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Functions of the Stomach |
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The Stomach is responsible for "
reception and ripening" of the food. The Stomach begins the transformation of
food by separating the food into pure and impure aspects. The pure parts, the "essence"
(nutrients) are sent to the Spleen, the impure parts are passed
on to the Small Intestine. Since food, after decomposing
in the Stomach, passes on to the intestines, it is said that the Stomach governs the
downbearing of the turbid. This downward action stands in complementary opposition
to the Spleen's function of extracting the "essence". It can also be described
as the Spleen governing the upbearing of the clear. Stomach and Spleen stand in an
exterior-interior relationship and are the basis for the Postnatal Qi. |