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August 6, 2009

The Spleen

For thousands of years, traditional Chinese medical practitioners have long recognized the importance of the spleen for balanced health. According to The Web That Has No Weaver by Ted J. Kaptchuk, OMD, the spleen is viewed as the primary organ of digestion. It is credited as the source of sufficient Blood and Qi (life force).

In western medicine, the role of the spleen has been less than revered. One of the reasons is that it is not clear what role the spleen plays in the body, but it seems like an almost disposable organ because we can live without it. However, thanks to a new discovery uncovered by the researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, the spleen may now take it's rightful place as an important organ in immune function.

The spleen is a reservoir for huge numbers of immune cells called monocytes, and that in the event of a serious trauma to the body like a heart attack, gashing wound or microbial invasion, the spleen will disgorge those monocyte multitudes into the bloodstream to tackle the crisis.

Okay, it doesn't SOUND like an organ of digestion, but we must remember that much of Chinese medicine is poetic. Taking nutrients from from the stomach (probably via the lymphatic system whose lymph is milky white shortly after a meal) and using them to cultivate an army of monocytes does not sound far off from the mark.

Unfortunately, the spleen does present some problems. Because it stores blood in sinusoids and is friable, if it becomes injured, it is impossible to repair and must be removed to prevent bleeding to death internally. Pain the left shoulder following a blow to the abdomen is known as Kerr's sign and may indicate internal damage to the organs. Luckily, the spleen is fairly well protected just behind the stomach and under the diaphragm.

So, next time you feel the need to vent your spleen, go right ahead. It may be good for your immune system.

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Posted by linda at August 6, 2009 4:57 PM