How to Tonify Your Spleen Qi: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective

Comprehensive Health Care Diagnostics by Anne Cusick, L.Ac
Introduction

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the spleen plays a crucial role in digestion and the transformation of food into energy (Qi) and blood. A weak spleen can lead to fatigue, digestive issues, and other health problems.

This article will guide you through understanding spleen qi deficiency and provide practical steps and dietary recommendations to strengthen and tonify your spleen qi.

Understanding Spleen Qi Deficiency

Spleen qi deficiency manifests with symptoms such as:

• Fatigue and weakness
• Poor appetite
• Bloating and loose stools
• Pale complexion
• Weak limbs
• Easily bruising
• Foggy headedness
• Mental fatigue or overthinking

Principles of Tonifying Spleen Qi

To strengthen the spleen qi, focus on:

• Dietary Adjustments: Eat warm, cooked foods and avoid cold, raw, or greasy foods.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Incorporate moderate exercise, adequate rest, and stress management. Avoid intense workouts. For example a 3 mile walk would be more beneficial than a 10 mile run as  too much energy exertion can weaken the spleen at this stage. 
• Herbal Remedies: Utilize specific herbs known to support spleen qi, outlined below. 

​

What effects the Spleen and Earth Energy causing deficiency: 

• Overthinking. Processing thoughts and learning use spleenic energy. Studying for long periods of time can effect the spleen, but are remediated after studies are complete and the mind is rested. Meditation can help in the interim when studying, deep thought and memorization are necessary. 

​

• Cold and raw foods. Fods such as smoothies, ice creme, cold yogurts, sodas and raw fruits and vegetables can injure the spleenic energy which prefers warmth and cooked foods. 

​

• Damp foods such as milk, ice creme, sugary deserts can cause congestion in the spleen that is affected by dampness. 

​

• Damp environments such as places with high humidity regardless of hot or cold temperatures such as Houston, Louisiana, England, Scotland, South and Southeast Asia, Indonesian, Columbia, and the Amazon. 

Dietary Recommendations to strengthen the Spleen

Warm to Neutral Foods

• Grains:  Organic rice, oats, millet, and quinoa. These grains are easy to digest and provide essential energy.
• Vegetables: Cooked carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, and spinach. Avoid raw or cold vegetables.
• Proteins: Lean meats like chicken, turkey, and fish. Eggs are also beneficial.
• Legumes: Lentils, chickpeas, and adzuki beans are nourishing and support spleen function.
• Fruits: Warm fruits like apples, pears, and cherries. Avoid tropical fruits which are often too damp forming such as mangos or banannas.
• Nuts and Seeds: Walnuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds. Eat in moderation, and buy organic when possible, avoiding pesticides. 

​

Cooking Methods

• Steaming: Retains nutrients and is gentle on the digestive system.
• Boiling/Soups: Soups and broths, especially bone broth, are warming and nourishing.
• Baking: Helps retain the warming properties of foods.

​

Lifestyle Recommendations

• Regular Meals: "Breakfast for champions, lunch with a friend and give dinner to your enemy.  "  and ancient proverb.  (Please comment if you have a citation for me)

 

• Largest meal should be first part of the day followed by a lighter afternoon meal and avoid eating past 3 pm if possible other than light steamed vegetables and soups. The spleenic/earth energy has the best  chance at optimizing function and digestion in the morning hours 7am-11am. 
• Chewing Thoroughly: Enhances digestion and absorption of nutrients.
• Avoid Overeating: Prevents taxing the digestive system.
• Moderate Exercise: Gentle activities like walking, tai chi, or yoga can improve spleen qi without overexertion.
• Adequate Rest: Ensures the body has time to repair and replenish qi. Naps under 15mintes can be highly beneficial. Avoid taking 2 hour naps as this can feel over recessed causing more fatigue.  Meditation can also be highly beneficial. 
• Stress Management: Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and acupuncture can help reduce stress, which negatively impacts spleen qi.

​

Herbal Recommendations

Consult with a licensed TCM practitioner before using herbs.

Common spleen qi tonifying herbs include:

The following formulas treat the base line Spleenic/Earth deficiency symptoms outlined above plus the follwoing symptoms. 

• Shen LIng Bai Zhu San: To tonify the spleen when loose stools occur throughout the day as well. 
• She Quan Da Bu Yin Tang:  To tonify the spleen when extra fatigue and loose stools on ly in the morning. 
• Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang: To tonify the spleen and also frequent bouts of easily catching colds, or any signs of prolapse. Not to be used if headaches are a common occurrence. 
• Yu Ping Feng San is used to tonify the spleen and lungs, particularly when frequent allergies are present.
  • Important Note: Do NOT consume any foods that cause severe allergic reactions when trying such remedies. If you have known allergies such as nut allergies or celiac disease, this formula will not enable you to safely consume these foods.
  • This herbal formula is intended for minor allergies and irritations, such as seasonal environmental allergies (sneezing and runny nose) or mild fatigue after eating.

Sample Meal Plan

Breakfast

• Chicken and vegetable soup with carrots, celery, and spinach.
• Steamed rice on the side, or root vegetables such as sweet potatoes or beets. 
• Steak and eggs. 

Lunch

• Chicken and vegetable soup with carrots, celery, and spinach.
• Steamed rice on the side.

Snack

• Handful of almonds or a small bowl of steamed sweet potato.

Dinner

• Skip. Or steamed vegetables, or a light soup for a snack. 

Conclusion
​
By incorporating these dietary and lifestyle changes, you can effectively tonify your spleen qi and enhance your overall health and well-being. It is important to implement these changes gradually and consult with a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner for personalized advice and herbal prescriptions.

To schedule a personalized consultation that integrates your current well-being and medical astrology perspectives, please click the button below.

​

Your Personalized Herbal Consult

Acupuncture CEUs