Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids Flashcards
Two Primary concepts of Qi in TCM:
- Refined substance produced by the internal organs to nourish and support the body and the mind, taking different forms depending on the location and function
- Functional activities of the Zang Fu organs
Pre-heaven Qi (Describe):
Yuan Qi. Qi inherited from parents
Post-heaven Qi (Describe):
Qi acquired from food, drink, and air
True Qi (Describe):
Zhen Qi. Zong Qi that has been transformed with the help of Yuan Qi (Pre-heaven Qi) into a form that’s usable by the body. Zhen Qi (True Qi) circulates the channels and nourishes the body in the form of Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi)
Gathering Qi (Describe):
Zong Qi. Gu Qi (Food Qi) that has been sent from the Spleen to the Lungs, where it is transformed with the help of Yuan Qi (Pre-heaven Qi) and Kidney Qi
Ying Qi (Describe):
Nutritive Qi. Ying Qi Nourishes the whole body and the internal organs. It is closely related to Blood, and flows with Blood in the vessels as well in the channels.
Ying Qi is the Qi that is activated by insertion of an acupuncture needle.
Wei Qi (Describe):
Defensive Qi. It flows primarily under the skin and in between the muscles. Wei Qi warms, moistens, and aids in nourishing skin and muscles, and adjusts the opening and closing of pores.
Wei Qi in the daytime circulates in the Exterior, but at night it goes into the Interior to protect the Yin Organs..
Upright Qi (Describe)
Zhen Qi. Also is known as Righteous Qi. This is not another type of Qi but a general term to indicate the various Qi protecting the body from invasion by Xie [pathogenic] Qi.
Central Qi (Describe):
Zhong Qi. Energy generated from the Spleen and Stomach, whose function is to transport the Qi from food into the chest where it is combined with the Qi of the Heart and Lungs.
Direction of Movement of Qi
Lungs:
Descends down to the Kidneys
Direction of Movement of Qi
Liver:
Expands out in all directions, especially upwards
Direction of Movement of Qi
Kidneys:
Kidneys send clear qi up to the lungs
Direction of Movement of Qi
Spleen:
Spleen sends qi up to the Lungs and Heart. Spleen controls transformation and transportation
Direction of Movement of Qi
Stomach:
Stomach sends impure qi down. Stomach controls receiving
Direction of Movement of Qi
Heart:
Heart fire flows down to meet Kidney water
Emotions and the Movement of Qi
Anger:
Anger causes qi to ascend
Emotions and the Movement of Qi
Fear:
Fear causes qi to descend
Emotions and the Movement of Qi
Joy:
Joy causes qi to slow down
Emotions and the Movement of Qi
Pensive (Dreamily Wistful or Thoughtful):
Pensiveness causes qi to knot
Emotions and the Movement of Qi
Worry:
Worry causes qi to knot and deplete
Emotions and the Movement of Qi
Sadness:
Sadness causes qi to dissolve
Emotions and the Movement of Qi
Shock:
Shock causes qi to scatter
How is blood formed?
Blood is derived from Food Qi (Gu Qi) that has been produced by the Spleen and sent upward to the Lung. Lung Qi pushes the Spleen Qi up to the Heart, where it is transformed into blood.
Three organs closely related to the blood:
Heart governs blood
Spleen controls blood
Liver stores blood
Three organs with the closest relationship to the blood:
Heart, Liver, and Lungs
Body Fluid (name):
Jin Ye
Jin (Describe):
Distributed on the muscular surface and warms and nourishes the muscles and moistens the skin. Under control of the Lungs and Upper Jiao spreads them to the skin. Move fast, and come out as sweat, tears, and the clear parts of saliva and mucus (clear and thin fluids)
Ye (Describe):
Stored in the joints and orifices and moistens the joints, strengthens the brain and marrow, spine, and lubricate the orifaces. They circulate with the Nutritive Qi (Ying Qi). They move slow and are under the control of the Spleen and the Kidney for their transformation and depend on the Lower and Middle Jiao for their movement and excretion. Thick and heavy fluids.
Jin Ye (Function):
Moisten and nourish various parts of the body
How are Body Fluids formed?
Body fluids originate from food and drink. They enter the body via the stomach and are transformed and separated into “pure” and “impure” several times.
Relationship of Body Fluids and the Organs
Stomach:
Origin of fluids. Fluids enter the Stomach and are transformed and separated into pure and impure. Pure part goes to the Spleen; impure part goes to the Small Intestine for further separation.
Relationship of Body Fluids and the Organs
Spleen:
Controls the direction of the flow of fluids. Moves pure parts upward and impure parts downward. The Spleen is treated in any kind of disorder of the Body Fluids
Relationship of Body Fluids and the Organs
Lungs:
Controls dispersion of the pure parts of Body Fluids (coming from the Spleen) to the space under the skin. Sends parts of fluids down to the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder
Relationship of Body Fluids and the Organs
Kidneys:
Controls the many stages of transformation of fluids
Relationship of Body Fluids and the Organs
Urinary Bladder:
Separates fluids it received into pure and impure.
Relationship of Body Fluids and the Organs
San Jiao:
Assists transformation, transportation, and excretion of fluids at all stages
Relationship of Body Fluids and the Organs
Upper Jiao:
Compared to a mist. Lungs disperse fluids to the space under the skin
Relationship of Body Fluids and the Organs
Middle Jiao:
Compared to a “muddy pool” (also a foam). Stomach churns fluids and directs impure part to Small Intestine and pure part to Spleen
Relationship of Body Fluids and the Organs
Lower Jiao:
Compared to a “drainage ditch” or “swamp”. Small Intestine separates pure from impure, Urinary Bladder and Kidneys transform, separate, and excrete fluids.
Relationship between Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
Qi and Blood - Qi and Blood are Inseparable
Qi generates blood. If Qi is deficient, Blood will become deficient.
To tonify blood, tonify qi.
Relationship between Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
Qi and Blood - Qi Moves the Blood
If Qi is deficient or stagnant, Blood will stagnate.
Qi is the Commander of Blood; Blood is the Mother of Qi
Relationship between Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
Qi and Blood - Blood Nourishes Qi
Qi relies on the nourishing function of Blood; Blood provides the material basis of Qi.
If there is sever hemorrhaging, Qi will follow the Blood and become exhausted.
Relationship between Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
Qi and Blood - Qi Restrains Blood
Spleen Qi keeps the Blood circulating in the vessels. If Qi is deficient there will be abnormal bleeding and extravasation of Blood
Relationship between Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
Qi and Jin Ye - Qi Transforms and Transports Body Fluids
Deficiency of Qi leads to deficiency of Body Fluids (dryness) or accumulation of pathogenic fluids (dampness/phlegm)
Relationship between Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
Qi and Jin Ye - Qi Restrains Body Fluids
Qi restrains body fluids and prevents it from leaking out. If Qi is deficient there will be incontinence, spontaneous sweating, and chronic vaginal discharge
Relationship between Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
Qi and Jin Ye - Body Fluid Nourishes Qi
The stomach requires moisture. Loss of Body Fluid (excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea) leads to Qi deficiency
Relationship between Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids
Blood and Jin Ye
- Body Fluid thins blood so it does not stagnate
- Blood nourishes and supplements Body Fluid
- Because of the mutual relationship of Blood and Body Fluid, diaphoresis and bleeding should not be used together
