Shaoyin
Heart - Functions
The Heart is said
to be the most important of all the Zang Fu, it is sometimes called
the ‘master’. Its main functions are to govern blood, blood
vessels, and to house the mind.
The functions of
the Heart include:
Governing Blood
The Heart governs
the blood in 2 ways:
- Gu (food) Qi from the Spleen
is transformed into blood in the Heart
- Circulation of the blood (with
Liver, Spleen, Lungs)
Just as in western
scientific views, if th functioning of the Heart is poor, supply of
blood to the tissues is deficient, i.e. Heart blood deficiency –
which can cause cold extremities.
The human
constitution is said to be determined by the Kidneys and their
Essence, although it is also partly related to the Heart and blood.
If the Heart is
strong and the supply of blood in the body is plentiful, the person
will be strong.
Inherited or
constitutional weakness is quite often manifested in the midline of
the tongue as a crack.
Controlling blood vessels
The vessels depend
on the health of the Heart Qi & blood to maintain a strong, regular,
and full pulse. The state of the vessels therefore directly shows
the health of the Hearts Qi. If the Heart is weak the pulse may be
weak and irregular.
Showing health in
the facial complexion
If the Heart is
governing its vessels properly and moving the blood through its
circulatory functions, the facial complexion shows a rosy lustrous
glow. If the Heart blood is deficient the face will show a pale or
bright white. If the blood is stagnated the face will show a
purplish/blue, and if the Heart has heat the complexion will get
red.
Houses mind-spirit (shen)
Shen: mental
functioning, corresponds to the mind – relates to the Heart. This
encompasses emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of the whole
human, in this sense it plays a role in all the organs functions –
especially the Yin organs.
Therefore, health
of the Heart & blood directly effect the functions of mental
activities (including emotions), consciousness, memory, thinking,
and sleep. If the Heart and blood are strong and plentiful, Shen
will be normal, regulated, balanced, and clear. If the Heart health
is not right there may be depression, poor memory, unclear thinking,
insomnia, and other problems related to the mind. This also shows
that development of intelligence is effected by the state of the
Heart health. If heart blood is deficient and is unable to root or
anchor the mind (Shen), it will manifest as restlessness,
depression, anxiety, insomnia, and other emotional problems.
Conversely, these problems with the Shen can cause Heart blood
deficiency which in turn causes palpitations, pale complexion, and
weak and/or irregular pulses.
Emotionally, if the
Heart is strong the spirits will be high, if the Heart is weak the
spirits will be low. Heart health also determines ones capacity to
maintain meaningful relationships – able to give positive energy to
others.
If the Heart is in
excess a person may show signs of manic depression. Of course other
organ functioning should be considered as influential in any
situation.
Essence and Qi are
the physical basis for the mind. If these are strong and flowing
smoothly the mind will be strong. This is why the state of Shen can
be observed through the spirit/glow of the eyes. The mind, Qi, and
Essence are considered the ‘three treasures’.
As mentioned
before, the Heart is not the only Zang Fu involved with emotions,
mind, and spirit. Each Yin organ plays a vital role in the health
of the Shen.
- Heart & mind (Shen)
- Liver & ethereal soul (Hun)
- Lungs & corporeal soul (Po)
- Spleen & thought (Yi)
- Kidneys & will power (Zhi)
“The mind is a transformation of
Essence and Qi: Both Essences (pre-heaven & post-heaven) contribute
to forming the mind. The corporeal soul is the assistant of Essence
and Qi: it is close to Essence but it moves in and out. The
ethereal soul complements the mind and Qi: it is close to the mind
but it comes and goes. Thought corresponds to memory: it is the
memory which depends on the Heart. The will power is like a
purposeful and focused mind: the kidneys store Essence…and through
the will power they can fulfill our destiny.” Neijing Lingshu
- Ethereal soul (Hun): Liver:
from western point of view pertains to the soul or spirit. This
soul enters the body shortly after birth and is ethereal (not
physical), it does not die with the human body.
- Corporeal soul (Po): Lung:
the part of the soul that lives and dies with the physical body,
the physical expression of the soul. Po gives us sensation,
feeling, hearing, and sight.
- Will power (Zhi): Kidneys:
mental drive and courage which gives people determination and
focus toward the accomplishment of goals and dreams.
- Thought (Yi): Spleen: applied
thinking, studying, concentrating, and memorization.
It should be noted
that around the Ming dynasty, before the introduction of western
scientific thought in China, many doctors began to attribute
intellectual functions to the brain.
Opens onto the tongue
The tongue is
considered to be the sprout of the Heart. It is related
specifically to the tip of the tongue, but it also influences the
colour, form and appearance of it. The sense of taste is controlled
by the Heart. Therefore disease of the Heart can be easily
recognized on the tongue. If there is heat the tongue will be red
possibly dry with a redder tip. If the heat is severe ulcers can
show on the tongue, they will be painful. If the Heart is weak and
blood is deficient the tongue will be pale and thin.
Speech is also
directly effected by the Heart (i.e. stutters, aphasia). If the
Heart is in excess there may also be excessive/inappropriate
laughter, states of over-joy, and non-stop talking.
Controls sweat
Sweat comes from
the space between the skin and muscles. Blood and body fluids have
a common origin. When blood is thick the fluids help to thin it,
they intricately are a part of one another. The Heart governs blood
and sweat is a body fluid. Deficiencies in Heart Qi can cause
spontaneous sweating, deficiencies in Heart Yin can cause night
sweating. Too much sweat can cause a deficiency in body fluids and
lead to a deficiency in blood.
Effects dreams
The Heart houses
the mind, therefore it is closely related to sleep. If Heart blood
and Yin are abundant a person goes to and stays asleep easily and
soundly. If the Heart is weak the mind floats causing sleep
disorders and excessive dreaming. Therefore all dreams are in some
way related to the Heart.
“When the Heart is weak, one dreams
of fires; if the dream takes place in summertime, one dreams of
volcanic eruptions.” Neijing Suwen.
“When the Heart is in excess, one
dreams of laughing …when the Heart is deficient, one dreams of
mountains, fire and smoke.” Neijing Lingshu.
Links -
Heart:
: Fire Energy Yin Organ
(Bioenergetics)
