Love Your Digestive System
In both Islamic and Chinese traditions and according to Chinese texts, the Stomach is called the sea of grain and water; everything is assimilated here. The Spleen is in charge of transportation by keeping everything moving and functioning. Absorbing and moving: these are the essential actions that define the Spleen and Stomach network as the main source of the life sustaining post-natal energy." Wang Kentang and Wu Mianxue "The Compendium of Traditional Diagnosis" (Gu Jin Yitong Zhengmai Quanshu)
Often times we forget about the importance of our Spleen because it is said by conventional medicine that it is an organ we can live without, but the health of this organ is vital to our well being and entire immune system. I believe this is crap we are conditioned with especially as the Spleen is in charge of immunity, the formation of new blood cells, destroying old cells and lymphatic system to name a few things. I got kicked out of a hospital for preventing a Spleen being taken out of a 33 year old brother from the northern suburbs.
The Spleen is the partner to the Stomach. It is the organ responsible for transforming food into nutrients that are then sent to our body, giving us strength and energy to function throughout the day. The Spleen and Stomach also govern endocrine functions such as thyroid, adrenal cortex, medulla, and metabolism.
As well as digesting physical matter, the Stomach is responsible for digesting our emotions and thoughts which includes worry, anxiety, and fear so often leave us with Stomach aches and pains. Be mindful of the type of information you choose to ingest and if you feel overwhelmed, take a few minutes to yourself to breathe, meditate, relax and think of all the positive aspects of your life.
Spleen energy refers to the entire digestive system and aspects of the circulatory system. When the Spleen energy is flowing properly, the digestive system also functions properly. The Spleen also governs the muscles, so when we nourish our Spleen with good foods, it also helps our muscle building potential.
Symptoms of a weak Spleen are cold hands and feet, weakness and fatigue, excess mucous, swelling, fibroid tumours, stones, constipation, a feeling of heaviness, even paralysis. As the movement of Blood is impaired, there may be varicose veins, haemorrhoids, and irregular menstrual cycles.
The Spleen and Stomach are the root of one's health, if this root is imbalanced, then the whole body is imbalanced. This imbalance can manifest is so many different symptoms that seem totally unconnected, but in fact, have the same root imbalance.
TICM teaches us that the body is one and everything is connected. It is always showing us signs and clues into our internal state. Below are some tips to look out for that can indicate a weak or imbalanced Stomach and Spleen.
Below are tips to tell if you have signs of a weak Stomach and Spleen:
Mouth
Healthy: Lips are moist, red and shiny. There is no foul odour in the mouth
Unhealthy: Pale lips that are dry and easily cracked. The skin on the lip peels. Also, can be accompanied by bleeding gums, acid reflux, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, muscle cramps, easy bruising, flatulence, and bad breath to name a few things.
Nose
Healthy: Not too dry or greasy.
Unhealthy: Dry, greasy, loss of smell, nose runs or bleeds easily. If the sides of the nose are red it can indicate that there is toxic heat in the stomach. Greenish tip of the nose could mean pain in Stomach area, or that the Stomach and Spleen function is poor.
Eyes
Healthy: Good vision, alert and clear eyes.
Unhealthy: Poor vision, puffy eyes, red eyes, eyes that become easily fatigued.
Ears
Healthy: Clear hearing, no ringing sound.
Unhealthy: Hearing loss, ringing in the ear, tinnitus that can be frequent or once in a while.
Other signs and symptoms
Easily angered or agitated, lethargic, cold hands and feet, weak muscles, sugar and sweet cravings, poor circulation, diarrhoea, drooling while sleeping, skin problems like acne, eczema, psoriasis.
If you have any or a combination of the above symptoms, it is time to use those clues to strengthen and balance the Stomach and Spleen. It is time to take care of them.
What you can do at home:
I am always emphasising this in clinic to eat warm foods and warm beverages. The Stomach and Spleen need warmth to digest and function. Iced drinks, smoothies, and raw salads stop digestion and create stagnation, painful menstruation and cellulite.
.Ginger Power and its constituents play a vital role in the pre¬vention of microbial growth or act as anti-microbial agents, which is very helpful at this time when the body is a bit weaker. It strengthens from the inside out and helps Spleen and Stomach function.
Eating nutrient dense foods is really important now to build energy. In TICM, this is done through bone broths, seaweeds, eggs, wild fish, collagen, greens, beets, soups, and stews. All foods should be poison free.
Treatment from TICM doctors
Tinctures are wonderful to use for a boost during this period. Blood Builder is an ancient formula made to rejuvenate and nourish the Blood as well as promote healthy tendons, skin, hair, joints and helping with proper rest. Vitality tincture invigorates the Stomach and Spleen function to supply nourishment to the rest of the body. Tinctures can be diluted in water if you are breastfeeding.
Regular acupuncture