Triple Burner Functions
Triple burner is a special concept in TCM, there is no corresponding organ in western medicine. TCM scholars had different opinions about the triple burner, and no clear conclusion has been reached as to the nature of this organ. However, it is generally agreed that its physiological functions include governing qi, commanding qi transformation and water movement of the entire body.Triple burner governs various qi
The triple burner governs qi of the entire body, such as qi flowing in organs or meridians, fresh qi in breathing, nutrient qi and protective qi. Therefore, it is closely associated with the physiological activities of organs and tissues of the body. This ability of the triple burner is originated from the inborn qi that derived from congenital essence stored in the kidneys, because the inborn qi relies on the passages of triple burner to circulate throughout the body, to motivate the organs and meridians functioning.
Triple burner commands qi transformation
Qi transformation refers to the process refining crude substance into a more delicate state or form, somewhat similar to material metabolism inside the body. The triple burner plays an important role in qi transformation process, because material metabolism of body is accomplished by multiple organs which rely on the inborn qi circulated within the triple burner for power source, and also the triple burner acts as the passages in various processing.
Triple burner is the passage for water movement
The triple burner ensures body fluids flowing freely and distributing throughout the body. Actually, it acts as the passages for body fluids distribution, and also participates in fluid metabolism. If the triple burner is dysfunction, qi circulation will become obstructed, and thus no force to push fluid distribution, resulting in fluid retention in abdomen, general swelling or urinary difficulty. For fluid retention problems, physicians usually adopt treatment to unblock the triple burner or water passages, and also resume the harmony of the affected organs such as the lungs, spleen or kidneys.
Triple burner is an isolated organ
There is a saying that the triple burner is a large isolated organ containing all other internal organs. The triple burner is actually a collective term for the upper, middle and lower burner. The upper burner is located above the diaphragm and includes the heart and lungs. The middle burner is located in the region above the belly button and below the diaphragm and includes the spleen and stomach. The lower burner is located below the belly button, and it includes the liver, kidneys, large intestine, small intestine and bladder. (This description of location is used for the functional classification of the triple burner in TCM, and do not refer to the anatomical location of organs.) The functions of the three burners were summarized in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine as follows: "The upper burner acts like a mist generator; the middle burner acts like a fermentation place; and the lower burner act like a drainer."
- "Mist" refers to the pervading vapor-like state of nutrient essence. The upper burner is responding for dispersing and dissemination actions, which are through the cooperation of the lungs and heart, the nutrient essence is distributed all over the body for nourishment and warming purposes, just as mist disperses in the environment.
- "Fermentation" means digestive churning process. The middle burner is where the spleen and stomach located, they transform and ripen food, and the food decomposes in a similar way of fermentation. Since the middle burner produces fundamental substances for the body, TCM regards it as the pivot for qi ascending and descending movements, and the source of qi and blood productions of the body.
- "Drainer" relates to the excretion of impure substances. The lower burner separates the "clear" from the "turbid" substances and excretes these impurities through urination and defecation. The lower burner actually covers the functions of kidneys, small intestine, large intestines and bladder.
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