How the Yi Spirit of the Spleen Contributes to Our Clarity of Mind and Well-Being

According to the Five-Element Theory of traditional Chinese medicine, our organs each have a spirit:
Wood element  •  Organ: Liver  •  Spirit: Hun
Fire element  •  Organ: Heart  •  Spirit: Shen.
Earth element • Organ: Spleen • Spirit: Yi
Metal element  •  Organ: Lung  •  Spirit: P’o
Water element  •  Organ: Kidney  •  Spirit: Zhi.

Understanding the spirit energies of each element helps us to better know how to live in harmony with the season we are in and even transform our health. We can learn to become well adapted to our “Type.”(1) In this article, we discuss Yi, the spirit of the Earth element’s organ, the Spleen.(2)

Partake of the mystique of quantum energetic formulated plant-based skincare for your exalted natural beauty and well-being. Subscribe for a discount promo code, plus get truly unique beauty tips and offers.

Defining Yi
Yi is roughly translated as thought and intention.

In Chinese ethical philosophy Yi is more fully defined as faithful performance of one's indigenous duties to society. Intent or intention is the drive we feel within ourselves that compels us to be of service to others, to be empathetic, and to be part of a community offering support to those in need. In its deepest sense, Yi is service to others given in the unique ways that each of us individually can offer. By serving others, Yi gifts us with the byproduct of that service: contentment and satisfaction.

Yi is also defined as righteousness and justice, morality and meaning. And in traditional Chinese medicine Yi is considered to be the intellect.

The direction of the Earth element in traditional Chinese medicine is center. Likewise, Yi is found in our core, our center—the stabilizing and grounding influence we derive from past first memories of feelings, smells and touch—whether they are the warm loving experience of being on our mother’s breast or the cold fearful feelings of being in the sterile hospital room at birth.

Yi also represents nourishment from and connection to the Original Universal Mother, giver of the breath of sustenance, support and security that we first experienced as newborn babies.

One aspect of Yi and the Earth element is introspection—a balanced but not excessive turning inward to learn about the self and one’s place in the world. When we have grounded Yi within us we become better able to follow our own hearts and be true to ourselves.

Spleen Supports Nourishment On the Physical and Mental Levels
Spleen is the origin of chi and blood and it is responsible for nourishment and nurturing.

In our former article, The Earth Element and the Spleen: How a Balanced Spleen Is Vital to Digestion, Nourishment, Mental Function and Vitality, we said:

“The Spleen is responsible for the intake, processing, sorting and distribution of nutrients from food. Nutrients are then transported upwards by the Spleen to the Lungs where both Heart and Lungs take over generating chi and infusing the body’s blood with these nutrients.

The Spleen both transforms food into nutrients and then transports these nutrients through the pushing/ascending action of the spleen chi.”

The Spleen is controller of transforming and transporting nutrients(3) but this doesn’t only apply to nutrients from food. It applies to intellectual nourishment as well. From a mental-emotional perspective, the Spleen is involved in issues of nourishment not just on the physical level but on the psychic level, too.

Yi and the Mental Processes
In traditional Chinese medicine, it is said that the Yi spirit of Spleen provides housing for the intellect which is responsible for applied thinking, memorizing, focus, concentration, mental application, study and the generating of ideas.

The nature of Yi means that the Spleen, together with Heart, is responsible for our ability to think and study with clarity. Cramming for exams, for example, or spending an inordinate amount of time each day writing or thinking can weaken Spleen.

“One of the major problems when the Spleen is imbalanced is the tendency for the person to become preoccupied, or at worst obsessed. Si or knotting of the qi (chi) occurs and diminishes a person’s ability to think one thought and then move on to another. This inability to think clearly can diminish a person’s creativity, spontaneity and happiness.” —Angela Hicks in Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture

From the perspective of emotions, the Spleen is adversely affected by pensiveness, worry, rumination and in severe cases, obsessive thinking.

The French writer-poet Voltaire perhaps unknowingly described a pathology of the Yi when he said:

“Madness is to think of too many things too fast or of one thing exclusively.”

Strong Yi allows us to dream our thoughts and ideas clearly so that they will coagulate and manifest in our world.

When the Spleen is weak we become unable to accomplish our goals causing us to feel unfulfilled. We feel unable to get things done leaving projects started but not finished.

This is why we define the positive, in-balance emotion of the Earth element on our website as ‘creative self-expression.’ All of the products in each of our five element quantum energetic lines of skincare are formulated to help balance emotion with the highest degree of concentration of that energy found in the Phyt’Ether serums. The negative, out-of-balance emotion of Earth is feeling overwhelmed, excessive rumination, causing a state of scatteredness.

Well known British classical acupuncturist, J. R. Worsley,(4) called this called the inability to think clearly and decisively an inability to reap a harvest, harvest being completely symbolic of the Earth element and its functions.

Strong Yi helps us follow through with our intention. We have the ability to focus the mind on something we desire. Harvard Medical School professor of medicine Ted J. Kaptchuk(5) has described the aspect of this intention embodied by Yi as the “consciousness of potentials.”

