Theory of Qi, Blood and Body fluid

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The qi, blood and body fluid are the basic components of the body and maintain the life activities of the human body.
It is from qi, blood and body fluid that comes the energy needed by viscera and bowels, channels and collaterals, tissues and other organs for performing their physiological functions.
On the other hand, their formation and metabolism depend on the normal physiological functions of viscera and bowels, channels and collaterals, tissues and other organs.
Therefore, it is true to say that qi, blood and body fluid are not only the material basis of the functional activities of viscera and bowels, channels and collaterals, tissues and other organs, but also the physiological products of their functional activities.
They complement each other and have mutual causality in many aspects such as physiology and pathology.
The theory of qi, blood and body fluid is a theory used to study the development, transportation and distribution, physiological functions, pathological changes and mutual relations of qi, blood and body fluid of the human body.

A) Qi.

1) Concept of Qi

The concept of qi is based on the ancient initial understanding of natural phenomena.
That is, qi is the most basic substance of which the world is comprised.
Everything in the universe results from the movements and changes of qi.
This concept was introduced and became one of its characteristics.
After a comprehensive survey of the statements on qi documents, we have come to the conclusion that the meaning of qi it has two aspects.
One refers to the vital substances comprising, the human body and maintaining its life activities, such as the, qi of water and food (food essence), the qi of breathing (breathing nutrients) and so on.
The other refers to the physiological functions of viscera and bowels, channels and collaterals, such as the qi of the heart, the lung, the spleen and the stomach and so on.
The qi here referred to, is specifically the physiological functions of these viscera and bowels.

2) Formation of Qi

The qi in the human body is different in classification and formation.
But, generally speaking, it has no more than two sources.
One is the innate vital substance one inherits from one's parents before birth.
The other is the food essence and fresh air one receives from air, water and food in the natural world.
The materials obtained in the two ways above have to be processed and transformed by the viscera and bowels before becoming the qi of the human body.
The process for qi to be formed is as follows :
The innate vital substance acted on by the kidney comes out of the gate of life (the portion between the two kidneys) and goes up to the middle warmer.
There it combines with the food essence coming from the spleen and continues upwards until it combines with the fresh air inhaled by the lung.
Finally it turns into qi. It is easy to see from the above that the qi of the human body is formed through the joint work of the kidney, the spleen, the stomach and the lung in combining the innate vital substance taken from one's parents, the food essence received from water and food, and the fresh air obtained from nature.

3) Functions of Qi

Different kinds of qi have different functions.
Generally speaking, they can be summarized as follows :

a) Promoting action

Qi is a sort of essence full of vitality.
It can help activate the growth and development of the human body, promote the physiological functions of each viscus, bowel, channel, collateral, tissue and organ and speed up the formation and circulation of blood and the metabolism of body fluid as well.
For example, if the above functions are weakened as a result of the deficiency of qi (vital energy), the following will occur: late and slow growth and development of the human body or senilism; weakened functions of viscera and bowels, channels and collaterals, tissues and other organs; insufficient blood formation or stagnation in blood vessels; and disturbance in the metabolism of body fluid.

b) Warming action

Nan Jing says: “Qi has a warming action."
Qi is the main source of the heat needed by the human body.
The body keeps its constant temperature mainly through the warming action of its qi.
A deficiency off qi can cause lowered body temperature, intolerance to cold and cold limbs.

c) Defending action

The defending action of qi is shown in two aspects.
One is to guard the surface of the skin against the exopathogen.
The other is to combat the invading exopathogen so as to ward it off.
When the defending function of qi is normal, the exopathogen has difficulty in invading the body, even though it may obtain entry, it is not certain to cause any disease.
If it does cause a disease, this disease is easy to cure.
When the defending function of qi becomes weaker, when the ability of the human body to fight the exopathogen is lowered, the body is easily invaded and diseases are caused.
And what is more, these diseases are hard to cure.

d) Consolidating and governing action.

By "consolidating and governing action", it means that qi has the ability to command, control and consolidate the liquid substances and organs in the abdominal cavity.

