The Zang-Fu Organ Theory
The Zang-fu theory details the physiological functions and pathological behaviors of the zang and fu organs—the critical organs that do all the heavy lifting in the human body.
They are categorized by their functions. For the most part, the zang organs manufacture and store Qi, blood, and body fluid. The fu organs are largely responsible for taking in and digesting food, absorbing and transporting nutrients, and eliminating waste.
According to Zang-fu theory, the zang organs reflect yin; the fu organs yang. Each zang organ is inextricably woven into a complex interactive web of coexistence and mutual restraint with a corresponding fu organ, and each pair of organs is associated with the physical properties and natural phenomena of one of the five elements, as shown in the table below.
| Zang Organs (YIN) | Fu Organs (YANG) | Corresponding Element |
| Lungs | Large Intestine | Metal |
| Liver | Gall Bladder | Wood |
| Spleen | Stomach | Earth |
| Kidney | Urinary Bladder | Water |
| Heart | Small Intestine | Fire |
| Pericardium | San Jiao (Triple-Warmer) | Fire |
Because the zang-fu organs coexist in mutually dependant Yin-Yang relationships, the diseases and illnesses to which they are prone can affect not just one, but two or more organs simultaneously. Under such circumstances, it is common to witness a variety of competing syndromes. These must be differentiated before an accurate diagnosis can be made. ?
