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Chinese physiology
Triple Warmer (San Jiao)
diagnoses

definition

The Chinese organ San Jiao is translated as the Triple Warmer
It is classified as a Fu organ, which is to say Yang in nature
Its channel is named Hand Xiao Yang or Lesser Yang
San Jiao literally Three Burning Spaces is also often translated as the Triple Heater

San Jiao is a kind of synopsis of bodily functions and locations.
• the Upper Warmer with the Lung and Heart = thoracic cavity respiration and circulation
• the Middle Warmer with the Spleen and Stomach = abdominal cavity digestion and assimilation
• the Lower Warmer with the Bladder/Large Intestine and Kidney = pelvic cavity elimination and reproduction

Classically described as a system of sluices or waterways - the form of the water is different in each Warmer.
• Upper Warmer = mist/fog (water vapor)
• Middle Warmer = foam (gruel)
• Lower Warmer = swamp/dregs (waste water)

• The Three Warmers roughly correspond to our notion of metabolism (catabolism and anabolism)
• San Jiao denotes the means (energetic and mechanical) by which the body derives Qi from the environment
• It simultaneously monitors and regulates the internal environment to maintain optimal operating temperatures.
• Metabolic function is combustive by nature and is the means by which the body transforms energy
• The Yang of the San Jiao metabolic process is like a "fire" that provides heat with which to process materials and energy.
• The Yin of the San Jiao is "water" among other functions it is an important means of heat dissipation to keep the system from overheating.

• The Triple Warmer's regulatory function is very precise
• this type of regulation is known as homeostasis
• it is a continual feedback system
• The body performs homeostatic regulation in many many ways to keep the body operating optimally.
Chinese medicine names this function in all its many aspects san jiao.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine says the Triple Warmer accomplishes this delicate balance by constant adjustment to the demands of the external environment, i.e. adaptability.

Thus we arrive at a working definition of health modeled on Triple Warmer principles:
• Health is the ability of an organism to respond or adapt appropriately to an ever changing environment.


» Relationships of the Triple Warmer:
• The channel is coupled with the Foot Xiao Yang Gall Bladder channel
• High tide in the channel occurs between the hours 9 to 11 pm
• Its "clock" partner is the Spleen (12 hours away)
• Its elemental pair is the Pericardium - in the Fire phase, specifically Ministerial Fire
• Their color is red
• Its season is summer
• The direction from which its influence comes is the South
• Its climate is Hot
• Its power is that of flourishing growth
• Its flavor is bitter
• Its odor is burnt, scorched or charred

» Influences upon the Triple Warmer:
• this organ is injured by the climatic factor Heat

» Foods that are said to benefit the Triple Warmer:
• meat - lamb
• fruit - plum
• vegetable - greens


footnotes