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Conditions variously ascribed to Spleen Qi Deficiency are: chronic fatigue, candida, arthritis & fibromyalgia¹, premenstrual syndrome².

Modern habits such as multi-tasking are said to be especially stressful / depleting to spleen qi³.

In TCM, qi theory is often applied to the cause and treatment of chronic diseases⁴. By Western definitions, the spleen is an abdominal organ which has an important role in the maintenance of many types of blood cells, especially white blood cells which are involved with the immune response. If there is a problem with the spleen, then in effect, the human body will become more susceptible to disease in the long run due to an ineffective immune response, hence causing the subject to be more susceptible to chronic diseases.

In traditional chinese medicine, the spleen is also an organ associated with the immune system⁵. Abnormal spleen function in Western medicine is considered as spleen-deficiency and qi-stagnation in traditional Chinese medicine⁶. Spleen deficiency is regarded as one of the most common pathologies and is often treated with immune and digestive dysfunction. Spleen deficiency is believed to be caused by a number of previously identified genes, and in Western medicine, these genes are associated with chronic gastritis and ulcerative colitis, as well metabolism and immune disorders. Traditional Chinese medicine researchers have also made links between spleen deficiency being a precursor to type 2 diabetes mellitus⁷. This may have some relation to the Western medicine theory that if a subject undergoes spleen removal surgery (splenectomy), the body loses its ability to regulate blood glucose, leading to the subject becoming more susceptible to diabetes⁸.

Abnormal spleen function and spleen-deficiency are often closely closely associated with one another in Chinese medicine and as such can be treated together. The LiuJunZi decoction is a herbal remedy used to invigorate and regulate the spleen, and replenish any nutrients. It has been proven to successfully treat spleen deficiency, and bring about a rejuvenation of qi. However, little is known about the molecular compounds and mechanisms⁹, so its exact efficacy and relation to Western practices is unknown.

Tai Zi Shen, also known as false starwort, is a plant that is used in traditional Chinese medicine to nourish the spleen, supplementing qi and generating body fluids. Extracts of Tai Zi Shen have been analysed using scientific Western techniques, and have been shown to increase levels of DNA expression in the spleen, thus aiding in spleen cell proliferation and the general health of the organ¹⁰. In Western medicine this could be explained by the plant’s rich make up of amino acids, saccharides, phenols, tannins, sterols and other molecules which aid in anabolic reactions. However, this is just a theory and has not been proved conclusive¹¹.

Spleen abnormalities caused by a poor diet choice have been linked to discoloured phlegm, and in traditional Chinese medicine this phlegm is said to be the cause of some headaches as the cloudiness of the phlegm can prevent one from having a clear mind. Qi-regulating massotherapy can be used to treat headaches, or at least offer significant relief. This is often attributed to the fact that the brain requires good blood circulation to be able function properly, and through the use of qi-regulating massotherapy, blood may be allowed to flow more freely and prevent blood stagnation¹². This may be similar to what is known as a bilious headache in Western culture, which is essentially caused by indigestion.

1. http://www.mybodywisdom.net/articles/spleen-qi-deficiency/
2. https://kylejnorton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/premenstrual-syndromepms-caused-by_13.html
3. https://www.chinesemedicineliving.com/acupuncture/what-is-spleen-qi-deficiency/
4. Hou J, Wang J, Lin C, Fu J, Ren J, Li L et al. Circulating MicroRNA Profiles Differ between Qi-Stagnation and Qi-Deficiency in Coronary Heart Disease Patients with Blood Stasis Syndrome. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014;2014:1-9.
5. Longhui C, Zemin Y, Weiwen C, Ruliu L, Chuanquan L, Lihua G et al. Differential expression of immune-related genes between healthy volunteers and type 2 diabetic patients with spleen-deficiency pattern. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2015;35(6):646-652.
6. Zhang S, Zhao L, Wang H, Wang C, Huang S, Shen H et al. Efficacy of modified LiuJunZi decoction on functional dyspepsia of spleen-deficiency and qi-stagnation syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;13(1).
7. Longhui C, Zemin Y, Weiwen C, Ruliu L, Chuanquan L, Lihua G et al. Differential expression of immune-related genes between healthy volunteers and type 2 diabetic patients with spleen-deficiency pattern. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2015;35(6):646-652.
8. Singer M, Clond M, Bukur M, Margulies D, Salim A, Ley E. Long-term Effect of Trauma Splenectomy on Blood Glucose: the Emerging Role of the Spleen as a Source of Pancreatic Stem Cells. Journal of Surgical Research. 2012;172(2):201.
9. Zhang S, Zhao L, Wang H, Wang C, Huang S, Shen H et al. Efficacy of modified LiuJunZi decoction on functional dyspepsia of spleen-deficiency and qi-stagnation syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013;13(1).
10. Zhou Y, Wei K, He L, Sun X, Shao K, Fang B et al. Multi-central Clinical Research into Treating 80 Cases of Chronic Thrombocytopenia with Qi-supplementing and Yin-nourishing Therapy and Western Medicine. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2011;31(4):277-281.
11. Reinecke M, Zhao Y. Phytochemical Studies of the Chinese Herb Tai-zi-shen, Pseudostellaria heterophylla. Journal of Natural Products. 1988;51(6):1236-1240.
12. Tan T, Wang J, Sun Q, Shi Y. The Qi-regulating Massotherapy for Treatment of Tonic Headache in 150 Cases. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2009;29(1):13-18.