Zang-fu organs

Zang-fu organs are a collection of functional entities in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that describe the physiological and pathological functions of the human body. They are categorized into the five Zang organs (Heart, Liver, Spleen, Lung, and Kidney), which are primarily responsible for storing vital essence, and the six Fu organs (Small Intestine, Gallbladder, Stomach, Large Intestine, Urinary Bladder, and San Jiao), which are involved in the digestion and transport of substances. Unlike modern medical definitions of organs, the Zang-fu system focuses on functional relationships, energy (Qi) flow, and metabolic processes rather than distinct anatomical or molecular structures. Consequently, Zang-fu organs do not represent a single therapeutic target such as a protein, receptor, or enzyme in the context of modern pharmacology or biotechnology. While TCM practitioners use these concepts to guide treatment with herbal formulas, they are not considered valid molecular targets for drug discovery in contemporary bioscience.

Other names

Zang-fuInternal organs (TCM)Five Zang and Six Fu organs

Not applicable as this is a physiological concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine rather than a molecular target.