Traditional Chinese Medicine: The close relationship between the heart and lungs
The heart and lungs are located in the upper part of the human body. The heart is mainly responsible for blood circulation, while the lungs are responsible for breathing and gas exchange. The heart pushes blood to circulate throughout the body, while the lungs help the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood through breathing. The coordination between the two is mainly manifested in the mutual regulation between blood circulation and breathing.
The heart is responsible for blood circulation throughout the body, while the lungs are responsible for breathing. The heart and lungs work together to ensure the normal circulation of qi and blood and maintain the metabolism of the organs and tissues of the body. The normal circulation of blood must rely on the promotion of heart qi and the application of lung qi. The lungs are connected to all meridians and help the heart promote blood circulation, which is a necessary condition for the normal circulation of blood. Normal blood circulation can also maintain the normal respiratory function of the lungs.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, Zong Qi is a combination of the fresh air inhaled by the lungs and the essence of water and grain transformed by the spleen. It has the physiological function of penetrating the heart veins and controlling breathing. The normal operation of Zong Qi is very important for the coordination and balance between blood circulation and breathing. The Zong Qi accumulated in the chest is the central link between the heart beat and the lungs.
Pathologically, if the lung qi is weak or the lung fails to vent and expel qi, or if the lung qi is blocked, it can affect the heart's blood circulation function and easily lead to blood stasis in the heart. Conversely, if the heart qi is insufficient, the heart yang is weak, and the blood circulation is not smooth, it can also affect the lung's respiratory function, leading to symptoms such as chest tightness, cough and asthma.
Chinese Medicine: The interdependence of the heart and spleen
The heart is responsible for the circulation of blood, while the spleen is responsible for the production and control of blood. The relationship between the two is mainly reflected in the mutual coordination in the production and circulation of blood. The spleen produces blood and transports nutrients to the heart through its transportation and transformation functions to maintain the normal operation of the heart. If the spleen function is not good, it may lead to insufficient blood production and affect the function of the heart.
In terms of blood production, the heart is responsible for the blood of the whole body, and the heart blood supplies the spleen to maintain its normal transportation and transformation function. The essence of grains is transported to the heart through the spleen's transfer and ascending function, and then infused into the heart veins and turned red into blood. The spleen is responsible for transportation and transformation and is the source of qi and blood. When the spleen is strong, the blood is actively produced, which can ensure that the heart is full of blood.
Pathologically, if the spleen is deficient in function and fails to function properly, the source of transformation is insufficient or the blood is not properly regulated, this can lead to blood deficiency and heart failure to be nourished. In addition, excessive mental stress and worry can deplete heart blood and damage spleen qi, which can also lead to symptoms of both heart and spleen deficiency.
In terms of blood circulation, the normal circulation of blood in the veins depends on the pushing of the heart qi so that it does not slow down, and on the control of the spleen qi so that it does not escape from the veins. When the heart and spleen work in harmony, the blood circulates normally. If the heart qi is insufficient and the blood circulation is weak, or if the spleen qi is deficient and the control is weak, both can lead to pathological conditions of abnormal blood circulation.
Heart and Liver Interactions
The heart is responsible for the circulation of blood, while the liver is responsible for storing and regulating blood. The relationship between the two is mainly reflected in the mutual cooperation in blood circulation and storage. The heart promotes the circulation of blood, while the liver stores blood and regulates blood volume. The two cooperate with each other to maintain the normal circulation of blood.
When the heart is full and the heart qi is strong, the blood flows normally and the liver has enough blood to store; when the liver stores enough blood and releases it in moderation, the blood volume can be adjusted according to the different movements of the human body, which is also beneficial to the blood circulation function of the heart. Pathologically, if the blood deficiency in the whole body affects the internal organs, it mainly manifests in the heart and liver, that is, the heart and liver blood deficiency. In addition, blood stasis in the heart can affect the liver, and blood stasis in the liver can also affect the heart, ultimately leading to blood stasis in the heart and liver.
