The Triple Burner or San Jiao, does not refer to an organ or physical structure. It refers to a set of functions of the organism. To metabolism, capacity for transformation. Traditional Chinese Medicine explains it as if we had three cavities in the body.
- Upper Burner. In the thorax. Relationship with Lungs, Heart and respiratory energy.
- Middle Burner. In the abdomen, below the diaphragm. Relationship with Spleen, Stomach, Gall Bladder, Liver, intestines, digestion, transformation of nutrients into nutritive energy.
- Lower Burner. In the lower abdomen. Relationship with Kidneys, Bladder, reproductive system.
Imagine a pot on the fire, cooking food and from which steam rises. The constant fire below the pot is the lower burner. The pot with food is the middle burner. The steam that rises is what reaches the upper burner.
If the fire is too strong or the pot is empty, smoke will come out. If the pot is too full and the fire is weak, the soup does not boil.
For good health it is necessary that the three burners work balanced with each other. The Triple Burner channel distributes heat and fluids throughout the body.
Energetic functions
- Moves the Original Qi.
- Controls the transport and penetration of Qi.
- Controls the Water passages and the excretion of fluids.
- Its maximum energy is from 9 to 11 at night.
- See also. Theory of the Transformations of Qi.
Moves the Original Qi
Original Qi comes from the interaction between Pre-Heaven and Post-Heaven.
- It is considered Essence in the form of Qi.
- It is linked to the Gate of Life and is found in the space between the kidneys.
- Original Qi is considered the origin of the 12 channels.
Through the Triple Burner the Original Qi performs all its functions.
- The Triple Burner allows the Original Qi to move and transform by providing heat to all bodily processes.
Transport and penetration
The mechanisms of Qi are carried out thanks to the movements of entry, exit, ascent and descent of Qi.
- Thanks to these movements the Triple Burner performs all its functions.
- Each organ moves in its correct directions thanks to the Triple Burner.
- It is responsible for the free passage of the movements of Qi.
- Thanks to this process the Gathering Qi and the Defensive Qi are generated, nourishing and protecting the body.
Water passages
It is responsible for the transformation, transport and excretion of fluids.
- This function is linked to the mechanisms of Qi and the free transit through its three cavities.
- Fluids depend on Qi for their transformation, movement and excretion.
According to G. Maciocia the best points to act on the functions of transforming, transporting and excreting fluids of the Triple Burner are:
Psycho-emotional functions
Triple Burner is linked both to Wood through the Shao Yang channel and to Fire in its Interior-Exterior relationship with the Pericardium Master.
- This gives it its abilities to connect both internally and externally.
- The free expression of feelings towards others and towards oneself is part of this function of the Triple Burner.
- This function allows all aspects of life to have free transit, that is, emotional life does not stagnate. "What is within is without".
Interior-Exterior relationship with Pericardium
Both are hinge channels.
- They have the function of being mediators between the interior and the exterior.
- Exogenous energies relate to the Triple Burner and endogenous energies to the Pericardium.
Main symptoms of dysfunction
- Edema in the legs or in the face.
- Abdominal distension.
- Poor distribution of heat and fluids. Red face and cold feet. Dry skin only on the legs or on the arms.
Related syndromes and pathologies
Channels
- Triple Burner Channel.
- Divergent of Triple Burner.
- Connecting Channel of Triple Burner.
- Muscle Channel of Triple Burner.
Return to Fu Organs.