San Jiao

This article is about Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). For a concept on San Jiao (Three teachings) within the Chinese philosophies, see Three Teachings.

San Jiao ("triple burner", or "triple energizer", or "triple heater") is a concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture. It is the sixth organ of Fu, which is the hollow space inside the trunk of the body. In TCM, there are five solid organs and each solid organ has its counterpart in a hollow organ. For instance, the heart is considered a solid organ, and the small intestine its hollow counterpart, or Fu organ. San Jiao is believed to be a body cavity of some kind which has the ability to influence other organs, and overall health, mainly through the free movement of Qi, the fundamental energy or life force on the microcosm and on the macrocosm it is associated with the interactions between The Heavens, humans and earth.^[1]

San Jiao
Traditional Chinese	三膲
Simplified Chinese	三焦
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin sān jiāo Wade–Giles san1 chiao1 Yue: Cantonese Jyutping saam1 ziu1 Southern Min Hokkien POJ sa jiao

San Jiao means "triple burner". The upper burner relates to organs the Heart, lungs in the thorax and the breathing function therefore relates to Heaven.^[2] The middle burner relates to the organs top of the stomach, the spleen, liver and the digesting function, therefore belongs to Human.^[2] The lower burner relates to the organs below the abdomen, Kidneys, Bladder and the urogenital functions, therefore belongs to Earth.^[2] If the triple burner function well, then the organs are in harmony. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the triple burner is essential in transporting fluids throughout the body, removing itching and heat, treating swellings, and overcoming problems with various organs.^[2]

See also

• Dantian
• Dosha -vatta, pitta, Kapha (3 life elements in body in Ayurveda)
• Interstitium
• Qigong

References

1. Avijgan, Majid; Avijgan, Mahtab (2015). "Meraque or Triple Energizer (San Jiao): Actual or Virtual Organ in Traditional Medicine - A Hypothetical Viewpoint". Integrative Medicine. 2 (1–2). Karger: 9–20. doi:10.1159/000433537.
2. Landgren, Kajsa, 1956- (2008). Ear acupuncture (English 1st ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-3317-9. OCLC 324995587.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

• Kaptchuk, T.J. Chinese Medicine: The Web that has no Weaver. 2000. London: Rider.
• Keown, D "The Spark in the Machine: How The Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine' 2014 Singing Dragon
• Maciocia, G. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. 2000. Churchill Livingstone.
• Wiseman, N., Ye F. A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine.1998. Paradigm Publications.