Qi
The Yang Energy System
There
are 2 types of qi. One is congenital qi ( Hsiantian ) and
the other is acquired qi ( Houtian ). Congenital qi is qi
of the organs and channels, and it is acquired from the parents.
In acquired qi, there is nutrient qi ( Yingqi ) which circulates
in the vessels and supplies mainly the viscera, and defensive
qi (Weiqi) which circulates outside the vessels and is mainly
distributed in the muscles and skin. It (Weiqi) nourishes
the subcutaneous tissues, controls the opening and closing
of the pore and defends the body against infection.
Both
acquired qi and congenital qi meet in the chest at the centre
cavity ( Zhongiao ) of the middle warmer of the Sanjiao to
form the essential qi ( zongqi ) which nourishes the heart
and lung to promote blood circulation and respiration respectively.
Liver
The
liver is situated at the right hypochondriac region, its connecting
fu organ is the gall bladder. The functions of the liver are:
It
regulates the blood flow to the tissues and organs and also
influences menstruation. During rest, part of the blood remains
in the liver, while during activity, blood is released and
this release of blood is controlled by the liver.
Prolonged anger weakens the qi of the liver so that the liver
will not function properly leading to headache, upset of stomach
and costal region pain, fainting spells and even vommitting
of blood. On the other hand a dysfunction of the liver leads
to constant anger.
The liver promotes the function of the spleen and stomach
in digestion and absorption. It affects the secretion of bile
and excretion into the intestine.
When there is sufficient qi in the liver the tendons are strong
and extension and flexion are free.
The
liver controls the eyes and the growth of the nail.
Anger and the taste of sourness will affect the liver. The
colour green relates to the liver and responds to the tendon
system.
Blood
The Yin Energy System
Blood
and qi are closely related. The formation and circulation
of blood depend on the qi while formation and distribution
of qi depend on the blood to carry it to the various organs.
A deficiency of blood will lead to a deficiency of qi, while
a deficiency of qi will lead to a deficiency of blood. A stagnation
of qi will bring about a stagnation of blood and a stagnation
of blood will lead to a stagnation of qi causing pain to the
organs.
Blood is formed from:
The essence of the kidney which produce bone marrow which
in turn produce blood.
The qi of the kidney promotes the transportation of essence
of food, absorbed by the spleen and stomach, to the lung where
waste qi is given up and clean qi is inhaled. This essence
is sent to the heart which pumps it to all parts of the body
to nourish the body. The liver stores the blood which controls
its release. The spleen governs its circulation within the
blood vessels.
Heart
The heart is situated in the thorax, its connecting fu organ
is the small intestine. The functions of the heart are :
It
pumps out blood through the blood vessels to the tissue and
organs carrying nutrient to nourish the tissue and organs
for the proper functioning of the tissue and organs.
It governs the mental activities and physiological function
of the brain. Spirit, consciousness, memory, sleep and thinking
are all dominated by the heart.
The
essence of the heart comes to the tongue, and this energy
can be seen in the face. A pink face shows proper circulation
of the qi, a red face indicates the qi is too active and a
pale face indicates a lack of qi of the heart.
Excessive
joy and the taste of bitterness will affect the heart.
The
colour red relates to the heart and responds to the vessel
and brain function.
Kidney
The kidney is situated at the lumbar region. The connecting
fu organ of the kidney is the urinary bladder. The functions
of the kidney are:
The
qi of the kidney consists of congenital qi and acquired qi
and it is this essence called the life force of the body which
influences the production, the growth and the development
of human body. It stores the congenital qi of the five viscera.
The
kidney stores essence which can produce marrow inlcuding the
spinal cord and bone marrow. The spinal cord connects to the
brain, while the bone marrow nourishes the bone and manufactures
blood.
The
kidney divides the body fluid, sent down by the lung's descending
function, into clear fluid which is retained in the body and
turbid fluid which flow into the urinary bladder and excreted
as urine.
When
air is inhaled by the lung, its distribution to the whole
body depends on the kidney's energy of reception and control.
If the kidney's energy or life force is weak, breathlessness
will occur.
The
kidney opens into the ear and hearing depends on the qi of
the kidney. The qi of the kidney also controls the growth
of hair on the head.
Fear
and the taste of saltiness will affect the kidney.
The
colour black indicates the kidney and influence the bones,
joints and nerve system.
Spleen
The spleen is situated at the left hypochondriac region, its
communicating fu organ is the stomach. The functions of the
spleen are :
It
is responsible for the digestion and absorption of food and
carrying its essential substances to the heart and lung where
they are sent to nourish the whole body.
The
spleen governs the blood circulating within the blood vessels
to prevent abnormal bleeding.
The
spleen qi ascends and as such sends the nutrient to the lung
to transform into blood and qi. In the process of transforming
and transporting, it enables the muscles to receive the nutrients
from the food.
The
spleen opens at the mouth, and if the spleen function is normal,
the appetite is good, the lips will be red and lustrous.
The
taste of sweetness and worry will affect the spleen and the
colour yellow relates to the spleen and influence the muscles
and soft-tissue.
Sanjiao
The sanjiao is not an organ but it has strong influence to the
metabolic system. It is divided into 3 parts, hence its name
- the upper, the middle and the lower portions. The upper portion
represents the chest, its function is to transport the qi and
blood to various organs. The middle portion is the epigastrium
and umbilical regions. Its main function is to digest and absorb
essential substances. The lower portion is the hypogastrium.
Its main function is to excrete waste substances. The zang organ
of the sanjiao is the pericardium and is responsive to the metabolic
and lymphatic system.
Stomach
The stomach is situated at the epigastrium. Its main function
is to receive food, partially digest them and temporarily store
them before sending them down to the small intestine. The qi
of the stomach is a downward process. Its zang organ is the
spleen and influence the muscles and soft-tissue system.
Pericardium
The pericardium is the outer covering the heart, and it protects
the heart, at the same time influenced by the heart, liver and
gall bladder. Its connecting fu meridian is the Sanjiao and
the functions of the pericardium are similar to the heart.
Gall Bladder
The gall bladder is attached to the liver. Its main function
is to store bile and help in digestion. The zang organ of the
gall bladder is the liver and is responsive to the nail and
tendon system.
Large Intestine
The large intestine is situated in the abdomen. Its main function
is to transport waste substances from the small intestine to
the anus to be excreted as faeces. In the process of transporting
the waste substance, the large intestine also absorbs a part
of its fluid content. Its zang organ is the lung and is responsive
to the skin and hair system.
Small Intestine
The small intestine is situated in the abdomen, its main function
is to further digest the food from the partially digested food
in the stomach and absorb the essential substances and water
from food and send the residues together with water to the large
intestine, its zang organ is the heart. and is responsive to
the brain and the vessel function.
Urinary Bladder
The urinary bladder is situated in the lower abdomen. Its main
function is to store urine and discharge it when it has reached
a certain amount. The zang organ of the urinary bladder is the
kidney and is responsive to the bone and nerve system. |