Yi enables chi to move. We must often first form a mental image of chi moving for it to move. And that initial image is assisted by Yi.

We also need Yi for self-motivation. If Spleen is weak, so are Yi and chi and also our ability to concentrate on work, execute a project to its completion or even be present to a conversation we are having with a friend.

Weak Yi diminishes our ability to remain steadfast to our purpose in life.

A deficiency in Spleen makes a person who is not psychologically centered and grounded lose self-confidence. When we feel unable to accomplish a life goal or pursue what we’d really love to do, it can often lead to depression, anxiety and despair. We feel a sense of unease, unhappiness, and loss of direction. Agitation, insecurity or lethargy of the spirit can make it difficult for us to stick to our chosen paths.

…

Endnotes:

1. A person exemplifying the ideal or defining characteristics of one or more of the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine; the Type is not always in balance or adapted to his or her Type in which we call it out-of-balance or maladapted. To learn more about each element Type, click through below:

1. Wood

2. Fire

3. Earth

4. Metal

5. Water

1. Click through to read our former article on the Spleen and the Earth element: The Earth Element and the Spleen: How a Balanced Spleen Is Vital to Digestion, Nourishment, Mental Function and Vitality

2. “The Spleen functions to control the digestive system and as such is as ordinary or common as a cook who is on duty 24 hours a day. Its work is basic. It does not have the glamor of the Liver which is a general, or the Lung which is a chancellor. We can compare this job to that of a mother who is always available to care for and support her family. A mother’s job is an important one, often unacknowledged until she is ill or away.” —Angela Hicks in Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture

3. J. R. Worsley (14 September 1923 – 2 June 2003) was a British acupuncturist who is credited with European five element acupuncture which is termed 'classical acupuncture.’

4. Ted J. Kaptchuk is professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Harvard-wide Program in Placebo Studies and the Therapeutic Encounter (PiPS) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.  He is also a professor of Global Health and Social Medicine.

…

Sources:

Maciocia, Giovanni. The Psyche in Chinese Medicine: Treatment of Emotional and Mental Disharmonies with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. United Kingdom, Elsevier Health Sciences, 2009.

Moss, Charles A.. Power of the Five Elements: The Chinese Medicine Path to Healthy Aging and Stress Resistance. United States, North Atlantic Books, 2011.

Hicks, Angela, et al. Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture. United Kingdom, Elsevier Health Sciences, 2010.

Acupuncture in Practice: Case History Insights from the West. United Kingdom, Churchill Livingstone, 1997.

The Earth Element and Spleen Digestive Function: A Balanced Spleen Is Vital to Digestion, Nourishment, Mental Function and Vitality

In traditional Chinese medicine, the between seasons period of Earth is the season of balance, nourishment, nurturing and grounding. It corresponds to the stomach and spleen digestive function and energy. The spleen harvests nutrients from foods.

There are four 18-day periods in the year that occur between energetic seasons according to traditional Chinese medicine. The time period between October 21 and November 7 is the last of the year. The element of the five elements of traditional Chinese medicine associated with this season is Earth.

The spleen is the yin organ of the pair of organs associated with the Earth element and the Earth energetic season. The yang organ of Earth is the stomach.
 
What is the spleen and what is spleen digestive function?

“Among human solid organs, the spleen seems to be an orphan. With most other organs, such as the brain, heart, and kidney, much has been written on their history, anatomy, function and surgical treatment… Why has the spleen lagged behind other organs in published works? In the popular mind, many people are unaware that they even have a spleen. Still others do not know where in the body it is located. Almost no one knows what it does.”

— Leon Morgenstern, UCLA School of Medicine, California

The spleen contributes to the homeostasis of the body. It helps keep harmful microorganisms and unhealthy abnormal worn out and misshapen red blood cells out of the bloodstream. The spleen also makes lymphocytes(1) and stores blood cells. It’s the principle organ defining the shape of the red blood cells circulating in the bloodstream. 

Good spleen digestive function is key to the body’s immune system. 

Traditional Chinese medicine tells us the spleen is source of chi (vital energy) and blood. The spleen is responsible for the intake, processing, sorting and distribution of nutrients from food. Nutrients are then transported upwards by the spleen to the lungs. There both heart and lungs take over generating chi and infusing the body’s blood with these nutrients.

The spleen transforms food into nutrients and then transports these nutrients through the pushing/ascending action of the organ’s chi. This is how it relays nutrients to the heart and lungs, into the circulatory system and finally throughout the body.

Partake of the mystique of quantum energetic formulated plant-based skincare for your exalted natural beauty and well-being. Subscribe for a discount promo code, plus get truly unique beauty tips and offers.

The spleen ascends its chi. The ascending action helps maintain the position of the organs in the body. Stomach chi descends to facilitate digestion and eliminate undigested food from the body.

The ascending action of the spleen and the descending action of the stomach complement each other in the act of digestion.

