The Pericardium and Triple Heater meridian pair are considered to be the ‘ministerial fire’ meridian pair, while the Heart and Small Intestine are identified as the ‘sovereign fire’ meridian pair. 

 Together they govern relational and energetic boundaries

  - The Pericardium, being the Yin aspect of the pair governs internal protection –   emotional regulation, intimacy, vulnerability

  The Triple Heater, being the Yang aspect of the pair governs external adaptation – the   energy field, immune function, social stress

Pericardium Meridian Pathway

 The Pericardium meridian starts in the heart. An internal pathway descends to the Dan Tien, and another moves laterally where it moves externally at PC 1 on the lateral chest just lateral and superior to the nipple. It descends along the medial arm to the elbow crease, and continues along the medial arm to the centre of the wrist crease, into the centre of the palm and ends at the tip of the middle finger.

Conditions to treat

chest Pain

elbow Pain

wrist Pain

anxiety

Palpitations

nausea

Dizziness

LV Qi Stagnation

Function of the Pericardium

• Protects the heart and emotional health of the individual as well as Blood circulation.
• It regulates joy, intimacy and emotional openness
• Considered the gatekeeper of the heart, it governs appropriate emotions to reach the heart and to shield it from overload. It holds the tension between vulnerability and protection.
• Trauma, betrayal and heartbreak are often lodged here causing emotional armour, chest tension and trouble with intimacy.
• The Pericardium holds the Yin Fire – the internal flame of devotion, faith, and soul aligned purpose.

Triple Heater Meridian Pathway

Begins ulnar aspect of the tip of the 4th finger and runs between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones along the dorsum of the hand, travels up  the forearm between the radius and ulnar, in between the Large and Small Intestine Meridians, travels over the elbow (olecranon) and continues up the lateral aspect of the arm to the highest pint of the shoulder, across the back to meet the 5 Yang at DU 14 where it internally travels through the clavicle, to the heart.  One internal branch travels pubis, through the pelvis and descends the posterior leg. The second branch ascends from the heart and re-surfaces on the posterior aspect of the SCM, to the posterior jaw, and around the ear to the lateral aspect of the eye.

Conditions to treat

conditions of the hand and wrist

clears heat from the head and eyes

headaches

Imbalances in the three burners such as cold below, heat above or dampness in the middle burner

Function of the Triple Heater

San Jiao literally translates as three burners or three heaters.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the body is separated into three regions:

The Upper Jiao  Heart, Lungs, Pericardium, throat and head

The Middle Jiao  Stomach, Spleen, Liver Gallbladder, Small Intestine

The Lower Jiao  Large Intestine, Bladder, Kidneys

The image associated with the three burners is a pot of rice on a fire, where the steam is the upper burner, the pot of rice cooking is the middle burner, and the fire is the lower burner

It has been debated for centuries whether or not the San Jiao is actually an organ, whether it is simply a function with an associated meridian.  In recent times, the discovery of the new organ system, the Mesentary is said to function in a very similar way, as the San Jiao not only governs the three Jiao where the organs are housed, but like the Pericardium protects the Heart, the San Jiao protects the physical body, as well as circulating Qi and body fluids.

In this way we can observe the San Jiao as the Mesenterium and make the connection with it and the fascial system.

The main function of the three burners is to integrate the systems of the body into one working system

It does this by:

1)Mobilizing the Original Qi (Yuan Qi) Controlling the transportation and transmission of Qi

2)Controls the water passages and excretion of fluids

More research is being done on the relationship with the Triple burner and the fascia, when I make this connection it makes sense with how it presents in clinic with symptoms such as:

-Unresolvable surface tension or the opposite with no energetic boundary

-Emotional disconnection (spectrum type disorders)

-Ticklish points at important energy blockages

Triple Warmer & Pericardium: The Inner Gatekeepers

Before you can “tune in,” you need safety.

The Triple Warmer (San Jiao) regulates the external response to stress. It helps your system adjust to your environment, modulating your ability to respond instead of react. It acts like your energetic thermostat—protecting your bandwidth from burnout.

The Pericardium (Heart Protector) guards your emotional centre. It determines when and how you open to others and to your inner truth. When it’s balanced, it allows discernment, intimacy, and trust—key elements in intuitive clarity.

When these two are in harmony, you feel both safe and connected.
And from that place, you can listen—to your body, your instincts, and something bigger than you.