So Much Qi

 If you spend any time around Traditional Chinese Medicine, it won’t be long before you start hearing people talk about this thing called qi (pronounced ‘chee’). It is perhaps one of the most fundamental concepts of TCM, and the single-most distinguishing characteristic between TCM and Western Medicine. And yet, qi is wildly elusive when trying to nail down a concise and consistent definition. ‘What is qi?’ Well, that is a tricky question. But, it’s a question that Eastern philosophers and doctors have been trying to answer for centuries.

In short, I think it is safe to call qi the all-encompassing, pervasive lifeforce for all living beings. While it is considered a vital substance in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it cannot be seen under a microscope or poured into a chemistry beaker. Nonetheless, in the human body, qi flows throughout the many organs, tissues, and systems, taking on different roles and forms along the way. In fact, understanding the many iterations of qi in the body, helps one to comprehend the TCM understanding of the body at large. We’ll take a look a few below:

Original Qi 原气
Original Qi is closely associated with Jing or Essence which derives from Prenatal Essence inherited from one’s mother and father. Prenatal Essence cannot be changed at all and Jing can barely be altered. But Original Qi is slightly more malleable. Original Qi is derived from Prenatal Essence and constantly replenished by Postnatal Qi. Because it is housed in the Kidneys, originating between Kidney Yin and Yang, it is also closely related to the Ming Men Fire. It relies on the San Jiao to circulate throughout the body and emerge at the Source Points in each channel. Original Qi is the force behind all physiological movement, and helps transform Food Qi into Blood and Gathering Qi into True Qi. 

Food Qi 谷气
Food Qi, as mentioned above, is ultimately transformed into Blood. As such, it is the origin of both Blood and all Postnatal Qi (the same Postnatal Qi that is constantly replenishing the Original Qi in the Kidneys). You can begin to see how these systems are interdependent, needing one another in different ways and at different times. No one qi is entirely giving or taking; there is a mutuality. Food Qi originates in the Spleen, after pure food is passed through the Stomach and acted upon by the Ming Men Fire. It then rises to the chest where it becomes Gathering Qi, nourishing the Heart and Lungs. 

Gathering Qi 宗气
As mentioned above, Gathering Qi originates from Food Qi which has risen into the chest. To some extent, Gathering Qi can be understood as a more refined version of Food Qi. The function of the Gathering Qi is to nourish the Lungs and Heart. In the Lungs, it aids in respiration and the ability to control qi, whereas in the Heart it helps to govern the Blood and promote circulation to the extremities. Lastly, Gathering Qi controls the speech and the strength of the voice as well. 

True Qi 真气
True Qi is more of an umbrella category for the final two types of qi that will be discussed: Nutritive Qi and Defensive. After Gathering Qi is brought into the chest, it is acted upon one final time by Original Qi and transformed into True Qi which circulates throughout the channels to nourish the organs. Therefore, it originates in the Lungs but must be acted upon by the Original Qi in order to transform into True Qi. 

Nutritive Qi 营气
True Qi can be broken up into an external-oriented function and an internal-oriented function. Nutritive Qi would be the internally-oriented branch. Nutritive Qi is the final refinement of Food Qi and so originates from Food and Water as well. Unlike Food Qi, however, Nutritive Qi flows throughout the whole body through the channels and in the blood vessels. In this way, it is closely linked with the Blood. It’s primary function is to nourish the Internal Organs, regulating the yin and moistening the yang. 

Defensive Qi 卫气
Defensive Qi similarly originates from refined Food and Water, but because it resides above the channels, in the space between the skin and muscles, it is controlled by the Lungs. Its primary function is to defend the body from external pathogens or Xie Qi (Fire, Cold, Dampness, Dryness, Wind, Summerheat) and does so by controlling the opening of the pores, circulating over the surface of the body like a shield, and warming the muscles. The story of Defensive Qi can, in many ways, summarize the story of qi in the body. It begins in the Lower Burner (Kidneys), is nourished in the Middle Burner (Spleen, Stomach), and spreads outwards in the Upper Burner (Lungs). 
       

It is important to remember that at any given moment, all of these iterations of qi are simultaneously present in the human body. Original Qi, Food Qi, Gathering Qi, True Qi, Nutritive Qi, and Defensive Qi all coexist and intersect with one another at different times, in different ways, and at different locations in the body. But they are all, always there, working together to keep you alive and well. 

So, what is qi, exactly? It’s certainly at least everything listed above. But it is also so much more. What is qi exactly may be difficult, if not impossible, to nail down. But that’s not the point. The point is how we use qi to promote health and healing in ourselves and communities.  And that is what Traditional Chinese Medicine is all about.