MENTAL MODEL · M0432

San Jiao Water Passages

SystemsHigh supportSystems Theory

Included

Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The San Jiao is the channel for the metabolism of body fluids (water) in the human body. The upper jiao acts like mist (diffusion), the middle jiao acts like a fermenter (digestion), and the lower jiao acts like a drain (excretion).

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Hydraulic engineering diagram. View the human body as an urban drainage system. Wherever there is water accumulation (edema), the corresponding section of the pipeline needs to be dredged. Treating edema is not just about diuresis (lower jiao); it may also require inducing sweating (upper jiao) or strengthening the spleen (middle jiao, the water pump).

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

View problems from a 'pathway/system' perspective rather than a 'single point' perspective: a result (water accumulation) is a function of the state of the entire chain. Blockage at any stage—upstream (diffusion), midstream (transportation and transformation), or downstream (excretion)—will manifest as 'accumulation' upstream. To locate the problem, one must trace the chain, not just treat the surface symptoms.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

Draw the chain: break the system into three segments: 'input—processing—output'.
Locate the blockage: in which segment do the symptoms appear?
Trace upstream: insufficient supply upstream or blockage downstream can both cause abnormalities in the middle segment.
Dredge segment by segment: take measures targeting the actual blocked segment, rather than only treating the terminal symptoms.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

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Source support: Explicit

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baike.baidu.comhttps://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%B8%89%E7%82%A7ZH · Explicit
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