The Meridians: Concepts of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Model
~ The Meridians ~
Conception Vessel / Governing Vessel
Gall Bladder Meridian
Heart Meridian
Kidney Meridian
Large Intestine Meridian
Liver Meridian
Lung Meridian
Pericardium Meridian
Small Intestine Meridian
Spleen Meridian
Stomach Meridian
Triple Warmer Meridian
Urinary Bladder Meridian
- Conception Vessel / Governing Vessel
The Governing and Conception Vessels are the main rivers of the body’s Yin and Yang energies. They are polar aspects of the body, perfectly complementary, like midnight and midday. They are responsible for the formation of the holoblastic cleavage and the first cellar division of the fertilized ovum in embryological development.The Governing and Conception Vessels each have two energy flows on the anterior and posterior vertical midline of the body. Each vessel’s pathway is complete, being composed of an ascending energetic flow and a descending energetic flow. The duality of these two medial lines joins at the extremities (the head and perineum), forming one complete circle of energetic current. Both vessels are superimposed on each other, with the energy of the Governing Vessel being predominant up the back and inferior down the front (behind the Conception Vessel); the energy of the Conception Vessel is predominant up the front and inferior down the back (behind the Governing Vessel).
- Gall Bladder Meridian
Honorable Minister ~ The Meridian of Admiration
Gall Bladder: The General’s Adviser
Paired with the Liver
Reservoir for bile
Controls Central Clearing Department
Secretes bile required to digest and metabolize fats and oils
Energy provides muscular strength and vitality
Works with lymphatic system to clear toxic by-products of metabolism from the muscular system
Eliminates muscular aches and fatigue
Ensures smooth flow of vital energy and Blood
Connected to rage and anger
Associated with decisiveness, activity, decision making, courage and initiate
- Heart Meridian
King of the Organs ~ The Meridian of Forgiveness
Heart: The Emperor
Rules all of the Zang-Fu organs
Governs the blood circulation and distribution
Commands all of the organs and viscera
Dominates sleep
Controls all life processes associated with the soul and emotions
Controls mental activities such as processing, perception and mental health
Stores Shen – the body’s spirit
Sensitive to over-exuberance, over-excitement, agitation, panic and sudden fear
Associated with long-term memory, thinking, emotions, intimacy, cognition, intelligence, and ideas
Health of Heart is seen in the complexion and tongue and reflected in the taste buds
- Kidney Meridian
Minister of Power ~ The Meridian of Sexual Confidence
Kidneys: Root of Life
Maintains and Processes body fluids – send “clear fluid”, which circulates through the organs and tissues upwards & send “turbid fluid”, which is transformed into sweat and urine downward
Coordinate respiration with the Lungs – especially during inhalation
Control the bones of the entire body and the development of bone marrow that spreads along the spinal cord to the brain
Rules the bones, teeth, and adrenal glands
Responsible for the muscles as well as for the connective tissue
Regulate the body’s acid-alkaline balance (pH)
Control short-term memory and store data
Provide the capacity and drive for strength, skill and hard work
Residence of yin and yang
Seat of courage and willpower
Store Jing – vital essence that affects energy and the aging processes
Sensitive to chronic fear, especially when cause is not addressed
Associated with wilfulness and stubbornness
Health of the Kidneys are seen in the head hair and reflected in the ears (sense of hearing)
- Large Intestine Meridian
Minister of Transportation ~ The Meridian of Self-Esteem
Large Intestine
Paired with the Lungs
Transports and Transforms food – absorbs the residue of water and turns the rest into waste
Rules elimination and communicates with the lungs to regulate the transportation function of the body
Health of the Large Intestine is reflected in stools
- Liver Meridian
Chief of Staff ~ The Meridian of Happiness
Liver: The General in Charge of Strategy
Considered the second Heart of the body
Laboratory for the entire metabolism
Responsible for filtering, detoxifying, nourishing,
Replenishing, and storing blood
Regulates its release into the body as needed
Associated with the female menstrual cycle
Regulates the flow of vital energy
Governs muscle tone
Governs growth and development, drive and desires, ambitions and creativity.
Called the “root of resistance to fatigue”
Stores the “soul” – combination of mental activity, consciousness, determination, Po (vitality), and Hun (ethereal aspect of soul)
Affected by grief, sorrow and by taking offense
Health of the Liver is seen in the eyes and nails, and is reflected in the quality of the tendons
Lung Meridian
Prime Minister ~ The Meridian of Humility
Lungs:
Represents the bronchi, the immune system, allergies and the skin.
