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Understanding Zang Fu Theory in TCM Study Guide

This guide provides an overview of the Zang-fu organ theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with a specific focus on the physiological roles, vital substances, and pathological patterns of the Heart and Lungs. It covers the basic principles of TCM, the functions of the Heart as the ruler of blood and mind, and the functions of the Lungs as the master of Qi and water. The guide also touches upon the interconnectivity of these organs within the TCM framework.

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Foundations and Theoretical Systems of TCM

Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory

Theoretical systems of TCM include the concept of holism, Yin and Yang theory, and the Five Element Theory to explain human physiology and pathology.

  • Syndrome differentiation
  • Yin and Yang
  • Five Element Theory
  • Zang-fu organs
  • Therapeutic principle

Introduction to Zang Fu Theory

Zang-fu theory studies internal organs, physiological and pathological signs, and the relationship between internal organs and phenomena to nature.

  • Zang organs
  • Fu organs
  • Extraordinary organs
  • Physiological and pathological signs
  • Lung
  • Liver
  • Spleen
  • Kidney
  • Heart
  • Pericardium
  • Small intestine
  • Large intestine
  • Gallbladder
  • Stomach
  • Bladder
  • Brain
  • Bone
  • Blood vessel
  • Uterus
  • Qi and Blood circulation

Zang Fu Theory and Pericardium Channels

This material covers the TCM Pericardium functions, the 5 Element Theory of Fire, Pericardium patterns, and the Pericardium meridian with its most used points in clinical practice.

  • Zang fu theory
  • TCM Pericardium functions
  • 5 Element Theory: Fire
  • TCM Pericardium Pattern
  • Pericardium Meridian
  • Internal and External Qi Flow
  • Pericardium acupuncture points

Foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine is a treatment based on differentiation and experience involving acupuncture, moxibustion, diet therapy, and therapeutic exercises.

  • Acupuncture and moxibustion
  • Diet therapy
  • Tai ji
  • Qi gong
  • Preventive medicine
  • Vital substances
  • Channels and collaterals
  • Five elements
  • Causes of disease

History and Development of Chinese Medicine

A brief introduction of Chinese medicine covering history, development, and the initiation of the theoretical system.

  • Qi Monism
  • Yin-Yang
  • Five Elements
  • Huangdi Nei Jing
  • Nan Jing

TCM Theoretical System and Clinical Methodology

The theoretical system of TCM involves the concept of holism, treatment based on syndrome differentiation, and four diagnostic methods.

  • Concept of Holism
  • Syndrome Differentiation
  • Four TCM Diagnostic Methods
  • TCM Clinical Methodology

Zang Fu Theory and Organ Functions

Zang Fu Theory Liver Functions

The Liver ensures the smooth flow of qi, stores blood, and regulates various physiological functions in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

  • Zang Fu Theory
  • Smooth flow of qi
  • Blood storage and regulation
  • Liver qi stagnation
  • Liver Yang rising
  • Liver Fire
  • Damp-heat in Liver
  • Liver Blood deficiency
  • Liver Yin deficiency

Foundations of TCM Heart and Lung Functions

Review notes covering the Theory of Zang-fu Organs, including the anatomical structure, vital substances, and pathological patterns of the heart and lungs in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

  • Theory of Zang-fu Organs
  • Five Zang Organs
  • Six Fu Organs
  • Extraordinary Organs
  • Heart blood and heart qi
  • Heart pathology patterns
  • Pericardium
  • Vascular system
  • Five Liquids
  • Lung functions in TCM
  • Lung qi and lung yin
  • Dispersing and descending of lung qi
  • Water metabolism regulation

TCM Organ Functions and Pathologies

Review notes detailing the functions, TCM roles, and deficiency patterns of the Lung, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney.

  • Lung wind-cold invasion
  • Lung wind-heat invasion
  • Lung phlegm-heat
  • Spleen transportation and transformation
  • Spleen qi deficiency
  • Spleen yang deficiency
  • Liver detoxification and metabolism
  • Liver qi stagnation
  • Liver yang rising
  • Liver blood deficiency
  • Kidney essence and reproduction
  • Kidney water metabolism
  • Kidney yin and yang
  • Kidney qi deficiency
  • Zang-fu organs
  • Four pillars of diagnosis

Zang Fu Theory Kidney Functions and Anatomy

This material covers kidney anatomy, physiological functions, and Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts including essence, marrow production, and water metabolism.

  • Renal anatomy
  • Blood filtration
  • Water metabolism
  • Kidney essence (jing)
  • Marrow production
  • Kidney yin and yang
  • Qi reception
  • Zang Fu theory
  • Kidney pathology patterns
  • Kidney functions in Chinese Medicine

Zang Fu Theory of the Lung

The Lung is a Zang organ that governs Qi and respiration, regulates water passage, and controls the defense/immune system.

  • Anatomy of the Lung
  • Functions of the Lungs
  • Governing Qi and respiration
  • Regulating water metabolism
  • Controls defense/immune system
  • Controls skin and body hair
  • Opens into the nose
  • Dispersing and descending of lung qi
  • Formation of Zong qi
  • Regulation of qi ji
  • Connection to Large Intestine
  • Zang organ characteristics

Zang Fu Theory Lung Patterns

The lungs regulate water passage and movement, distribution, and excretion of body fluids through various patterns including wind-cold, wind-heat, wind-damp, phlegm-heat, phlegm-fluids, and deficiency states.

  • Lung regulation of water passage
  • Wind-cold invading LU
  • Wind-heat invading LU
  • Wind-damp invading LU
  • Phlegm-heat
  • LU Qi deficiency
  • LU Yin deficiency
  • LU Fluid deficiency
  • KD failing to receive LU Qi

Zang Fu and Extraordinary Organs Theory

Traditional Chinese Medicine concepts regarding Zang Fu organs, extraordinary Fu organs, and the San Jiao model are discussed alongside human anatomical structures and functions.

  • Zang Fu organs
  • Extraordinary Fu organs
  • Stomach functions
  • Stomach qi descending
  • Rotting and ripening of food
  • Large intestine functions
  • Small intestine functions
  • Gallbladder bile storage
  • Bladder urine excretion
  • Upper, Middle, and Lower Burner
  • Uterus regulation
  • Brain intelligence and marrow
  • Blood vessel transport
  • TCM patterns and symptoms

Zang Fu Theory of the Heart

The heart governs blood and blood vessels, houses the mind, and relates to vital substances including heart qi, blood, yin, and yang.

  • Anatomy of the heart
  • Governing blood and blood vessels
  • Housing the mind
  • Vital substances: Heart qi, blood, yin, and yang
  • Heart qi deficiency
  • Heart yang deficiency
  • Heart blood deficiency
  • Heart blood stasis
  • Heart blood/yin deficiency
  • Heart Fire Blazing
  • Phlegm-Fire in Heart
  • Pulse and tongue patterns

Zang Fu Theory of the Spleen

This material covers Spleen anatomy, functions in Chinese Medicine, and its relationship to vital substances, muscles, and emotions.

  • Zang Fu organs
  • Spleen anatomy
  • Transportation and transformation of food
  • Vital substances
  • Muscles
  • Body Fluids
  • Earth element
  • Spleen and stomach functions
  • Muscle connection
  • Damp climate

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