The SMALL INTESTINE is the Heart’s counterpart to the FIRE element.
Because of this relationship the SMALL INTESTINE organ system incorporates the Mind (Shen) with its unique + specialized functions.
Like the biomedical functions of the SMALL INTESTINE, in TCM it plays a large role in the mind/gut connection.
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 26). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
In TCM the SMALL INTESTINE functions to:
• control receiving + transforming food + drink
• separate fluids
• discern what is necessary to keep or get rid of by passing on to the large intestine + bladder.
These functions are both physiological and psycho-emotional:
What is necessary for the health of our body as well as our mind + spirit.
It’s relationship to the FIRE element highlights it’s role in our spirit while it’s relationship physiologically to the large intestine and bladder highlights it’s role in excretion of the non-essential.
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 191). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
As the SMALL INTESTINE is part of the FIRE element, it too is correlated with:
• the season of Summer
• the color red
• the climate of Heat
• the emotion of Joy
• the sound of Laughing
• the Growth stage of development
As TCM is a system of harmonious relationship among all of the elements, these correspondences help us to determine where pathology is rooted from.
EXCESS FIRE in the SMALL INTESTINE can look like aversion to Summer, inappropriate laughter, rapid growth, overly joyous and feelings of heat.
DEFICIENCY FIRE in the SMALL INTESTINE can look like the opposite of these with a love of Summer because of feelings of cold, and lack of joy or laughter.
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 194). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
The SMALL INTESTINE meridian begins on the outer edge of the pinky nails + travels along the side of the hand, arm + back of the shoulder before going to the face.
Because of its pathway along the arm, points on the meridian are fantastic at treating local + common issues of things like tendinitis, tennis elbow and frozen shoulder.
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 959). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Image of book: Pálos, S. (1994). Consilium CEDIP acupuncturae: Therapie in Wort und Bild. Ismaning bei München: CEDIP, Med.-Techn. Verl.- und Handelsges.
Pathology in the SMALL INTESTINE can look like:
• bowel problems
• tummy rumbling + noises
• lack of mental clarity
When it come to treating the imbalances of the Organ System, we tend to use points on other meridians, not solely the SMALL INTESTINE meridian
And we never just treat ONE organ system, as they all work together
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 638). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
The SMALL INTESTINE meridian starts in hand, and reaches the face.
Points on the face help to bring Qi, Blood + nutrients to local areas, as they help with symptoms like facial paralysis, swelling, twitching, toothache, tinnitus and headache.
In our REJUVENATE | REVIVE treatment (facial rejuvenation) a point on the cheek is often used to encourage lymphatic drainage, boost collagen production, softening wrinkles, scars, + fine lines.
Maciocia, G. (2005). The foundations of Chinese medicine. (pp. 959). Edinburgh: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Image of book: Pálos, S. (1994). Consilium CEDIP acupuncturae: Therapie in Wort und Bild. Ismaning bei München: CEDIP, Med.-Techn. Verl.- und Handelsges.