The Link Between Gut Health and Systemic Inflammation

caulocare
Jul 7
4 min read

Updated: Jul 8

Inflammaging: How Chronic Inflammation Accelerates Aging — **What Is ‘Silent Inflammation’? Why You Might Not Know You're Sick**

Why Spleen Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation Lead to Chronic Inflammation

By Dr. Phumlarp Caulo| Caulo Care, Forest Hill, New York| July 7, 2025

Introduction. Inflammation is not merely a local reaction to injury or infection; it is a sophisticated biological response designed to protect, heal, and regulate. In Western medicine, inflammation is dissected through molecules like cytokines, prostaglandins, and immune cells. But in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), inflammation is viewed as a result of energetic imbalance, especially in organs like the Spleen and Liver.

This article will explore how two seemingly unrelated patterns in TCM—Spleen Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation—play a central role in chronic inflammation. By examining both modern and traditional perspectives, we uncover a holistic understanding of inflammation that goes beyond symptom suppression. We’ll also address important topics such as:

How Spleen Qi Deficiency Causes Inflammation
The connection between Liver Qi Stagnation and chronic disease
The traditional Chinese medicine approach to inflammation
Chronic inflammation from a TCM perspective
Emotional causes of Liver Qi Stagnation and inflammation
The Damp-Heat pattern and systemic inflammation explained
TCM herbs and acupuncture for chronic inflammation
The role of Spleen and Liver imbalance in autoimmune conditions

A Brief History of Inflammation in Medicine

The Roman physician Celsus (25 BCE–50 CE) was one of the first to define the four cardinal signs of inflammation:

Rubor (redness)
Tumor (swelling)
Calor (heat)
Dolor (pain)

Later, in the Middle Ages, Rudolf Virchow added a fifth: 5. Functio laesa (loss of function)

In the modern era, scientists like Elie Metchnikoff (discoverer of phagocytosis) and Julius Cohnheim (who studied leukocyte migration) deepened our understanding of inflammation as a cellular and vascular process. The discovery of cytokines, TNF-alpha, and CRP further connected chronic inflammation with diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's.

Western Medicine: Anatomy, Physiology, and Biology of Inflammation

Inflammation is an immune response to harmful stimuli. It begins when mast cells release histamine, causing vasodilation. Endothelial cells release cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha), attracting neutrophils and macrophages to the site.

Five classic symptoms arise:

Swelling
Redness
Heat
Pain
Loss of function

Acute inflammation is short-term and typically beneficial. Chronic inflammation, however, is persistent and linked to autoimmune diseases, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Different Lens

TCM does not have a direct equivalent for "inflammation," but it interprets the same pathological states through patterns of disharmony:

Heat Toxin (Re Du) causes redness and swelling
Damp-Heat leads to joint pain and skin eruptions
Wind-Heat triggers rashes or fevers
Qi and Blood Stagnation causes pain and chronic disease

At the center of many chronic inflammatory patterns are two core issues:

1. Spleen Qi Deficiency: The Root of Dampness and Immune Weakness

The Spleen in TCM is responsible for digestion, absorption, and the transformation of nutrients into Qi and Blood. When Spleen Qi is weak:

Dampness accumulates in the body
Metabolic waste stagnates
The immune system becomes sluggish

This internal "damp terrain" provides a perfect environment for chronic inflammation. Think of it as a swamp: stagnant, oxygen-poor, and prone to festering. This illustrates how Spleen Qi Deficiency causes inflammation from a TCM perspective.

2. Liver Qi Stagnation: The Emotional Link to Inflammation

The Liver governs the free flow of Qi. Emotional stress, frustration, and repression cause Liver Qi to stagnate, leading to:

Localized pain
Irritability and mood swings
Heat buildup in the body

When Liver Qi stagnates, it often transforms into Heat, which combines with Dampness to form patterns like Damp-Heat in the Liver or Gallbladder—common in conditions like IBS, eczema, or even autoimmune hepatitis. This connection between Liver Qi Stagnation and chronic disease also highlights the emotional causes of Liver Qi Stagnation and inflammation.

The Inflammatory Synergy: When Spleen and Liver Are Out of Balance

When the Spleen fails to transform and transport, Dampness builds. When the Liver fails to move Qi, Heat builds. Together, they create a state of Damp-Heat, a classic TCM pattern that correlates with systemic inflammation in Western terms. This is the Damp-Heat pattern and systemic inflammation explained.

How Each Tradition Treats Inflammation

Western Interventions:

NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
Steroids (prednisone)
Biologics (TNF-inhibitors)
Antibiotics (if infection is present)
Lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise, sleep hygiene)

TCM Strategies:

Acupuncture to regulate Qi and Blood
Herbs like Huang Qin, Jin Yin Hua, and Yi Yi Ren
Herbal formulas like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Cupping and Gua Sha to dispel stagnation
Emotional balancing to soothe Liver Qi

These are among the most widely used TCM herbs and acupuncture for chronic inflammation.

Preventing Inflammation Holistically

Anti-inflammatory Foods:

Fatty fish (omega-3s)
Turmeric (curcumin)
Berries, kale, spinach
Garlic, ginger, green tea

Avoid:

Refined sugar and flour
Fried or processed meats
Alcohol and late nights

Conclusion

Inflammation is both a signal of strength and a warning of imbalance. While Western medicine targets its molecular mechanics, Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at the terrain the internal environment that allows inflammation to arise and persist.

Understanding how Spleen Qi Deficiency creates dampness and Liver Qi Stagnation generates heat provides a broader view of chronic disease. This imbalance is also relevant in the context of Spleen and Liver dysfunction seen in autoimmune conditions.

True health, in both systems, arises not from silencing symptoms but from restoring balance. Because health is not simply the absence of illness, but the presence of harmony, resilience, and flow.

Dr. Phumlarp Caulo LAc,MsAc,OM,DAHM,Pre-RN

Integrative Medicine Practitioner, bridging Eastern and Western Wisdom.

“Rooted in ancient wisdom, guided by modern science

On this page, we look back at history so you can move forward with health.

I believe in Mother of the Earth, the timeless healer of body and soul.”

This information is only educational and should not be construed as medical advice.

Everything must be balanced, and the suggestions may not apply to you.

A specialist doctor should be consulted for any medical advice or diagnosis.

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Dr. Phumlarp Caulo LA,c, MAc. OM, DAHM