What is Spleen Qi Deficiency? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Spleen Qi Deficiency is a common diagnosis, describing an imbalance in the body’s vital energy (Qi) that affects digestion, energy levels, and overall well-being. 

Though the term might seem unfamiliar in Western medicine, it reflects deeper issues beyond just the physical spleen. This deficiency can result from poor diet, chronic stress, overwork, or emotional strain, leading to symptoms like fatigue, bloating, poor appetite, and difficulty concentrating. 

Understanding the causes and treatments—ranging from dietary changes to acupuncture and herbal remedies—can help restore balance and support your body’s natural healing processes. Let’s dive into how Spleen Qi Deficiency develops, the signs to watch for, and how to treat it effectively.

Read More: Meridian Therapy: TCM Energy Channels

Table of Contents

• What is the Spleen?
• What is Spleen Qi?
• What is Spleen Qi Deficiency?
• Spleen Qi Deficiency Symptoms
  • Digestive
  • Physical
  • Emotional
  • Additional
• Causes of Spleen Qi Deficiency
  • Dietary Factors
  • Emotional and Mental Stress
  • Physical and Lifestyle Causes
  • Environmental Factors
• TCM Treatment and Management of Spleen Qi Deficiency
  • Dietary Therapy
  • Herbal Medicine
  • Acupuncture and Acupressure
  • Lifestyle Adjustments
  • Moxibustion

What is the Spleen?

The spleen is an organ located in the upper left part of the abdomen, just under the rib cage. It plays a vital role in both the immune and circulatory systems. The spleen filters and recycles old or damaged red blood cells, stores white blood cells and platelets, and helps fight infections by producing lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell). Additionally, it acts as a blood reservoir, releasing stored blood during emergencies such as significant blood loss​.

In TCM, however, the spleen holds a broader conceptual role beyond its physical functions. It is considered responsible for transforming food into energy and regulating the transport of fluids throughout the body. A healthy spleen in TCM contributes to strong digestion, physical vitality, and mental clarity due to injury or disease. 

What is Spleen Qi?

Spleen Qi refers to the vital energy associated with the spleen, responsible for digesting food, transforming it into energy, and distributing that energy throughout the body. It plays a crucial role in maintaining strong digestion, nutrient absorption, and fluid regulation. When the spleen’s qi is balanced, it promotes physical vitality, mental clarity, and immune health​.

What is Spleen Qi Deficiency?

In TCM, spleen qi deficiency refers to a state where the spleen’s qi is weakened, affecting digestion, energy production, and fluid regulation. The spleen, as understood in TCM, is not just a physical organ but also symbolizes the body’s ability to convert food into usable energy. When its qi is insufficient, symptoms like poor appetite, bloating, loose stools, fatigue, and weak immunity can occur​.

According to an article from The World Journal of Gastroenterology:

“The diagnostic criteria in common are poor appetite, abdominal fullness after meal, loose bowel movements, pale or sallow complexion. The characteristic features of Spleen-Qi deficiency are fatigue, asthenia, atrophied muscle, pale tongue with thin white coating and moderate, weak pulse. Spleen-Yang deficiency is characterized by cold limbs, fear of cold, puffy pale tongue with slippery coating and slow fine pulse.”

This same article explains that the Spleen-Stomach theory is a fundamental concept in TCM, emphasizing the Spleen’s role in digestion and overall health, distinct from its Western medical counterpart. It encompasses various physiological functions, including nutrient absorption, blood management, and muscle metabolism. 

Dysfunction in the Spleen-Stomach can lead to gastrointestinal issues and various deficiency syndromes characterized by symptoms like poor appetite, abdominal fullness, and fatigue. 

Pathophysiological studies reveal changes in digestive secretions, motility, immune function, and hormonal balance linked to Spleen deficiency. Treatment often involves herbal remedies like the Si Jun Zi decoction, which enhances digestive, immune, and hematopoietic functions, promoting overall well-being and addressing deficiencies in various gastrointestinal diseases.

Spleen Qi Deficiency Symptoms

Symptoms of spleen qi deficiency often reflect issues with digestion, energy levels, and emotional well-being. Here are common signs:

Digestive Symptoms:

• Poor appetite
• Bloating or fullness after meals
• Loose stools or diarrhea
• Cravings for sweets
• Nausea or indigestion

Physical Symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue, especially after eating
• Weak muscles or limbs
• Pale complexion
• Weight gain or inability to lose weight due to fluid retention

Emotional Symptoms:

• Overthinking or excessive worry
• Mental fog or difficulty concentrating
• Lack of motivation

Additional Symptoms:

• Bruising easily (due to poor circulation)
• Edema (fluid retention in the limbs)
• Weakened immunity with frequent colds or infections

Causes of Spleen Qi Deficiency

Several lifestyle, dietary, and emotional factors can contribute to spleen qi deficiency. Here are some common causes:

Dietary Factors:

• Cold, raw, or greasy foods: These are believed to impair digestion and weaken the spleen’s ability to transform food into energy.
• Irregular eating habits: Skipping meals, overeating, or eating late at night can disrupt the spleen’s function.
• Excessive consumption of sweets: This burdens the spleen, leading to further energy depletion.

