TCM Explained

What is TCM?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an ancient holistic health system, emphasizes the interconnectedness of body, mind, and soul. Vital energy or Qi flows through meridians, affecting organs and emotions, highlighting the importance of balanced Qi for overall well-being.

 

Yin + Yang Theory 

Yin and Yang are opposites in cyclical stages. They form a unity and are complementary. Yin contains a seed of Yang so Yin can transform into Yang and vice versa. Nothing is entirely yin or completely Yang. 

According to TCM, the universe has two forces: Yin and Yang. Yin corresponds to cool, water, dark and femininity. Yang corresponds to warmth, fire, and masculinity. 

 

Five Elements Theory

The five elements are Water, Fire, Wood, Metal and earth. Each element corresponds to a specific yin/yang organ, Sensory organ, tissue, emotion, sound, season, climate, direction and colour.

 

Wood

Fire

Earth

Metal

Water

Yin organ

Liver

Heart

Spleen

Lungs

Kidneys

Yang organ

Gallbladder

Small Intestine

Stomach

Large  Intestine

Bladder

Sensory organ

Eyes

Tongue

Mouth

Nose

Ears

Tissue

Sinews

Blood  Vessels

Muscles

Skin

Bones

Emotion

Anger

Joy

Pensiveness

Grief

Fear

Sound

Shouting

Laughing

Singing

Crying

Groaning

Taste

Sour

Bitter

Sweet

Pungent

Salty

Season

Spring

Late    summer

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Climate

Wind

Heat

Dampness

Dryness

Cold

Direction

East

South

Centre

West

North

Colour

Green

Red

Yellow

White

Black

 

 

TCM Organ Clock


Within the 24-hour clock, each organ corresponds to 2 hours when it's most abundant and robust. The opposite of each organ's time it is at its weakest.

Organ Name Time of Day
Lung 3-5 am
Large Intestine 5-7 am
Stomach 7-9 am
Spleen 9-11 am
Heart 11 am - 1 pm 
Small Intestine 1-3 pm 
Bladder 3-5 pm 
Kidney 5-7 pm
Pericardium 7-9 pm 
Triple Burner 9-11 pm 
Gall bladder 11 pm - 1 am 
Liver 1-3 am 

 

 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Organs

Heart

  • The heart is called the emperor of the body and houses the mind. 
  • Heart loathes heat - hot weather affects the heart. Excessive heart heat results in emotional imbalances as the heart houses the mind.
  • The heart controls speech - imbalances in the heart will result in aphasia, stuttering and talkativeness. 
  • Time: 11 am - 1 pm
  • Functions: 
    • Governs the blood 
    • Controls the blood vessels 
    • Manifests in the complexion 
    • Related to Joy 
    • Opens into the tongue 
    • Controls sweat 
    • Affected by joy

Liver   

  • Liver control planning - The liver allows us to plan our lives smoothly and wisely. Liver imbalance would result in an inability to plan and a lack of direction.
  • Liver loathes wind - Windy weather affects the liver. During windy periods, individuals with liver disharmony will feel unwell, and most will experience headaches and neck stiffness. 
  • Time: 1-3 am
  • Functions:
    • Stores blood 
    • Regulates smooth flow of qi 
    • Controls the sinews 
    • Manifests in the nails 
    • Opens into the eyes 
    • Controls tears 
    • Affected by anger 

 Lung  

  • Lungs loathe cold - lungs influence the skin and the defensive Qi (immune system) and are easily affected by exterior wind-cold.
  • Lungs govern the voice - strength, tone and clarity depending on the lungs. If the lungs are healthy, the voice will be loud and clear. If the lungs are weak, the voice will be low, and the tone will be muffled.
  • Time: 3-5 am 
  • Functions:
    • Governs Qi and respiration 
    • Controls channels and blood vessels 
    • Controls ascending and descending of Qi and body fluids 
    • Regulates all physiological activities 
    • Regulates water passage 
    • Controls the skin 
    • Manifests in the body hair 
    • Controls nasal mucus 
    • Affected by worry, grief and sadness 

Spleen

  • The Spleen’s primary role is to assist the stomach in digestion by transporting and transforming food essence, absorbing the nutrients from food.
  • Spleen loathes dampness - dampness obstructs the Spleen, causing impairment in its function; it causes bloating, low appetite, loose stools, and heavy sensations all over the body. 
  • Spleen’s function is easily impaired by excessive consumption of cold and raw foods, and icy drinks. 
  • Time: 9-11 am
  • Functions: 
    • Governs transformation and transpositions of food essence and Qi 
    • Controls ascending of Qi
    • Controls the blood
    • Controls muscles and the four limbs 
    • Manifest in the lips 
    • Controls saliva 
    • Affected by pensiveness 

Kidneys 

  • Kidneys are called the root of life. It is because they store Essence, which determines our basic constitution. A portion of the Essence is derived from the parents and is established at conception. 
  • Kidneys loathe dryness - Dry weather or internal dryness injures the kidneys.
  • Kidneys control strength and skill - Kidneys control our capacity for hard work. Kidney disharmony can drive an individual to overwork beyond measure (workaholic-type behaviour) or lack the required strength for periods of hard work. If kidneys are vital, an individual can work hard and with desire for an extended period.
  • Time: 5-7 pm
  • Function: 
    • Store Essence and govern growth, reproduction and development
    • Produce marrow to fill up the brain and control bones 
    • Govern water
    • Open into ears
    • Manifest in the hair 
    • Control spittle 
    • Affected by fear

Stomach  

  • Time: 7-9 am
  • Functions:
    • Receives food and drinks and holds them down 
    • Controls rotting and ripening of food (aka breaking down the food)
    • Controls transportation of food essence 
    • Controls descending of Qi
    • Is the origin of fluids 

Small Intestine

  • Receives food and drinks from the stomach and separates the nutrients from the waste. The Spleen transports nutrients to all parts of the body.
  • Time: 1-3 pm 
  • Functions:
    • Controls receiving and transporting 
    • Separates fluids 

Large Intestine 

  • Time: 3-5 am 
  • Functions:
    • Receives food and drinks from Small Intestine. Reabsorbs some of the fluids and excretes the stools.
    • Controls passage and conduction of digested food

 Gallbladder 

  • Time: 11 pm - 1 am
  • Functions:
    • Stores and excretes bile
    • Controls decisiveness and the capacity to make decisions
    • Controls sinews 

Bladder 

  • Time: 3-5 pm
  • Functions:
    • Receives, stores and excretes urine 

Tripple Burner or San Jiao 

  • The Triple Burner is the cavity that houses all of the organs 
  • Time: 9-11 pm
  • Functions:
    • Controls transportation of Qi to all organs 
    • Controls water passage and fluid excretions