The Spleen as a Transformer of Moisture
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spleen is considered the central organ for processing food and fluids. A healthy spleen transforms food into usable energy and transports fluids throughout the body. When spleen energy weakens, a cascade of problems occurs, with fluid and phlegm accumulating.
The Mechanism of Moisture Transformation
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spleen’s function is to “separate fluids”: sending beneficial fluids upward (to the lungs and skin) and excess fluids downward (to the bladder and intestines) for excretion. This process requires energy—specifically, the warming, transformative power of the spleen.
When spleen qi is weak, the organ loses its transformative power. The fluid then remains trapped in the midsection of the body, where it accumulates. Initially, “dampness” (Shi) occurs—a diffuse, watery accumulation that manifests as a feeling of heaviness, bloating, and fluid retention.
From Moisture to Mucus
If moisture remains stagnant for a long time and is not transformed, it begins to thicken. Lack of movement and warmth causes it to become more viscous and compact. This is the process by which moisture develops into “mucus” (Tan).
Mucus is more substantial than fluid and more difficult to remove. It can accumulate in various parts of the body: the lungs (coughing up thick mucus), the stomach (nausea, feeling of fullness), the skin (lipomas, cysts), and even the head (feeling foggy, difficulty concentrating).
The Self-Strengthening Character
The problem is that this process is self-reinforcing. Fluid burdens the spleen, making it even weaker. A weaker spleen can transform even less fluid, leading to more fluid retention. This creates a downward spiral that becomes increasingly difficult to break.
Moreover, mucus blocks the body’s energy pathways, further disrupting circulation. Blocked energy means less power for the spleen to function, which in turn leads to more mucus.
Pattern Recognition
People with a spleen qi deficiency that produces dampness and phlegm can be recognized by characteristic signs: chronic fatigue especially after eating, bloating, soft stools or a tendency to diarrhea, a feeling of heaviness in the limbs and head, a thick white coating on the tongue, a swollen tongue with teeth marks on the edges, and a slow pulse that feels slippery (smooth) due to the dampness.
They often have difficulty processing dairy, sweet and fatty foods – the very foods that put the most strain on the spleen and produce even more fluid.
The Role of Constitution
Some people naturally have a weaker spleen. This can be innate or developed through years of poor nutrition, overwork, chronic worry, or excessive thinking (which, according to traditional medicine, exhausts the spleen).
In these people, mucus buildup occurs not only from external factors, but also simply because their spleen does not have enough power to keep up with normal fluid metabolism.
Long-term consequences
In the long term, chronic mucus accumulation can lead to more complex patterns. Mucus can combine with heat (mucus-heat), manifesting as yellow mucus, irritability, and inflammation. It can also block blood vessels, contributing to elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular problems in modern terms.
In the TCM view, phlegm rising to the head can cloud the mind, resulting in cognitive problems, depression, or in extreme cases even psychotic symptoms.
The Preventive Message
This pattern emphasizes the importance of nurturing spleen energy. A strong spleen prevents the formation of fluid and mucus at the source. This means: regular meals, warm, cooked food, not too much dehydrating food, sufficient rest, and moderate physical activity that promotes circulation without exhausting the spleen.