This is done by :

1) Keeping the blood flowing within, not extravagating out of, the vessels.
2) Controlling and adjusting the secretion and excretion of sweat, urine and saliva, and preventing the body fluid from escaping.
3) Consolidating and storing sperm and preventing emission and premature Ejaculation.
4) Consolidating the organs so as to prevent them from descending.

A decrease in the above functions of qi may cause various kinds of hemorrhage, spontaneous perspiration, polyuria, salivation, spermatorrhea, and premature ejaculation, prolapse of the stomach, kidney and uterus.
The consolidating and governing action and the promoting action of qi oppose each other and yet also complement each other.
On the one hand, qi has the function of promoting the circulation of blood, and the transportation and distribution of body fluid.
On the other hand, it also has the function of controlling and adjusting the movement, secretion and excretion of liquid substances in the body.
The coordination and balance of these two functions are essential for maintaining normal blood circulation and water metabolism within the body.

e) Promoting metabolism and transformation.

It refers, in general, to various kinds of changes taking place in the body under the action of qi.
Specifically, it refers to the metabolism of fundamental substances, vital energy, blood and body fluid, and the transformations which can occur between them.
For example, vital energy, blood and body fluid are formed in the following manner.
Ingested food is changed into food essence, and food essence is, in turn, transformed into vital energy, blood or body fluid, and these can then be changed into any one of the others according to the physiological need of the body.
The waste from the eaten food and the products produced in the course of metabolism are changed, separately, into feces, urine and sweat which are ready to be removed from the body.
All these are the specific manifestations of the action of the activity of qi.
The dysfunction of qi in performing its action will affect the whole metabolism of the body.
That is to say, it will affect the digestion, absorption, transformation and transportation of food: the formation, movement and transformation of vital energy, blood and body fluid; and the excretion of feces, urine and sweat; thus causing various symptoms associated with abnormal metabolism.
In short, the process in which qi performs its functions is the process in which the substances in the body are metabolized, and in which the substances and energy are transformed.
Although the above five functions of qi are different, they enjoy close cooperation and mutual support.

4) Movement of Qi

The various functions of qi are all performed by its movement.
The movement of qi as "functional activities of qi”.
Different types of qi move in different ways.

Four basic ways of qi movement
Ascending	It refers to the movement from below.
Descending	It refers to the movement from above.
Exiting	It refers to the movement from the interior.
Entering	It refers to the movement from the exterior.

These movements of qi are vital to life.
Once they stop, life comes to an end.
They are not only seen in promoting and activating various kinds of physiological activities in the human body, but also seen in motivating the physiological activities of the viscera and bowels, channels and collaterals, tissues and other organs.
For example, while the lung performs its function, exhaling is exiting, inhaling is entering, dispersing is ascending and keeping the inspired air flowing downward is descending.
Of course, this doesn't mean each organ functions in all four types of movement. Some organs only function in a particular one.
For instance, it is appropriate for the qi of the spleen to ascend and the qi of the stomach to descend.
However, in view of all the physiological activities of the body, the four movements of qi have to be coordinated and balanced.
Only in this way can the physiological functions of the human body remain normal.
The physiological state in which the four basic movements of qi are coordinated and balanced is called “harmonious functional activities of qi".
When they are uncoordinated and unbalanced it is called "disharmonious functional activities of qi".
Because the movements of qi differ, the disharmonious functional activities of qi are shown in various ways.
For example, over ascending is known as "the abnormal rising of qi";
Not descending on time, "the non descending of qi";
Not ascending on time or over descending, "the sinking of qi".
Exiting too much because it is unable to be contained is known as "the escape of qi",
While an accumulation inside due to its being unable to exit is known as "the accumulation of qi" or "depressed qi", and even "closed qi"
When the accumulation is more severe. If qi has difficulty in moving or its flow is even partially obstructed it is called "the stagnation of qi".

As to individual internal organs, the examples of the disharmonious functional activities of qi are

The non descending of the qi of the lung.

The sinking of the qi of the spleen.

The adverse rising of the qi of the stomach.

The non consolidation of the qi of the kidney etc.

