ABSTRACT
In Acupuncture, the various Zang -Fu organs are associated with certain sense organs and connective tissues. The reason behind this specific association was rather unclear until, studying the absorption and metabolism of vitamins showed a clear correspondence.
Looking at vitamin A, it is stored as well as metabolised in the liver. The liver is a Zang organ whose associated sense organ are the eyes. Vitamin A deficiency causes eye disorders.
Moreover, vitamin A is extremely important for maintaining the strength of tendons and healthy nails – it’s deficiency causes broken and discoloured nails. The connective tissues associated with Liver are tendons and nails, going on to further show the correspondence of vitamin A with the Zang organ Liver.
Furthermore, the absorption of vitamin B1 (Thiamine), occurs in the Fu organ – small intestine (SI). The couple organ of SI is the heart and the associated connective tissues are brain and blood vessels. Interestingly, the deficiency of Vitamin B1 causes Wet beriberi- in which there is dilation of blood vessels and an enlarged heart. It also causes Dry Beriberi and Wernickes encephalopathy which affects the brain and nerves.
Vitamin B2 ( Riboflavin) is released to its free form in the Fu organ stomach. Stomach is associated with the sense organ mouth and the deficiency of Vitamin B2 causes angular stomatitis which occurs in the mouth. Vitamin B2 is absorbed in the Fu organ Small intestine who’s connected sense organ is the tongue. The deficiency of B2 causes glossitis (tongue). Vitamin B2 is stored in the Zang organ kidney who’s connected sense organ is ear, it’s deficiency causes Seborheic dermatitis which manifests on the ear.
Next Vitamin B3 (Niacin) is absorbed in the upper GI Tract i.e stomach and small intestine, it’s deficiency causes Angular stomatitis (mouth is the connected sense organ of stomach), gastritis, glossitis ( tongue is the connected sense organ of SI), enteritis, Dementia, delirium, schizophrenia (brain – SI connective tissue). Vitamin B3 protects the large intestine, it’s deficiency causes colitis, diarrhoea, IBD and dermatitis ( skin is the connected sense organ of large intestine). It is stored in the liver, it’s deficiency also causes exaggerated tendon reflexes ( tendon is the connective tissue associated to liver). These correlations aid in understanding the science of reasoning behind the Zang Fu organs being associated with particular sense organs and connective tissues, the absorption and metabolism of vitamins playing a key role in establishing a connecting link.
Similarly, the vitamins C, D, E, K also show correspondence which will be explained in the full presentation.
By: Gauri Kodkani ( L. Ac MCA, SYBSc (Hons) Nutrition & Dietetics ) under guidance of Dr Yogesh Kodkani ( M.B.B.S, PhD, MD Acu, PGD H.H, PG Hom, F.C.A.H)
KEYWORDS
Acupuncture, Zang-Fu organs, Vitamins, Deficiency, Sense organ, Connective tissue, absorption, metabolism.
References
Nutrition Science Textbook – B Srilakshmi
Acupuncture, a complete textbook- Prof.Sir.Dr. P.B Lohiya, Dr Swati Lohiya