San Jiao ("triple burner", or "triple energizer") is a concept in
traditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative medical practice drawn from traditional medicine in China. It has been described as "fraught with pseudoscience", with the majority of its treatments having no logical mechanism of action ...
(TCM) and
acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which thin needles are inserted into the body. Acupuncture is a pseudoscience; the theories and practices of TCM are not based on scientifi ...
. It is the sixth organ of Fu, which is the hollow space inside the trunk of the body. In TCM, there are five solid organs and each solid organ has its counterpart in a hollow organ. For instance, the
heart
The heart is a muscular organ in most animals. This organ pumps blood through the blood vessels of the circulatory system. The pumped blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, while carrying metabolic waste such as carbon dioxide t ...
is considered a solid organ, and the
small intestine
The small intestine or small bowel is an organ in the gastrointestinal tract where most of the absorption of nutrients from food takes place. It lies between the stomach and large intestine, and receives bile and pancreatic juice through the p ...
its hollow counterpart, or Fu organ. San Jiao is believed to be a body cavity of some kind which has the ability to influence other organs, and overall health, mainly through the free movement of
Qi, the fundamental energy or life force.
San Jiao means "triple burner". The upper burner relates to organs in the thorax and the breathing function.
The middle burner relates to the organs top of the stomach and the digesting function.
The lower burner relates to the organs below the abdomen and the urogenital functions.
If the three burners function well, then the organs are in synergy. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the three burners is essential in transporting fluids throughout the body, removing itching and heat, treating swellings, and overcoming problems with various organs.
See also
*
Dantian
Dantian, dan t'ian, dan tien or tan t'ien is loosely translated as "elixir field", "sea of qi", or simply "energy center". Dantian are the "qi focus flow centers", important focal points for meditative and exercise techniques such as qigong, Ch ...
*
Interstitium
The interstitium is a contiguous fluid-filled space existing between a structural barrier, such as a cell membrane or the skin, and internal structures, such as organs, including muscles and the circulatory system. The fluid in this space is cal ...
*
Qigong
''Qigong'' (), ''qi gong'', ''chi kung'', ''chi 'ung'', or ''chi gung'' () is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation
used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. With roots in ...
References
* Kaptchuk, T.J. ''Chinese Medicine: The Web that has no Weaver''. 2000. London: Rider.
* Keown, D "The Spark in the Machine: How The Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine' 2014 Singing Dragon
* Maciocia, G. ''The Foundations of Chinese Medicine''. 2000. Churchill Livingstone.
* Wiseman, N., Ye F. ''A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine''.1998. Paradigm Publications.
Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese medicine
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