The Material Basis of TCM Immunology: Zang Organs
The zang organs of TCM, namely lungs, spleen, kidneys, liver and heart, are the core of the immune activities. Rather than a single anatomical structure, a zang organ is part of the overall dynamic energy process of the body, their physiological and pathological meanings are not entirely the same as Western medicine. The five zang organs combine with other structures, the fu organs, meridians, qi (vital energy), blood and body fluids, to form a unity for the defense mechanism of the body. The immune functions are known as healthy energy (zheng qi) in TCM, that is closely associated with the physiology activities of the five zang organs. The zang organs are the center of the whole immune process, in which their collaborative jobs include transmission, excretion, internal monitoring, decision making and command.
In TCM, healthy energy (zheng qi) refers to the body's natural resistance against diseases and its repair ability, which is closely associated with the physiological activities of the five zang organs.
Details for individual zang organs are outlined in the following:
The lungs act as immuno-barrier
The lungs preside over qi (vital energy). They connect externally with the skin and hair and disseminate protective qi over the body's surface. The lungs' protective qi belongs to part of the healthy energy, it forms the first barrier against the invasion of exogenous pathogens. The protective qi provides warmth and nourishment to the skin, subcutaneous tissues and muscles; it also controls the opening and closing of skin pores. When protective qi is abundant, muscles are smooth, skin is tender and subcutaneous tissues are firm. Therefore, the ability to resist exogenous pathogens is ensured.
In this way, the lungs maintain the integrity of the body's outer barriers. Their actions are similar to the anatomical skin and mucosa linings such as that found in the mouth, which act like a natural immune barrier.
The spleen promotes immune functions
In western physiology, the spleen is a large, vascular, lymphatic organ. However, in TCM, the spleen is regarded as the "acquired foundation of life", the source of blood and qi production. Actually, TCM spleen is a multi-functioning unit, which covers functions of the western anatomical spleen and pancreas and promotes activities of the digestive, endocrine, nervous and blood systems.
TCM spleen governs transportation and transformation of body fluids and nutrient essences. The strength of healthy energy although to a certain extent depends on innate, but it also needs regular nourishment of acquired essence from the spleen, which is a guarantee of life activities, and power source for the healthy energy. Therefore, a healthy spleen is critical for normal functioning of healthy energy, assuring bodily protection against diseases.
The kidneys are the root of immune functions
TCM views the kidneys as the“congenital foundation of life” and “root of healthy energy”; they not only determine our constitution but also associated with prosperity of the healthy energy. The stored kidney essence is the material basis for the entire body's yin and yang forces, that make the body's physical form and functions mutually coordinated to create sustainable life activities. The kidneys play an important role in safeguarding the internal equilibrium, so as to ensure sufficient resistance of body. Moreover, abundance in kidney essence promotes vitality and functioning of protective-qi, thereby strengthening the body's resistance too.
In a modern sense, TCM kidneys not only regulate the urinary system, they also exercise control over the reproductive, hematological, endocrine and nervous systems. All these indicate they are closely related to the immune modulation network of the body, an important part of the immune system.
The liver helps maintain normal immune activity
The liver promotes flowing and spreading movements. By stimulating flow, the liver adjusts and ensures the smooth movement of qi, blood and body fluids, and spreads these substances to the entire body. TCM believes that emotional activity is an outer manifestation of the physiological status of the internal organ system, which is considered the major internal cause for diseases (regarded as endogenous evils in extreme conditions). Normal emotional health depends on the harmony of qi and blood flow, and the liver is mainly in charge of this aspect. When the liver keeps everything flowing smoothly, a regulated internal environment is created, and so maintains normal immune activity.
In a modern sense, TCM liver is a functional unit that is responsible for part of the functions of the endocrine, digestive, circulatory and immune systems.
The heart regulates the immune activities
The heart controls and regulates the flow of blood through the vessels of the body. It also rules the spirit, which in TCM, is the chief administrator of all the physiological and mental activities. Normally, the heart exerts its influence over other organs through the monarch fire (heart fire) which cooperates with the ministerial fire to promote the functional activities of other organs. When the heart's "ruling" is good, then the other organ systems work in harmony, and the body can fight against diseases effectively.
In addition to pumping blood, the heart possesses our Western understanding of the brain's role in regulating the nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine functions, because, the heart houses the spirit (shen). Since the heart plays a role in regulating nervous and endocrine functions, it naturally also plays a part in immune regulation.