5) Classification of Qi

The qi of the human body is classified into the following categories :

a) Inborn Qi

1) Formation

Inborn qi comes mainly from the innate essence stored in the kidney.
But it also depends on the supplement and nourishment of the acquired essence developed in the spleen and stomach.
This is what The Acupuncture Therapy and the Relation between Healthy Energy and Pathogen, miraculous Pivot, says: "The inborn qi is received from heaven and combined with food essence to nourish the body."

2) Movement

The inborn qi commences from "the vital gate", the portion between the two kidneys, passes the triple warmer and circulates throughout the body.
It goes inward to the five viscera and six bowels and outward to the muscles and skin, i.e., the superficial layer of the body.
It goes everywhere and acts on all parts of the body.

3) Functions

The inborn qi has the functions of both activating growth and development and promoting the functional activities of all the viscera and bowels, channels and collaterals, tissues and other organs.
Therefore, the inborn qi is the motivating power of the vital activities of the human body.
Sufficient inborn qi causes normal growth and development of the body and healthy and vigorous activities of all the functions of the body.
Insufficient inborn qi leads to late and slow growth and development, and reduces all physiological functions.
This is indicated by lassitude, general debility and susceptibility to diseases.

b) Pectoral Qi

Pectoral qi is the qi stored in the chest.

1) Formation.

Pectoral qi is a combination of the fresh air inhaled by the lung and the food essence derived by the spleen and stomach from water and grain.

2) Movement

Pectoral qi is stored in the chest and poured into the channels of the heart and lung just as Five Kinds of Flavors, Miraculous Pivot, says: "It goes out of the lung and circulates through the larynx and pharynx.
This is the reason why it exits when being exhaled and enters when being inhaled."
The book classified Canon says: "It goes down to the elixir field to be stored, and fills the point Qijie (St 11) of the Yangming Channel from which it continues to go downward to the feet."

3) Functions

Pectoral qi, in the main, has two functions.
One is that it flows through the respiratory tract to promote the respiratory movement of the lung and is involved in the loudness, or softness of voice and words.
The other is that it fills the heart channel to promote and adjust its beat, and to promote and adjust the circulation of blood and vital energy.
It also exerts an influence on the warmth and activities of the limbs.
Therefore, the manifestations of a deficiency of pectoral qi are, often, the weakness of the functions of the heart and lung, such as shallow breathing, soft voice, abnormal heartbeat, slow blood flow, cold limbs, lassitude and moving with difficulties.
In clinical practice, it is often by the pulsation on the apex of heart that decides whether pectoral qi is weak or not.

c) Nourishing Qi

Nourishing qi refers to the qi circulating within the blood vessels and having a nourishing function.
As it flows through the vessels with blood, it has such a close relationship with the latter that they are often mentioned in a combined way "nourishing blood". Compared: with defending qi, nourishing qi belongs to yin, so it is also called "nourishing yin".

1) Formation

Nourishing qi comes mainly from the food essence transformed and transported by the spleen and stomach.
This is why a chapter on Arthralgia Syndrome of Plain Questions says: "What is nourishing qi? It is the essence of food and water."

2) Movement

Nourishing qi originates from the middle warmer and enters the channels by way of the lung.
It circulates throughout the body along one after another of the fourteen channels.

3) Function

Nourishing qi has two main functions.
One is to produce blood, that is, it flows into the channels through the lung and becomes a component of blood.
The other is to nourish the whole body.
That is, it goes up and down along the channels, circulating round the body and thus providing nutrients for the physiological activities of all the viscera and bowels, channels, and collaterals, tissues and other organs.
So, a chapter on the Pathogens attacking the Body of Plain Questions says: "Nourishing qi secretes its fluid, which enters the channels and turns into blood, thus nourishing the limbs, the five viscera and the six bowels."

d) Defending Qi.

Defending qi is the qi moving outside the conduits and having protective functions.
Compared with nourishing qi, it belongs to yang, so it is also known as "defending yang".

1) Formation.

Defending qi also comes from the food essence transformed and transported by the spleen and stomach.
It is characterized by braveness in defense.
That is why on Arthralgia Syndrome of Plain Questions says: "Defending qi is a brave kind, which is produced by food and water."

2) Movement.

Defending qi circulates not within but outside the channels.
Being vaporized to the diaphragm and scattered in the chest and abdomen, it travels between the skin and flesh.
In spite of circulating outside the channels, it still leans against the channels when moving.

