The Relationship of the Heart to other Organs
1) Manifestation in the Face
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that whether or not the essential qi of the viscera is sufficient or strong, it can manifest in the sense organs of the exterior body,
known as outward manifestations of quintessence. The five zang-viscera have their own outward manifestations of quintessence respectively. "Five kinds of outward manifestation of quintessence" theory is holistic in nature and has been summed up in long-term medical practice.
"Having outward manifestation in the face" implies that whether or not the physiological function of the heart-qi, and blood is normal, its condition will be reflected by changes in the complexion. Because the face has an abundance of blood vessels, and tender skin, it is suitable for observation. Observation of the face, therefore, is used in deducing the prosperity or decline of the qi and blood of the heart. If heart-qi and heartblood flourish, the face will be lustrous and moist. If the heart is diseased ,qi and blood will be impaired, and there appear the changes of complexion. Deficient qi and blood of the heart may cause pallor and dull complexion; Onstruction of heart-blood, purplish complexion;the heat in blood-stage, the red complexion; and collapse of the heart-blood, pale or withered complexion.
2) Opening into the Tongue
"Opening" refers to "hole" or "aperture" in original intention. In traditional Chinese medical theory, it is used as an explanation for the inter-connection between the viscera and the sense organs in the exterior of the body. It is a part of the holistic concept."Opening" indicates the five sense organs in the head and face, including the nose, eyes,mouth, tongue, and ears. These are habitually known as "the five sense organs with seven openings". The external genitalia and anus are also called openings, and for this reason there is a version of the nine openings. The five zang-viscera and six fu-viscera are located in the interior of body, whilst the sense organs and openings in the head and face are located in the exterior body. However, there exists a close and influential relationship between the viscera and sense organs, which not only manifest in physiology, but also in pathology.
The Heart Meridian into the tongue, therefore the tongue is an outward sign of the heart's condition, and is identical in meaning to "The tongue is the sprout of the heart. " The large collateral of the Heart Meridian of Hand Shaoyin extends into the root of the tongue, and the qi and blood of the heart arrive at the tongue through the meridians, maintaining the normal function of the tongue. The tongue dominates taste and expresses the speech. If the heart functions well, the tongue texture will be red and moist, soft and flexible, sensitive to taste, and coherent to speech. Pathological changes of the heart can be reflected on the tongue. So in clinical practice, the pathological change of the heart is deduced from observation of the shape and color of the tongue. Insufficiency of heartblood may cause a pale tongue; flaming up of heart-fire may cause deep red tongue tip, or even tongue erosion and sores; stagnation of the heart-blood may cause a blue, purple tongue, or a tongue with purple spots; and the heat invading the pericardium or phlegm covering the heart-orifice may cause a rolling or still tongue, stuttering, or aphonia. In summary, the heart is in close relation with the tongue both physiologically and pathologically. This theory has been long established by ancient Chinese doctors through extensive observation of physio-pathological phenomena.
