Changweike: The Specialty of Digestion

The Stomach and Spleen are distinguished among the channels/zangfu as the only ones with whole chapters devoted to them in Neijing (Inner Classic). Clearly, the process of digestion has long been central to Chinese medicine. Li Dongyuan (1180-1251) originated an entire tradition devoted to cultivating Earth (Stomach and digestive functions), and the Imperial Academy of Medicine organized a specialty among its departments focused on digestion.

This seminar will discuss how digestive dysfunction can lead to diseases of many physical systems. It will focus on how to differentiate distress in one or more of the many functions that coordinate to effect digestion, and the production of qi and blood. We will present and discuss both herbs and formulation strategies to stimulate and/or support each of these functions, and how to match them to specific patients.

Since individuals digest both physical input (food & drink) and experiential input, the Digestive Specialty offers particular insights into the rich relationship between one’s emotions and choices of foods. Addictions are treated as food stagnation, with emphasis on its inter-causal relationship with blood (emotional) stagnation. Healing engages the process of re-examining and re-digesting one’s life with the aspiration to let go of whatever is entangling the spirit, and consequently congesting the flow of qi.