3) Function.

Defending qi has three functions.
The first is guarding the surface of the body against exopathogen.
The second is keeping a relatively constant body temperature by controlling the opening and closing of the pores and adjusting the excretion of sweat.
The third is nourishing the viscera, bowels, muscles, skin and hair.
In addition, the circulation of defending qi is associated with sleep.
Man goes to sleep when defending qi circulates in the interior of the body, whereas he wakes up when it circulates on the surface of the body.
When defending qi is insufficient, the defending function of the human body is weakened, the exopathogen invades the body easily, and the disease is hard to cure.
Abnormal circulation of defending qi may cause sleep disorders.
The longer defending qi circulates on the surface of the body, the shorter the duration of sleep, while the longer it circulates in the interior of the body, the longer the duration of sleep.
Nourishing qi and defending qi have the same source.
The former circulates within the channels, has the nourishing function and belongs to yin, whereas the latter circulates outside the channels, has the function of guarding the exterior of the body and belongs to yang.
Only when they coordinate with each other can the opening and closing of the pores be kept normal, the body temperature constant, and the defending ability strong.
When they cannot coordinate with each other because of an attack by exopathogen, such symptoms as aversion to wind, fever and sweating will occur

B) Blood

1) Concept of Blood.

Blood is a kind of red liquid rich in nutrition, circulating within the blood vessels.
Vessels are pipes through which blood flows.
The book Plain Questions says "Vessels serve as the reservoir of blood."

2) Formation of Blood.

Blood originates from two sources.
One is food essence.
The food essence developed in the spleen and stomach goes up to the lung where it is turned into blood through the efforts of the heart and lung.
The other is the essence or life.
The Pain Questions says "The essence of life stored in the kidney goes into the bones and turns into marrow" and again says: "Strong marrows are sufficient to turn out vital energy and blood.
A saying "The stored essence of life goes into the liver and changes into clear blood."
As food essence developed in the spleen and stomach is the main source of blood, then the nutritional value of diet and the strength or weakness of the spleen and or stomach will exert a direct influence on the formation of blood.
This is why, in the treatment of patients whose blood is insufficient, often use invigorating the spleen and stomach.
As it is said, "Reinforcing the functions of the spleen and stomach causes blood to be developed spontaneously."

3) Functions of Blood.

Blood has the functions of nourishing and moistening the whole body.
It circulates continuously, within the vessels, to the five viscera and six bowels in the interior, and to the skin, muscles, tendons and bones in the exterior, permanently providing nutrients for all the tissues and organs of the whole body so as to maintain their normal physiological functions.
The book Plain Questions says The Growth of the Five Viscera:
The liver having received blood has the function of determining good eyesight.
The feet nourished by blood have the ability to walk.
Palms having received blood have the power of gripping.
The fingers having obtained nutrients from blood can hold objects.
The book Miraculous Pivot says "The normal blood makes the tendons and bones strong and the joints well lubricated."
All these show that the sensation and movement of the body depend on the nutrients provided by blood.
Blood is the material basis for mental activity.
Normal, mental activity depends on the normal circulation and a sufficient supply of blood.
For example, The Formation and Movement of Nourishing and Defending Miraculous Pivot say: "The blood is the mental energy."
Miraculous Pivot says: "Sufficient blood and healthy vessels lead to being full of vigor."
So blood trouble caused by any kind of disorder may lead to signs and symptoms of mental illness, varying in degree.
For example, deficiency of the blood of the heart may cause insomnia, dream disturbed sleep and amnesia.
The attack on the blood chamber by the exogenous pathogenic heat during menstruation may cause the patient to lapse into delirium.

4) Circulation of Blood.

