The Spleen rules transformation and transportation of food, Qi, and Body Fluids and their distribution to other Zang Organs. It is the origin of Blood production and keeps it running inside the vessels.

The Heart's main function in Chinese Medicine is to govern the flow of Blood, the Blood vessels and to house the Spirit / Mind (Shen - 神).

The Heart can receive sufficient Blood from the Spleen, if the latter's transformation and transportation function work properly, providing sufficient nutrients for growth and development. In turn, Heart Blood circulates and supplies the Spleen with nutrients to better perform its functions.

In the Five Phases theory, the Heart is the Mother of the Spleen. In case of Heart Blood or Qi Deficiency, mental anxiety occurs and it can disturb the Spleen's transforming and transporting functions. Then it results in irregular distribution of nutrients for growth and development. It can also damage the Spleen's ability to keep the Blood flowing within the vessels.

In return, a combination of Heart and Spleen symptoms such as palpitation, insomnia, anorexia, fatigue and pallor can further damage Heart Blood and Spleen Qi or Blood. To treat it, herbs to invigorate the Spleen and nourish the Heart are used, such as Ginseng and Longan Combination (Gui Pi Tang).