation but are seen as an inseparable portion of all the maps since the human organic structure is seen as an organic whole that depends on keeping balance and harmoniousness in order to accomplish optimum wellness ( Liu, 2009 ) .
The Heart and Lungs are interrelated through Qi and Blood ; the Heart governs Blood and the Lungs govern Qi. “ Qi and Blood reciprocally assist and nourish each other. ” ( Maciocia, 2005, p. 28 ) Although the Heart controls the circulation of Blood, it relies on the Lungs to supply the Qi to do Blood circulate. Conversely, the Lungs rely on Blood from the Heart as Blood nourishes Qi, hence if Qi circulates good so does Blood. Consequently, Lung-Qi lack can take to Heart-Qi stagnancy, which in bend can take to Heart-Blood stagnancy which manifests with palpitations, chest hurting and bluish lips ( Maciocia, 2005 ) . Alternatively, if the Heart is diseased so this will impair the scattering of Lung-Qi ensuing in stringency in the thorax, shortness of breath, coughing and laboured external respiration ( Liu, 2009 ) .
The Heart and Liver are interrelated through Blood. The Heart governs Blood whereas the Liver shops Blood and regulates Blood volume. Therefore, a Liver-Blood lack can frequently take to a Heart-Blood lack, ensuing in palpitations and insomnia ( Maciocia, 2005 ) . Alternatively, if Heart-Blood is lacking, it can impact the Liver ‘s occupation of modulating Blood volume doing giddiness and inordinate dreaming ( Maciocia, 2005 ) . The Heart and Liver besides reciprocally back up each other on a mental degree. “ Blood is the material footing for mental and emotional activities. ” ( Liu, 2009, p. 93 ) The Heart houses the Mind which controls mental activity, while the Liver ensures the emotions flow swimmingly. A lack of both Heart-Blood and Liver-Blood causes undernourishment of the Mind ensuing in symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia and perchance dream-disturbed slumber ( Liu, 2009 ) .
The chief component of the relationship between the Heart and Kidneys is one of harmoniousness between Fire and Water. The Heart resides in the Upper Burner and belongs to Fire which is Yang in nature. The Kidneys reside in the Lower Burner and belong to Water which is Yin in nature. In order to keep harmoniousness, Heart-Yang descends to warm Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yin ascends to wash Heart-Yang. ( Liu, 2009 ) This changeless interaction is referred to as “ the common support of Water and Fire ” . ( Liu, 2009, p. 93 ) If Kidney-Yin is lacking, it ca n’t go up to nurture Heart-Yin doing Empty-Heat of Heart-Fire ensuing in palpitations, mental restlessness, insomnia, ruddy flushed cheeks and dark workout suits ( Maciocia, 2005 ) . A lack in Heart-Yang can ensue in Heart-Fire non able to fall to help Kidney-Yang ensuing in palpitations, hydrops and dyspnoea ( Liu, 2009 ) .
The relationship between the Liver and Lungs is one of Blood and Qi ; the Liver shops Blood and ensures the smooth flow of Qi and the Lungs govern Qi. Therefore, the Liver relies on Qi from the Lungs to modulate Blood and likewise, Lung-Qi requires wet and nutriment from Liver-Blood in order to flux swimmingly. Another facet of this relationship is the way of flow of their single Qi ; the rise of Liver-Qi is reliant on the descending of Lung-Qi and frailty versa. “ Both variety meats must work usually for Qi to be regulated decently. ” ( Liu, 2009, p. 95 ) Consequently, stagnancy of Liver-Qi in the thorax and Liver-Qi weakness to go up to the Lungs can hinder the flow of Lung-Qi doing cough, shortness of breath and hypochondrial distention. Conversely, a lack in Lung-Qi will forestall Liver-Qi from lifting ensuing in Liver-Qi stagnancy doing languor, depression, cough and hypochondrial hurting. ( Maciocia, 2005 )
There is a close relationship between the Liver and Spleen, in which the Liver shops Blood and the Spleen makes Blood ( Maciocia, 2005 ) . Proper digestion and the normal circulation of Blood besides rely on the close cooperation between the Liver and Spleen. ( Liu, 2009 ) The smooth flow of Liver-Qi AIDSs the Spleen ‘s map of transmutation and transit assisting digestion. Therefore, stagnancy of Liver-Qi will forestall the Spleen-Qi go uping ensuing in abdominal distention, hypochondriac hurting and diarrhea. “ If the Liver loses its fictile nature, it can “ occupy ” and do break of the Spleen. ” ( Kaptchuk, 2000, p. 82 ) Conversely, if Spleen-Qi is lacking this can ensue in undigested nutrient which can impact Liver-Qi, ensuing in abdominal distention, hypochondriac hurting and crossness ( Maciocia, 2005 ) . Additionally, if the maps of the Spleen are impaired, Blood volume is reduced taking to a Liver-Blood lack. ( Liu, 2009 )
The Liver and Kidneys reciprocally back up each other through Blood and Essence ; the Liver shops Blood and the Kidneys shop Essence. Liver-Blood continually nourishes and replenishes Kidney-Essence which in bend contributes to doing Blood ( Maciocia, 2005 ) . “ Essence and blood are interchangeable, when one is deficient, it can be supplemented by the other. ” ( Wu, 2010 ) A lack in Kidney-Essence can take to a Blood lack doing giddiness, tinnitus and bleary vision. Similarly, a Liver-Blood lack can take to a Kidney-Essence lack because of the deficiency of nutriment from Liver-Blood ensuing in hearing loss, tinnitus and nocturnal emanations. Insufficient Kidney-Yin will neglect to nurture Liver-Yin taking to a Liver-Yin lack. This will ensue in hyperactivity of Liver-Yang causation blurred vision, tinnitus, giddiness, crossness, and concerns ( Maciocia, 2005 ) .
