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The spleen corresponds to the element of Earth and prospers during the late summer. Its pulse is slow (Huan), its form is associated with the mouth, its sound is song-like, its odor is fragrant, its taste is sweet, its fluid is saliva (Xian), it nourishes the muscles and flesh, its complexion is yellow, and it houses the Yi (Intellect/Thought); the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian is its channel. It combines with the Stomach; the Stomach as a Fu organ governs the exterior, while the Spleen as a Zang organ governs the interior.

When Spleen Qi is excessive, manifesting as an excess in physical form, symptoms include abdominal distension, difficult urination, heaviness of the body accompanied by suffering from hunger, flaccidity and inability to hold or move the feet, frequent falling while walking, and pain under the soles of the feet. This constitutes an Excess pattern of Spleen Qi, which should be treated with draining methods. When Spleen Qi is deficient, symptoms include inability to use the four limbs, diarrhea, indigestion, vomiting and regurgitation, abdominal distension, and borborygmus. This constitutes a Deficiency pattern of Spleen Qi, which should be treated with tonifying methods.

Regarding the four seasons: A disease in the Spleen heals in Autumn; if not healed in Autumn, it worsens in Spring; if one does not die in Spring, recovery awaits in Summer; onset occurs in Late Summer. Regarding the Heavenly Stems: Healing occurs on Geng-Xin days; if not healed on Geng-Xin days, aggravation occurs on Jia-Yi days; if one does not die on Jia-Yi days, recovery awaits on Bing-Ding days; onset occurs on Wu-Ji days. Regarding the time of day: The patient feels clear-headed during the day, symptoms worsen at dawn (Pingdan), and become quiet in the afternoon (Xiabu). The Spleen desires relaxation; urgently, one should consume Sweet flavors to relax it; use Bitter flavors to drain it; use Sweet flavors to tonify it. Contraindications include warm foods, overeating, damp places, and wearing wet clothes.

The location for palpating the Spleen pulse is at the Guan position on the right hand. A healthy Spleen pulse comes and goes with softness and separation, resembling a chicken treading on the ground; this is called a Normal Spleen Pulse. In Late Summer, Stomach Qi is fundamental. In the sixth month, Spleen Earth is prosperous; the pulse is large, ample, and slow, named a Normal Pulse. If instead a Wiry and rapid pulse is obtained, this is Liver Wood encroaching upon Spleen Earth (Wood overcoming Earth), representing a major reversal, ten deaths without cure; if instead a Fine, Choppy, and short pulse is obtained, this is Lung Metal encroaching upon Spleen Earth (Child supporting Mother), which will heal spontaneously without treatment; if instead a Floating and Surging pulse is obtained, this is Heart Fire encroaching upon Spleen Earth (Mother returning to Child), which should recover without death; if instead a Deep, Soft, and Slippery pulse is obtained, this is Kidney Water encroaching upon Spleen Earth (Water flooding Earth), representing a minor pathogen, which should recover.

A Spleen pulse that is long yet weak, arriving twice per breath cycle, is Normal; three times is Li Jing (Departing from the Canon); four times is Duo Jing (Depletion of Essence); five times is Death; six times is End of Life. A diseased Spleen pulse arrives solid, abundant, and rapid, resembling a chicken lifting its foot, indicating Spleen Disease; a dying Spleen pulse arrives firm and sharp like a crow's beak, like a bird's spur, like water leaking from a roof, or like water flowing away, indicating Spleen Death; the True Spleen pulse arrives weak and intermittently rapid and slow. With a cyan-yellow complexion lacking luster, withered hair indicates death.

The *Yangsheng Fang · Daoyin Fa* states: For those with Spleen organ diseases, there is a sensation of wandering wind on the face, pain, body itching, irritability, and pain; one can use the "Xi" exhalation method for regulation.