Volume 5 Issue 1 - Spring 2010

by Thomas Richardson

Abstract

This article presents a theoretical model that pairs the extraordinary fu with the extraordinary vessels, similar to the way in which the zangfu are paired with the primary channels. First, the ren, chong, and du mai are paired with the Uterus, mai/Blood Vessels, and Brain, respectively, using the perspective of the three dantian and the three treasures. This discussion suggests that the du mai may be seen as the Sea of Shen, thereby helping to resolve why both the Heart and the Brain have been said to be the residence of the shen in the history of Chinese medicine. Secondly, the qiao, wei, and dai mai are paired with the Marrow, Bones, and Gall Bladder, respectively, by looking at certain functional and relational correspondences between them. It is my hope that through exploring these pairings, this model will allow for a deeper integration of these somewhat otherwise disparate aspects of the medicine.