Spleen-stomach axis function

The Spleen-stomach axis function is a foundational physiological concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that describes the integrated activities of the Spleen and Stomach systems in digesting food and generating vital energy, or 'Qi'. It is defined by a dynamic balance between the Spleen’s role in 'transporting and transforming' nutrients while 'ascending clarity' to the heart and lungs, and the Stomach's role in 'receiving' food while 'descending turbidity' through the digestive tract. Impairment of this axis, often referred to as Spleen-Stomach disharmony, is associated with a wide range of clinical conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic syndrome, and systemic issues like insomnia and fatigue. Modern research increasingly links this traditional axis to the gut-microbiota-brain pathway, suggesting that it represents a complex regulatory network involving the enteric nervous system, gut hormones, and immune signaling. Therapeutic interventions typically utilize multi-component herbal decoctions aimed at restoring the functional pivot of this axis rather than targeting a single molecular receptor.

Other names

Spleen-Stomach theoryPi-Wei theorySpleen-Stomach pivotMiddle Jiao functionTransport and transformation function

Regulation of gastrointestinal Qi dynamics by promoting 'ascending clarity' and 'descending turbidity', modulation of gut microbiota diversity (specifically enriching Prevotella species), and repairing gastric mucosal integrity.