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{{about|[[Traditional Chinese medicine]] (TCM)|a concept on San Jiao (Three teachings) within the Chinese philosophies|Three Teachings}}
{{Short description|Purported organ in Traditional Chinese medicine}}{{More footnotes|date=November 2019}}
{{Chinese|s=三焦|t=三膲|p=sān jiāo|w=san<sup>1</sup> chiao<sup>1</sup>|j=saam<sup>1</sup> ziu<sup>1</sup>|poj=sa jiao}}
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'''San Jiao''' ("triple burner", or "triple energizer", or "triple heater") is a concept in [[traditional Chinese medicine]] (TCM) and [[acupuncture]]. It is the sixth organ of Fu, which is the hollow space inside the trunk of the body.

In TCM, there are five solid organs and each solid organ has its counterpart in a hollow organ (illustrating the [[Zangfu]] relationship). For instance, the [[heart]] is considered a solid organ (Zang), and the [[small intestine]], its hollow counterpart (Fu). San Jiao is believed to be a body cavity of some kind which has the ability to influence other organs, and overall health, mainly through the free movement of [[Qi]], the fundamental energy or life force on the microcosm and on the macrocosm it is associated with the interactions between The Heavens, humans and earth.<ref name="San Jiado">{{cite journal | title = Meraque or Triple Energizer (San Jiao): Actual or Virtual Organ in Traditional Medicine - A Hypothetical Viewpoint| journal = Integrative Medicine| volume = 2| issue = 1–2| pages = 9–20| publisher = Karger| doi = 10.1159/000433537| year = 2015| last1 = Avijgan| first1 = Majid| last2 = Avijgan| first2 = Mahtab| doi-access = free}}</ref>

'''San Jiao''' means "triple burner". The upper burner relates the organs to the heart, therefore relating lungs in the thorax and the breathing function to Heaven.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Ear acupuncture|last=Landgren, Kajsa, 1956-|date=2008|publisher=Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier|isbn=978-0-7020-3317-9|edition=English 1st|location=Edinburgh|oclc=324995587}}</ref> The middle burner relates to the organs top of the stomach, the spleen, liver and the digesting function, therefore belongs to Human.<ref name=":0" /> The lower burner relates to the organs below the abdomen, Kidneys, Bladder and the urogenital functions, therefore belongs to Earth.<ref name=":0" /> If the triple burner functions well, then the organs are in harmony. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the triple burner is essential in transporting fluids throughout the body, removing itching and heat, treating swellings, and overcoming problems with various organs.<ref name=":0" />

==See also==
*[[Dantian]]
*[[Dosha]]—Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha, the three Ayurvedic life elements in the body
*[[Interstitium]]
*[[Qigong]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Kaptchuk, T.J. ''Chinese Medicine: The Web that has no Weaver''. 2000. London: Rider.
* Keown, D "The Spark in the Machine: How The Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine' 2014 Singing Dragon
* Maciocia, G. ''The Foundations of Chinese Medicine''. 2000. Churchill Livingstone.
* Wiseman, N., Ye F.  ''A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine''.1998. Paradigm Publications.

{{Traditional Chinese medicine}}

[[Category:Acupuncture]]
[[Category:Traditional Chinese medicine]]


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