More on Stomach & Spleen newsletter

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> >Earth is associated with the organs Spleen and Stomach,

> >according to Chinese medicine the primary digestive organs.

> >Their ability to transform food into substances that can be

> >used by the body and provide it with energy is essential

> >for the health of all other organs, hence the Chinese saying

> > " when the stomach is healthy, all illnesses can be cured " .

 

The Spleen system has several important functions, chief among these is the

extraction of Qi from food and the transporting of this Grain Qi to the

Lungs where it mixes with Air Qi extracted by the Lungs from air.

 

Please remember that in TCM, it's collections of functions that are

considered. The Spleen system includes more than the Western concept of

what the Spleen does. Some Western writers refer to the Spleen meridian and

system as the Spleen-Pancreas. In TCM, many of the functions associated

with the pancreas in Western physiology are considered a part of the Spleen

system in TCM. Plus, there are some functions not recognized in Western

physiology such as the extraction of Qi from food.

 

> >My teacher of Chinese herbs taught us to always put herbs

> >into the prescription that protect and strengthen the stomach

> >- which makes sense considering that the herbs can only

> >develop their curative effect if they are absorbed well by

> >the digestive system.

 

Historically, there are two lines of thought in TCM. One considers the

Kidney to be the Root of the most severe, most chronic conditions. The

other considers the Spleen to be paramount. Either one of these systems

being in imbalance can cause very severe chronic conditions and underlie a

lot of other Roots. Roger Wicke says that Spleen imbalances are very common

in Americans because of poor diet, eating on the run, irregular meal times,

etc.

 

TCM has long recognized absorption problems, and not just the genetic-based

absorption problems recognized only in the last 100 years by Western

medicine. A lot of people in this country have been saying for a long time

that they have to take vitamin and mineral supplements because they simply

cannot absorb enough from food. They're right. They can't. This

newsletter gives some ideas on increasing absorption from food. These ideas

won't work in every case (in some people the problems have become too

severe) or right away. But some of the very basic ideas in this newsletter

can improve absorption for many.

 

BTW, when dealing with CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome)

and some other very debilitating conditions, one of the first priorities has

to be improving digestion. Otherwise, it's going to be impossible for the

person to get enough nutrients and other things from good food or from

herbs. In my own case, I was so sick with the CFIDS and it had gone on so

long that I couldn't absorb enough magnesium from pills, not even with malic

acid which increases Mg absorption. I required the IM Mg shots for a few

years. I eventually got built back up to the point where I now can absorb

enough from pills.

 

> >E.g., if your digestive system is weak and this leads to

> >deficiency in certain vitamins, taking vitamin pills won't

> >do much good. You will have to take the vitamins in a form

> >that strengthens the digestive system so that it can absorb

> >the vitamins - in other words: Correct nutritional habits.

> >A lot of nutritional theories only consider the chemical

> >composition of the food - they don't consider you and how

> >you work.

 

This is a very important concept not only when it comes to TCM and Chinese

cuisine, but also in regard to other cuisines.

 

> >Thus, balancing and strengthening the Earth organs Spleen

> >and Stomach is important for everybody, whatever element type

> >you are! A " stomach & spleen " diet is neutral to warm and

> >should be the basic diet for everyone. You can then modify

> >this basic diet with foods of your element and foods of cold

> >or hot energetics according to your element type and imbalance.

> >Follow the basic rules, experiment, and learn from your

> >reaction.

 

Notice that she stresses that the basic diet is neutral to warm BUT you

modify this according to the individual. For example, I require a diet that

is much hotter than this basic diet. I keep cayenne on the table next to

the salt and black pepper. I sprinkle it on most meat and veggies dishes.

This enables me to feel satisfied from what I eat, and it improves my

overall health. But, this would not be good for someone who was normal and

especially for someone who is too Hot already. On the other hand, I need to

severely limit raw and cold foods much more than a person who is normal and

in balance. On the other hand, a person who is too Hot can eat and may

require a lot more cooling foods than a normal person. There are no one

size fits all standards in herbs or in diet.

 

> >*don't like extremes: Too much food harms the Spleen.

