Zang Fu Organs Summary:

Liver – Wood

Ensuring the smooth flow of Qi Energy throughout the body Storing blood When the Liver is dysfunctional we can feel:

Pain Irritability, PMS Poor Digestion Headaches Dizzyness, vertigo Hiogh blood pressure

What keeps the Liver healthy?

Laughter and spending time with friends and loved ones Exercise that you enjoy Liver healthy foods:

Sour Foods (lemon, vinegar) Dark green foods; spinach, kale, collard greens, dandelion greens, chard, broccoli, green

beans, chlorophyll

Heart – Fire

The Heart dominates blood vessels and houses our mind Related to joy A dysfunction of the fire element and heart create:

Palpitations, circulation problem, chest pain Poor sleep, mental confusion, poor memory Anxiety problems and increased susceptibility to stress Mania

What keeps the Heart healthy?

Laughter Exercise Heart healthy Foods:

Bitter Foods (eg. Asparagus) Cinnamon Green and red peppers Lotus Adzuki beans Saffron persimmon

Spleen – Earth

Controls digestion as well as energy production (Qi) and distribution Governs thinking and intellect

When the spleen becomes weak or dysfunctional we can experience: Low energy and sluggishness Poor memory & concentration Irregularities in the digestion and stool Excessive phlegm or mucous Food allergies or sensitivities

How do we keep our Spleen happy and healthy?

Avoid excessive work and worrying Light-medium intensity exercise Avoid greasy/fatty foods, highly processed foods, excessively sweet foods Spleen healthy Foods:

Naturally sweet foods and yellow/orange colored foods; carrots, apples, yams, squash, banans, whole grains (properly soaked), chestnuts, mushrooms, honey, etc.

Lungs – Metal

Creates defensive Qi (the immune system) Is affected by grief and sadness If the Lung energy is weak or dysfunctional we may experience:

Frequent colds and flu Colds move more quickly into the lungs as in bronchitis or pneumonia Allergies, hay fever Low energy, depression

How do we keep the lungs happy and healthy?

Laughter, singing, talking, regularity with friends and loved ones Wearing a scarf when it’s windy and/or cold Lung healthy foods:

Pungent foods and white colored foods; green onions, cloves, parsley, fennel. Ginger, peppermint, nutmeg, radishes, daikon, button mushrooms, walnuts

Kidneys – Water

The source of our Yin and Yang Governs our growth, development, reproduction, and aging Affected by fear Dysfunctions with kidneys can result in:

Low fertility (men and women) Menstral &menopausal issues Poor growth & development Aging (skin, hair, bone loss) Low back and knee pain Low energy/vitality

How do we keep our kidneys happy & healthy?

Laughter, and avoiding scary or stressful situations Regular exercise Kidney healthy foods:

Foods from the seas or rivers (not farmed), black colored foods; kelp, carp, black beans, black sesame seeds, kidney beans, fresh water clams, fennel, grapes, plums, shitake mushrooms, walnuts

Avoid excessively salty foods