The Heart is known as the Emperor of the Internal Organs.
Energetic functions
- Governs the Blood and controls the blood vessels.
- Houses the Shen.
- Manifests in the complexion.
- Its emotion is joy.
- Opens into the tongue.
- Controls sweating.
- Its maximum energy is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Governs the Blood
The transformation of Gu Qi into Blood occurs in the Heart thanks to Zong Qi. The Heart is responsible for blood circulation.
Controls the blood vessels
Controls both the state of the blood vessels, as well as the space where blood circulates such as the five energetic layers.
- Skin - Lungs.
- Muscle - Spleen.
- Sinews - Liver.
- Blood vessels - Heart.
- Bones - Kidneys.
Related physiological structures
The Heart in traditional Chinese medicine is not only the organ that pumps Blood through the blood vessels. It also has a relationship with the complexion and the tongue.
- The state of the blood and blood vessels is reflected in the complexion since they are responsible for carrying blood to the face.
- The tongue is the sprout of the Heart.
- The tip of the tongue is the Heart space.
- Speech is related to this organ, both through clarity in communicative expression related to the Shen, and through the clarity of diction by the movements of the tongue.
Psycho-emotional functions
The Heart is related to joy.
In a balanced state, joy is the most beneficial of emotions.
In a pathological state it is associated with overexcitation and desire.
- Living in constant risk.
- Excessive mental stimulation.
- Compulsive pursuit of pleasure and euphoria.
- Exaggerated desire.
This damages the Minister Fire and agitates it, causing the mind to rise and be harmed.
According to the Theory of the Five Elements, fear controls excessive joy. See Controlling sequence.
Main symptoms of dysfunction
- Palpitations.
- Oppression of the chest and shortness of breath.
- Problems with blood circulation.
- Mental restlessness.
- Loss of memory.
- Behavioral alterations. Mental confusion, incoherent speech.
- Emotional alterations. Anxiety, sadness, fear.
- Sleep alterations. Insomnia, restless sleep, frequent awakenings.
- Speech alterations.
- Sweating.
Related syndromes and pathologies
Combined syndromes
- Heart- and Lung-Qi deficiency.
- Heart- and Liver-Qi deficiency.
- Heart-Qi deficiency and Gall Bladder Qi deficiency.
- Spleen and Heart concomitant deficiency.
- Heart- and Kidney-Yang deficiency.
- Heart and Kidneys not harmonized.
- Excess Heart-Fire and Stomach-Fire.
Pathologies
Channels
- Heart Channel.
- Heart Divergent Channel.
- Heart Connecting Channel.
- Heart Muscle Channel.
- All distinct meridians communicate with Heart.
Return to Zang Organs.