What does ‘qi’ in Traditional Chinese Medicine mean?

Doctor's Answers 1

'Qi' has a philosophical root from Taoism, and is believed to be the vital energy behind all occurrences in the universe and living entity.

As you can see from the table shown below,'Qi' and its movement plays a pivotal role for these processes to happen. In the absence of the energy source, there will be no structural or chemical changes and everything will be stagnant.

Rain formation (Universe)

Digestion (Human)

Material

Water

Food

Qi (energy source)

Sun

Intestinal contraction, enzymes

Building block

Water vapor

Nutrients

Movement

↑Evaporation - Upwards into sky

↑Absorption – inwards into blood

Condensation – forms cloud

Anabolism – promotes growth

↓Precipitation – falls as rain

↓Excretion – downwards as waste

'Qi' originates from two sources:

1. Innate or inherited from our parents before birth as Essence (精)

2. Acquired after birth from our diet, air and water. We are given the innate ability to digest food through enzymatic breakdown and intestinal contraction, but we will need continuous (acquired) supplementation from our diet and oxygen to replenish this innate ability. The two sources are therefore, said to be interdependent.

Qi

Function

Overview

Physiological (Normal)

Pathological (Abnormal)

Promoting

Growth & development, organ functions

Normal growth rate in newborn; regular heart rate etc.

Delayed growth and development in newborn; irregular heart rate

Warming

Warming the body and maintain functional activities

Body temperature is normal; respiratory and digestive functions are normal

Body feels cold; excessive phlegm production and diarrhea

Defending

Ward off pathogens

Fight diseases

Does not fall sick easily

Able to recover within expected timeframe

Falls sick frequently

Takes a longer time to recover or tendency to relapse

Consolidating and governing

Holds organ in place

Fluids flow within stipulated location

Anus and uterus are held in place; Blood flows within vessels

Anal, uterine prolapse

Abnormal bleeding

Transformation

Metabolism, conversion of material from one form to another

Food is broken down into nutrients, absorbed into the bloodstream and promote growth

Indigestion –flatulence, pain, constipation; poor absorption – nutritional deficiency; delayed growth

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