Pericardium (Zang)
Encyclopedia
As distinct from the Western medical concept of pericardium
, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine
is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. (See Zang Fu theory
)
The Pericardium is also called the "heart protector," and, for clinical purposes, is considered a yin
organ paired with the yang
organ San Jiao
. In general theory, the Pericardium is not distinguished from the Heart. It is also the first line of defence against the Heart from External Pathogenic Influences. The Pericardium has a meridian
named for it, which reflects the health of the organ. In terms of the Five Elements
, these organs are both associated with the fire element. In treatment, it is often best to approach heart
problems via the Pericardium, rather than directly. The peak time for the Pericardium is from 7pm to 9pm.
Pericardium
The pericardium is a double-walled sac that contains the heart and the roots of the great vessels.-Layers:...
, this concept from Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an anatomical organ. (See Zang Fu theory
Zang Fu theory
The zàng-fǔ organs are functional entities stipulated by Traditional Chinese medicine . They constitute the centre piece of TCM's general concept of how the human body works...
)
The Pericardium is also called the "heart protector," and, for clinical purposes, is considered a yin
Yin and yang
In Asian philosophy, the concept of yin yang , which is often referred to in the West as "yin and yang", is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn. Opposites thus only...
organ paired with the yang
Yin and yang
In Asian philosophy, the concept of yin yang , which is often referred to in the West as "yin and yang", is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn. Opposites thus only...
organ San Jiao
San Jiao
San Jiao is a term found in traditional Chinese medicine , as part of modelling the workings of the human body attempted by early Chinese medical writers...
. In general theory, the Pericardium is not distinguished from the Heart. It is also the first line of defence against the Heart from External Pathogenic Influences. The Pericardium has a meridian
Meridian (Chinese medicine)
The meridian is a path through which the life-energy known as "qi" is believed to flow, in traditional Chinese medicine. There is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.- Main concepts :...
named for it, which reflects the health of the organ. In terms of the Five Elements
Five elements
Five elements may refer to: In philosophy: *Five elements *Mahabhuta*Pancha Tattva *Five elements In science:*Boron, element 5*Group 5 element*Period 5 element-See also:...
, these organs are both associated with the fire element. In treatment, it is often best to approach heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
problems via the Pericardium, rather than directly. The peak time for the Pericardium is from 7pm to 9pm.