In the “Huang Di Nei Jing” (Inner Book of the Yellow Emperor) it is said that the Earth element and its organ, the Spleen, are at the center of the five elements and govern them.
The season associated with the Earth Lodge is an intermediate season, which coincides with the succession between one season and another, since the task of the Spleen is to strengthen the Organs of each season: in summer it nourishes the Heart, in autumn it nourishes the Lung, in winter nourishes the Kidneys and in spring it nourishes the Liver.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the task of the Stomach, the bowels of the Earth lodge, is to accommodate food and drink, but it is the Spleen that carries out the actual digestive process. This organ acts on all the foods processed by the stomach and extracts the pure component (GuQi), lifting it upwards towards the Lung and the Heart so that the production process of the different types of Qi (vital energy) continues. Therefore the Spleen, with its meridian, constitutes the energetic "start" of the entire Qi metabolization process.
The Shen that dwells in the Spleen is the Yi, which corresponds to logical and organizational thinking.
The Spleen is also responsible for processing and digesting the information we receive from the outside. It is connected to memory, to the capacity for reflection and thought, in fact, in case of imbalance, the mind tends to ruminate, that is, to always ruminate on the same thoughts. But not only that, the mind is unable to be focused in the present and wanders into future time or past time. The Spleen has a close relationship with the Blood (Xue), its task is to keep it inside the vessels avoiding haemorrhages or leaks (circulation, on the other hand, is the responsibility of the Heart and Pericardium). Furthermore, this zang has the task of keeping the organs and viscera in place, which would otherwise fall downwards.
Another fundamental function of the Spleen is the task of suctioning liquids. A humid environment favors the Stomach in processing food, but if it is in excess it hinders the work of the Spleen. Excess humidity becomes a sticky and sticky substance, which tends to prevent the Spleen from its task of extracting pure substances from ingested foods. By Humidity we mean not only external climatic-environmental humidity, but can also be understood as an internal pathogenic factor, triggered by an excess consumption of carbohydrates, dairy products and sugars; as well as obsessive thoughts and poor physical activity.
To work energetically on the Spleen, we can use its meridian and above all some points. The spleen meridian has 21 points and is of the Yin type. Its path begins on the medial end of the big toe, goes up the medial aspect of the instep, passes the medial malleolus and continues along the internal surface of the leg in the sulcus posterior to the shin. Once past the internal side of the patella, it continues along the medial side of the rectus femoris, medial to the midline of the thigh; it runs along a short stretch of the groin, then reaching the abdomen, where, lateral to the Stomach meridian, it goes up the external edge of the rectus abdominis and the rib cage laterally diagonally up to the second intercostal space, finally descending to its terminal point, on the side, equidistant between the armpit and the eleventh rib.
The main points are: Spleen 1, which regulates the Spleen, stops bleeding and calms the Shen; the Spleen 4 point, which is the Luo point (which helps stimulate defenses against pathogenic attacks); Spleen 6, which is the crossing point of the three yins i.e. Spleen, Liver and Kidneys, whose stimulation cools the blood and nourishes the yin; Spleen 10, whose job is to stop bleeding, but also helps the tonicity of the organs and eliminates humidity.
It is possible to treat these points with acupressure or by massaging them with specific essential oils, following an in-depth discussion with an expert professional.
In light of this information, it is therefore clear how important it is to include the treatment of the Spleen Meridian in energy rebalancing treatments.
PLEASE NOTE: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of your doctor. The applications reported in no case have a prescriptive or therapeutic nature and must in no way replace the direct doctor-patient relationship or the specialist visit. Always consult your doctor or specialist beforehand.