The Key to Overall Health: Nurturing Your Stomach

01 Introduction

Human birth, aging, illness, and death are all governed by the natural operation of yuanqi. The five internal organs not only correspond to the five elements but also to the four seasons.

Huang Yuanyu, a master herbal practitioner, proposed a unique theory of the yuanqi circle, which sets him apart from others in history. He believed that the core of the yuanqi circle is the spleen and stomach, much like the axle of a wheel. The spleen controls the rise of yuanqi, and the stomach controls its fall. Together, they ensure the body’s yuanqi circle functions properly, maintaining overall health.

02 Vital Functions of the Five Internal Organs

The five internal organs each have distinct roles:

• Spleen: Governs transportation and transformation.
• Liver: Manages the flow of yuanqi.
• Heart: Oversees the mind.
• Lungs: Handle clearing and descending functions.
• Kidneys: Store yuanqi.

The spleen and kidneys have special roles directly related to yuanqi—one increases it, and the other preserves it. The spleen is like a family’s income, generating yuanqi, while the liver, heart, and lungs manage daily expenses. The kidneys act as a savings account, storing leftover yuanqi. This analogy simplifies the complex functions of the internal organs, emphasizing the spleen’s crucial role in producing yuanqi.

03 Appetite as a Health Indicator

01 A Growing Child’s Robust Appetite

A child’s strong stomach-qi between ages eight and eighteen leads to a good appetite and digestion, converting food into abundant yuanqi and vitality. This results in active, playful behavior and physical growth. In contrast, the elderly often have weaker stomach-qi, leading to poor digestion and appetite. Herbal medicine values stomach-qi highly; a good appetite indicates manageable illness, while loss of appetite can signal severe health issues.

02 The Diabetic’s Paradoxical Appetite

Some diabetics can eat a lot but remain thin and weak because their food isn’t properly transformed into yuanqi and blood. This condition, where the stomach is strong but the spleen is weak, leads to nutrient-rich but foul-smelling feces. The unabsorbed nutrients become a burden, highlighting the importance of a balanced spleen and stomach for proper nutrition and health.

03 The Impact of Undigested Foods

Unabsorbed substances cause “heavy dampness” and oxidative stress, leading to organ damage and disease. After age forty, declining spleen and stomach function can lead to weight gain from soft fat, not muscle, and decreased physical strength. This can strain the heart, causing symptoms like purple lips, indicating excessive cardiac burden.

04 The Role of Spleen and Stomach in Obesity

Declining spleen and stomach function is a key factor in obesity. Huang Yuanyu emphasized starting treatment with the spleen and stomach to ensure overall health and longevity. Herbal practitioners include appetite-stimulating and spleen-strengthening herbs in prescriptions to avoid damaging these vital organs.

05 An Illustrative Story of Proper Eating

In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sima Yi’s health wisdom is evident when he inquires about Zhuge Liang’s eating and sleeping habits. Knowing that poor appetite affects health, Sima Yi uses this knowledge to outlast Zhuge Liang, who eventually succumbs to illness. This story underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy spleen and stomach.

04 Central Theory

Huang Yuanyu’s discovery of the spleen and stomach as the hub of the yuanqi circle led to his principle of “cultivating the middle earth, supporting yang, and suppressing yin.” The spleen and stomach, located in the middle of the five internal organs, are essential for overall health.

05 Looking ahead

For more herbal medical theories of Huang Yuanyu and his contributions to traditional herbal medicine, and how it helps in rejuvenating our health, stay tuned for the next episode.

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