The Organ Networks of Chinese Medicine: Stomach
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the stomach organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the stomach organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the stomach organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the spleen organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the heart organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the small intestine organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the bladder organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the kidney organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the pericardium organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the triple warmer organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the gallbladder organ network.
Explore the field of ancient symbolism that illuminates the physical, emotional, and spiritual functions of the liver organ network.
BY HUANG GONGXIU (18th Century)
TRANSLATED BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
Cinnamon twig primarily enters the muscle layer at the surface of the body. At the same time, it enters the heart and liver channels. It is the branch of the cassia tree which also yields cinnamon bark. Cinnamon twig is light, its nourishing essence is pungent, and its color is red (therefore its affinity to the heart). The action of cinnamon twig is rising without descending.
FROM BENCAO QIUZHEN (EXPLORING THE TRUE MEANING OF THE MATERIA MEDICA, 1769)
BY ANONYMOUS (12 Century)
TRANSLATED BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
Everyone who walks the path of healing has to first understand the fundamental principles that are behind all technical aspects of medicine. Only then should herbs and other modalities be prescribed. If healing is approached from the underlying source, all treatment efforts will be sublime and clinical results will naturally follow.
BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
National University of Natural Medicine,
College of Classical Chinese Medicine
Heiner Fruehauf has researched the ancient symbolism that defines the finer points of Chinese organ network function for 10 years. His prolific research project will eventually culminate in the creation of an illustrated compendium on the macrocosmic and microcosmic ramifications of organ network theory. Since the publication of this effort is still years away, he has decided to make a selection from his cache of existing research papers available now by publishing them on ClassicalChineseMedicine.org. The first installment of these papers consists of a detailed etymological analysis of the character of fei 肺 (lung), and the defining statement on the lung’s function/office in chapter 8 of the Huangdi neijing suwen.
GERMAN TRANSLATION BY MARKUS GOEKE
HEINER FRUEHAUF
In this passionate lecture from the recent Roots and Branches Symposium, Heiner systematically illuminates the four different layers of the heart that play such an important role in the theory and practice of Chinese medicine.
Total running time: 2hr. 23 mins.
English
WITH HEINER FRUEHAUF
INTERVIEW BY GORDANA SMITH
After his prolific trip to China in the summer of 2014 to discover new sources of herbs, Heiner Fruehauf has returned with a refresh body of knowledge, that when synthesized with his over 30 years of clinical experience in Chinese medicine, offers greater insight into his body of work about Gu Syndrome (chronic parasitism) and treating complex autoimmune disorders with Chinese medicine.
HEINER FRUEHAUF
These lectures are an in-depth continuation of Prof. Fruehauf’s previously uploaded presentation on Macrocosmic Alchemy, which set out to delineate the basic parameters of the ancient cosmological system that originally informed Chinese medicine theory. They clarify the concept of the mid-level and high-level physician, and gives concrete examples as to how traditional knowledge about the months of the year, stellar constellations, hexagrams, rivers, and tribal territories can be used to significantly enhance diagnostic and treatment skills. Richly illustrated, professionally edited by Kamal Khan.
Total running time: 2 hr. 40 mins.
English
WANG FENGYI
1864-1937
PRESENTED BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
National University of Natural Medicine,
College of Classical Chinese Medicine
In these presentations, Heiner Fruehauf translates and explains in detail some of the constitutional five element teachings by the Confucian educator and 19th century peasant saint Wang Fengyi.
Total running time: 138 mins.
English
HEINER FRUEHAUF
The concept of Gu Syndrome ("Possession Syndrome") is an important feature of classical Chinese medicine that has been thoroughly misunderstood and subsequently disappeared from the historical record of TCM. During the last 15 years, Dr. Fruehauf has tirelessly researched this topic to demonstrate how forgotten ancient medical wisdom can provide effective solutions for difficult clinical problems in our time. In his most detailed lecture on the subject to date, he explains how Qing Dynasty Gu-parasitology can provide unique approaches to chronic infections caused by viruses, fungi, spirochetes, and intestinal parasites--beneficial information for practitioners treating patients who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Lyme Disease, IBS, and related auto-immune disorders with "strange" symptoms.
