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How does traditional Chinese medicine connect emotions with organ function?

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Moxibustion — traditional Chinese medicine In moxibustion, or moxa treatment, small cones of an herb (typically *Artemisia moxa*) are burned on top of needles placed in designated points of the body, generally the same points as those used in acupuncture.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the connection between emotions and organ function is understood through the lens of qi—the vital life force that flows through the body's meridians and connects organs to consciousness.1

TCM practitioners utilize the framework of the five agents, or wuxing, to identify how unbalanced relationships within the body manifest as health conditions. Within this system, Chinese psychology posits that the energy of unbalanced emotions can directly affect proper organ function. Because the body’s meridians form an invisible network linking organs, tissues, and mental states, emotional disturbances are viewed as disruptions to the flow of qi. By diagnosing which organ is related to a specific imbalance, practitioners can develop healing plans—incorporating acupuncture, herbs, or lifestyle changes—to restore harmony between the patient's emotional state and their physical health.1