The Spleen in Chinese medicine

The Spleen (Pi, 脾) is the “source of post-natal Qi and Blood” in Chinese medicine. Together with the Stomach, the Spleen runs the digestive transformation that converts food and drink into the body’s usable Qi and Blood. It is the foundation of acquired vitality — in contrast to the Kidney, which holds the inherited (pre-natal) constitution. The TCM concept of the Spleen overlaps with but is broader than the Western anatomical spleen; it encompasses pancreatic and small-intestinal digestive function. Paired with the Stomach; element Earth; season late summer; sense organ the mouth; emotion worry / overthinking; tissue muscles and flesh; houses the Yi (intellect, thought).

Functions of the Spleen

1. Governs transformation and transportation (yun hua) — the central function: converts food and drink into Gu Qi (Grain Qi) which combines with Lung-derived Qi to form usable Qi and Blood
2. Controls the Blood — holds Blood within the vessels; weakness leads to easy bruising, heavy bleeding, post-partum bleeding
3. Raises the clear — the Spleen’s ascending Qi prevents prolapse of organs (uterus, rectum, stomach, kidneys); Spleen Qi sinking causes prolapse
4. Controls the muscles and four limbs — muscle bulk, tone and energy depend on Spleen function
5. Opens into the mouth and manifests in the lips — appetite, taste and lip colour reflect Spleen health
6. Houses the Yi — capacity for thought, concentration and applied intellect

Spleen and Stomach pair

The Spleen is paired with the Stomach. The Stomach “rotten-ripens” food and descends it; the Spleen extracts the pure essence and ascends it. The two work as one digestive engine and their disharmony (Spleen-Stomach disharmony) is one of the most common clinical patterns — reflected in poor appetite, abdominal distension, nausea, irregular stools.

Common patterns of Spleen disharmony

1. Spleen Qi deficiency — tiredness after eating, bloating, soft stools, pale complexion, weak voice. The foundational Spleen deficiency pattern.
2. Spleen Yang deficiency — the above plus cold limbs, abdominal cold pain better with warmth, watery diarrhoea with undigested food
3. Spleen Qi sinking — chronic constipation or diarrhoea, organ prolapse (uterine, rectal, gastric), haemorrhoids, varicose veins
4. Spleen not holding Blood — easy bruising, blood spots under skin, heavy/prolonged periods, blood in stool
5. Dampness encumbering Spleen — heavy head and limbs, foggy thinking, sticky mouth, loose stools; from prolonged Spleen Qi deficiency or excess raw/cold/sweet food
6. Cold-Damp invading Spleen — acute abdominal cold pain, watery diarrhoea, vomiting; common in food poisoning or chilled raw food
7. Damp-Heat in Spleen — jaundice, bitter taste, foul-smelling stools, urinary burning; less common

Conditions on this site relating to Spleen disharmony

Irritable bowel syndrome, general digestive disorders, constipation, diarrhoea, chronic fatigue, post-prandial fatigue, anaemia from heavy menstrual loss, fluid retention, post-partum weakness. Spleen Qi deficiency is also the underlying constitutional pattern in many allergy and eczema cases.

Treatment principles for the Spleen

Core acupuncture points include SP 3 (Taibai) (Yuan-source), SP 6 (Sanyinjiao) (meeting of the three Yin), SP 9 (Yinlingquan) (drains Damp), ST 36 (Zusanli) (the master Earth point), BL 20 (Pishu) as the Back-Shu, and CV 12 (Zhongwan) as the Stomach Front-Mu (also strengthens Spleen). Moxibustion is particularly valuable for Spleen Yang deficiency. Foundational formulas include Si Jun Zi Tang (Spleen Qi deficiency), Li Zhong Wan (Spleen Yang deficiency), Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Spleen Qi sinking with prolapse), Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Spleen with Damp/loose stools) and Gui Pi Tang (Spleen failing to hold Blood, with anxiety/insomnia).

Return to Zang-Fu organ overview or read about the Heart, Lung, Liver and Kidney.