Pericardium
Pericardium: Fire-energy yin organ
The pericardium is the heart’s ‘Bodyguard’, its protective sack. In Chinese medicine it is regarded as a Fire-energy organ whose special function is to protect the heart.
Its energy also protects the heart from disruption and damage by excessive emotional energies generated by the other organs, such as anger from the liver, fear from the kidneys, and grief from the lungs.
In the Chinese system of health, extreme outbursts of the 7 Emotions are regarded as powerful disruptors of internal energy balance and major causes of disease.
Without the pericardium to protect it, the heart would be subject to injury from the radical fluctuations in energy caused by the daily emotional ups and downs.
The pericardium helps regulate circulation in all of the major blood vessels connected to the heart. Pericardium energy is related to the loving feelings associated with sex, thereby linking the physical and emotional aspects of sexual activity.
It does this by moderating the raw sexual energy of the kidneys with the all embracing love generated by the heart.
Pericardium
• Paired Organ: Triple Burner
• Color: purple red
• Peak Hours: 7pm-9pm
• Mental Qualities: love, sex
• Physical Branches: blood, tongue, throat, sweat
• Functions: protects the heart
Pericardium: Psycho-Emotional Aspects
The Pericardium has a powerful influence on an individual’s mental and emotional states. Its goal is to "create feelings of joy and/or pleasure for the Heart."
The Pericardium is a tough double layered membrane which covers the heart. The space between these two layers is filled with serous fluid which protects the heart from any kind of external jerk or shock.
The visceral layer extends to the beginning of the great vessels, a term used to refer collectively to the large vessels that bring blood to and from the heart.
These are:
• Superior vena cava
• Inferior vena cava
• Pulmonary arteries
• Pulmonary veins
• Aorta
Functions of Pericardium
• Fixes heart and limits its motion,
• Protects heart from infections via other organs,
• Prevents excessive dilation of heart,
• Lubrication