-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
Chinese physiology
Heart (Xin)
diagnoses

definition

The Chinese organ Xin is translated as the Heart
It is classified as a Zang organ, which is to say Yin in nature
Its channel is named Hand Xiao Yin or Lesser Yin

» The Major Functions of the Heart include:
• The Heart is the Sovereign of the Body-Mind-Spirit
• It Stores the Shen/Spirit - Mind or Consciousness
• The regulation of the blood vessels, blood circulation, pulse
• It controls the tongue and speech (one's ability to articulate) and expresses itself in the face
• Controls all Yin and Yang organs.

» Relationships of the Heart:
• The channel is coupled with the Foot Xiao Yin Kidney channel
• High tide in the channel occurs between the hours 11 am to 1 pm
• Its "clock" partner is the Gall Bladder (12 hours away)
• Its elemental pair is the Small Intestine - in the Fire phase, specifically Imperial 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 and its odor is burnt, scorched or charred

» Expressions of the Heart:
• It confers the sense of speech through its sense organ, the tongue
• It controls the special tissue(s) the vascular system (including the blood and pulse)
• The body fluid it secretes is perspiration
• Its condition is observable in the (facial) complexion
• When the Heart is out of balance, pain, discomfort or abnormal sensations are frequently experienced in the chest and extremities; sensitivity and/or tension can often be palpated in the substernal area
• This organ produces feelings of pleasure
• The characteristic sound of the voice is laughter and talkativeness

» Roles of the Heart:
• If the body were an empire the Heart would be the ruling official, the Sovereign of the Body-Mind-Spirit (who directs)
• It houses the spirit known as the "Shen", i.e., Consciousness, Mind, Spirit
• It disseminates Qi in all directions (from core to periphery) and downward from its position in the Upper Warmer

» Influences upon the Heart:
• This organ is injured by the climatic factor Heat
• is "strained" by too much walking/running (a hectic hurried lifestyle) and/or excessive use of the eyes
• is "drained" by the sweet and/or bitter flavor
• and is "overcome" by too much excitement, hysteria or histrionics

» Foods that are said to benefit the Heart:
• grain: glutinous millet
• meat: lamb
• fruit: plum
• vegetable: greens

» Major symptoms of Heart disharmony include:
• Palpitations - Arrhythmias and heart-rate abnormalities
precordial pains and shortness of breath
• Mental problems - emotional distress - nervousness
• Sleep disturbances
• Circulatory and Vascular problems
• Abnormal sweating - ulcerations of the tongue (esp. the tip)
• Speech pathologies - incoherent speech

» Shi (Excess) patterns:
• Heart Agitated by Phlegm Fire
• Heart Misted by Cold Phlegm
• Small Intestine: Full Heat Descending from Heart

» general symptoms of Shi (Excess):
Anxiety; frightful dreams; nervousness; heavy chest; hot sweat; tongue feels numb and heavy; orange colored urine.

» Xu (Deficiency) patterns:
• Heart Xue Xu (Blood Deficiency)
• Heart Collapses into Pericardium
• Heart Fire Blazing
• Heart Qi Xu (Deficiency)
• Heart Yang Collapse
• Heart Yang Xu (Deficiency)

» general symptoms of Xu (Deficiency):
Inability to speak; cold feeling in the chest and limbs; palpitations; cold sweat; memory failure; restless sleep; nocturnal emissions.

» Xu (Deficiency)/Shi (Excess) patterns:
• Heart Xue Yu (Blood Stasis)


footnotes