Summary
The Pericardium is an membrane surrounding the Heart. Its main function is to project and maintain the Heart. It also assists the Heart to communicate with the rest of body. Together with the Heart, it houses the Mind (Sheng – 神).
The Functions of the Pericardium
- It protects the Heart and houses the Mind and is considered a yin organ paired with the yang organ San Jiao
- 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.
- According to traditional Chinese medicine, it is often best to approach the treatment of heart problems via the Pericardium, rather than the heart directly
Classification
- Zang Organ
The TCM Pericardium Functions
- Protector of the TCM Heart: if the pathogen Heat/Fire invade the mind, the Pericardium function is to stop it from entering the TCM heart.
- Protects the Mind.
- Provides blood circulation to the heart.
Main Symptoms
Fever, Irritability, Restlessness, Impaired Consciousness, General sensation of unease
Patterns of Disharmony
1. Heat In Pericardium
- Heat invading the Pericardium is a pattern of disharmony in Chinese Medicine. Heat invading the Pericardium gives rise to such diverse symptoms as fever, irritability, restlnessness and general sensation of unease (as well as two others). In the case of Heat invading the Pericardium patients tend to exhibit fine (Xi), rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a reddish-purple tongue. Patterns aren’t exactly the Chinese Medicine equivalent to Western diseases, they’re rather the underlying causes behind diseases or health conditions. Here Heat invading the Pericardium is thought to sometimes induce conditions such as aphthous ulcers, viral encephalitis, meningitis or pertussis.
2. Pericardium Blood Deficiency
- The Mind resides in both the Heart and the Pericardium. When Blood Deficiency occurs in both Organs, the Mind loses its residence and get agitated. The Pericardium channel can be stagnated if Qi and Blood are not able to circulate properly. This can cause the feeling of chest fullness, discomfort and pain. Scanty periods or amenorrhoea is another potential symptom in women due to the connection between the Uterus and the Pericardium.
3. Pericardium Fire
- The Mind resides in both the Heart and the Pericardium. It can be greatly disturbed by Fire in these two Organs and cause symptoms like insomnia, mental restlessness, agitation, and dream disturbed sleep. Comparing with Pericardium Blood Deficiency, the manifestations of above mental emotion are much more obvious and severe. The Heart and Pericardium open to the mouth and tongue, thus Fire can cause mouth ulcers, bitter tastes and thirst. The feeling of chest tightness, pain and heat happens because Pericardium channel pass through chest. It also connects to the Lungs and cause slightly rapid breath. Finally, this pattern can also cause heavy menstruation because Pericardium Fire leads to Heat in the Blood and this Heat get passed to the Uterus through channels.
4. Pericardium Qi Stagnation
- Pericardium is located in the center of the chest and it plays the connecting role for both the Heart and the Lung’s Qi and Blood. Therefore, sighing and slightly shortness of breath are due to the chest Qi Stagnation of the Lung Channel. On the other hand, the Pericardium Channel’s Qi Stagnation gives rise to the distension, pain and tightness of the chest. The Qi here is called Gathering Qi (宗气 Zong Qi).
5. Pericardium Blood Stagnation
- The Mind resides in both the Heart and the Pericardium and it can be greatly impacted by Blood Stagnation in both Organs. Therefore all mental related symptoms of Pericardium Blood Stagnation are very similar to the ones of Heart Blood Stagnation. Due to the connection between the Pericardium and the Lung Channel, the patients may also experience light short of breath. Finally, the patients may also have period cramps with dark and clotted menstrual blood. It is due to the relationship between the Pericardium and the Uterus.