Lecture Notes: Functions of the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine

Overview

• Speaker: Danny Blythe, College of Integrated Chinese Medicine
• Topic: Functions of the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
  • No direct Western medicine equivalent
  • Conceptual differences between Chinese and Western medicine on organs

Triple Burner

• Name Origin: Derived from characters representing fire and roasting
• Described: Classic of Difficulties - "name but no form"
• Misconception: Sometimes likened to the lymphatic system, which covers only a small aspect
• Function: Threefold division of the body

Three Parts of the Triple Burner

1. Upper Burner

   • Location: Above the diaphragm
   • Organs: Lung, Heart, Pericardium
   • Function:
     • Dispersal of body fluids (by the lung)
     • Release of sweat
     • Dominated by Zong Qi
     • Likened to a "mist"

2. Middle Burner

   • Location: From umbilicus to diaphragm
   • Organs: Spleen, Stomach, Gallbladder, sometimes Liver
   • Function:
     • Digestion: "rotting and ripening" of food
     • Dominated by Ying Qi
     • Likened to a "muddy pool"

3. Lower Burner

   • Location: From pubic bone to umbilicus
   • Organs: Kidney, Bladder, Intestines, Uterus
   • Function:
     • Separation of clean and dirty by intestines
     • Urination and stool elimination
     • Dominated by Yuan Qi
     • Likened to a "drainage ditch"

Functions of the Triple Burner

1. Enabling the Passage and Division of Yuan Qi

   • Yuan Qi: Kidney Jing or essence manifest
   • Catalyst for Qi transformation
     • Transformation of Zong Qi into Zhen Qi
     • Transformation of Gu Qi into blood
     • Involves kidneys as a catalyst

2. Control of Qi Transformation

   • Processes:
     • Sweat elimination
     • Food Qi transformation in middle burner
     • Fluid Qi transformation via the bladder
   • Facilitates entry and exit of Yuan Qi through body cavities and channels

3. Control of Water Passages and Excretion of Fluids

   • Processes:
     • Upper Burner: Sweat
     • Middle Burner: Digestive juices
     • Lower Burner: Urination and Qi Transformation
   • Memory Aid: Triple burn X
     • Triple: Threefold division
     • Burn: Transformation of Yuan Qi
     • X: Excretion of fluids

Additional Insights

• References: Su Wen Chapter 8
  • Triple burner responsible for passage opening and irrigation
  • Character analysis for water passages and free flow

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• This lecture provides a brief introduction to the role and significance of the triple burner in Chinese medicine, highlighting its divisions and transformative functionalities. The descriptions also emphasize the metaphoric and illustrative nature of the triple burner’s representation in Chinese medicine.

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• Important Terms: Zong Qi, Ying Qi, Yuan Qi, Qi transformation, water passages

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