The production of Qi
The process for the production of Qi in the body can be summarised as follows:
- Food Qi (Gu-Qi) is extracted from the food that we eat by the Stomach and Spleen and is the basis for the production of all Qi and Blood in the body.
- This is combined with the air that we breath to form Gathering Qi (Zong Qi) which nourishes the Heart and Lungs.
- Gathering Qi (Zong Qi) melds with Original Qi (Yuan Qi). Yuan Qi is Essence in the form of Qi and is formed from Original Yin and Original Yang and is the source of all Yin and Yang in the body.
- True Qi (Zhen Qi) is the final stage of the transformation and refinement of Qi.
- Nutritive Qi (Ying Qi) nourishes the Zang-Fu organs and the whole body.
- Defensive Qi (Wei Qi) flows under the skin and protects the body from External Pathogenic Factors and regulates sweating through the opening and closing of the pores.
Forms of Qi
There are six main forms of Qi:
- Original Qi which is also called Yuan Qi;
- Food Qi which is also called Gu Qi;
- Gathering Qi which is also called Zong Qi;
- True Qi which is also called Zhen Qi;
- Nutritive Qi which is also Ying Qi
- Defensive Qi which is also called Wei Qi.
Original Qi (Yuan Qi)
Original Qi, which is also called Yuan Qi, is seen as Essence or Jing in the form of Qi and is therefore closely linked to the Kidneys.
Original Qi is the foundation for all Yin and Yang energies in the body and is the motive force behind the functional activity of the body.
Original Qi is the basis of Kidney Qi and facilitates the production of and Qi and Blood.
Source points, which are also called Yuan points, can be used within an acupuncture treatment to stimulate Original Qi and to help rebalance the channel on which it lies and the Zang-Fu organ associated with that channel.
Food Qi (Gu Qi)
Food Qi, which is also called Gu-Qi, is the result of the first stage of transformation of food into Qi and is the basis for the production of all Qi and Blood.
Gu-Qi is seen as coarse form of Qi and is the basis for transformation into more refined forms of Qi.
Gu-Qi is produced by the Spleen and then sent to the chest.
Gathering Qi (Zong Qi)
Gathering Qi, which is also called Zong-Qi, is derived from the interaction of Food Qi with air and is therefore influenced by the Lungs. Gathering Qi is more subtle and refined than Food Qi.
In the upper part of the body, or the Upper Jiao, Gathering Qi nourishes the Heart, enhances and promotes the Lung function and also controls the strength of the voice.
True Qi (Zhen Qi)
True Qi, which is also called Zhen Qi, is the result of the transformation of Gathering Qi using Original Qi as the catalyst and therefore has its origins in the Lungs and is influenced by the Kidneys.
This is also the last stage of the transformation of Qi. True Qi circulates in the channels as well as nourishing the organs.
True Qi can be separated into two forms: Nutritive Qi and Defensive Qi.
Nutritive Qi (Ying Qi)
Nutritive Qi, which is also called Ying Qi, is closely related to Blood and flows within the blood vessels and the channels.
Nutritive Qi nourishes the whole body and is activated whenever a needle is inserted into an acupuncture point.
Defensive Qi (Wei Qi)
Defensive Qi which is also called Wei-Qi is coarser than Nutritive Qi and flows on the outer layers of the body. Defensive Qi has a number of functions which are:
- To protect against External Pathogenic Factors.
- To warms, moistens and nourishes the skin and muscles.
- To helps regulate body temperature by adjusting the opening and closing of pores to increase or decrease sweating.
The Functions of Qi
Qi has five main functions:
- A transforming function whereby Spleen Qi converts food into Food Qi, Heart Qi converts Food Qi into Blood and Kidney Qi transforms fluids.
- A transporting function that affects breathing, walking and growth. Lung Qi disperses Jin fluids to the skin, Spleen Qi transports Food Qi and also clear Qi upwards.
- Qi keeps the organs in place and also contains blood, sweat and urine in place.
- Defensive Qi protects the body from disease and any invasion from External Pathogenic Factors.
- Yang Qi has the function of keeping the body warm.
The Movement of Qi
The movement of Qi is affected by six main organs:
- The Lungs direct Qi downwards through their descending and dispersing action.
- The Lungs also control inhalation and exhalation as we inhale clear Qi and exhale impure Qi.
- The Liver regulates the smooth flow of Qi and balances with the Lung Qi.
- The Kidneys have a dual function with Qi as they send clear Qi upwards whilst also receiving Qi from the Lungs to assist with inhalation. The Kidneys also also balance with the Heart as Kidney Water flows upwards whilst Heart Fire flows downwards.
- The Stomach is said to control the receiving of Qi and sends Qi downwards.
- The Spleen controls the transformation of Qi and send clear Qi upwards.
The Pathology of Qi
Qi has four main pathologies which are Deficiency, to Rebel, to Sink or Stagnate.
Qi Deficiency and Qi Stagnation are common in clinical practice.
Qi Deficiency
Qi Deficiency can be due to a number of factors including:
- A weak constitution, where the building blocks of Qi are not able to assist in the production of Qi.
- A poor diet affecting the quality and quantity of Qi.
- Overwork causing Qi to become depleted and not replenished.
- Old age, where the natural decline in Kidney Essence starts to affect the production of Qi.
- As emotions are also a form Qi, strong or long-standing emotions such as sadness and grief can tie up and delete Qi.
The main signs and symptoms of Qi deficiency are:
- Tiredness and breathlessness.
- Spontaneous sweating which is related to Wei Qi not being able to regulate the opening and closing of the pores.
- Loose stools which typically indicate a deficiency of Spleen Qi.
- Palpitations if there is Heart Qi deficiency.
- Frequent urination of Kidney or Bladder Qi is weak or deficient.
- The tongue become paler to indicate a deficiency and may become swollen if there is Spleen Qi deficiency.
- The swollen tongue also shows that the transformation and transporting function of the Spleen has also become affected.
- The pulse takes on an empty quality as there is not of Qi to keep the pulse strong.
Qi deficiency can affect any of the Zang-Fu, but typically shows up in Spleen, Lung, Kidney and Heart pathologies.
Rebellious Qi
Rebellious Qi typically affects the Stomach where it may manifest as nausea or vomiting or the Lungs where is may present as shortness of breath or coughing.
It is mainly caused by either an internal or external pathogenic factor, for example Rebellious Stomach Qi could be due to eating cold ice-cream too quickly that has led to vomiting.
We would then say that the Rebellious Stomach Qi was caused by a Cold External Pathogenic Factor.
Sinking Qi
Qi sinking mainly results in a bearing down sensation or a prolapse of an organ.
It mostly affects the Spleen – haemorrhoids are one sign of Spleen Qi sinking – but can also affect the Uterus.
Stagnation of Qi
Stagnation of Qi usually affects the Liver, although a physical injury such as muscle tear, can also cause Qi to stagnate.
Anger, the emotion attached to the Liver, can also cause Qi to stagnate if it is excessive or chronic.
The typical symptoms of Qi stagnation are:
- Pain that moves – the nature of Qi is to be constantly moving, so whilst it is constrained due to the stagnation, it will try and move as much as it can..
- Depression due to emotions, which are also a form of Qi, also becoming stagnant.
- Distention due to Qi building up as it stagnates.
- Heat caused by Qi trying to move freely but being tightly constrained by the stagnation.
- The tongue takes on a purple colour and the pulse becomes wiry.
