Earth Element = Spleen and Stomach            

Spleen Qi Deficiency
Cause: Irregular eating pattern. Excessive mental strain- Too much thinking injures Spleen. Protracted chronic disease weakens Spleen Qi.
Signs: Anorexia^[1,2]. Sallow complexion^[1,2].  Four limbs feel tired and heavy. Slight abdominal pain and distension that are relieved on pressure. Abdominal and epigastric distension after eating. Acid regurgitation or vomiting.  Edema^[1,2]. Loose stools^[1,2]. Shortness of breath. Thin muscles. Weak limbs. General lassitude.
T- Pale and flabby with teeth marks. Thin white coating. P- Empty, relaxed, forceless. 
Associated western conditions: Gastric or duodenal ulcer. Nervous dyspepsia. Gastric neurosis. Chronic gastritis. Chronic dysentery. Anemia.
Treatment: Strengthen Spleen Qi using reinforcing method and often moxa.
Points
Zusanli- St 36.. Strengthen function of Spleen and Stomach, to strengthen both digestive and general weakness.
Zhongwan- Ren 12.. Strengthen and regulate Qi of Spleen and Stomach, to eliminate Damp.
Pishu- Bl 20 Back- Shu point of Spleen. Promotes transformation and transportation function of Spleen and Stomach.
Zhangmen- Liv 13 Front- Mu point of Spleen.
Taibai- Sp 3 Yuan- source point of Spleen.
Sanjinjiao- Sp 6 Reinforces Spleen.
Shangqiu- Sp 5 Strengthens Spleen.
(JM,JR).

Spleen Not Governing Blood
Cause: Spleen Qi Xu or Spleen Yang Xu, causing failure of Spleens functions of keeping blood flowing within the vessels.
Signs: Signs and symptoms of Spleen Qi Xu with the addition of hemorrhages especially of the lower body. Functional uterine bleeding. Purpura. Epistaxis. Hemafecia. Hematuria. Menorrhagia.
T- Pale body. P- Fine and weak. Anorexia. Epigastric and abdominal distension. Unformed stools. Physical and mental exhaustion. Complexion sallow or pale. Dizziness. Shortness of breath. Palpitations. 
Associated Western conditions: Functional uterine bleeding. Bleeding hemorrhoids. Thrombocytopenic purpura.
Treatment Principle:  Benefit Qi & conserve Blood.
Points
Yinbai- Sp 1 Main point to strengthen Spleen function of governing blood.
Pishu- Bl 20, Zusanli- St 36, Taibai- Sp 3 Reinforce Speen.
For Uterine Bleeding- Guanyuan- Ren 4 Regulates Chong and Ren Mai. Baihui- Du 20 Raises Yang Qi. Yangchi- SJ 4 Promotes function of Chong & Ren mai in controlling Blood.
Xuehai- Sp 10 Tends to be used mostly for Hot Blood or sxtravasated Blood.
Quche- LI 11 Hot Blood skin rashes.
Geshu- Bl 17 Extravasated Blood. 
Herbs: Gui Pi Tang. Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang + E Jiao.
(JM,JR).

Spleen Yang Xu
Cause: Irregular eating pattern. Overindulgence in Cold raw food. Excessive use of herbs with Cool or Cold nature. Protracted chronic disease weakens Spleen.
Signs: Same as Spleen Qi Xu plus-
Pain in epigastrium with cold sensations. Watery stools containing undigested food. Cold limbs. Feels chilled. Mental fatigue. Scanty urine with edema. Clear watery vaginal discharge. Anorexia with vomiting. T- Pale body with thin white coating. P- Deep and fine or fine and weak. 
Associated Western conditions: Gastric or duodenal ulcer. Chronic gastritis. Chronic enteritis. Chronic hepatitis. Chronic dysentery. Chronic glomerulonephritis. Cirrhosis of liver.
Points:
Similar to Spleen Qi Xu- only use more warming techniques such as Moxa and Ginger. 
Herbs: Li Zhong Tang.
(JM,JR).

Cold Damp Injuring Spleen
Causes: Overindulgence in cold raw food- such as iced water, ice-cream, and food and drink staight from the refrigerator can affect the functions of the Spleen. Environmental Dampness- such as misty or foggy mountainous areas, or over stretches of water. Also after profuse perspiration, staying in damp clothes. 
    Either Cold or Damp may give rise to Yang xu, which can give rise to internal Cold, due to lack of the Yang capacity to warm and move, or to internal Damp, due to inadequate Trasnformation and Transportation of functions of Spleen, leading to accumulation of Jin Ye. So internal Cold and internal Damp can give rise to each other, via Yang Xu, and therefore often occur together.
Signs:
Anorexia.. Reduced sensation of taste.. Epigastrium and abdomen distended and feeling full.. Nausea and vomiting. Loose stools. No thirst or preference of hot drinks. Sticky sensation in mouth. Borborygmus. Lassitude. Lethargy. Heavy head. Heavy limbs. Edema. Copious white vaginal discharge. Cloudy urine. Cold limbs, fear of cold. Feeling chilled.
T- Pale thick white greasy coating.. P- Slow and slippery.
Treatment: Strengthen the Spleen and Stomach to Resolve Damp, and to warm and strengthen Qi and Yang to disperse Cold. Points are used with reinforcing method and moxa. 
Points
Qihai- Ren 6 Strenghtens Qi to disperse Damp.
Zhongwan- CV 12 Invigorate Spleen Qi and Spleen Yang, to aid functions of Spleen.
Tianshu- St 25 Regulates Qi of Wtomach and intestines.
Shangjuxu- St 37 Lower He- Sea point of the Large Intestine. Regulates Qi of Stomach and intestines. Invigorates Spleen and reduces Damp.
(JM,JR).

