The Heart is the most important organ among the five. It decides the emotional features and cognitive ability of the individual. It houses the Shen (psyche) and dominates all mental activities in the conscious state. It concerns the ability to know the external world through sensory organs. All information or stimuli, including introspection and insight into oneself and the ability to feel emotions, are first received by the Heart and are further felt and evaluated with the cooperation of different internal organs. The Heart is then able to formulate the information intelligently at emotional and cognitive levels, and enables one to respond based on a proper evaluation of the stimuli. The emotional attribute of the Heart is joy, which makes the Qi relax and move without clear direction and boundary. A healthy and positive attitude towards life makes the Heart strong. Having too little joy in life or, conversely, an overindulgence in joy, may weaken the Heart.

The Heart-Qi and Heart-Yang, as the functional aspects of the body, are constantly active in all mental activities. The blood and the Yin of the Heart, as the material aspects of this organ, are responsible for supplementing and nourishing the Heart in order to sustain the mental activities. The main physiological function of the Heart is governing the blood and dominating blood circulation. If this function is impaired, the Shen loses nourishment and control of the Heart, and mental confusion, anxiety, palpitations and difficulty falling asleep may occur.

The balance between the Kidney-Yin (water) and Heart-fire provides another indicator of mental state. In an acutely stressful situation, such as being frightened or shocked, Heart-fire becomes hyperactive and easily loses connection with the Kidney-water; this may directly cause anxiety, restlessness and sleep disorders.

The Liver houses the Hun and has its main influence on the sleeping process, dreams and all activities in the subconscious state. Flexibility in one’s temperament and in how one deals with things is a sign of a strong and properly functioning Liver. The emotional attribute of the Liver is anger, which can easily push the Qi upwards. Relaxation and flexibility in temperament make the Liver strong and allow the Liver-Qi to flow freely; anger and frustration make the Liver-Qi stagnate (even move upwards) and eventually weaken this organ.

The Liver-Yin and blood are very important in maintaining the function of the Liver. When they are strong, the person sleeps well, feels calm and satisfied, has a sense of humor and moves in a quick and harmonious manner. When the blood and Yin are deficient, the Liver-Qi stagnates and the sleep becomes restless and disturbed by dreams, the person easily feels irritation, anger and frustration, or loses relaxation and flexibility in character. Moreover, Liver is the mother organ of the Heart. Liver-Qi stagnation and up-flaring of Liver-fire can quickly influence the Heart and cause restlessness of the Heart-shen.

The Kidney is often called the root of life. This is because it stores the Kidney-Qi ( Source-Qi or Yuan-Qi) which is the initial life force inherited from one’s parents. It determines the vitality of each individual and is the source of the Qi of the other organs. The Kidney houses the Zhi (will-power) which relates to an individual’s ambitions and goals in life. It derives from the biological drive for survival. The emotional attribute of the Kidney is fear, which concerns the well-being of the individual and which serves to safeguard the individual from dangerous situations. Fear leads the Qi downwards. Having both short- and long-term goals, and leading a life with appropriate challenges but without threat, make the Kidney strong and Kidney-Qi firm. It is particularly important to create these conditions for the physical and mental development of children and young people.

The function of the Spleen is also very important. The Spleen transforms food and drink into Qi and blood. These supplement the Qi and blood of the whole body and are also transformed into essence, which supplements the Kidney-essence; a strong Spleen thus sustains the vitality of the individual in the long run. The Spleen houses the Yi (intention) and this determines the ability and profundity of feeling, thinking, studying, planning and memorizing things, and directly influences these processes. It determines the level of an individual’s intelligence. The emotional attributes of the Spleen are empathy, sympathy, care and worry. These feelings slow down the movement of the Qi and may even make it stagnate.

When the function of the Spleen is too weak or is disturbed, the person may lose the ability to study, understand, plan, concentrate and memorize things. If the function of the Spleen is too weak to generate the Qi and blood, the person may get worried easily and feel gloomy and tired. When the Spleen-Qi is weak or blocked, a person may lose the feeling of sympathy and care.

The Spleen is also important for maintaining balance in the functions of the internal organs. Located in the middle of the body, it is like a turbine, controlling the upward and downward movement of the Qi. It can therefore connect the Lung and Heart, which are located in the upper part of the body, and the Kidney and Liver, which are located in the lower part of the body. (See Figures 13.1 and 13.2 on page 311.)

Besides the disorders of the internal organs, phlegm and congealed blood can also be causative factors in mental disorders. When the dietary habit of the patient is inappropriate or the function of the Spleen is too weak, phlegm is easily formed. It can be pushed by Qi moving in the body, covering the mind and blocking the meridians, and cause disorders of the Heart-shen. The congealed blood is a pathological product, which is formed when the Qi stagnates over a long period of time. It can block the Heart orifice and also cause disorders of the Heart-shen.

The Lung houses the Po. It relates to the boldness, courage, realistic self-confidence and self-esteem of the individual. The emotional attribute of the Lung relates to the change from optimism and courage to pessimism and sadness. The Lung gathers the Qi, which is mixed from the air from inhalation and the Qi that is generated from food and drink. The Lung is also responsible for distributing the Qi throughout the body in order to carry out all physical and mental activities. This function directly influences the intensity and changes of mental activities and emotions.

When the Qi is strong and disperses properly, the person is optimistic, stable in mood and behaviour, is courageous and dares to take on challenges and responsibilities. When the Lung-Qi is deficient, it is too weak to spread out and the person is prone to sadness, negative and dissatisfied feelings, is unable to take responsibility and does not manage to reach one’s goals in life. When the Lung-Qi descends too much, the person may feel depressed, is often self-critical and feels guilty. On the contrary, when the Lung-Qi ascends too much, a person is conceited and often takes a dominating position. If the Lung-Qi moves upwards and downwards intensely and rapidly, the person may switch quickly from being conceited to having low self-esteem. Moreover, the proper function of the Lung is very closely related with the Heart and Liver, as the Heart governs the blood and directly influences Qi movement; and the proper movement of Liver-Qi may smooth the dispersing and descending functions of the Lung-Qi. In acute stress conditions, the Liver-Qi disturbs the Lung-Qi and Heart-Qi; shortness of breath, restlessness, even hyperventilation and panic attack may occur. (See Figure 13.3 on page 312.)

Anxiety, depression, insomnia, different types of phobia, obsessive–compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, acute stress disorder. It is also related to chronic diseases, such as anemia, and diseases of the heart and lung.

In an acute and excess condition, the stress is severe and has an obvious cause, but the physical condition of the patient is good.

In a chronic condition: