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Heart governs sweat

心主汗 〔心主汗〕xīn zhǔ hàn

Sweat is the humor of the heart, i.e., it is one of the five humors (sweat, snivel, tears, drool, spittle) and is associated with the heart. In clinical practice, sweating is often observed in heart patterns, e.g., in heart yīn vacuity with heart fire harassing the inner body, in heart yáng vacuity with insecurity of defense yáng, and in heart qì heat. Oily sweat is associated with debilitation of heart qì. Conversely, sweating can affect the heart, since excessive sweating can damage heart qì and lead to yáng collapse. The heart governs the blood, which is closely related to sweat. Excessive sweating can damage the blood, and blood vacuity reduces the source of sweat. Hence it is said, when blood is despoliated, there is no sweat; when sweat is despoliated, there is no blood.

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