The Souls in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Mind, Body & Spirit Connection
The Souls in Traditional Chinese Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the human experience is a blend of body, mind, and spirit. TCM views us as deeply connected beings, where even the immaterial—the "souls"—play a vital role in our health and well-being. These aren’t souls in the religious sense but rather aspects of our consciousness, instincts, and inner drive, each linked to specific organs and functions. Understanding and nurturing these souls can bring a deeper sense of harmony to our lives.
So, what are these "souls," how do they affect us, and what can we do to nourish them when they fall out of balance?
1. Hun: The Ethereal Soul (Liver)
The Hun, connected to the Liver, governs creativity, dreams, and our ability to see possibilities. It’s about spiritual vision, planning, and emotional flow. Hun is yang in nature, free and fluid, embodying our connection to something greater. It’s said that the Hun continues beyond death, guiding the ethereal aspects of our consciousness.
When the Hun is balanced, we feel inspired and emotionally flexible, with a clear sense of direction. But when it’s out of sync, we may feel stuck, frustrated, or unable to move past emotional blocks.
Nourishing the Hun:
Foods to support the Liver: Include dark leafy greens, sprouts, and sour foods like lemon and apple cider vinegar to keep liver energy flowing. My blog on eating in spring highlights how this season is perfect for supporting liver health.
Herbs and teas: Drink nettle or dandelion tea to gently detoxify and strengthen the liver.
Lifestyle tips: Journaling dreams and engaging in creative activities like painting or music can help the Hun thrive. Gentle movements like qi gong or yoga can also release pent-up tension.
2. Po: The Corporeal Soul (Lungs)
The Po, tied to the Lungs, reflects the physical sensations and primal instincts that connect us to the material world. It’s yin in nature, grounding us in our bodies and physical experience, but it dissipates after death.
When Po is balanced, we’re in touch with our instincts and experience a sense of embodiment. Imbalances might show up as chronic grief, detachment, or difficulty letting go.
Nourishing the Po:
Lung-supporting foods: Incorporate white foods like pears, daikon radish, and white mushrooms. Soups made with ingredients like ginger, garlic, and bone broth can also soothe and strengthen the lungs. (See my post on bone broth for a deeper dive into its benefits!)
Herbs for the lungs: Thyme tea is one of my favourites—it’s antimicrobial, antiviral, and helps with respiratory health.
Lifestyle tips: Cleaning your windows (sounds strange but makes a huge difference in how you feel!), deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or even a walk in fresh air can do wonders for the lungs and the Po.
3. Shen: The Spirit or Mind (Heart)
The Shen, seated in the Heart, is the centre of consciousness, emotional health, and mental clarity. It’s the spark of life that lights up our presence and gives us the ability to connect with others. Shen is often described as the leader of the five spirits, guiding our overall wellbeing.
When Shen is balanced, we feel calm, connected, and emotionally resilient. When it’s not, we might experience anxiety, insomnia, or a sense of unease. These symptoms often correlate with what TCM calls blood deficiency, which is loosely related to anaemia and can affect the Shen/Heart. See this post for more info on supporting your Shen to boost your mental clarity, and here for how to build blood to nourish the heart.
Nourishing the Shen:
Heart-friendly foods: Red foods like goji berries, hawthorn berries, and red dates are wonderful for supporting heart health.
Calming herbs: A tea made with jujube (red date) and chamomile can soothe an anxious mind and settle the Shen.
Lifestyle tips: Prioritise good sleep and reduce overstimulation. Meditation or mindfulness practices can help calm a restless Shen. Try journaling before bed to release the day’s worries.
4. Yi: The Intellect (Spleen)
The Yi, connected to the Spleen, represents thought, intellect, and reflection. It’s the part of us that digests information, forms ideas and focuses on intention.
When Yi is balanced, we can think clearly and remain focused. Overthinking, worry, or mental fog suggest an imbalance in the Yi.
The Spleen is directly related to our digestive system, and for those who find they get an anxious/nervous tummy, or have IBS (see more info on this here) that seems to be stress-related, supporting your spleen can make all the difference. See here for how to support your spleen.
If you suffer from overthinking and digestive issues, here’s a post for you on how to support your Spleen and Yi!
Nourishing the Yi:
Spleen-supportive foods: Warm, cooked foods like sweet potatoes, squash, and millet are excellent. Avoid raw or cold foods, which can weaken the spleen.
Herbs and spices: Add warming spices like cinnamon and ginger to your meals to support digestion.
Lifestyle tips: Limit multitasking and dedicate focused time to important tasks. Avoid overstimulation from screens, especially late at night.
5. Zhi: Willpower and Drive (Kidneys)
The Zhi, tied to the Kidneys, is the source of willpower, ambition, and life’s drive. It’s what helps us persevere and adapt in challenging times.
A strong Zhi is reflected in resilience and determination, while weak Zhi may manifest as fear, indecision, or lack of motivation.
Nourishing the Zhi:
Kidney-friendly foods: Black beans, seaweed, and walnuts are nourishing for the kidneys. Soups with bone broth, shiitake mushrooms, and root vegetables can also build kidney energy.
Herbs for kidney health: Include nettle tea or goji berries in your routine.
Lifestyle tips: Prioritise rest and warmth. Keep your lower back and feet covered and warm and avoid overworking.
The beauty of TCM is that these souls are interconnected, much like the organ systems themselves. When one soul is out of balance, it can ripple into the others. I often find with my clients that TCM is much better able to connect an array of seemingly unrelated symptoms than with Western Medicine’s segregated approach, and, often it is looking at the spirits which can help guide us to where the underlying organ disharmony may be.
If you’re feeling out of sync, acupuncture and personalised nutrition can help restore balance to these vital energies. At Vale of Health, I work with clients to integrate TCM principles into daily life, offering practical, nourishing solutions for physical and emotional health.
Want to learn more about how TCM can help you?
Book a consultation today and start your journey to feeling your best.