The Triple Burner According To Chinese Medicine

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR A DOCTOR. YOU SHOULDN’T USE IT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELF-DIAGNOSING OR SELF-MEDICATING BUT RATHER SO YOU CAN HAVE A MORE INFORMED DISCUSSION WITH A PROFESSIONAL TCM PRACTITIONER OR YOUR FAMILY GP.

THE TRIPLE BURNER ACCORDING TO CHINESE MEDICINE

CHINESE: 三焦

PINYIN: Sān Jiāo

SUMMARY

The Triple Burner is also called the Triple Warmer or Three Heater. It is like a large body cavity containing all the Internal Organs. Its main function is to unify all the Organs into a integrated and harmonious system. As its name indicates, it is composed of the Upper, Middle and Lower Burner.

THE FUNCTIONS OF THE TRIPLE BURNER

The Upper Burner is the body cavity above the diaphragm which houses the Heart, Lungs, Pericardium, throat and head. It controls respiration and it spreads Gathering Qi to all the Organs, tissues, and skin.
The Middle Burner is between the diaphragm and the umbilicus. It contains the Spleen, Stomach and Gallbladder. Its main function is to transforms and transports foods and drinks. It then distributes the extracted nourishment throughout the body. It is like a 'foam' or 'bubbling cauldron', referring to digestive churning and fermentation.
The Lower Burner refers to the lower abdominal area below the umbilicus. It includes the Liver, Kidneys, Urinary Bladder, Small Intestine, Large Intestine and Uterus.

CLASSIFICATION

THE TCM TRIPLE BURNER FUNCTIONS

MAIN SYMPTOMS

Upper Burner: When the misting function of the upper burner is impaired, it typically leads to a breakdown of our defenses. This can result in a cold, with symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, temperature, sore throat, body aches, etc.
Middle Burner: When the macerating function of the middle burner is impaired, there is an imbalance in the digestive process. Most typical of a triple burner imbalance are food retention issues, such as bloating, nausea, heartburn and excessive belching.
Lower Burner: When the drainage ditch is not functioning properly, there are problems with water retention and urination. Imbalances involving the triple burner can include lower leg edema, burning urination, urinary retention, loss of bladder control and frequent urination.

PATTERNS OF DISHARMONY

1. PHLEGM-DAMPNESS IN THE MIDDLE-BURNER

Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner gives rise to such diverse symptoms as nausea, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium and focal distention. Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner is thought to sometimes induce conditions such as chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, anorexia or acid reflux.

2. HEAT AND BLOOD STAGNATION IN THE LOWER BURNER

Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner gives rise to such diverse symptoms as lower abdominal pain, night fever, delirious speech and irritability. In the case of Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner patients tend to exhibit choppy (Se) or full (Shi) pulses. Heat and Blood Stagnation in the Lower Burner is thought to sometimes induce conditions such as hypertension, perimenopausal syndrome or pelvic inflammatory disease.

3. PHLEGM IN THE LOWER BURNER

Phlegm in the Lower Burner gives rise to such diverse symptoms as throbbing pulsations just below the umbilicus, vomiting frothy saliva, vertigo and shortness of breath. Phlegm in the Lower Burner is thought to sometimes induce conditions such as hepatitis, cystitis or migraine.

4. PHLEGM-HEAT IN THE MIDDLE BURNER

Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner gives rise to such diverse symptoms as epigastric focal distention, abdominal fullness, dry heaves or vomiting and borborygmi with diarrhea. Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner gives rise to such diverse symptoms as epigastric focal distention, abdominal fullness, dry heaves or vomiting and borborygmi with diarrhea. Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner is thought to sometimes induce conditions such as peptic ulcers, hepatitis or chronic cholecystitis.

5. BLOOD STAGNATION IN THE LOWER BURNER CAUSED BY COLD

This is usually caused by Cold gives rise to such diverse symptoms as abdominal masses, lower abdominal pain, lower abdominal distension and lower back pain.