 

So does too little, especially too little protein. Another factor in

Americans tending to suffer from Spleen Deficieny is the amount of dieting

in this country, especially fad diets.

 

> >*dislike cold or easily feel cold: The Spleen dislikes cold

> >and it dislikes dampness.

 

The Kidneys are the most vulnerable to cold, but the Spleen comes in a close

second when it comes to vulnerability to cold.

 

The Spleen dislikes Dampness, but the Stomach dislikes Dryness. Another

role of the Spleen in addition to extracting and transporting Qi is that the

Spleen transforms and transports fluids in the body. When there is Spleen

Deficiency, Dampness accumulates. We're talking edema here. Spleen

Deficiency is not the only possible Root of edema (the Kidneys and Lungs

also play roles in water transformation), but the Spleen is one of those

things you look at and rule in or out in cases of edema.

 

The Spleen also is responsible for holding the Blood correctly in the

vessels. If a person bruises easily or suffers from abnormal bleeding,

suspect Spleen Deficiency and rule in or out. Again, Spleen Deficiency is

not the only possible Root for these things, but it is one of the things you

consider.

 

>Refrigerated drinks are the best way

> >to destroy your digestive ability: The stomach needs to be warm

> >to digest effectively. Cold drinks make no sense anyway, even

> >in summer: If you drink refrigerated drinks, the body has to

> >produce warmth to maintain body temperature in the digestive

> >tract - there is no real cooling effect.

 

This is one of those concepts that is not unique to TCM. This is one of the

concepts that has survived in fragments in various healing traditions from

around the world. When I was a teenager, my great grandmother's sister

warned me about drinking too much cold liquid when one is too hot. She said

that this is one of the things that can cause a person to catch scarlett

fever, typoid, etc. and that a lot of people had contacted these diseases

and died because they ignored this wisdom. I'm ashamed to have to admit

that at the time I laughed at the idea that anything besides germs could

trigger disease. But it turns out she and the other oldsters knew exactly

what they were talking about. They certainly were long lived and healthy.

This was my *great* grandmother's sister, and she died when I was in my 20s.

 

> >But not only cold drinks, all uncooked foods like salads,

> >yoghurt and sandwiches are classified as cold foods. A

> >salad with a warm meal does not do much harm (eat raw

> >foods like the Chinese - together with a warm meal), but

> >the excessive consumption of cold foods leads to sluggish

> >digestion. Raw foods were hailed as healthy in the west

> >because we used to " cook our food to death " , which is

> >also not healthy, but only raw foods are not the answer.

 

I learned by trial and error and observation that when I do eat raw food to

mix it with something that is very hot. Other people who are not Cold don't

have to mix it with something as hot as what I mix it with. I use a lot of

cayenne and other warm and hot spices in the food I eat.

 

> >Cooked cereals are extremely good for the Spleen and Stomach;

> >they are easy to prepare, easy to store and keep and combine

> >well with most other foods. Ground corn (Polenta) is a good

> >example: It is available all year and combines well with all

> >vegetables and meat. You can also get ideas from cuisines of

> >other countries for good recipes including cooked cereals.

 

For those wishing to learn more about the use of cereals in healing, consult

The Bood of Jook: Chinese Medicinal Porridges, A Healthy Alternative to the

Western Breakfast by Bob Flaws, Blue Poppy Press.

 

> >Most meats generally pertain to Earth, tonify qi and are ideal

> >to strengthen the Spleen. Again, the quantity and way of

> >preparation is important: Eaten in small quantities and cooked

> >in water is best, e.g. in soups.

 

In TCM most meats are classified as having a sweet taste.

 

> >Ginger is very good for people who have a deficient Spleen,

> >causing e.g fatigue, soft stools, pale face/tongue/lips, being

> >tired after meals, feeling bloated after meals, feeling cold

> >easily. Add fresh ginger to your meals or drink it as a tea.

 

YES!<G> Personal experience here.

 

Note: The lack of a sense of taste or a poor sense of taste can be a symptom

of Spleen Deficiency. Also consider zinc deficiency in these cases.

 

Victoria

 

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