Concept of Qi

“Qi” is an unfamiliar word to many, and even when one has heard of it, it could be a perplexing concept. Those who live in and speak the language of countries in East Asia may be vaguely aware of the concept because there are many phrases and idioms with the word Qi. In this post, we will take a closer look at what exactly is meant by Qi and what kind of function they have.

First of all, Qi is an essential substance within our body, just like Blood and Body Fluid. Without Qi, there would be no life because it is believed that the constant movement of Qi produces all the things in the universe. Qi has a very active nature and thus is in constant motion, which allows it to sustain life activities like propelling the Blood and Body Fluid in our body. Even though it is a “substance”, it is invisible, unlike the other two. In this way, it is better described as an “energy” because energy allows the function of machines and organisms, and it can still be understood as being produced and consumed.

Organisms are innately born with Qi because it exists immediately after the formation of life. This is the “congenital Qi,” which is inherited from the Kidney Qi of the parents. After birth, though, organisms absorb nutrients and fresh air from the environment to continuously nourish this congenital Qi and make sure that we do not run out of it (because the complete dispersion or exhaustion of Qi means death). This type of Qi is called the “acquired Qi”. The process of Qi production from acquired sources like food and air involves the activity of the viscera. All essential substances in the body, including the Qi itself as well as Essence, Blood, and Body Fluid, are transformed (i.e. changed from one form to another) by the constant motion of Qi in our viscera.

Qi maintains all of our physiological activities, and they function differently depending on the viscera they are located in. There are five general functions of Qi.

1. 1. Propelling/Promoting:

The continuous motion of Qi is what stimulates and maintains the physiological functions of the organs. The Heart Qi promotes Blood circulation. The Lung Qi governs respiration and regulates the water passage. The Spleen Qi promotes digestion and absorption of food as well as holding the blood within the vessels and organs in place. The Liver Qi smooths the flow of Qi to regulate various functions. The Kidney Qi promotes the development of the body (growth, puberty) and the reproductive function, transforming the water and receiving the Lung Qi.

1. 2. Warming:

Qi is the source of heat in the body and therefore warms our body. This warming property is similar to Yang in nature. Hence, this kind of Qi is called “Yang-Qi”. Maintaining normal body temperature is important in visceral function, and thus all our viscera have Yang-Qi. In the Heart, it warms the blood vessels to promote Blood circulation. In the Lungs, it warms and nourishes the skin and interstices below the skin to prevent exogenous pathogenic factors from invading the body. In the Spleen, it warms and transforms food and fluids to promote their digestion and absorption. In the Liver, it steams and fumigates the Qi to promote Qi transformation in all the organs. In the Kidneys, it warms the life gate (Mingmen) where the fire always needs to be kept stoked, stimulates reproduction, and transforms the water.   

1. 3. Protecting:

Qi protects the body by resisting the invasion of pathogenic factors and preventing diseases, as well as by fighting any pathogenic factors that have already invaded the body to get rid of them and promote recovery. This kind of Qi is called the antipathogenic/upright Qi (Zheng Qi).

1. 4. Fixating:

Qi fixates substances like Blood, Body Fluid (urine, sweat, saliva, etc.) and Sperm to prevent them from getting lost. Fixation means astringing these substances and controlling their path. Qi fixating the Blood is what allows it to flow inside the blood vessels as opposed to leaking out of it, Qi fixating the sweat is what restricts its excessive secretion and loss, Qi fixating the urine is what allows us to hold in our urine as opposed to being incontinent, and Qi fixating the sperm is what prevents seminal emission and maintains sexual function. In addition, the fixating function of Qi is involved in defecation as well as maintaining organs in their respective locations. If Qi is weakened and the fixation function is lacking, there could be protracted diarrhea and/or organ prolapse.     

1. 5. Transforming: 

The movement of Qi can cause changes in the state/form of substances. This transforming function is essential for all processes of life, including conception, development/growth, healing, and decline/deterioration. There are three major life activities which happen from Qi transformation. The first is transforming food and air from the external world into Essence, Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids inside our body. The second is the promotion/progression of one substance into another, such as Essence into Blood, Blood into Body Fluid, and vice versa. The third is the excretion of waste substances and turbid Qi out of the body. All three life activities are crucial for maintaining a healthy state.   

Knowing the functions of Qi helps us understand their pathologies. The lack of Qi (i.e. Qi Deficiency), stagnation of Qi (i.e. Qi Stagnation), and reverse flow of Qi (i.e. Qi rebellion) are all pathological states. At these times, we need to make lifestyle modifications (i.e. diet change, resting, practising exercise, Qigong, and meditations) and receive corrective treatments (i.e. acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxa) to restore our Qi to a physiological state.