Chinese Medicine has a unique way of viewing the human body and its functions. The Spleen, for instance, is considered to be one of the most important organs when it comes to digestion, nourishment, and overall wellbeing.
The Spleen is located in the center of the human body and is responsible for absorbing and processing nutrients. It is considered an organ of transformation and nourishment, and its ability to function properly is critical to maintaining good health.
In the history of Chinese Medicine, the “Earth Schools” taught that the Spleen and its paired organ, the Stomach, should be treated first in all cases of illness. This is because without the ability to transform and receive nourishment, the body lacks its central support.
The Spleen’s Physical Realm: Digestion
The primary function of the Spleen is to transform food into Qi (energy) and Blood, which are then distributed throughout the body’s meridians and soft tissues. The strength and quality of Qi and Blood greatly depend on the functioning of the Spleen. Therefore, when digestion and the Spleen are strong, physical vitality is also strong.
The Spleen’s Non-Physical Realm: Brain Power
The Spleen is said to hold the power of thought, the ability to concentrate, and apply the mind. The digestive process is mirrored by the mind, just as we take in food, and our body sorts the usable from unusable. We desire knowledge and take in information, which is then sorted and sifted. The connection is seen in our language with sayings like “food for thought,” “chewing over an idea,” and “verbal diarrhea.”
Caring for Both Ourselves and Others
On a mental level, the Spleen governs the power of thought, and on an emotional level, it governs feelings of concern for both ourselves and others. Strong Spleen energy lays the groundwork for a healthy emotional life, where our needs are satisfied, and we can overflow into life generously rather than grasp at life from a place of lack.
When there is too much concern for the self, energy can become stagnant, and too much outward concern can lead to over-concern, where we project our needs onto others. Psychologically, the Spleen underpins nourishment and support. When Spleen energy is well-balanced, we can nourish ourselves from within, overflow with our abundance, and cultivate a healthy inner Mother and nurturer.
Our Inner Mother and Nurturer
Archetypically, the Spleen is the Mother. Initially, we rely on our mothers as our source of nourishment, but as we grow, we must develop our own inner mother to provide a source of nourishment from within. This is when Spleen energy is said to mature. This progression can be altered if we didn’t receive nourishment from our mothers and, therefore, haven’t learned how to nourish ourselves from within. We learn by witnessing our mothers and how they tend to their needs, receive nourishment, and nurture themselves. Mothers who give and receive nourishment in a balanced way help show the way for their children, especially their daughters, to cultivate a healthy inner Mother and nurturer.
The Well-Nourished Spleen
Abundant Spleen energy gives us a deep inner sense of well-being, a wonderful sense of ease and comfort in the body, and a deep relationship with our sensuality. We feel abundant in all aspects of our lives, give and receive generously, and feel grounded and connected to the Earth. We rest feeling safe and secure, knowing that we are held and supported by the Great Mother and that she provides us with everything we need. When our Spleen is well-nourished, we feel vital and energised, with a clear mind and sharp thinking. We are able to digest not only our food, but also our life experiences, integrating them into our being and allowing them to nourish us. We are able to let go of worry and anxiety, trusting in life and our own inner wisdom to guide us on our path. The well-nourished Spleen is a foundation of health and vitality, supporting us in all aspects of our lives.