Control respiration and vital energy
Help to repel invading evils
Transportation and distribution of nutrients and water, the secretion of sweat and the excretion of urine
Assist the Heart with the circulation of blood
Connected with the nose and the sense of smell
Control the skin (exterior of the body)
Sensitive to changes in the environment such wind, dampness and coldness
Responsible for Self-protection and Self-preservation
Sensitive to emotional feelings and turmoil, such as disappointment, sadness, grief, despair, anxiety, shame, and sorrow
Store Po – vitality, more associated with the physical side of concentration
Associated with communication problems
Health of the Lungs is seen on the skin and in the body hair
- Pericardium Meridian
King’s Bodyguard ~ The Meridian of Relaxation, Generosity and Renunciation
Pericardium:
Least important of the Zang organs.
Sometimes it is considered a subset of the Small Intestine.
Encloses and Protects the Heart – assists the Heart in controlling excessive energy
Regulates circulation in the major blood vessels that run in and out of the Heart
Provides physical protection to the Heart
Protects the Heart from damage and disruption by excessive emotional energies generated by the other organs
Associated with the libido
Reflects perceiving life as a pressure
Health of the Pericardium is reflected in the Heart
- Small Intestine Meridian
Minister of Reception ~ The Meridian of Joy
Small Intestine:
Paired with the Heart
Related to the sinuses
Receives and Contains Water and Food – absorbs pure part and distributes to entire body & impure part goes to Large Intestine
Separates the pure from the impure, including foods, fluids, thoughts, and beliefs
Controls the more basic emotions
Influences mental clarity, judgment, and powers of discernment
Associated with digesting emotional and mental demands and pressures
- Spleen Meridian
Minister of the Granary ~ The Meridian of Confidence
Spleen:
In Chinese medicine, the function of the Spleen organ-energy system includes the Pancreas.
Provide digestive enzymes and energy
Controls extraction and assimilation of nutrients from food and fluids
Represents the composition of the blood and the lymphatic fluid as well as their toxin and waste loads, particularly waste in form of proteins
Keeps blood in the vessels
Coordinate with the kidneys to control fluid balance throughout the system
Controls muscle development – responsible for building strong limbs and well-developed muscles
Controls the limbs and flesh
Linked to the mouth and appetite
Nurturing qualities
Responsible for analytical thinking, memory, cognition, intelligence, and ideas.
Stores Yin – intention, willpower, determination, or an awareness of the possibilities that are open to us to make changes in our lives
Sensitive to pensiveness, worry, or over-thinking – dwelling too much on a particular problem, or concentrating too hard for too long
Associated with pondering over problems, obsession with thoughts
Health of Spleen is seen in the lips and is reflected by the tone and condition of muscle tissue
- Stomach Meridian
Minister of the Mill ~ The Meridian of Content and Calmness
Stomach:
Paired with the Spleen
Responsible for providing the entire system with postnatal energy from the digestion of food and fluids
Produces digestive juices
Health of the Stomach is reflected in the digestive process
Spleen and Stomach are very closely associated – the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably
Associated with annoyance
- Triple Warmer Meridian
Minister of Dykes and Dredges ~ The Meridian of Hope
San Jiao:
It is not a single self-contained organ, but rather a functional energy system involved in regulating the activities of other organs. It is composed of three parts, known as ‘burners’, each associated with one of the body’s three main cavities: thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. Sometimes called the Triple Warmer Organ because the three body cavities are intended to control the body temperatures.
The Upper, which relates to the chest above the diaphragm. It controls the intake of air, food, and fluids. It harmonizes the functions of Heart and Lungs, governs respiration, and regulates the distribution of protective energy to the body’s external surfaces.
The Middle, which relates to the area between the diaphragm and navel. It controls digestion by harmonizing the functions of Stomach, Spleen, and Pancreas. It is responsible for extracting nourishing energy from food and fluids and distributing it via the meridian system to the Lungs and other parts of the body.
The Lower, which is located below the navel. It is responsible for separating the pure from the impure products of digestion, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating solid and liquid wastes. It harmonizes the functions of liver, kidney, bladder, and large and small intestines and also regulates sexual and reproductive functions.
Paired with the Pericardium
Governs the relationship between all the various organs
Regulates and Distributes source vital energy
Embodies all hormone glands
Responsible for the movement and Transformation of various solids and fluids throughout the system
Production and Circulation of nourishing energy and protective energy
Associated with impatience and intense activity
- Urinary Bladder Meridian
Minister of the Reservoir ~ The Meridian of Peace and Harmony
Urinary Bladder:
Paired with the Kidney
Represents the entire pelvic area including prostate, uterus, testicles and ovaries and therefore also the sexuality.
Stores and Discharges turbid materials away from the body
Related to the functions and balance of the autonomous nervous system
Associated with resisting change, basic negative attitude
Health of the Urinary Bladder is reflected in the urinary activity
Intuitive Integrative Healing Art 