What is qi 气?
One of the essential substances for life activities, flow constantly inside the body to maintain our physical and mental health.
Author: Zoey Gong
In the eyes of TCM, Qi, Blood & Essence (jing) are the essential substances for life activities, all originating from the viscera and flowing constantly inside the body. Ensuring these essential substances are sufficient and circulating throughout our body is very important for our health and wellbeing. Many diseases are caused by the stagnation or lack of these substances.
Among the three, Qi is the most active substance. Qi propels the formation and circulation of Blood and Essence in the whole body. It is translated into “life force,” “Prana” in Hindu philosophy, or “energy” in English, but it carries much more meaning than that! Classic Chinese philosophy believes that the primary state of the universe is Qi, the constant movement of which produces all the things in the universe, including life. Generally speaking, there are five physiological functions of Qi:
70% of our qi comes from the food that we eat.
Qi is the motivation of the physiological functions of all the organs in the body.
Qi warms the body and is the source of heat energy in the body.
Qi protects the body, resisting the invasion of various pathogenic factors and preventing disease.
Qi can astringe and control liquid substances, such as blood, body fluid and sperm, to prevent them from leaking to cause deficiencies and exertion.
Qi transforms air, food, energy we receive into useful nutrients and spiritual awareness.