The relationship between the Spleen and Lungs is one of common aid in the formation of Qi. The Spleen produces Qi and the Lungs govern Qi. Therefore, Spleen-Qi benefits Lung-Qi by continually supplying Food-Qi upward to the Lungs where it combines with air to organize Gathering Qi. Similarly, Lung-Qi influences Spleen-Qi whereby the Spleen relies on Lung-Qi falling to help the Spleen in executing the transmutation and transit of nutrient and Body Fluids. Hence “ the Spleen is the beginning of Qi and the Lungs are the axis of Qi. ” ( Maciocia, 2005, p. 172 ) Therefore, a Spleen-Qi lack can ensue in deficient Lung-Qi causation fatigue, weak limbs, shortness of breath and a weak voice. Spleen-Qi lack can besides ensue in the accretion of fluids, which form Phlegm and impair the Lungs. Alternatively, Lung-Qi lack will impact the Spleen doing hydrops ( Maciocia, 2005 ) .
The Spleen and Kidneys are related through common nutriment. The Spleen is the root of Post-Heaven Qi, whereas the Kidneys are the root of Pre-Heaven Qi. Hence, the Spleen relies on being warmed by Kidney-Yang in order to transform and transport nutrient kernel. Alternatively, the copiousness of Kidney-Essence relies on a continual supply of Food-Qi transported by the Spleen ( Liu, 2009 ) . Therefore, if Spleen-Qi is lacking it will be unable to refill Kidney-Essence, doing symptoms such as fatigue, tinnitus, giddiness and lower back aching. If Kidney-Yang is lacking, it will be unable to warm the Spleen ensuing in diarrhea and coldness ( Maciocia, 2005 ) . They besides provide common aid in relation to the transmutation and transit of Body Fluids. A lack in Spleen-Qi can ensue in the accretion of fluids organizing Dampness, which can impair the Kidneys ‘ map of regulating H2O and aggravate Dampness more. Conversely, a Kidney-Yang is lack can ensue in Dampness or hydrops, coolness and diarrhea ( Maciocia, 2005 ) .
The Lungs and Kidneys are interrelated chiefly through Qi and fluids. In relation to Qi, the Lungs govern Qi and respiration and the Kidneys shops Qi. Lung-Qi descends to pass on with the Kidneys, which respond by keeping Qi down. If Kidney-Qi is weak, it will neglect to keep the falling Lung-Qi ensuing in asthma, shortness of breath and cough ( Maciocia, 2005 ) . In relation to fluids, the Lungs regulate Water transitions and direct fluids down to the Kidneys, which respond by evaporating some of the fluids and directing them back up to wash the Lungs. “ Kidneys govern Water and the Lungs are the Upper Source of Water. ” ( Maciocia, 2005, p. 180 ) If Lung-Qi is lacking, it loses its ability to direct fluids down to the Kidneys ensuing in keeping of piss or incontinency. A lack in Kidney-Yin consequences in a deficiency of fluids doing Lung-Yin lack, bring forthing symptoms such as dry cough, dry pharynx at dark and dark workout suits ( Maciocia, 2005 ) .
The Spleen and Heart are interrelated through the formation and circulation of Blood. The Spleen makes Blood and the Heart governs Blood and controls Blood vass. The Spleen “ is the beginning of Blood as it produces Food-Qi, which is the footing for the formation of Blood. ” ( Maciocia, 2005, p. 62 ) When Spleen-Qi is in copiousness, the beginning of Blood is besides in copiousness and the Heart is good nourished. A lack in Spleen-Qi, whereby it is unable to bring forth adequate Blood, can frequently take to a Heart-Blood lack ensuing in palpitations, insomnia, giddiness and hapless memory. Conversely, as Heart-Yang pushes Blood in the vass and the Spleen is nourished by Heart-Blood, a lack in Heart-Yang can decrease the Spleen ‘s nutriment ( Maciocia, 2005 ) .
