Self Assessment Questions chapter 3 The vital Substances

Question 1

What does the ancient Chinese character for Qi portray and how does this relate to its nature?

Answer 1

One part portrays uncooked rice and another the steam deriving from its cooking. It refers to the dual nature of Qi, that is substantial (like rice) but it can be transformed into more subtle forms if energy (like vapour)

Question 2

List four functions of Jing (Kidney Essence) (4)

Answer 2

1) Basis of Kidney Qi
2) Producer of marrow
3) it determines Growth, Reproduction, Development
4) Basis for constitutional strength

Question 3

What are the three treasures, and what are their clinical significance?

Answer 3

Essence/ Qi/ Mind
(Jing/ Qi/ Shen)

They represent three different states if aggregation of Qi. From Essence being the densest to mind being the most rarefied and non- substantial

This highlights the close relationship existing in Chinese medicine between body and mind, the state of the Essence and Qi influences the mind and vice versa

Question 4

List three functions of the Original Qi ( Yuan- Qi) (5)

Answer 4

1) It is the motive force of all physiological processes

2) It is the basis of Kidney- Qi

3) It facilitates the transformation of Qi

4) It facilitates the transformation of Blood

5) It comes out of the source points

Question 5

Where does Food- Qi (Gu-Qi) derive from?

Answer 5

Stomach and Spleen

Question 6

How is Gathering- Qi (Zong-Qi) formed?

Answer 6

It is formed from Food- Qi (Gu-Qi) combining with air in the lungs

Question 7

How is True-Qi (Zhen-Qi) formed?

Answer 7

It’s is formed from Gathering- Qi (Zong-Qi) under the transforming action of Original Qi (Yuan- Qi)

Question 8

Compare and contrast briefly Nutritive and Defensive Qi

Answer 8

Nutritive Qi- refined, circulates in the channels, nourishes

Defensive Qi- Coarse, circulates outside the channels, protects and warms

Question 9

What is the Qi mechanism?

Answer 9

It’s is the complex movements of Qi all over the body, including ascending, descending, exiting and entering

Question 10

List the physiological direction of Qi movement of the Heart, Lungs and Liver

Answer 10

Heart-Qi descends
Lung-Qi primarily descends
Liver-Qi flows in all directions

Question 11

How is Blood formed

Answer 11

It is formed from Food Qi in the heart under the influence of Original Qi (Yuan Qi) and Essence

Kidney- essence (Jing)- original (yuan) Qi- heart

Kidney- Marrow- Bone Marrow- blood

Question 12

What organs are mostly involved with Blood?

Answer 12

Heart- Governs Blood
Spleen- Makes blood
Liver- Stores Blood

Question 13

What is the relationship between Qi and Blood

Answer 13

Qi is the commander of Blood
Blood is the mother of Qi

Qi moves blood
Blood nourishes Qi

Question 14

Which organs are primarily involved in the transformation, transportation and Excretion of body fluids

Answer 14

Spleen- transforms and transports fluids

Lungs- makes fluids descend

Kidneys- transform and excrete fluids

Question 15

Why is bleeding therapy contraindicated in people who are sweating and sweating contraindicated in people that are bleeding?

Answer 15

Blood and Body fluids (including sweat) have a relationship of mutual interchange, therefore depleting one might deplete the other

Question 16

Why is a red tip of the tongue very common in patients suffering from emotional problems?

Answer 16

A red tip of the tongue indicates Heart- Heat. As all emotions affect the heart (as well as their relevant organ) because the heart houses the mind which ‘feels’ the emotions, the tip of the tongue becomes easily red when the person is affected by any emotion

Question 17

3 types of Essence

Answer 17

Pre- Heaven Essence
- blending of sexual energies of man and woman at conception
- nourishes foetus
- Determines basic constitutional make- up strength and vitality
- what makes us unique

Post- heaven essence
- refined and extracted from food and fluids by stomach and spleen after birth

Kidney Essence
- derives from both pre and post heaven essence
-hereditary energy (pre heaven essence)
- replenished by food and fluids (post heaven essence

