Bones (Chinese medicine)
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),the 骨 Gǔ (bones) are a hollow vessel that contain the marrow that is derived from Kidney Jing or the essence of life itself.
Traditional Chinese medicine is built on a cultural view or belief system that has been influenced by Daoism, Confucianism and Chinese folk religion. In this view the Gǔ occupies a fundamentally different conceptual position than in Western evidence based biomedicine. In TCM theory the Gǔ are part of the Extraordinary Fu organ (Qi Heng Zhi Fu) classification due to they are not just part of the skeletal system, that is forming a separate scaffolding or mechanical framework by Western medical definition, but through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine are seen as a mainframe and foundation for interconnected biological systems.[1]
The bones are considering an extension of the kidney network as in TCM theory the Kidneys govern the bones and store essence Jing, which produces marrow and blood (calcium for building and repair ) to nourish and maintain the skeletal system from the inside out, also the brain the sea of marrow through the spinal cord. When this essence declines through aging, chronic stress, illness, or accident the bones and mind becomes brittle and weak.[2][3]
Physiological functions
Within the theory of traditional Chinese medicine the bones are attributed to the bellow functions.
Housing Marrow: The Gǔ act as the physical container that holds, protects, and sustains the marrow.
Storing Essence: Because marrow is a manifestation of Kidney prenatal Jing, bones function as a deep storage system for the body's constitutional energy .
Providing Structure: They form the structural framework of the body, allowing for upright posture and movement.
Vital Organ protection: They physically shield the internal Zang-Fu organs from external trauma.
Gǔ have the ability to regenerate as part of the healing mechanism after an accident or trauma or I'll health, including musculo skeletal growth and ongoing refining and reestablishing [4]
The Interconnected Network
The extraordinary nature of bones relies heavily on their relationship with other organs within the theory of TCM
Kidneys: The Kidneys are the primary governor of Gǔ health, density, and growth through what is called in Western medicine the endocrine system. It is the Kidney Essence Jing that generates marrow at conception, which in turn fills the bones and also the brain and postnatally regulates the uptake of calcium through the absorption of vitamin D.
Liver: As the Liver stores blood, which nourishes the sinews, ligaments, and bones. Liver Blood and Kidney Essence share the same source, meaning poor liver health is a underlining condition to bone problems.
Spleen: The Spleen and Stomach govern digestion in the TCM theory therefore transform food proving vitamin D that is essential for the production of calcium for repair, and maintenance of the Gǔ and the basic metabolic bodily energy to promote and provide the daily provisions that the skeletal system needs to maintain optimal health.[5]
Teeth: In TCM, teeth are considered "the surplus of Gǔ " and share the exact same source of nourishment.[6]
Clinical observations and implications
Excess Patterns and symptoms in TCM
Deficiency Patterns and symptoms in TCM
References
- ↑ Peng, Zhicai; Xu, Ronghua; You, Qinjian (2022). "Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Bone Regeneration and Osteoporosis". Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 10 911326. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2022.911326. ISSN 2296-4185. PMC 9194098. PMID 35711635.
- ↑ Ju, Dahong; Liu, Meijie; Zhao, Hongyan; Wang, Jun (2014). "Mechanisms of "kidney governing bones" theory in traditional Chinese medicine". Frontiers of Medicine. 8 (3): 389–393. doi:10.1007/s11684-014-0362-y. ISSN 2095-0225. PMID 25204291.
- ↑ Yan, Shenyu; Du, Qiaohui; Zhao, Lijun; Liu, Qing; Wu, Meiling; Xu, Ziqiao; Shen, Jiangang (2026-02-27). "Traditional Chinese Medicine for osteoporosis management: from molecular mechanisms to drug discovery". Chinese Medicine. 21 (1): 72. doi:10.1186/s13020-026-01353-9. ISSN 1749-8546. PMC 12947499. PMID 41749251.
- ↑ Zhu, Huang, Lifang , Yong (2024). Textbook of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Introduction, Examination, Etiologies and Pathogenesis and Differentiation of Syndromes · Volume 1. Springer Nature Singapore. ISBN 978-981-99-5296-0.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Song, Chaoqun; Zeng, Lingfeng; Zhao, Changwei (2025). "The role of active constituents of in traditional Chinese medicine for primary osteoporosis: a mechanistic review". Frontiers in Endocrinology. 16 1647984. doi:10.3389/fendo.2025.1647984. ISSN 1664-2392. PMC 12481519. PMID 41036137.
- ↑ Maciocia, Giovanni (1989). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0-443-03980-5.