The concepts of water flow and organ regulation in the Donguibogam align closely with the circulatory system in modern medicine, particularly the lymphatic system. When we commonly say we are swollen, it refers to an abnormally large volume of fluid accumulating within tissues, which is known as edema. In particular, lower extremity edema, where the calves swell to the bursting point every night, occurs due to a complex combination of various factors, including gravity, lymphatic circulation disorder, venous insufficiency, cardiovascular system issues, and hormonal imbalance.
Blood in our body is pumped out from the heart, delivers oxygen and nutrients to each tissue through arteries, and returns to the heart via veins. However, during this process, some fluid leaks into the interstitial spaces through capillaries. Most of this fluid is reabsorbed into the veins, but about 10 to 20 percent becomes lymph and flows into the lymphatic vessels. The lymphatic vessel acts like a drainage system, fulfilling the crucial task of filtering tissue waste and excessive fluid to return them to the bloodstream. If this lymphatic circulation is not smooth, waste-filled lymph stagnates within the tissues, giving rise to chronic edema, namely lymphedema. The lower body is especially vulnerable to lymphedema because it is most affected by gravity.
As the Donguibogam notes, the spleen governs digestion and fluid metabolism. From a modern medical perspective, digestive system function is vital not only for nutrient absorption but also for the osmoregulation of body fluids. When protein intake is insufficient or digestive function is weak, the albumin concentration in the blood drops, lowering blood osmotic pressure; this allows fluid to escape outside blood vessels more readily, potentially triggering edema. Moreover, excessive sodium intake disrupts the balance of the body’s sodium-potassium pump, increasing extracellular fluid volume and acting as a major cause that worsens edema. The Donguibogam describes the kidney as the root of fluid metabolism, and in modern medicine, the kidney is indeed the key organ that filters blood to excrete waste and regulate fluid balance. When kidney function declines, excessive water and sodium accumulate in the body, leading to generalized edema, particularly lower extremity edema.
Additionally, the concept of the lung dispersing water throughout the body via qi connects with modern medicine’s emphasis on blood circulation and oxygen supply. Optimal lung function allows blood to receive sufficient oxygen and circulate systemically, which ultimately has a positive effect on peripheral blood circulation and the movement of lymph. Lower extremity edema is not merely a problem of simple fatigue, but an important signal that something is amiss in our body’s delicate fluid balance system. Improving daily lifestyle habits and listening to your body’s signals will be the first step toward freeing yourself from chronic edema.
