The Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine is the Qi of Joy

The Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine is Full of Emotion

The heart is one of five organs, yin-organs, (yin being the passive female principal of the universe, according to this dictionary definition) that are linked to a specific emotion. The heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine produces the essential qi, or energy, of happiness and joy. Its opposite on the Meridian Flow Wheel is the gallbladder. One peaks, while the other is at a low point. The peak of the heart is from 11 am – 1 pm. 

The heart is said to be the emperor, or the monarch, of all the organs and holds a central role in our physical and emotional health. Unlike the Western view, which sees the heart merely as a biological pump pushing blood around the body, Traditional Chinese Medicine views the heart in a holistic manner. It is not just the physical organ, but also a complex symbol of spiritual, emotional, and mental aspects of a person.

That is one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, taking both external and internal factors into account in one’s overall health.

The Chinese character for heart, ‘xin’, is used in many words and phrases that express thought, understanding, intention, and memory. This is the meaning, and meeting,  of heart and mind. This highlights the significance of the heart not just in physical, but also in mental and emotional functions.

In Traditional Chinese medicine, the heart is tied to the element of fire, the season of summer, and the emotion of joy. It is associated with the color red, the bitter taste, and the direction south. Understanding these associations broadens our understanding of the heart’s importance and how it can be nurtured for optimum health.

Other organ emotion connections:

• Liver: anger.
• Spleen: thoughtfulness.
• Lungs: grief and sadness.
• Kidneys: fear.

The Heart’s Role in the Body According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

Since the heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine is the ’emperor’ or ‘monarch” of the body, it rules over all other organs and tissues, and is responsible for circulating blood and that vital life energy known as ‘qi’. It is also closely linked with the mind, consciousness, and spirit, often described as the ‘seat of consciousness’.

The heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine houses the ‘Shen’, or the spirit. The Shen is the aspect of our being that encompasses our consciousness, emotions, and thought processes. It’s the Shen that gives us our sense of self and allows us to think, remember, and understand the world around us.

The heart also governs speech and expresses itself through the complexion. A healthy heart is reflected in a person’s radiant complexion and clear, coherent speech. Conversely, an unhealthy or imbalanced heart may manifest as a pale or dull complexion and unclear, incoherent speech.

Does this mean that the heart, or Cardio dial might be linked to the Integumentary dial on a bioenergetic scan?

If you have skin issues, this might be something to explore from a TCM standpoint!

The Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Mind. 

In Western medicine, the heart and the mind are often treated as separate entities. However, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart and the mind are interconnected and influence each other profoundly. This is the heart-mind connection, which is central to understanding the heart in traditional Chinese medicine.

The heart, as the home of the Shen, is directly responsible for our mental and emotional wellbeing. When our heart is healthy, our Shen is strong, and we experience clear thinking, a stable mood, and a strong sense of self. We are also able to sleep well, remember efficiently, and engage positively with the world.

On the other hand, when our heart is unhealthy, or imbalanced, as we say at CBH Energetics, our Shen is disturbed, which may be related to emotional stress. This can include anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, confusion, forgetfulness, and even more severe conditions like depression or mania.

The Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine as the Source of Joy

We mentioned that each organ is associated with a specific emotion, and for the heart, this does not just refer to the fleeting happiness we feel when something good happens, but to a deep, enduring sense of contentment and wellbeing.

A balanced heart, and a balanced heart dial on your bioresonance scan, many mean that you are experiencing joy and contentment in its fullest sense. This state helps us appreciate the beauty in the world around us, engage fully in our relationships, and find satisfaction in our daily lives. It also enables us to handle life’s challenges with resilience and positivity.

However, just as a healthy heart enables us to experience joy, in TCM,  excessive or uncontrolled joy can also stress the heart. How can this be? This is because extreme or prolonged emotional states can disrupt the balance of qi and potentially lead to illness with the TCM philosophy.

The Importance of Balancing the Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine (and bioenergetics).

As the heart governs the blood and houses the Shen, any imbalance can disrupt the person as a whole, including a variety of physical, mental, and emotional health issues.

What does the heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine look like if imbalanced?  Physically, the person may experience symptoms such as palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, cold hands and feet, and even serious conditions like heart disease. There may even be a pale and dull complexion. 

Mentally and emotionally, it can lead to restlessness, insomnia, confusion, and emotional instability. There may be restlessness through the day. You might find it hard to concentrate, struggle with memory, or experience frequent mood swings.

All of these things can be subtle. Even the data that shows up on a bioresonance scan can relate to some subtle, small shifts in the human energy field. 

Methods to Balance the Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine

There are several methods used in traditional Chinese medicine to balance the heart. These include acupuncture, herbal remedies, diet and lifestyle changes, and practices such as qi gong and tai chi.

Acupuncture is a practice that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to balance the flow of qi. It can be an effective method to treat heart imbalances, particularly when combined with herbal remedies. Bioenergetic testing encompasses some of the meridians used in acupuncture, like the Governing Vessel.

The herbal remedies on a report involves the use of plants and minerals to restore balance to the body. There are many herbs that are known to support heart health in Traditional Chinese Medicine, including Ginseng, Hawthorn, and Arjuna. 

Homeopathy has its own unique profile of ingredients that can support the heart as well. 

Diet and stress management always make sense for heart health. In TCM, the recommendations are not so different than Western Medicine. Eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and smaller amounts of lean protein.  The advice to stop smoking, or never start, and avoid excessive alcohol still stands. 

With TCM, the heart is associated with the bitter taste. Therefore, foods with a bitter taste, such as bitter melon, dandelion greens, and dark chocolate, are believed to support heart health. However, it’s also important to maintain a balance with food choices and excessive consumption of any one type of food.

Practices like qi gong and tai chi, can also support heart health. These practices not only improve physical fitness but also promote the flow of qi and help to balance the emotions.

Have you ever felt overly emotional when not rested? Sleep is crucial for heart health, and the health of the Nervous System. It allows the heart (and the brain) to rest and regenerate. This helps your heart, and your Glymphatic System.

Top Takeaways for The Heart in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

There are several practices in Traditional Chinese Medicine that can help to cultivate joy and heart health. 

One of them is Mindfulness. This involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. This practice can help to calm the mind, balance the emotions, and nourish the heart. It is very useful when dealing with cravings, and tuning in to how your body (and mind) feels with certain foods.

Meditation is another powerful practice for heart health. In particular, loving-kindness meditation, which involves cultivating feelings of love and kindness towards oneself and others, can be particularly beneficial for the heart. Meditation can also involve a breathing practice, which helps calm stress and the Nervous System, and supporting the heart while creating balanced health. 

Cultivating positive emotions, through something like a gratitude practice, can also support heart health and overall health. These emotions can help to balance the heart, nourish the Shen, and promote overall wellbeing. This doesn’t have to be complicated. you could use a journal or just take a few minutes when waking, or going to sleep to be grateful. 

Want to back up and learn more about the workings of the Cardiovascular system? Explaining the Cardiovascular System on a Bioenergetic Scan is your next read!

Framing the heart in traditional Chinese medicine requires a holistic approach to your body. By thinking of the heart in this way, we are reminded of not only the physical aspects of our health, but also mental and emotional health. 

By keeping our heart balanced, we can cultivate joy, clarity, and vitality, improving our quality of life and overall wellbeing.