From the TCM perspective, the main physiological functions and indicators of the heart includes (1) the domination of blood and vessels, and facial complexion, (2) control of the mind; and (3) opening into the tongue.

The heart has an "exterior" (biao) and "interior" (li) relationship with the small intestine.

Dominating Blood and Vessels, and Facial Complexion

The heart dominates the blood and vessels indicating its function of promoting blood circulation. In the Suwen, it says, "... The heart is in charge of the blood vessels ...." The vessels are the pathways of blood circulation while the heart is the motive power of blood circulation. Only if there is ample heart qi can the blood circulate incessantly in the vessels to nourish the whole body. The heart, blood, and vessels are interrelated. Because of the rich distribution of blood vessels in the facial region, the color and luster of the complexion usually reflects the sufficiency or insufficiency of the blood supply and heart qi. If the heart blood supply is sufficient, then the pulse beats normally and forcefully and the facial complexion is rosy with luster. If the heart qi is insufficient, the vessels will be empty, the pulse feeble and weak or irregular and the facial complexion pale. Insufficient heart qi may lead to blood stagnation manifested by a blue complexion. So in the Suwen is says, "The heart is the root of live, ... its luster is manifested in the face, it fills up the blood vessels ..."

Controlling the Mind

Mind here indicates spirit, consciousness, and thinking. Traditional Chinese medicine considers that mind refers to the five zang organs, especially the heart. So in the Lingshu it says, "The organ that is responsible for the performance of activities is the heart." This means the process of thinking is accomplished by the heart. Blood is the main foundation for mental activities, thus the function of heart controlling the mind is closely related to the function of heart dominating the blood and the vessels. If there is plenty of heart blood, the mind is clear, thinking is nimble, and one is full of vim and vigor. If heart blood is insufficient, it will lead to the pathological changes of heart-mind manifested by palpitation, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep, poor memory, restlessness, etc. If heat in the blood disturbs the heart-mind, there will be delirium, coma, etc.

Opening into the Tongue

One of the branches of the heart channel directly connects with the tongue. So physiologically the tongue has a close relationship with the heart. The qi and the heart blood all flow up to the tongue in order to assist its normal physiological functions. If there is a pathological change in the heart, it will be reflected in the changes of the tongue. For example, an insufficient supply of heart blood may be manifested by pale tongue proper; heart fire flaring up is reflected by red tongue proper, or even by ulcers of the tongue; blood stagnation in the vessels in presented by a purple tongue or purpura; pathogenic heat invading the pericardium or pathogenic phlegm obstructing the heart orifice, will produce coma, delirium, and stiffness of the tongue. Thus it is said, "The heart opens to the tongue," or "The tongue is the sprout of the heart."

Pericardium

The pericardium is called xinbaoluo in Chinese. Structurally it is a membrane surrounding the heart, and physiologically it protects the heart. When exogenous pathogenic factors attack the heart, the pericardium is affected first. The Lingshu notes, "Therefore the pathogenic factors that intend to attack the heart must first attack the pericardium." Clinically the symptoms of pathogenic invasion of the pericardium are the same as if the heart was ill. If pathogenic heat attacks the heart, the symptoms are unconsciousness, delirium, etc. If pathogenic phlegm causes mental confusion, unconsciousness or mental disorder, it is known as "pathogenic phlegm obstructing the heart orifice."

Related Subjects

Read more on other Zang Organs: Lung, Spleen, Liver, and Kidney.

Traditional Chinese Medicine pages by Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA FRSA FRSPH

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WHAT IS TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE?
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With over 3000 years of experience, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has remain one of the many fascinating areas in ancient Chinese culture. First known to be documented in the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Medicine, TCM is believed to have been practised in as early as 475 to 221 B.C. The field of working knowledge of TCM stretches from anything related to general healthcare practice to the philosophy of the mind, the logic of life, religion, and even to as far as cosmology and astronumerology. This is why in order to thoroughly understand the concepts behind TCM, one must be comprehensive in learning and embracing the Chinese culture as a whole.

Just as Douglas Hoff put it when he explained about accupuncture, "The systems of TCM uses the concepts of elements and meridians and are completely immersed in the Asian cosmology which takes shape through the religions." The meridian-brain mechanism, the fundamental working concept of acupuncture, in which the pain block from the message that the needle or burning cone of herbs gives to the point of stimulus, was only found centuries later by the West through science and technology.

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR – MARCH 2020

Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA Thank you for visiting this TCM and acupuncture information website. If you have previously been to this website, you might have noticed that some of the pages on ancient historical ideas and holistic thinkings related to Chinese metaphysics are temporarily taken offline. This is because I will be revamping the whole website and be moving those information into a new \"Ancient Chinese Culture\" section so as to reflect a more current perspective on the interpretation of some of the fundamental concepts as well as to include some of the latest information in the area. But if you have just found this website for the very first time, I welcome you again and wish you could find what you require and, hopefully, you could also be benefitted from reading the articles I published on this website.

Please be patient and do come and check out this website frequently as it's being revamped.

Raymond Cheng, PhD DPA FRSA FRSPH

March 28, 2020.

IMPORTANT NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

This website is published, edited and designed by Raymond Cheng, and reflects only and only his personal views and opinions in his individual capacity. The information available at this website is not intended directly or by implication to either diagnose or treat any medical, emotional, or psychological condition or disorder. It is also not intended to create a physician-patient relationship between you and I or between you and Wyith Institute™ and The Office of Dr Raymond K K Cheng. The information here is not a substitute for advice and treatment provided by your physician or by another healthcare professional. It is always recommended that consultation with local healthcare providers be obtained for any of your specific health or medical concerns. Furthermore, any products that can be purchased (yet you can see I don't have much to sell here) through advertisers' banners or through links to other websites are not either explicitly or implicitly given any warranty or endorsement by me, my colleagues, Wyith Institute™ or any of its associated businesses.