The Vital Substances in Chinese Medicine
Part 1: The Vital Substances
Essence
Types of Essence:
Pre-Heaven Essence
Post-Heaven Essence
Kidney-Essence
Function: The essence is a vital substance that determines growth, reproduction, development, and aging.
Relation to Qi: Essence is a refined form of Qi that plays a foundational role in physical and biological processes.
Qi
Types of Qi:
Original Qi (Yuan Qi)
Food-Qi (Gu Qi)
Gathering Qi (Zong Qi)
True Qi (Zhen Qi)
Central Qi (Zhong Qi)
Upright Qi (Zheng Qi)
Functions of Qi:
Qi is crucial for transformation, transportation, and metabolism of body substances.
Qi helps to hold fluids and Blood in their appropriate locations.
Qi plays a protective role, enabling bodily defenses against external pathogens.
It assists in regulating physiological temperature.
Direction of Qi Movement:
Proper movement of Qi follows ascendant and descendant pathways, as well as the entering and exiting of various forms of Qi.
Pathology of Qi:
Qi deficiency: Can arise from overwork or improper diet.
Qi sinking: Prolapse of internal organs due to Qi deficiency (particularly of the Spleen and Kidneys).
Qi stagnation: Typically seen in situations involving Liver-Qi stagnation.
Qi rebellious: Occurs when Qi moves in the contrary direction to its proper flow (e.g., Stomach-Qi ascending leads to nausea).
Blood
Source of Blood:
Blood originates from Food-Qi, which is transformed by the Spleen, aided by Original Qi from the Kidneys.
Functions of Blood:
Blood nourishes the body and maintains moisture in tissues.
It provides the physical basis for the Mind (Shen).
Blood Pathology:
Blood deficiency, Blood Heat, and Blood stagnation present distinct clinical manifestations, ranging from fatigue, menstrual issues to pain and excess heat symptoms.
Body Fluids
Types of Body Fluids:
Jin (clear, light, and watery)
Ye (turbid, heavy, and dense)
Source of Body Fluids:
Derived from the Spleen's transformation processes of food and drink.
Relations with Internal Organs:
Spleen transforms and separates fluids. Lungs spread fluids to the skin. Kidneys aid in fluid regulation.
Pathology of Body Fluids:
Dryness signifies Fluids deficiency, while conditions like oedema reflect accumulation or dampness due to Qi deficiency.
Mind (Shen)
Definition:
Shen, translated as Mind, refers to the conscious aspects of human existence, including thought, perception, emotion, and cognition.
Relation to Other Vital Substances:
The Mind is interdependent with Essence and Qi. Healthy Essence and Qi support a vibrant, active mind.
Functions of the Mind:
Consciousness, thought, memory, insight, cognition, sleep regulation, emotions, and feelings.
The Concept of Qi in Chinese Philosophy and Medicine
Qi represents the vital energy and the essence of the body-mind connection within both philosophical and medicinal practices in Chinese culture.
The dynamic nature of Qi enables the functionalities of various bodily systems, showcasing the ancient understanding of the continuum of material and immaterial existence.
Essence
Types of Essence:
Pre-Heaven Essence:
This essence is considered to be innate and is inherited from our parents, primarily associated with genetic inheritance. It is believed to be cultivated during conception and is crucial for foundational health and vitality.
Post-Heaven Essence:
It is acquired after birth and is derived from the food and air we consume. This essence contributes to the body's development and energy levels.
Kidney-Essence:
A subtype of Post-Heaven Essence, Kidney-Essence is particularly significant for growth, reproduction, and longevity, playing a central role in maintaining the body's essential functions throughout life.
Function:
Essence serves as a vital substance that determines growth, reproduction, development, and aging. It lays the foundation for overall health and wellness, affecting physical vitality as well as mental and emotional well-being.
Relation to Qi:
Essence is a refined form of Qi that plays a foundational role in physical and biological processes. The interaction between Essence and Qi is fundamental in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where healthy Essence contributes to the generation and movement of Qi, while Qi energizes and nourishes Essence. The two are seen as interconnected components of life, affecting each other's state and functioning.
ORIGINAL QI (YUAN QI)
Original Qi acts as the dynamic force energizing all organ functions, serving as a foundation for vitality and stamina. It circulates through the body's channels, linking the fluid-like Essence associated with long-term changes and the more immediate, day-to-day forms of Qi.
Basis of Kidney-Qi
Original Qi is the basis for Kidney-Qi and is closely related to all the Kidney’s functional activities. Accord- ing to chapter 66 of the ‘Classic of Difficulties’, Original Qi dwells between the two Kidneys below the umbili- cus, at the Gate of Life.27
Thus, Original Qi is closely related to the Gate of Life
and shares its role of providing the heat necessary to
all the body’s functional activities
Clinical Importance:
In TCM practice, the balance and adequate levels of Essence are essential indicators of health. Both deficiencies and excesses in Essence can lead to various health issues, including hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and overall vitality issues. Assessment of Essence is a crucial aspect of diagnosis and treatment, often involving dietary recommendations, herbal prescriptions, and lifestyle changes to restore balance.
Key Concepts and Applications
Three Treasures: Essence (Jing), Qi, and Mind (Shen) are foundational substances subject to practical regulation in wellness.
Maciocia, G. (2015). Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Various classical texts as referenced in the noted comments throughout the content.