Taiyang
Small Intestine - Functions
The Small Intestine
receives the food and drink which has been transformed by the
Stomach, it’s function is to further separate the clean from the
dirty. It influences mental clarity and judgment, making decisions
(different from the Gallbladder which gives us the courage to make
decisions, the Small Intestine gives us the clarity to make
decisions well).
The functions of
the Small Intestine are:
Controls
receiving and further transforming
It’s main duty: the
further separation of clean and dirty (useable and non-useable) from
the food stuffs sent to it from the Stomach. The Spleen takes and
transports the clean to the body (just as with the Stomach), and the
dirty parts are transported to the Large Intestine and Bladder for
excretion. This TCM view correlates very closely with that held by
western medicine.
Relations with the Heart
This relation is
not as strong as that of the Liver Gallbladder or that of the Spleen
Stomach. This relation between the Heart and the Small Intestine is
best shown in the mental activities of the two. We know it is of
great importance to our spirit to be of clear mind and make wise
decisions. Giovanni Maciocia recommends SI 5 (Yanggu) to tonify the
strength of this relation and proper functioning.
Heart-Fire can
transmit to the Small Intestine causing thirst, bitter taste, tongue
ulcers, and blood in the urine.
Separates fluids
This function is
the same as for food outlined above, although this activity is made
possible by the warming action of the Kidney Yang. If this function
is impaired, there can be excessive or scanty urination depending on
whether the organ has heat or cold.
Effects dreams
“When one has small intestinal
parasites they will dream of crowds. When they have long parasites
they will dream of fights and mutual destruction.” Neijing Suwen.
“When the Small Intestine is
deficient, one dreams of large cities.” Neijing Lingshu.
Links - Small
Intestine: Fire Energy Yang Organ
(Bioenergetics)