Question 18

Storage of Jing

Answer 18

Kidneys
8 Extra Meridians

Question 19

Distribution of Jing

Answer 19

To all the Yin organs

Question 20

Pathology of Jing

Answer 20

Jing deficiency

Question 21

Birth, growth, reproduction and development

Deficient Jing in children

Answer 21

Poor development and dullness, poor bone development, late onset of menstruation

Question 22

Birth, growth, reproduction and development

Jing deficiency in Adults

Answer 22

Miscarriages
Loose teeth
Premature grey hair
Baldness
Osteoporosis
Chronic poor health

Question 23

Birth, growth, reproduction and development

Jing impacting on Basis of Kidney- Qi

Answer 23

Poor sexual function
Impotence
Weakness of knees
Nocturnal emissions

Question 24

Birth, growth, reproduction and development

Jing unable to Produce good Marrow- issues- head

Answer 24

Poor concentration, poor memory, dizziness, tinnitus, feeling if emptiness of the head

Question 25

Birth, growth, reproduction and development Jing impacting on Basis of constitution- low immunity

Answer 25

Chronic poor health Constant colds Always ill Low energy and vitality

Question 26

General signs of Jing deficiency- mix

Answer 26

Mal- development of foetus Poor mental and physical health Weak constitution Poor stamina Late closure of fontanelle Premature babies Brittle bones Late puberty History of constant illness Senility

Question 27

Types of Post- Heavenly Qi

Answer 27

Food- Gu Qi Upright- Zheng Qi Gathering- Zong Qi Pathogenic- Xie Qi Organ Qi and Channel Qi True- Zhen Qi Central- Zhong Qi Defensive- Wei Qi Nutritive- Ying Qi

Question 28

Functions of Qi (6)

Answer 28

Holding Raising Transporting Transforming Protecting Warming (Henry ran to the park whenever)

Question 29

Pathology of Qi (4)

Answer 29

Deficiency Sinking Stagnation Rebellious

Question 30

Direction of Qi (each organ)

Answer 30

Lung- downwards Liver- up and smoothly everywhere Kidney- up grasps Qi from lungs Spleen- upwards Stomach- downwards Heart fire- down to kidney water

Question 31

Functions of Blood

Answer 31

Nourishes Moistens House the mind (Shen)

Question 32

Main organs relating to blood

Answer 32

Heart- governs blood Liver- stores blood Spleen- makes blood

Question 33

Pathology of Blood

Answer 33

Deficiency Blood heat Blood stagnation

Question 34

Body fluids (Jin- Ye) production and transportation

Answer 34

Lung—————————(UB like mist) |. | Stomach/ Spleen | | |. | MBMuddy pool. | Small intestine——|. | | |——Kidney | | |. | Large intestine |——Bladder (LB) |. |

Question 35

Functions of Body fluids (Jin)

Answer 35

Jin Nature: clear, light, thin and watery Organ- under control of lungs Function- moisten and nourish the skin and muscles Manifest as: sweat, tears, saliva and mucus

Question 36

Functions of Body fluids (ye)

Answer 36

Ye Nature- turbid, heavy, dense, and slow moving Organ- under control of the spleen and kidneys, middle and lower burner Function- moisten the joint, spine, brain and bone marrow

Question 37

Main organs related to body fluids

Answer 37

Lung Spleen Kidney Other organs Triple burner, bladder, stomach

Question 38

Pathology of body fluids

Answer 38

Deficiency of body fluids- dryness Accumulation of body fluids- Phlegm, damp, or Oedema

Question 39

Functions of Shen (mind)

Answer 39

Sleep Memory Thinking Consciousness Spirit- moves hun, po, zhi, yi

Question 40

Pathology of Shen- Dirty, Dan, obstructed

Answer 40

Deficient Shen Disturbed Shen Obstructed Shen

Question 41

What are the vital substances (5)

Answer 41

Body fluids Blood Jing (essence) Qi Shen (mind)