Spleen water: Edema in aching limbs & dry mouth

[Guest guest]

I'm presenting a series of posts on edema according to Zang (Yin) Organs for

the students on the list. The previous post was on Shen shui (Kidney water)

with its key symptoms of continual wetness and sweating in the groin area,

fluid concentration in the lower abdomen, and thin face. Kidney water

(edema) is due to a failure of Kidney Yang.

 

Historically, understanding edema from an approach of the Zang (Yin) Organs

(Kidneys, Spleen, Heart, Liver, and Lungs) has not played a large role in

TCM. But, I find the approach particularly good for students who are in the

process of becoming familiar with what each Organ system does. The important

thing to remember in connection with Spleen water is that one of the main

functions of the Spleen and Spleen Qi is the transformation and transport of

water in the body. If the Spleen is weak, Damp with gather.

 

" 'Pi shui' (Spleen water) occurs when Spleen transport fails and pathogenic

damp gathers internally, affects the Spleen, and pours out to flood the

tissues, so that the limbs ache from lack of nourishment and excessive

edema; the abdomen swells; there is a lack of energy and the mouth becomes

dry because most food and fluids are not transformed by the oppressed Spleen

yang, and the already transformed fluid that is available cannot be carried

upward to the mouth due to this oppression; and the urine becomes difficult

as water simply gathers internally. " (Fluid Physiology and Pathology in

Traditional , Steven Clavey, p. 149.)

 

The key symptoms that a weakened Spleen is a key part of the edema is that

the limbs will be swollen and feel achy and the mouth is dry.

 

Victoria

 

 

 

 

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