In terms of spirit and emotion, the heart dominates the spirit, consciousness, and thinking activities, while the liver is responsible for regulating emotions. The heart and liver are interdependent and mutually beneficial, and together they maintain normal spirit and emotional activities. A full heart and a healthy mind are conducive to the liver's venting; a moderate venting and a smooth mood are also conducive to the heart's spiritual activities.
Pathologically, restlessness and stagnation of liver qi, hyperactivity of heart fire and excessive liver fire can coexist or trigger each other. The former can cause symptoms such as mental confusion and depression, while the latter often causes symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, irritability and irritability.
The Water and Fire of the Heart and Kidneys
The physiological relationship between the heart and kidney is mainly manifested in "heart-kidney interaction", also known as "water-fire interaction". The heart belongs to fire, located in the upper part of the body, and is responsible for promoting blood circulation and dominating mental activities; the kidney belongs to water, located in the lower part of the body, and is responsible for storing essence and regulating water metabolism. The balance between the two is very important. The fire of the heart needs to descend to the kidneys so that the kidney water is not cold; the water of the kidneys needs to rise to the heart so that the heart fire is not too strong.
In terms of the rising and falling theory of yin, yang, water and fire, those on top should descend, and those on the bottom should ascend. After ascending, they should descend, and after descending, they should ascend. The heart is located at the top, so the heart fire (yang) must descend to the kidneys to prevent the kidney water from being cold; the kidneys are located at the bottom, so the kidney water (yin) must ascend to the heart to prevent the heart fire from being too strong. If the kidneys do not have the heart fire, the water will be cold; if the heart does not have the kidney water, the fire will be blazing. The heart must be nourished by the kidney water, and the kidneys must be warmed by the heart fire. Under physiological conditions, this relationship of water and fire is based on the dynamic balance of the rising and falling yin and yang of the heart and kidneys.
In addition to exploring the relationship between the heart and kidney from the theory of the rise and fall of water, fire, yin and yang, doctors of all dynasties have also expounded on it from the perspectives of the mutual use of spirit and essence, and the position of the ruler and minister. In "Inquiring the Master's Intention", it is mentioned: "The heart is dominated by spirit and uses yang; the kidney is dominated by will and uses yin. Yang is qi and fire; yin is essence and water. When water and fire are balanced, it all depends on the yin essence to be carried upward to calm the spirit; and the yang qi to be stored upward to calm the will."
The heart is the sovereign fire, and the kidney is the secondary fire (life fire). The sovereign fire is above, like the sun in the sky, and is the master of the body; the secondary fire is below, and is the root of yang energy, the foundation of the spirit. If the life fire is hidden, the heart yang will be sufficient; if the heart yang is sufficient, the secondary fire will also be strong. If the sovereign fire and the secondary fire are in their respective positions, the heart and kidney will be in harmony. Therefore, the relationship between the heart and the kidney is also reflected in the relationship between the heart yang and the kidney yang.
In a pathological state, the dynamic balance of water and fire, yin and yang between the heart and kidney is disturbed, which is called heart-kidney disharmony. It manifests as the deficiency of heart-kidney yin, where water cannot support fire, kidney yin is deficient below and heart fire is hyperactive above, or the deficiency of heart-kidney yang, where kidney yang deficiency and heart yang deficiency are mutually causal.
Conclusion
In short, the heart is closely related to the lungs, spleen, liver and kidneys. Not only are they interdependent in physiological functions, but they also affect each other in pathological conditions. The coordinated operation of these organs is an important basis for maintaining human health.
By understanding these relationships, we can better appreciate the holistic view of the interconnectedness of the internal organs in traditional Chinese medicine and more effectively diagnose and treat clinically. Classical medical books such as Huangdi Neijing Suwen, Tuiqiu Shiyi and Beiji Qianjin Yaofang provide us with valuable theoretical support and practical guidance, helping us to gain a deeper understanding of these complex physiological and pathological processes.