In spleen digestive function, sometimes the ascending function of the spleen gets out-of-balance. Its chi energy flows downwards rather than upwards. Symptoms of fatigue, flatulence, loss of appetite, diarrhea and giddiness are the result. When stomach chi is out-of-balance and does not descend vomiting is the result. 

The normal adult spleen lies immediately under the diaphragm in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. It ranges in length from 2-1/3 to 5 inches approximately and in weight from 2-2/3  to 4-1/4 ounces.

Spleen digestive function and the elimination of toxins is very much associated with the Earth element. For this reason, PHYTO5 formulates the Earth line of skincare with ingredients that support spleen digestive function and the circulation of lymph(2). We do this according to principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

As the largest secondary lymphoid organ in the body, the spleen is responsible for a wide range of immunological functions.

Spleen digestive function plays several very important roles in the human body.

the human lymphatic system

1. In moms-to-be, the spleen begins producing the embryo’s blood cells gradually leaving the job to the mother’s bone marrow.

2. Spleen captures malfunctioning, abnormal or old red blood cells and expels them from the body.

3. Spleen recycles iron in red blood cells to create new healthy red blood cells. (If spleen chi is weak, bruising, blood in stools and urine, and purple-colored spots may be found under the skin, among other conditions involving bleeding.)

4. The spleen assimilates your food’s nutrients (also known as food essence or jingwei in traditional Chinese medicine) which are then conveyed throughout the body via lung, heart and blood vessels.

5. In the act of spleen digestive function, spleen absorbs water and then transports it through the body via lung, heart and urinary bladder to maintain normal water metabolism.

6. Good spleen digestive function helps protect the body from infections by producing white blood cells [macrophages and lymphocytes(1)]which travel to the infected parts of the body.

7. The spleen produces antibodies which help fight infections.

8. Lymph fluid(1) passes through the spleen where germs and other foreign bodies are captured by white blood cells.

9. Spleen digestive function contributes to good mental function when in balance. It affects intention which can be weakened by mental strain. Mental turmoil, poor memory, and irritability may be a result of impaired spleen energy.

10. Balanced spleen digestive function helps keep us free from abnormal fatigue, digestive issues and poor complexion. A deficiency in spleen chi often contributes to fatigue. It can cause symptoms like appetite loss, a sense of abdominal fullness especially after meals, loose stools, breathlessness and a pale yellow complexion. Feeling sluggish and tired may occur when a deficiency in spleen chi prevents inadequate nourishment for the organs.

11. When spleen digestive function is normal, it promotes the energy required by muscles and limbs producing a vitality filled body.

12. Spleen participates with the other energies of the body which it irrigates and moistens.

Dampness and the Spleen

Traditional Chinese medicine tells us a damp spleen occurs when the spleen can’t transport and transform body fluids properly. This leads to an accumulation of moisture within the body.

Dampness is turbid, heavy and difficult to reverse. Often originating in the legs it will move upward to the abdomen. Symptoms include a thick greasy tongue coating, loose stools, bloating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and a heavy feeling in the body or limbs.

High and frequent intake of raw, cold and spicy foods can damage the spleen and cause dampness. Dairy products, processed foods, alcohol, sugar and sweeteners will exacerbate already existing dampness in the body.

If you’re concerned about your spleen digestive function, here are some simple actions to take:

1. Assist your digestive process by chewing your food well. Chewing food thoroughly reduces the workload on your digestive system and food is absorbed more easily. By chewing your food very well, mealtime will be naturally longer and this will help you attain a feeling of fullness and prevent overeating.

2. Refrain from drinking fluids while having a meal.

3. Try not to drink cold beverages but if you must, have some warm tea first. Too much cold beverage can damage the spleen and drinking cold beverages at mealtime will force the body to take time to warm up the food before it can even be digested.

4. Eat lots of whole foods. Nourish the spleen with sweet whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Consume red dates, Chinese yam and lotus seeds often, if not, daily. This will help nourish your spleen digestive function.

5. Avoid overeating and feasting. This makes the spleen work overtime to sort through too many nutrients at once. Overeating also results in food stagnation. The spleen doesn’t have enough time to empty your stomach before your next meal. This causes bloating and fatigue.

6. Exercise most especially the abdominals and thighs because the spleen meridian runs up the legs.

7. Take time for relaxation. Traditional Chinese medicine finds mealtimes extremely important times of the day. They should not be mixed with working, reading or watching television. Doing so may inhibit the passage of food through the body and negatively affect your spleen digestive function.

…

Endnotes:

(1) Lymphocyte: a form of small leukocyte (white blood cell) with a single round nucleus, occurring especially in the lymphatic system

(2) Lymph: a colorless fluid containing white blood cells that bathes the tissues and drains through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream

Sources:

Liu, Yanchi, Kathleen Vian, and Peter Eckman. The Essential Book of Traditional Chinese Medicine. New York: Columbia UP, 1988. Print.

Photo by shironosov at Getty Images via Canva