Last but not least, the meridians are the pathways of qi and blood circulation as well as the channels where the immune functions take effect. The triple burner directs the various types of qi, and they also act as the channel stations for the body fluids to circulate. They are actively involving in the body defense activities too.
In TCM, healthy energy (zheng qi) refers to the body's natural resistance against diseases and its repair ability, which is closely associated with the physiological activities of the five zang organs.
Details for individual zang organs are outlined in the following:
The lungs act as immuno-barrier
The lungs preside over qi (vital energy). They connect externally with the skin and hair and disseminate protective qi over the body's surface. The lungs' protective qi belongs to part of the healthy energy, it forms the first barrier against the invasion of exogenous pathogens. The protective qi provides warmth and nourishment to the skin, subcutaneous tissues and muscles; it also controls the opening and closing of skin pores. When protective qi is abundant, muscles are smooth, skin is tender and subcutaneous tissues are firm. Therefore, the ability to resist exogenous pathogens is ensured. In this way, the lungs maintain the integrity of the body's outer barriers. Their actions are similar to the anatomical skin and mucosa linings such as that found in the mouth, which act like a natural immune barrier.
The spleen promotes immune functions
In western physiology, the spleen is a large, vascular, lymphatic organ. However, in TCM, the spleen is regarded as the "acquired foundation of life", the source of blood and qi production. Actually, TCM spleen is a multi-functioning unit, which covers functions of the western anatomical spleen and pancreas and promotes activities of the digestive, endocrine, nervous and blood systems. TCM spleen governs transportation and transformation of body fluids and nutrient essences. The strength of healthy energy although to a certain extent depends on innate, but it also needs regular nourishment of acquired essence from the spleen, which is a guarantee of life activities, and power source for the healthy energy. Therefore, a healthy spleen is critical for normal functioning of healthy energy, assuring bodily protection against diseases.
The kidneys are the root of immune functions
TCM views the kidneys as the“congenital foundation of life” and “root of healthy energy”; they not only determine our constitution but also associated with prosperity of the healthy energy. The stored kidney essence is the material basis for the entire body's yin and yang forces, that make the body's physical form and functions mutually coordinated to create sustainable life activities. The kidneys play an important role in safeguarding the internal equilibrium, so as to ensure sufficient resistance of body. Moreover, abundance in kidney essence promotes vitality and functioning of protective-qi, thereby strengthening the body's resistance too. In a modern sense, TCM kidneys not only regulate the urinary system, they also exercise control over the reproductive, hematological, endocrine and nervous systems. All these indicate they are closely related to the immune modulation network of the body, an important part of the immune system.
The liver helps maintain normal immune activity
The liver promotes flowing and spreading movements. By stimulating flow, the liver adjusts and ensures the smooth movement of qi, blood and body fluids, and spreads these substances to the entire body. TCM believes that emotional activity is an outer manifestation of the physiological status of the internal organ system, which is considered the major internal cause for diseases (regarded as endogenous evils in extreme conditions). Normal emotional health depends on the harmony of qi and blood flow, and the liver is mainly in charge of this aspect. When the liver keeps everything flowing smoothly, a regulated internal environment is created, and so maintains normal immune activity. In a modern sense, TCM liver is a functional unit that is responsible for part of the functions of the endocrine, digestive, circulatory and immune systems.
The heart regulates the immune activities
The heart controls and regulates the flow of blood through the vessels of the body. It also rules the spirit, which in TCM, is the chief administrator of all the physiological and mental activities. Normally, the heart exerts its influence over other organs through the monarch fire (heart fire) which cooperates with the ministerial fire to promote the functional activities of other organs. When the heart's "ruling" is good, then the other organ systems work in harmony, and the body can fight against diseases effectively. In addition to pumping blood, the heart possesses our Western understanding of the brain's role in regulating the nervous, cardiovascular and endocrine functions, because, the heart houses the spirit (shen). Since the heart plays a role in regulating nervous and endocrine functions, it naturally also plays a part in immune regulation.
Last but not least, the meridians are the pathways of qi and blood circulation as well as the channels where the immune functions take effect. The triple burner directs the various types of qi, and they also act as the channel stations for the body fluids to circulate. They are actively involving in the body defense activities too.