Emotional and Mental Stress:

• Chronic worry or overthinking: In TCM, the spleen is connected to mental activity, so excessive rumination can weaken spleen qi.
• Emotional burnout: Stress without adequate recovery can deplete energy levels and affect digestion.

Physical and Lifestyle Causes:

• Overwork and lack of rest: Exhaustion from long hours of work without sufficient breaks can drain qi.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of physical activity can slow down circulation and metabolism, weakening spleen function.
• Chronic illness or post-illness recovery: Long-term health conditions or inadequate recovery from illness can strain the spleen’s energy.

Environmental Factors:

• Exposure to damp environments: Living in or frequent exposure to damp or humid conditions can affect fluid metabolism and weaken the spleen.

Treatment and Management of Spleen Qi Deficiency

Treatment for spleen qi deficiency in TCM focuses on restoring the spleen’s energy through a combination of lifestyle changes, diet, herbal remedies, and therapies like acupuncture. Here are the common approaches:

Dietary Therapy

• Warm, cooked foods: Soups, stews, and porridges are recommended as they are easy to digest.
• Avoid cold or raw foods: Salads, smoothies, and iced drinks can weaken digestion.
• Incorporate spleen-nourishing foods: Whole grains (like rice and oats), root vegetables, ginger, and legumes are encouraged.
• Limit greasy and sugary foods: These burden the digestive system and worsen symptoms.

As a TCM practitioner, I recommend trying the breakfast congee recipe.

Breakfast Congee Recipe

Spleen Qi Congee is a TCM dish designed to support and nourish the spleen and digestive system. This congee typically consists of rice, which is easy to digest, along with ingredients such as ginger, dates, and other herbs known for their spleen-nourishing properties. 

The combination aims to invigorate the spleen function, enhance digestion, and promote overall well-being. Consuming Spleen Qi Congee is often recommended in TCM to address symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, and digestive issues, helping to restore balance and harmony within the body according to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white rice
• 4-5 cups vegetable or bone broth
• 1 small piece of ginger, grated
• 2-3 dried red dates
• 1 tablespoon goji berries
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Herbal Medicine

TCM practitioners may prescribe herbal formulas to support digestion and strengthen qi:

• Si Jun Zi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction): A classic formula to tonify spleen qi.
• Liu Jun Zi Tang: Used for spleen qi deficiency with phlegm and dampness.
  Herbs like ginseng, astragalus, and licorice are often included to boost energy and enhance digestion.

There is also scientific literature that suggests the Yi Qi Gu Biao formula.

Yi Qi Gu Biao

A 2017 study tested the Yi Qi Gu Biao (YQGB) pill for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in patients with lung and spleen qi deficiency syndrome. In a randomized, double-blind trial involving 64 participants, patients received either YQGB or a placebo for three months. The YQGB group showed significant improvements in reducing wheezing, cough, sputum, and TCM-related symptoms compared to the placebo. These benefits appeared after one month and were sustained through three months, suggesting YQGB could be an effective treatment option for this type of COPD.

The Yi Qi Gu Biao pill consists of the following ingredients:

• Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) 
• Codonopsis pilosula (Dang Shen)
• Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu) 
• Poria cocos (Fu Ling)
• Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gan Cao)
• Schisandra chinensis (Wu Wei Zi)
• Platycodon grandiflorus (Jie Geng)
• Perilla frutescens (Zi Su Ye)
• Pinellia ternata (Ban Xia)
• Citrus reticulata (Chen Pi)
• Zingiber officinale (Gan Jiang)

The pill is prepared by decocting the herbs, concentrating the extract, adding honey and starch, and forming into small balls.

 

Read More: 5 Ancient Healing Teas and Their Benefits | Astragalus for Kidneys

Acupuncture and Acupressure

• Acupuncture helps stimulate energy flow in the spleen and other related organs. Common points include:
  • SP6 (Sanyinjiao): Strengthens the spleen and supports digestion.
  • ST36 (Zusanli): Boosts energy and immune function.

Acupressure can also be used as a self-care method to relieve symptoms between treatments.

Lifestyle Adjustments

• Manage stress: Practices like meditation, yoga, or tai chi can reduce overthinking, which weakens the spleen.
• Rest and recovery: Ensure adequate sleep and avoid overwork to prevent energy depletion.
• Moderate exercise: Gentle movement like walking or tai chi promotes circulation without straining the body.

Moxibustion

• This therapy involves burning dried mugwort over specific acupuncture points to warm and stimulate the spleen qi. It is particularly helpful for fatigue, cold limbs, and digestive issues.

By addressing both physical and emotional aspects, TCM aims to restore balance and improve overall well-being for individuals with spleen qi deficiency.

Read More: 5 TCM Diet Habits for Balanced Eating | Qigong: The Unknown Tool to Change Your Health 

Conclusion

Spleen qi deficiency is a concept rooted in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. While it may seem unfamiliar within the context of Western biomedicine, many individuals have found relief from their symptoms through TCM’s holistic approach. 

By adopting a balanced diet, incorporating herbal remedies, and making positive lifestyle changes, individuals can support their spleen’s qi and restore overall wellness. 

However, it is crucial to consult a qualified TCM practitioner for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.

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