The Stomach
The Stomach is considered to be the most important of the Yang organs. It is paired with the Spleen under the influence of the Earth Element. The roles of the two organs are extremely closely linked, which is partly why the Stomach is considered so important. In fact with the Stomach and Spleen we see the merging, and mingling of Yin and Yang in lots of unusual ways, which makes sense as the Earth element is often depicted as being in the middle of the Element cycle.
In Chinese Medicine Stomach and Spleen energy are seen to be fundamental to our health. So long as the Stomach Qi is strong, the prognosis is said to be good.
This is because between them, they are said to be ‘The Root of Post Heavenly Qi’, that is the Qi that is produced from the food, drink and air we ingest after birth.
The Stomach – The controller of rotting and ripening
The Stomach is considered to be the most important of the Yang organs. It is paired with the Spleen under the influence of the Earth Element. The roles of the two organs are extremely closely linked, which is partly why the Stomach is considered so important. In fact with the Stomach and Spleen we see the merging, and mingling of Yin and Yang in lots of unusual ways, which makes sense as the Earth element is often depicted as being in the middle of the Element cycle.
In Chinese Medicine Stomach and Spleen energy are seen to be fundamental to our health. So long as the Stomach Qi is strong, the prognosis is said to be good.
This is because between them, they are said to be ‘The Root of Post Heavenly Qi’, that is the Qi that is produced from the food, drink and air we ingest after birth.
Function of the Stomach
- Rots and ripens food and drink
When we eat or drink, it is the Stomach that initially receives the food and drink. This food is broken by the Stomach through the process of ‘rotting and ripening’. With the help of the Spleen this product is then transformed into Gu Qi that can be transported to the Heart and the Lungs.
- Controls transportation of food essences
This function again shows how close the link is between the Stomach and the Spleen. It is the Qi of the Stomach and Spleen that is said to transport the essence or nutrients from food to the rest of the body. Stomach Qi also has an influence on the pulse as it is the nutrients provided by the Stomach Qi that allow the Qi of all the other organs to reach the pulse. Good Stomach Qi is expressed by a pulse that is balanced between yin and yang, neither weak nor strong and that is gentle and soft, with a regular, slowish beat.
- Stomach sends Qi downward
The natural movement of Stomach Qi is downwards. As we have seen, once the Stomach has conducted its role in digestion it sends food down to the Small Intestine and fluids down to the Bladder. This downward movement of the Stomach counterbalances the upward flow of the Spleen. When Stomach Qi fails to descend it can either stagnate causing bloating, fullness and wind or it can become ‘rebellious’ travelling upwards leading to symptoms such a nausea, hiccups, heart burn, reflux and vomiting.
- Stomach is the origin of fluids.
The Stomach is the origin of fluids as it is here that fluids first enter the body. Again in direct correlation to the Spleen, the Stomach likes moisture and dislikes dryness. This is because sufficient fluids are needed to ‘rot and ripen’ the food, much like a boiling cauldron extracts the essence of its ingredients. The Stomach can also be seen to be the origin of fluids as it is the Stomach that condenses left over liquid into body fluids. This function is closely linked to the Kidneys as the Kidneys are in charge of transforming fluids in the lower burner. If the Kidneys are nor performing this function well, fluids will back up and overflow into the Stomach – over loading it.
