The Brain-Gut Axis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Our digestive system does much more than metabolize food—it plays a key role in regulating the nervous and immune systems. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognized this over 3,000 years ago, linking digestion to emotions, cognition, and overall vitality. Central to this is the Spleen, an organ system responsible for transforming food into energy, supporting blood production, and maintaining mental clarity.
The Role of the Spleen in TCM
In TCM, the Spleen goes beyond what we think of the spleen in the Western world; it is a complex system involved in digestion, nutrient absorption, and Qi (vital force) production.
Functions of the Spleen
Digestion & Qi Extraction: Converts food into energy, sending Qi upward to nourish the body.
Blood Creation: Works with the Heart to generate blood.
Water Regulation: Governs the movement of fluids and prevents dampness accumulation.
Mental & Emotional Digestion: Processes thoughts, experiences, and information.
Grounding & Stability: Provides a sense of home, protection, and nourishment.
Influence on Muscles & Lips: Strong Spleen function supports muscle bulk and healthy lips.
Serotonin Production & Blood Vessel Integrity: The Spleen plays a role in maintaining blood vessel health and emotional stability through serotonin regulation.
Transforming Dampness: Spleen-Yang, often linked to the pancreas, regulates blood sugar and secretes digestive enzymes, preventing dampness accumulation.
The Spleen’s Relationship to Mental & Emotional Health
A strong Spleen leads to inner well-being, ease, comfort, and general positivity. It is associated with the ability to feel satisfied, present, and grounded. The Spleen also houses the intellect, influencing clear thinking, memory, and focus. Because the Spleen is responsible for transforming food into Qi, it directly affects cognitive function, mood stability, and overall mental clarity. When the Spleen is strong, it efficiently supports serotonin regulation, allowing for emotional balance and resilience against stress.
Conversely, a weak Spleen results in foggy thinking, low energy, abnormal gut function, weight loss, dryness, and poor posture. Worry is the primary emotional imbalance linked to Spleen dysfunction, leading to overthinking and excessive rumination. In addition, Spleen weakness can impair the gut-brain connection, leading to increased inflammation, disrupted neurotransmitter production, and greater susceptibility to anxiety and depression. This highlights the fundamental role of digestion in supporting mental well-being, a principle recognized in both TCM and modern neuroscience.
The Spleen is particularly vulnerable during times of change, such as:
Adolescence
Pregnancy & postpartum
Menopause
Moving homes or changing jobs
Supporting the Spleen during these times can promote resilience, clarity of mind and emotional stability.
Nourishing & Strengthening the Spleen
A strong Spleen supports abundance, generosity, and stability. To maintain its function, consider:
Lifestyle practices
Engaging in grounding activities like stretching, structure, and routine.
Cultivating a sense of home and stability.
Maintaining a disciplined lifestyle to support Qi flow and digestion.
Practicing mindfulness and reducing overthinking to protect the Spleen’s emotional health.
Incorporating gentle movement such as Qi Gong or Tai Chi to promote circulation and Qi flow.
Getting adequate rest and sleep to prevent depletion of Spleen Qi.
Additionally, the Spleen is weakened by an overactive Liver (Wood element), which can create stress and disrupt digestion. Practices like mindfulness, breathwork, and reducing stress help prevent this imbalance.
Dietary solutions
Eating warm, aromatic, and lightly sweet foods (avoid cold, damp foods) and incorporating carminative and aromatic herbs to aid digestion.
Gluten free diet: The avoidance of gluten, and the reduction of sugar and starch intake, should not be limited to only coeliac and diabetic individuals. Gluten has been shown to damage gut lining, trigger low-grade inflammation, promote the leakage of unprocessed macronutrients into the bloodstream, and even cross the blood-brain barrier. A gluten-rich diet has been linked to leaky gut syndrome, IBS, depression, anxiety, headaches, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, are essential for brain function. These healthy fats reduce inflammation and support cognitive function. Since plant-based omega-3s are poorly converted into DHA, high-quality sources such as fish oil or algae-based supplements are recommended.
Probiotics & Prebiotics: Probiotics are alive bacteria found in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir help maintain gut microbiome balance, whilst prebiotics are soluble fibers in onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, and chicory provide food for beneficial gut bacteria.
L-Glutamine and Collagen: L-Glutamine is an amino acid that supports gut lining integrity. It is especially beneficial for conditions such as IBS, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body and is essential to preserve the impermeability of the gut lining
5 Useful Herbs to enhance the Spleen and Brain function
Ginkgo Biloba – Increases blood flow to the brain, protects against oxidative stress, and supports memory.
Acorus Calamus (Sweet flag root): Known for its ability to enhance cognitive function, improve digestive fire, and alleviate brain fog
Centella Asiatica (Gotu Kola) – Enhances cognitive function, reduces fatigue, and improves mental clarity. Also useful to boost mucous membrane health.
Bacopa Monnieri – Traditionally used to reduce anxiety and enhance memory and cognitive functions.
Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary leaf) – Boosts memory, alertness, and cerebral circulation. Great bitter/aromatic digestive herb
Conclusion
Ancient Chinese wisdom recognized that a healthy mind begins with a nourished digestive system, with the Spleen playing a crucial role in transforming food into energy and supporting mental clarity. Modern science now confirms the deep connection between the gut-brain axis, gut health, emotional stability, and cognitive function. If you struggle with brain fog, chronic fatigue, or emotional instability, it may be a sign that your Spleen needs support. The first place to start is with your digestion and daily habits, as they are the foundation for both physical and mental health.
At Vitalise, we can walk together a path of transformation towards a more energised body, resilient heart and clear mind. If you feel called to explore how the combination of nutrition, herbal medicine, lifestyle coaching and psychological support can help you in resolving chronic fatigue, I’d invite you to book a coaching session with me. There’s no cost involved and I’ll be honoured to support you on your journey