Total running time: 120 mins.
English
WANG QINGYU
HEINER FRUEHAUF
In this presentation, with assistance from Heiner Fruehauf, Wang Qingyu, professor at the Sichuan Academy of Cultural Science and lineage holder of the Jinjing style of Qigong, demonstrates the Jinjing Shisi Shi—The 14 Movements of the Jinjing School of Qigong.
Total running time: 56 mins.
English
BY VARIOUS AUTHORS
TRANSLATED BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
The qi of earth ascends, the qi of heaven descends. In this fashion, yin and yang grind against each other, and heaven and earth merge in undulating embrace. If this setting is vibrated by thunder, excited by wind and rain, moved by the flow of the four seasons, and fondled by the germinating light of sun and moon, the world’s myriad processes of transformation become aroused.
FROM BOOK OF RITES (LI JI), FL. 2ND CENTURY B.C.E.
GERMAN TRANSLATION BY MARKUS GOEKE
BY VARIOUS AUTHORS
TRANSLATED BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
The heart is the ruler of the five organ networks. It commands the movements of the four extremities, it circulates the qi and the blood, it roams the realms of the material and the immaterial, and it is in tune with the gateways of every action. Therefore, coveting to govern the flow of energy on earth without possessing a heart would be like aspiring to tune gongs and drums without ears, or like trying to read a piece of fancy literature without eyes.
FROM THE DAOIST CLASSIC, CONTEMPLATIONS BY THE HUAINAN MASTERS (HUAINAN ZI) FL.110 B.C.
BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
The word 肺, in a more specific reference to the specific function of this organ system, is classified by the component 巿 po (in its seal script form, composed of the pictographic components grass 屮and eight 八), meaning “abundant foliage in the wind” (this is a clear reference to the anatomical appearance of the lung lobes, as well as to traditional descriptions of this organ: Chinese texts describe them as “leaves”; see Shijing: 東門之楊, 其葉肺肺 “The poplars at the Eastern Gate, their leaves flutter lung-like in the wind;” Neijing: 肺熱葉焦 “When the lung is hot, its leaves become charred”); note that the rain forest with its prolific canopy of leaves is considered to be the lung of the earth.
COLLATED AND TRANSLATED
BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
According to the five phase element system, the large intestine is classified as a metal organ. Modern Chinese medicine discourse, therefore, has exclusively focused on this organ’s association with the metal season of fall. In original Neijing cosmology, however, the five phase system is paralleled by a more complex and inclusive system of twelve functional entities that correlate the twelve months of the year with the order of the twelve channel systems that we now refer to as the “organ clock.”
BY VARIOUS AUTHORS
TRANSLATED BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
Prior to the process of treating disease, the sage (superior doctor) must be able to distinguish the Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth. S/he must know the rhythmic flow of the four seasons and the intricate relationships between the five organ networks and the six bowel systems. S/he must be able to distinguish the Yin/Yang and exterior/interior quality of the meridians, and know what kind of diseases to treat with acupuncture, what kind with moxibustion, and what kind with herbs.
INDIVIDUAL MONOPGRAPHS
BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
Approaching the end of the 20th century, we are confronted with a number of fundamental issues regarding the quality, if not the general purpose, of human existence. One of them is the gradual demise of the Western-scientific health care system, which has fostered a revival of the age-old discussion about the nature of health, illness, and well-being. In the process of developing alternative approaches to healing, holistic medical discourse has consistently emphasized the “diseased” quality of illness and its therapeutic implications, i.e. the consequent restoration and maintenance of “ease.” However, definitions of the ease state often fail to go much beyond the biochemical aspects of well-being, and thus end up being classified according to the same parameters they were trying to overcome.
BY HEINER FRUEHAUF
National University of Natural Medicine,
College of Classical Chinese Medicine
This essay explores the process of aging by exploring the symbolism of the Chinese organ networks that are initiating the downward and inward spiraling motion on the Chinese organ clock, namely the heart, the small intestine, the bladder, and the kidney.
GERMAN TRANSLATION BY MARKUS GOEKE