Modern medicine interprets the deep wisdom of Donguibogam in various ways. The spleen's role described as transportation and transformation in Donguibogam closely aligns with modern concepts of digestive motility, absorption, and overall metabolism. In particular, chronic constipation and abdominal distension are not merely intestinal issues, but complex symptoms involving our intricate nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system.
One central concept is the gut-brain axis. Our intestines contain the second-largest concentration of neurons after the brain, earning the gut the title of the second brain. The gut and brain constantly communicate via the vagus nerve and neurotransmitters. Many people experience digestive distress during periods of stress or anxiety. This occurs because brain signals directly affect intestinal motility. Donguibogam's view—that weakened spleen energy lowers whole-body vitality and increases vulnerability to stress—aligns directly with modern medicine's explanation that gut-brain axis dysregulation leads to various intestinal disorders such as dyspepsia, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome.
Another crucial factor is gut microbiota balance. Countless microorganisms reside in our gut, playing vital roles in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunomodulation. In modern terms, when the spleen's ability to regulate body fluids and transport nutrients declines, it directly impairs the health of the intestinal mucosa. A healthy intestinal mucosa creates a hospitable environment for microorganisms and regulates intestinal barrier permeability, preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. When spleen hypofunction degrades the gut environment, beneficial bacteria decrease while harmful bacteria multiply, slowing intestinal motility and causing irregular stool consistency. This is why high-fiber diets and fermented foods help constipation: they improve gut microbiota balance and support intestinal function.
Furthermore, Donguibogam's description of the spleen as the source of blood and body fluids corresponds modernly to fluid metabolism, electrolyte balance, and adequate blood supply to intestinal tissue. When fluid is deficient, stool hardens; when blood circulation to the intestines is compromised, intestinal cell vitality drops, potentially slowing peristalsis. In this way, Donguibogam's concept of the spleen contains remarkably modern insights into the interactions among intestinal motility, the gut microbiota, and the gut-brain axis. Constipation is therefore not simply an isolated inconvenience to resolve, but a clear signal that the body needs to regain its systemic balance.
