In Chinese Medicine, when we think about the health or dysfunction of our bodies and minds, we talk about the health of our Qi, or our vital energy. When our Qi is thriving, our bodies and minds feel grounded, energized and strong.
We eat and digest food well; we rest well; we engage in meaningful activity; we are defended against pathogenic or “bad” qi; and we sense a warmth that flows throughout our entire being.
As an acupuncturist, whenever I would meet with a patient, I would ask many questions about the state of their Qi. Questions about digestion, elimination, energy levels, weaknesses, feelings of cold or warmth, and whether they felt strong and healthy.
These questions all relate to the six primary functions of Qi.
The Six Functions of Qi:
As with everything in Chinese Medicine, all entities – whether they be a type of energy, an organ, or a meridian – tend to be defined by the functions they perform. And the concept of Qi is no different.
There are Five Primary Functions of Qi, which I’ll describe here:
- Transforming: The function of “transforming” refers to the process whereby an adequate quantity of Qi makes it possible for more Qi to be produced. I know that can sound like some kind of circular tautology: “We need enough Qi to have enough Qi.” But this is how the Chinese Medical system sees it. And in this function, the role of the Spleen’s Qi to extract pure Qi from food and fluid is what is primarily being described. There are other examples of Organ Qi that “transform” forms of energy into other forms of energy, such as the Heart Qi transforming Food Qi into Blood which circulates through the vessels.
- Transporting: The Transporting function of Qi refers to how Qi facilitates circulation of energy and Blood and Fluids in the body. If the True Qi of the Body is deficient or stagnant, this circulating function will be impaired, leading to a variety of internal imbalances. And as mentioned previously, ALL Organ Qi has a special roll in directing the circulation of Qi in a particular way, but the Liver Qi is the principal player in ensuring that the body’s True Qi circulates in all directions, evenly and smoothly.
- Holding: The Holding function of Qi refers to the role of holding things in their “proper places.” Qi, in other words, keeps things in place. And this function applies primarily to the function the Spleen’s Qi to keep the Blood and Organs in their proper places. With Blood, the Spleen’s Qi is said to “wrap” the Blood in the Vessels, and if this function is impaired there may be bleeding disorders, such as external bleeding, nose bleeding, bleeding gums, rectal bleeding, excessive menstrual bleeding, or internal bleeding with bruising that doesn’t properly heal, or hemorrhaging. With the function of holding the organs in their proper places, this refers to preventing organ prolapses.
- Raising: This function is quite similar to the last, whereby Spleen Qi raises the organs, or supports them in remaining properly in place. But this function also includes certain organ Qi’s, namely that of the Kidney’s that assist in moving Qi and Fluids upward to other organs for circulation.
- Protecting: The function of protection refers to Qi, specifically a kind of Qi known as Defensive Qi, or Wei Qi. Qi’s ability to fend of invasions from “evil” pathogenic factors. This role is primarily under the jurisdiction of the Lungs which spread Defensive Qi in the space between the skin and muscles, buttressing the body against invasive “evil ju-ju.”
- Warming: Lastly, Qi has a warming function. This is specifically the role of Spleen and Kidney Yang Qi. This keeps the body functioning at an appropriate temperature, but also plays an important roll in regulating fluids and digestion, both of which require adequate heat, i.e. Yang Qi, for proper functioning.
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