The blood continuously circulates within the vessels round the body.
As to how it circulates, there is an account in the book Plain Questions, which states "The food is taken into the stomach; the food essence absorbed makes its way to the liver, then to the heart, nourishing the blood vessels, within which it (food essence) circulates to the lung; the blood flow of the whole body converges in the lung, from which it (food essence) is transported to the skin and hair, from where it (food essence) joints the essence of life in the blood capillaries and turns to the bowels and the four viscera".
In spite of the fact that this original text deals mainly with the direction in which food essence circulates, it also sheds light on the direction of blood circulation.
The normal circulation of blood results from the mutual action of the heart, lung, spleen and liver.
The heart controls the power to force blood to circulate.
The lung is in charge of vital energy and linked to the formation of pectoral qi.
The pectoral qi performs one of its functions when entering into the heart channel to promote the movement of blood and vital energy.
The spleen has the function of keeping the blood flowing within, not extravasating the vessels.
The liver has the functions of smoothing and regulating the flow of vital energy and blood, and storing the blood.
It can regulate the rate of the, flow of the blood within the vessels according to the different physiological needs of activity or calmness, causing the circulation of blood to be kept at a constant level.
When the function of any one of the organs mentioned above is in disorder, the abnormal circulation of blood will occur.
For example, a deficiency of the qi (vital energy) of the heart and lung may lead to the stagnation of the blood of the heart; a deficiency of the qi (vital energy) of the spleen impairs the spleen's function of keeping the blood flowing within the vessels, causes the blood to extravasate and leads to various kinds of hemorrhage.
That the liver can't serve to regulate the activity of vital energy and blood may cause their stagnation.
Also, whether the vessels are free or not exerts a direct influence on the circulation of blood, as does a change in the temperature of blood.

C) Body fluid (Jinye).

1) Concept of Body fluid.

It is a collective term of all normal liquids.
Its English equivalent is body fluid.
This refers to the intracellular and the extracellular fluid in modern medicine.
Generally speaking, body fluid is subdivided into two kinds.
“jin” is the fluid which is dilute, flows easily in the pores, skin and muscles, and has a moistening function.
"ye" is the fluid which is thick, flows less easily in the joints, viscera, bowels, brain and marrow, and has a nourishing function.
In fact these two fluids are hard to separate completely and that is why they are combined into one expression “jinye”.

2) Formation, Distribution and Excretion of Body fluid.

“Jin ye” comes from water and food.
It is formed in the process of digestion in the stomach and transformation of the spleen.
In addition, both the function of the small intestine in differentiating pure substance from turbid one and that of the large intestine in absorbing water from stool have something to do with the formation.
So the saying: "The small intestine has a function of, and the large intestine promotes, the formation of body fluid."
The transportation and distribution of body fluid is, in the main, completed jointly by the spleen through its function of transmission and transportation, by the lung through its efforts of dispersing and descending, and by the kidney through its role of regulating water metabolism.
The triple warmer is the passage through which jinye passes.
In addition, the liver's function of smoothing and regulating the flow of vital energy and blood also helps transport and distribute jinye.
The heart plays a part in the transportation and distribution of jinye, for it controls the circulation of blood, of which jinye is a component.
By way of the complex actions of viscera and bowels mentioned above, jinye can reach the skin, hair and muscles in the exterior, and the five viscera and six bowels in the interior, moisturizing all the tissues and organs round the body.
This is what is called “’jinye” goes everywhere in the body by traveling along the channels of the five viscera."
The excretion of waste and excessive water in the body is often carried out according to different physiological needs.
Some is sent, by the lung's function of activating the flow of body fluid, to the surface of the body and, is there turned into Sweat.
Some is changed into urine by the kidney's function of separating the clear from the turbid and removed by the urinary bladder's function of storing and excreting urine.
Others are transformed into nasal mucus, saliva and tears and are removed from the nose, mouth, eyes by the functions of the corresponding organs.
Also, the air exhaled by the lung takes away some moisture.
In short, the formation, distribution and excretion of “jinye” is a complicated process which needs the coordinated work of many organs.
Therefore, the pathological changes in many viscera and bowels may all affect the normal metabolism of “jinye”.
For instance, an excessive loss of “jinye” will result in its perishing.
Disturbances in the transportation, distribution and excretion of "jinye" may cause the stagnation of water, which is manifested by phlegm retention diseases and edema.
Pathological changes of "jinye" will also affect the functions of many viscera and bowels.
For example, damage of "jinye" and dryness of the lung cause dry cough; heart trouble caused by the retention of water is marked by palpitation; the pathological accumulation of fluid in the lung leads to dyspnea or cough.
In the treatment of the above disorders, pay much attention to recuperating the Lung, the spleen and the kidney, for it believes that they are key organs in maintaining the normal metabolism of water.

