5 Vital Substances

Question 0

Name the 3 origins of Qi

Answer 0

Yuan Qi (prenatal Qi)

Gu Qi (grain Qi)

Kong Qi (natural air Qi)

Question 1

What is Qi?

Answer 1

Vital energy - YANG

Matter/change on the verge of becoming energy

Root thread connecting all being (life)

Question 2

Define Yuan Qi

Answer 2

Original/source/prenatal

Transmitted by parents @ conception and partly responsible for inherited constitution

Question 3

Define Gu Qi

Answer 3

Natural air Qi

Derived from digestion of food & water

Question 4

Define Kong Qi

Answer 4

Natural air Qi

Extracted by the lungs from the air one breathes

Question 5

Define zangfu Qi

Answer 5

Internal organ Qi

Major functional aspect of each individual organ

Question 6

Define Zhen Qi

Answer 6

Meridian Qi (upright/true Qi)

Channels, pathways for Qi & blood circulation

Includes Wei Qi, Ying Qi, & Jing circulation

Question 7

Define Ying Qi

Answer 7

Nutritive Qi

Mainly assoc. with Blood, which moves with Qi, for nourishment

Question 8

Define Wei Qi

Answer 8

Defensive or protective Qi

Bodily resistance to EPI (external pathogenic influences)

Question 9

Define Zong Qi

Answer 9

Ancestral Qi, Qi of the chest

Gathers in the chest to form a “sea of Qi” at Ren17, btw the nipples

Question 10

Qi warms…

Answer 10

The body

Question 11

Qi ensures…

Answer 11

stability (structure) & insures retention (holds things up & in)

Question 12

Qi is the source…

Answer 12

of transformation & transportation (T/T) of food, fluids & air into Qi, Blood & Fluids

Question 13

Qi is the source of all…

Answer 13

movement & accompanies all movement in the Bodymind with 4 primary directions: ascending, descending, entering, leaving

Question 14

2 major pathologies of Qi

Answer 14

Deficiency of Qi: sx = lethargy, exhaustion, paleness (complexion), weak voice, no desire to move, insufficient Zangfu function, weak pulse, etc

Sub pathology: collapsed Qi

Stagnation of Qi (excess): sx = blockage leads to distention & pain, purplish tongue, soft changeable lumps, moodiness, frustration, wiry pulse

Sub pathology: rebellious Qi

Question 15

2 minor pathologies (disharmonies) of Qi

Answer 15

Collapsed Qi (excess): sx = prolapses
- subcategory of def of Qi

Rebellious Qi: sx = Qi flows in wrong direction
- subcategory of Qi stagnation

Question 16

Name the 5 vital substances

Answer 16

1. Qi (yang)
2. Blood/Xue (yin)
3. Body fluids/Jingye
4. Jing/Essence
5. Shen/spirit

Question 17

Define blood as a tcm vital substance

Answer 17

Responsive, accepting, effortless, soft & nurturing

Qi is pervasive, dynamic, transforming

Yin substance

Question 18

Relationship of blood & Qi

Answer 18

Yin & yang of everyday ordinary life

Question 19

Origin of blood

Answer 19

Gu Qi combines with Kong Qi to form blood

Question 20

Define Xue

Answer 20

Blood

Question 21

2 functions of blood

Answer 21

1. Nourish the mind

2. Moisten the various parts

Question 22

2 disharmonies/pathologies of blood

Answer 22

Def of blood: sx - thin weak emaciated constitution, dizziness, visual disturbances ( floaters), numbness of extremities, general dryness, scanty menses, paleness, lusterless complexion & think pulse

Congealed blood (blood stasis): sx - stabbing pain, relatively hard fixed lumps, darkened complexion, dark purplish tongue w possible red spots, rough chopping pulse

Question 23

What does jinye mean?

Answer 23

Body fluids

Question 24

What are body fluids by Chinese definition?

Answer 24

Much the same as western physiology: sweat, saliva, gastric juices, urine, blood, serous fluid, etc

Question 25

Origin of body fluids (2)

Answer 25

1. Transformed from food & drink | 2. Absorbed & regulates mainly be Qi of kidneys

Question 26

2 types of body fluids

Answer 26

Jin: lighter, clearer fluids Ye: heavier thicker fluids

Question 27

2 functions of body fluids

Answer 27

1. Moisten (&partly nourish hair, skin, membranes, orifices, flesh muscles, organs, joints, brain, marrow & bones 2. To cool preventing the body from over-heating

Question 28

Pathologies/disharmonies of body fluids (2)

Answer 28

1. Def of fluid (yin): sx - general or localized dryness and/or heat, which may lead to inflammatory conditions 2. Accumulation (excess) of fluid: sx - mainly due to build up of mucus & phlegm (often due to underlying def of kidney yang root)

Question 29

What does Jing mean?

Answer 29

Essence; ancestral energy, Qi

Question 30

2 origins/sources of Jing

Answer 30

1. Prenatal (congenital) Jing: inherited @ conception (DNA), fixed @ birth and with yuan Qi determines each ind. constitution 2. Postnatal Jing: derived from purified transformed food & drink (Gu Qi) & may replace prenatal Jing throughout life

Question 31

Define Jing

Answer 31

Hereditary factor specific to organic life that makes humans unique Deep potential which forms and films the life cycle

Question 32

3 functions of Jing

Answer 32

1. Rule growth processes t/o life 2. Basis of production & development 3. Development of deep awareness & wisdom

Question 33

Pathologies/disharmonies of Jing

Answer 33

Manifests ONLY in deficiency Sx: improper maturation & growth, congenital defects, sexual dysfunction, infertility both male & female, inherited predisposition to disease, in graceful aging, lack of self-reflection w/ aging

Question 34

What does Shen mean?

Answer 34

Spirit, mind

Question 35

Define Shen

Answer 35

Psychosomatic aspect - vitality of the individual, force of ones personality as manifested through eyes & felt by others Each organ has character or spirit

Question 36

5 types of Shen | Hint: Correspondence to organs

Answer 36

1. Yi: consciousness of potentials, 2. Hun: non-corporeal soul 3. Zhi: will 4 Shen (small Shen): totality of Shen virtues residing in heart 5. Po: animal/corporeal soul

Question 37

Define Yi

Answer 37

Type of Shen: consciousness of potentials Thought consciousness, intention Insightfulness, awareness of others needs Assoc with spleen/earth

Question 38

Define the Hun

Answer 38

Non-corporeal soul Unattached to the physical body Virtue of good deeds Assoc with liver/wood

Question 39

Define the Zhi

Answer 39

Type of Shen: the will Virtue of wisdom, basic intuition, quality of force, self determination Assoc with kidneys/water

Question 40

Define the Shen (small Shen)

Answer 40

Type of Shen: totality of all Shen virtues Resides in heart, responsible for Big Shen's proper connection to world of real people/places Assoc with

Question 41

Define the Po

Answer 41

Type of Shen: animal/corporeal soul Ceases with death, dependent of physical life, compelling passion that drives knee-jerk reactions, reactivity Assoc with lungs/metal