Vital Substances - Qi Flashcards
what are the 4 (5) major vital substances?
qi blood essence body fluids (mind)
what is Qi?
powerful substance in our body that is constantly active (what makes us alive)
what are the 2 groups of Qi?
- material - tangible (oxygen, food)
2. functional - intangible (Heart Qi, Lung Qi, Spleen Qi)
what are the 5 functions of Qi?
- Transforming
- Transporting
- Holding
- Protecting (Wei qi)
- Warming
how is Qi produced in the body?
- Jing (essence) QI from parents - KD
- Gu (grain) Qi from food and water - SP/ST
- Qing (clean) Qi from air - LU
What is transforming and transporting as a function of Qi?
activation and promotion of metabolism
production, distribution, and regulation of blood and body fluid
What is warming the body as a function of Qi?
Qi is source of warmth for human body
Qi maintains normal body temp
What is protecting as a function of Qi?
resisting external pathogenic factors
What is holding as a function of Qi?
Retention
Qi keeps all organs in place
Qi (spleen) keeps blood circulation inside vessels
Qi controls the secretion/excretion of body fluids (sweat, urine)
Qi keeps Jing (essence) inside kidneys
What factors affect quality of Qi in body?
- Congenital Jing (essence) from parents
- Diet and nutrition
- Environmental conditions (Stress, radiation, pollution)
- Functions of KD, SP/ST, LU
Kidneys produce what Qi?
Original/Yuan Qi
Lungs produce what Qi?
Air/Kong/Qing Qi
SP/ST produce what Qi?
Food/Gu Qi
What is the most important Qi of the body?
Original/Yuan/Primary Qi
What is Gathering Qi? (Zong Qi, Pectoral Qi)
Source from clean air and nutrients
Qing Qi + Gu Qi
Function of Original Qi?
Base Qi of all other Qi (main switch to all others)
- Source of growth and development
- Provide warmth to organs
- Transform into Qi of Zhang/Fu organs so they can function
What is the function of Gathering Qi? (Zong Qi/Pectoral Qi)
- Breathing
- Speech volume
- Blood circulation (heart beat, rhythm)
What is the function of Nutritive Qi? (Ying Qi)
- Nourish organs, tissue, channels, collaterals, etc
2. Transform into blood
What is the function of Defensive Qi? (Wei Qi)
- Defense against pathogens (immunity)
- Control pores (Sweating)
- Provide warmth to skin, muscles, various tissues, and organs
What are the 2 types of True Qi (Vital Qi)?
Nutritive Qi (Ying Qi) Defensive Qi (Wei Qi)
The function of Food Qi (Gu Qi) is related to —?
Functions of spleen and stomach
Where is Gathering Qi distributed?
Along pathways of Lung and Heart
Where is Nutritive Qi distributed?
Along pathways of blood (vessels)
Where is Defensive Qi distributed?
Along skin and muscles
Outside of body
What is the direction of Lungs?
Lungs control the descending of Qi (to Kidneys and Bladder)
What do Lungs control?
Respiration: clear Qi is inhaled and impure Qi is exhaled
What does Liver control?
Smooth flow of Qi
What is the uppermost organ?
Lungs
What are the 3 symptoms of Lung Qi not descending?
Cough, wheezing, asthma
What are results of abnormal Liver Qi movement?
Stagnation - pain
What are results of abnormal Kidney Qi movement?
Heart fire uncontrolled
Accumulation of turbid fluids
What are results of abnormal Heart Qi movement?
Kidney yang deficiency
What are results of abnormal Spleen Qi movement?
Diarrhea
What are results of abnormal Stomach Qi movement?
Vomiting, belching, hiccups
What is the direction of Liver Qi?
Up (in all directions) (up and out like a tree for WOOD element)
What is the direction of Kidney Qi?
Up (clear fluids) and down (impure fluids)
What is the direction of Heart Qi?
Down (to kidneys)
What is the direction of Spleen Qi?
Up (to lungs, heart)
What is the direction of Stomach Qi?
Down (impure Qi)
What are the 4 pathologies of QI?
- Qi deficient
- Qi sinking
- Qi stagnation
- Qi rebellious
What are signs of Qi deficiency?
Tiredness, fatigue, shortness of breath, poor appetite, weak pulse
What are signs of Qi sinking?
Above and organ prolapse (more severe form of Qi deficiency)
What are signs of Qi stagnation (fails to move)?
Frequent sighing, stress, short temper, wiry pulse
What are signs of Qi rebellion (goes in wrong direction)?
Depends on organ; vomiting, belching, coughing, wheezing, diarrhea
Lungs send Qi —.
Kidney needs to —- Qi.
Lungs send Qi down.
Kidney needs to receive the Qi.
They balance each other (pitcher and catcher)
(Lung Qi descends to Kidneys and Kidney Qi ascends to Lungs)
What organs commons seen in Qi deficiency?
Spleen
Lungs
Kidneys
When do you commonly see Qi sinking?
Spleen Qi
Qi stagnation is more associated with —?
Liver Qi
