The
San Jiao (Triple Heater)
San Jiao is officially
one of the 6 Yang organs although there has been much debate as
to whether it is an actual organ or a function. The functions of
the San Jiao will be shown from three different viewpoints.
Functions
(as a Yang organ)
The "Simple
Questions" in chapter 8 says "The Triple Burner is
the official in charge of irrigation and it controls the water passages".
-
Ensuring the free passage (making things go through)
Functions (as an avenue
for original Qi)
The Classic of Difficulties
states that the Original Qi resides in the lower abdomen, between
the two Kidneys, it spreads to the 5 Yin and 6 Yang organs via the
Triple Burner, it then enters the 12 primary channels and emerges
at the Yuan Source points.
Functions
(As three divisions of the body)
The Upper Burner is like a mist
The "Spiritual
Axis" in chapter 30 says "The Upper Burner opens outwards,
spreads the 5 tastes of the food essences, pervades the skin, fills
the body, moistens the skin and it is like mist".
The Middle Burner
is like a maceration chamber
The "Spiritual
Axis" in chapter 18 says "The Middle Burner is situated
in the Stomach... it receives Qi, expels the wastes, steams the
body fluids, transforms the refined essences of food and connects
upwards with the Lungs".
The Lower Burner
is like a ditch.
The "Spiritual
Axis" in chapter 18 says "Food and drink first enter
the stomach, the waste products go to the large intestine in the
Lower Burner which oozes downwards, secretes the fluids and transmits
them to the bladder".
[Return
to Zang Fu Pathologies Index]
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