What Is Qi? Definition Of Qi In Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Wei Qi circulates outside the vessels and all around the exterior of the body. Its main function is to protect the body against pathogens, warm and nourish the organs, skin, and surface of the body. It also helps to regulate the opening and closing of the pores.

For example, instead of eating while watching TV and checking your email on your phone, it’s recommended that you just eat and enjoy your food. Chewing food thoroughly is also recommended to help preserve the spleen’s energy. Read on to find out just how being qi deficient may be affecting your health and how to keep it balanced. If you’re not feeling your best, whether mentally or physically, an imbalance in your qi may be at work. Take care to eat well, sleep well, and breathe well to boost your “vital energy” and keep your qi flowing effectively.

There are a variety of physical and emotional conditions that are thought to diminish your qi. Among the most common causes are chronic stress and sleep deprivation. Both of these can elevate the stress hormone cortisol, which can interfere with immune function and increase the risk of depression and burnout.

It also helps to regulate body temperature and warm up the organs. It is derived from the Qi of “food essence.” The balance of the Wei and Ying is very important and if out of balance many types of illness can occur. As we become more adept at this skill, we become directly aware of the vibratory nature of all-that-is. Not only do we experience our bodies as being comprised of patterns and flows of qi, but also come to understand that “emotions” and “thoughts” are also forms of energy.

Others have shown it to improve the survival rate of cancer patients and ease symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and nausea. Qigong A TCM practitioner will typically take a detailed medical history and conduct a physical examination to identify the pattern of disharmony. The tongue is believed to be a strong indication of a person’s harmony or disharmony. Most of a person’s qi comes from the foods they choose to eat and the air they breathe, so often nutritional recommendations are made to treat a deficiency. They typically include the elimination of raw foods and cold foods like ice cream and fruit.

This wonderful concept of change is beautifully illustrated in the simple image of the "yin-yang symbol." Yang refers to aspects or manifestations of Qi that are relatively immaterial, amorphous, expanding, hollow, light, ascending, hot, dry, warming, bright, aggressive, and active. Yin refers to aspects or manifestations of Qi that are relatively material, substantial, condensing, solid, heavy, descending, cold, moist, cooling, dark, passive and quiescent. And resting on these principles is the rest of TCM theory and application, such as the causes of patterns of disharmony, which form the "branches." For example, it applies as equally to a human being as it does to a family, community, or the environment.