Damp Heat Injuring Spleen
Cause: External pervese Damp-Heat invades Spleen & Stomach, causing failure of Spleens functions. Spleen Qi Xu or Spleen Yang Xu leads to Damp stagnation which then transforms into Heat. Dampness & Heat are generated internally by long-term overindulgence in alcohol and fatty sweet foods. 
Signs: Anorexia.. Lethargy. Abdominal distension.. Bitter taste in mouth.. Yang Jaundice: sclera and skin bright yellow.. Scanty dark urine.. Sensation of heavyness. Suffocating sensation in chest. Epgastric mass. Maybe abdominal pain on palpitation. Dislike for oily foods. Nausea and vomiting. Lassitude. Maybe thirst or thist without desire to drink. Diarrhea with foul smell or constipation. Fever. T- Slightly red with thick yellow and greasy coating. P- Slippery and rapid.
Associated Western conditions: Acute icteric hepatitis. Acute pancreatitis. Acute cholecystitis. Cirrhosis of liver. 
Treatment Principle: Clear Heat and drain Dampness. 
Points:
The points for treating Damp Heat in the Liver and Gall Bladder are useful.
Neiting- St 44 Cool Heat in Stomach & removes obstruction from intestines.
Quche- Co 11 Cools Heat and alleviates Dampness.
Yinlingquan- Sp 9 Disperses Damp Heat.
Tianshi- St 25
Dachongshu Bl 25
Zusanli- St 36
Hegu- LI 4.
Shangjuxu- St 37
(JM,JR).

Stomach- Wei

Food Stagnation in Stomach
Signs: Anorexia.. Epigastric distension, fullness and pain with dislike of pressure.. Belching with rotten food smell.. Acid regurgitation.. Detests food or vomits after eating. Lose stools or  constipation.. T- Thick greasy coating.. P- Slippery..
Treatment: Invigorate the Middle Jiao to aid digestion of food and remove retention. Reducing the following points.
Points
Xiawan- Ren 10 Enables Wei Qi to go downwards.
Zhangmen- Liv 13 Front- Mu point of Spleen, invigorates Spleen to digest food.
Zusanli- St 36 Invigorates ascending of Spleen and descending of Wei.
(JM,JR).

Stomach Yin Xu
Signs: Anorexia.. Vague epigastric pain. Dry mouth and throat dry but no desire to drink. Abdominal distension after meals.Dry retching.., or hiccough. Dry stools. Irritability with low grade fever. 
T- Red- with no coat, dry. P- Fine & rapid.
Treatment: Nourish Wei Yin, using reinforceing method and no moxa.
Zusanli- St 36 Strengthen Stomach and Spleen functions.
Pishu- Bl- 20                       "         
Weishu- Bl- 21                    "
Sanjinjiao- Sp 6 Strengthen Yin.
Taixi- Ki 3 Strengthen Yin.
(JM,JR).

Stomach Fire Blazing
Fire in Stomach may blaze upward through the Stomach channel to reach the gums, with inflammation and bleeding, and may cause the Stomach Qi to ascend with vomiting, and may damage Jin-Ye, causing thirst and constipation.
Signs: Burning heat and pain in epigastrium.. Irritating thirst- drinks copious fluids and prefers cold drinks.. Vomiting right after eating. Excessive appetite; hungry again quickly after eating. Swelling pain, ulceration and bleeding of gums. Foul breath..  Constipation.. Scanty red urine. T- Red with thick, dry yellow coating. P- Slippery, rapid, flooding.
Points:  
Neiting- St 44 Remove Heat, excess and pain from the Stomach.
Zhongwan- Ren 12 Regulate rebellious Stomach Qi.
Taichong- Liv 3 Pacify Liver.
Liangmen- St 21 Regulates Spleen and Stomach function- Reducing method. 
(JM,JR).

Stomach Cold- Resulting in retention of fluid.
Accumulation of Cold in Stomach results in stagnation of Qi and therefore in pain. Cold may injure Stomach Yang, resulting in absence of thirst.
Signs: Coldness and pain in the epigrastric region..  Pain is aggravated by cold and relieved by warmth.. Absence of thirst, vomiting after eating, vomiting clear fluid. Cold hands and feet.
T- Moist greasy white coat. P- Deep and weak.
Treatment: Warm and stenghten the Middle Jiao to disperse the Cold and to Trasnform and Transport the fluid. Reinforcing method and moxa are used.
Points:
Zhongwan- Ren 12 Front Mu point of Stomach.
Weishu- Bl 21 Regulate the Stomach to warm the Middle Jiao.
Liangmen- St 21 Regulate Stomach Qi.
Zusanli- St 36             "
Qihai- Ren 6 Warms and invigorates Qi and Yang.
(JM,JR).

Stomach Qi Xu
Signs: Epigastric fullness & distension. No desire for food or drink. Frequent belching. Stomach rumbling. Loss of sensation of taste. Stools not solid urine clear & abundant. T- Pale, scanty white coating. P- Xu, weak.
(JM).

REFERENCES
[1] Zang Fu The Organ Systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ross, Jeremy Publisher: Churchill Livingstone ISBN 0-443-03482-6
[2] MacDonald, John