3) Functions of Body fluid

a) Moisturizing and Nourishing

The "jinye" distributed to the surface and pores of the body have the function of moisturizing the skin, the hair, the muscles, the eyes, the nose, the mouth and others.
“jinye” poured into the internal organs, the marrow, the spinal cord and the brain has the function of nourishing them.

b) Component of Blood.

“jinye” seeps into the blood vessels through the blood capillaries, performs a nourishing and lubricating function and becomes a component part of blood.
As is known, the physiological needs in the body and the climatic changes in the external world are often followed by corresponding physiological changes in the metabolism of body fluid.
For example, if you wear more clothes on a hot day, you will sweat, giving off the heat in your body.
If you wear fewer clothes on a cold day, you will not sweat, and that part of liquid will turn into urine that is yet to be discharged body, and poisonous substances to leave the body along with sweat and urine, thus.
This helps maintain your body temperature.
When jinye metabolizes, it can also cause the waste formed after metabolism in the maintaining the clearness of the body itself and ensuring the normal physiological functions of the viscera, bowels, channels and collaterals, tissues and other organs.

D) Relationship between Qi, Blood and Body fluid.

Qi, blood and body fluid have different properties, forms and functions but have something in common.
To begin with, they are the basic materials that comprise the human body and keep the body's life' activities ongoing.
Secondly, they all derive from food essence.
Thirdly, they physiologically depend on each other for their existence and they restrain and utilize each other.
Lastly, they influence each other and have causality between each other in the pathological field.
Therefore, when treating diseases related to them, the relationship between them must be considered.

1) The Relationship between Qi and Blood

Qi belongs to yang and has a warming function.
While blood belongs to yin, and has a nourishing function.
These are the differences between the two in property and function.
What is more, there is such a close relationship between qi and blood that "the Qi is 'the commander' of blood" and "blood is 'the mother' of qi."
Which can be explained as follows :

a) Qi as the Commander of Blood.

The meaning of qi as the commander of blood contains the following three aspects :

1) Making Blood.

Qi is the motive power for making blood.
Qi is indispensable when water and food are changed into food essence; food essence is then changed into nourishing qi and body fluid; nourishing qi and body fluid are turned into red blood; the essence of life is changed into blood, and marrow transforms into blood.
The functions of qi mentioned above, however, are performed mainly by the functional activities of the relevant viscera and bowels.
When qi is sufficient, the functional activities of the viscera and bowels are full of vigour and the ability to make blood is also strong.
When qi is insufficient, the functional activities of the viscera and bowels are weak, and the ability to make blood is also weak.
Therefore, a deficiency of qi often leads to a more deficiency of blood.
The deficiency of both qi and blood gives rise to such symptoms and signs as shortness of breath, lassitude, pale complexion, dizziness, dim eyesight, palpitation and others.
In treating a deficiency of blood, often enrich blood. And qi Why? Because qi has the function of promoting the development of blood.

2) Driving force of Blood.

Qi is also the motivating power which propels blood forward.
On the one hand, it can propel blood forward directly, which is called, "qi in motion renders blood circulating normally."
On the other hand, it can drive blood forward indirectly by means of the functions of the relevant viscera and bowels, such as driving function of the qi of the heart, dispersing function of the qi of the lung, and smoothing and regulating functions of the qi of the liver.
Therefore, the stagnation or deficiency of qi, or the disorder of the relevant viscera and bowels, can block the flow of blood, and even cause blood stasis.
So when treating the syndromes that are due to blood stasis, promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, but also adds property of promoting the circulation of; or supplementing qi, according to different causes.
Meanwhile, it pays attention to recuperating the functions of the relevant viscera and bowels.

3) Keeping the Blood flowing within the vessels.

Qi (vital energy) has the function of keeping blood circulating normally within, not extravasating, the vessels.
This function of qi is mainly based on the function of the spleen.
For example, when qi is insufficient, especially when the spleen fails to keeps blood flowing within the vessels various kinds of hemorrhage often occur.
When treating them, mainly for the function of invigorating the spleen to benefit qi operating the spleen's function of keeping blood flowing within the vessels.

b) Blood the mother of Qi.

