In Chinese MedicineTraditional Asian medicine based upon Yin-Yang Theory, Five ..., our bodies contain four vital substancesIn Chinese Medicine, our bodies and minds work through inter...: QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo..., Blood, EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... or (JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f...), and Body Fluids. Our lives depend on these four vital substancesIn Chinese Medicine, our bodies and minds work through inter... to exist. I will focus on the first vital substance, QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo..., and then talk about the other three in a subsequent post.
QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo...
QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo..., pronouced chee, can be translated as our “energy”, “life-force”, “vital force”, “moving power”, “material force”, or “matter”. It is a fundamental principle in Chinese medicineTraditional Asian medicine based upon Yin-Yang Theory, Five ... and the energetic force that circulates through our physical body enabling it to function. It is yang in nature (to review basic yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... and yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... principle, read here) and its functions are transforming, transporting, holding, raising, protecting, and warmingA substance that increases the body’s temperature by dispe... (see in bold below regarding the functions of different forms of QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo...).
Two aspects of QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... pertain to medicine.
1) QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is an energy that can manifest simultaneously on a physical and energetic (or spiritual) level. The components of the Chinese character QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... (氣) define that it is both material and immaterial. The top part of the character means “vapor, steam, or gas” while the bottom part of the character means “uncooked rice” (i.e., a subtle substance such as steam can be produced from a more tangible substance such as uncooked rice) and hence why I featured an image of steamed rice! =)
2) QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is also in a constant state of flux and can manifest itself in different forms. When it condenses, QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... can transform into a physical shape. In Chinese medicineTraditional Asian medicine based upon Yin-Yang Theory, Five ... there are different forms of human QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo..., but it is important to remember that there is only one QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... energy that assumes these different forms of energy.
The different forms of QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo...:
- Original Qi – This is Essence (another vital substance), but in the form of QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo.... It originates between our two kidneys from “Pre-Heaven EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo...” and is continually replenished by “Post-Heaven EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo....” Original QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body closely relate... is EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... that has transformed into QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo.... We will discuss the significance of EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... in a subsequent post.
- [glossary]Food Qi[/glossary] – This is the first step in transformation of the food we eat into QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... (energy). Food first enters the stomach where it is processed and then transformed into “Food QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body, also known as...” by the QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... of the Spleen. Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... then transports Food QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body, also known as... to the lungs and heart. In the lungs it is combined with air to form Gathering QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body (also known as..., and in the heart it is transformed into blood. (Spleen Qi holds the blood in the blood vessels, Kidney-Qi and Bladder-Qi hold urine, and Lung-Qi holds sweat. Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... also raises the organs by keeping them in our body cavities).
- Gathering Qi – This QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... nourishes the heart and lungs, controlling respiration, blood, and blood vessels. It controls our speech and the strength of our voices. It sends blood circulation to our extremities. Hence, poor circulation to the extremities and a weak voice signify weak Gathering QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body (also known as....
- True Qi – This is the last step of QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... transformation. Gathering QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body (also known as... is turned into True QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ... by Original QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body closely relate.... True QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ... originates in the lungs like Gathering QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body (also known as... and is the energy that circulates all through our meridians (or channels) and nourishes all our organs. There are two different forms of True QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ... – Nutritive QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ... and Defensive QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ....
- NutritiveA food that nourishes the body. Qi or Nourishing QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... nourishes and moistens our internal organs. It flows in our blood vessels and meridiansOne of twelve vital organs and pathways or channels of Chine.... This QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is extracted from food and water to regulate and moisten our internal organs. It is yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... relative to Defensive QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ... because it is nourishing and travels in the interior of our bodies.
- Defensive Qi – We discussed this last week on my post on The Six External Pathogenic Factors. This QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... protects and defends. It is more yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... than Nutritive QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ... since it flows in the outer layers of the body, outside our channels. It warms and protects our bodies from exterior pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, Heat, and Damp. It warms, moistens and nourishes our skin and muscles, controls the opening and closing of our pores and regulates our body temperature through sweating. Our lungs control Defensive QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as .... Those with weak lungs will have weak Defensive QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ..., weak immunity and be more susceptible to colds.
Direction of QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... Movement
The QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... of our internal organs move in specific directions in order to function correctly. When QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is flowing in the right direction, our organs work properly. When QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... moves in the wrong direction, we will see symptoms and even pathology in those specific organs.
Lungs – Our lungs inhale clear QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... (air) and exhale impure QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... (impurities). Lung QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... descends. It directs QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... downwards towards the kidney and bladder. When Lung QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is rebellious and ascends, this can result in coughing.
Liver – The Liver controls the overall smooth flow of qiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... in all directions of our body. In general, Liver QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... ascends and counterbalances the descending action of Lung QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo....
Kidneys – Kidneys control transformation of Water. Impure fluids move down while clear QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... (air) moves up. The Lungs and Kidneys also balance each other as Kidney QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... ascends, while Lung QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... descends.
Spleen and Stomach – Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... ascends to the lungs and heart, while the Stomach sends impure QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... downwards. These two organs balance each other. When Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... rebels and descends, the resulting symptoms are diarrhea or in more severe cases organ prolapse. When Stomach QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... rebels and ascends, this can result in nausea, belching, or vomiting.
Heart-Kidneys – The Heart QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo..., associated with the Fire Element, flows down to meet Kidney QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo..., associated with the Water Element. Kidney-Water rises to meet Heart-Fire.
QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... Pathology
QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... pathology happens in four ways:
1) QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficient – Spleen, Lung, and Kidney QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... are especially susceptible to QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency.
Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency signs and symptoms: This is caused by poor diet or malnourishment, stress, worry, thinking too much, overeating or overeating sweets. Symptoms include loose stools, fatigue, generalized weakness, pale tongue with a thin white coating, and a weak pulse. Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency can cause food sensitivities, indigestion, diarrhea, dysentery, anemia, ulcers, and upper abdominal pain. In more severe cases of Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency, we will see prolapse of organs such as hemorrhoids and prolapsed uterus or bladder (see #2 below – QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... Sinking).
Foods that can correct Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency:
- complex carbohydrates such as oats, spelt, and sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... rice, and foods that are sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... and/or pungentSpicy, one of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yan... (see my post on The Five Flavors for review)
- carbohydrate-rich vegetables: winter squash, carrots, parsnip, turnip, garbanzo beans, black beans, peas, sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... potatoes, yams, and pumpkin
- pungentSpicy, one of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yan... vegetables and spices: onions, leeks, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, fennel, garlic, nutmeg
- sweeteners or cooked fruits in small quantities: barley malt, molasses, cherries, and dates
- with severe deficiency, small quantities of animal products prepared in soup or congee: mackerel, tuna, halibut, beef, beef liver or kidney, chicken, turkey, or lamb. No dairy products except for butter, as dairy products are phlegmThick mucus secreted by the respiratory tract lining. producing and further weaken the spleen.
Lung QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... Deficiency Signs and Symptoms: This is usually a chronic problem resulting from chronic long-term lung disease, over-all lack of body QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo..., and long-term grief or sorrow (the emotions associated with the lungs). Symptoms are weakness, fatigue, weak voice and limited speech, coughing, and shortness of breath. You may see spontaneous sweating with any kind of physical activity and poor immunity if Defensive QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ... is weakened.
Foods that treat Lung QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency include foods that tonifyTo invigorate, refresh, build, and strengthen. and support Lung QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... as well as improve the absorption of Food QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body, also known as...:
- rice, sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... rice, oats, carrots, mustard greens, sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... potatoes, yams, potatoes, fresh ginger, garlic, molasses, rice syrup, barley malt, and herring; herbs like licorice root
- foods should be cooked warm; avoid coolingThe property of clearing toxins and reducing internal heat. foods or phlegmThick mucus secreted by the respiratory tract lining. producing foods like citrus fruits, salt, milk, dairy products, spinach, chard, or seaweed.
Kidney QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... Deficiency Signs and Symptoms: When Kidney QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is deficient, the kidneys do not have enough energy to control urine and semen. This is caused by either a congenital defect, too much sexual activity, sexual activity at an early age, or uncontrolled fear and anxiety (the emotions associated with the kidney). Typical symptoms are low back pain, weak knees, pale tongue, weak radial pulse, minor cold signsMajor symptoms: coldness causes contraction, difficulty bend... (aversion to cold weather, wanting to drink warm food and drinks, clear urine, watery stools, or thin watery mucusA slippery, sticky, thick secretion produced by, and coverin...), frequent urination, incontinence, inability to urinate, dribbling urine, and other problems with urinary or seminal control (involuntary emission).
Foods and herbs for Kidney QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency:
- parsley, wheat berry, sweetOne of the five tastes in Chinese medicine; it is yang (warm... rice; herbs such as rose hips, oyster shell, clam shell, schisandra fruit, and raspberry
2) QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... sinking – QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... that is deficient can sink, resulting in prolapse of organs. As mentioned above, this is mostly from Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency, where a severe deficiency will cause prolapse of organs such as the uterus, bladder, and rectum. Since Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... sinking is a direct result of Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency, foods that treat Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... deficiency will also treat Spleen QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... sinking.
3) QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... stagnant – This happens when QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... does not move and becomes stagnant in your body. Liver QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... stagnates the most. (Liver syndromes which include Liver QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... stagnation require a post of its own which I will discuss soon).
4) QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... rebellious – This is when qiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... flows in the opposite or wrong direction (e.g. rebellious ascending Stomach QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... results in nausea, belching, and vomiting.)
Ok, here’s what you need to know about QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo...:
- QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is one of the four Vital SubstancesIn Chinese Medicine, our bodies and minds work through inter... in our body and essential to our body’s function. QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is the substance that gives us life and we cannot live without it!
- QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... manifests simultaneously on a physical and energetic level, and can manifest in many different forms.
- QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... transforms, transports, holds, raises, warms, and protects.
- The different forms of QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... are Original, Food, Gathering, True, NutritiveA food that nourishes the body., and Defensive QiA type of Qi (energy, life-force) in our body also known as ....
- Each form of organ QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... moves in a specific direction. When the organ QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... goes against its natural direction, this causes disharmony and disease in that organ.
- Pathologic QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is deficient, sinking, stagnant, and rebellious.
I presented a lot of information on QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... today because I would like you to have a solid and thorough understanding of what it is, and why it is essential for life! I will be talking about QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... frequently, so feel free to reference back to this post if you need a refresher. And please don’t hesitate to ask any questions for clarification!
In health and wellness,
Dr Elain
References:
The Foundations of Chinese MedicineTraditional Asian medicine based upon Yin-Yang Theory, Five ... by Giovanni Maciocia
Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford
Photo Credit: Pontus Edenburg www.edenburg.com