The concept of blood as "the mother" of qi has two aspects.
One is that qi is in blood and carried by blood.
The other is that blood permanently provides nutrients for the movement of qi.
Therefore, qi cannot exist without blood.
That is why those whose blood is deficient have deficient qi.
Those who have lost a lot of blood have less qi.
Because of this, in the treatment, qi should be reinforced at the same time as blood is toned up, and vice versa.

E) Relationship between Qi and Body fluid.

The relationship between qi and body fluid is quite similar to that between qi and blood, and may be summarized into the following four aspects.

1) Qi the motivating power in promoting the development of body fluid.

Qi is also the motivating power in the development of body fluid.
Body fluid is developed mainly through the functions of the spleen and stomach.
It, however, has the ability to promote the functions of the spleen and stomach.
So, when qi is sufficient, the functions of the spleen and stomach are sound, and the body fluid is abundant.
When qi is deficient, the functions of the spleen and stomach are weakened, and the body fluid is insufficient.

2) Qi the motivating power in promoting the circulation of body fluid and the excretion of water.

The ascending, descending, exiting and entering of qi is the motivating power for body fluid to be transported, distributed and excreted.
There is a saying: "Qi has the function of promoting the circulation of body fluid and the excretion of water." of course, Qi performs this function with the help of the lung, spleen, kidney, triple warmer, urinary bladder and relevant viscera or bowels.
Therefore, a deficiency or stagnation of qi or abnormal functions of the relevant viscera or bowels caused by any factor may lead to a disturbance in transporting, distributing and excreting body fluid, which is known as "qi fails to promote the circulation of body fluid" and "qi is unable to help excrete water."
Promoting the circulation of or supplementing qi and promoting diuresis are good measures to be taken in solving this problem.
Meanwhile, the functions of the relevant viscera or bowels should be restored.

3) Mechanism of guiding body fluid.

The guiding action of qi can regulate and control the excretion of body fluid.
The balance of the metabolism of fluid in the body can be kept only by this action of qi.
If qi fails to control the excretion of body fluid, the body fluid will flow away without reason.
For example, if defending qi cannot function well in regulating body fluid, spontaneous sweating will occur; if the kidney's qi is insufficient in controlling body fluid, there will occur enuresis and polyuria.
In the clinical treatment of these disorders, the method of invigorating qi to control body fluid is often used.

4) Body fluid, the carrier of Qi.

The guiding action of qi can regulate and control the excretion of body fluid.
The balance of the metabolism of fluid in the body can be kept only by this action of qi.
If qi fails to control the excretion of body fluid, the body fluid will flow away without reason.
For example, if defending qi cannot function well in regulating body fluid, spontaneous sweating will occur; if the kidney's qi is insufficient in controlling body fluid, there will occur enuresis and polyuria.
In the clinical treatment of these disorders, the method of invigorating qi to control body fluid is often used.

F) Relationship between Blood and Body fluid.

Blood and body fluid are both liquid substances.
Their main function is nourishing and moisturizing. And they both belong to yin.
Both blood and body fluid derive from food essence.
Fluid in the body seeps constantly into the blood vessels and becomes a component of blood.
Blood extravasates out of the blood vessels and turns into body fluid. And this is the reason why there is such a saying: "Body fluid and blood have the same source."
So pathologically, whenever there is not enough blood, body fluid, in turn, becomes less.
In this case, dry skin, even dry nails will occur.
Heavy losses of blood are followed by heavy losses of body fluid.
This will cause thirst, oliguria and dry skin.
Less body fluid causes blood to be less but thicker. As sweat comes from body fluid, and "blood and sweat have the same source", the book “Ling Shu” the Miraculous Pivot says "Those who suffer from blood loss hardly perspire.
Those who perspire a lot have less blood than normal.
The book Treatise on febrile Diseases also warns, "Those who are afflicted with hemorrhage should free themselves from perspiring.
Those whose blood loss is too heavy have to avoid perspiring.

Contact : Dr Nilima Thakkar : 982 0676 600

info@aasp-mah.in

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