substances

February 25, 2020

The term Substances is used to designate a particular set of components which help keep the body alive and in balance. Their main characteristic is to be mobile, unlike structures functional Viscères, fabrics and Sensory openings. Substances connect, stimulate, protect, nourish and moisten organic structures. Some of them, less dense, feed higher functions like psychic functions. 

The Substances include:

  • Blood (Xue);

  • organic liquids (JinYe);

  • the Spirits (Shén);

  • the Breaths (Qi);

  • the Essences (Jing).

Let’s first look at the most subtle Substances (Spirits, Essences and Breaths), then we will look at the characteristics and functions of the Substances more tangible (Blood and Body fluids). 

Vitality depends first on three elements, the Spirits (Shén), Essences (Jing) and Breaths (Qi). Together they are called SanBao or the Three Treasures of Life. These three Substances are invisible, but we perceive their presence through various manifestations physical and mental. Let us think of the breathing which manifests the presence Lung Qi or speech that manifests thought, activity of the Spirits.

 The spirits. They are presented in more depth in a sheet dedicated to them. recall just as their strength manifests itself in brilliance and liveliness look, clarity of ideas and coherence of speech. Spirits animate our state of consciousness and are manifested by: 

  • the thought, which receives our intuitive visions and perceives our desires, intelligently develops them into coherent words, and imagine the means to achieve our goals and satisfy our desires;

  • the will, which allows you to take action, to act firmly, to support and focus our actions towards the goals pursued.

From the consolidation of Spirits will come the desire to heal, the will to change their lifestyle and the clarity of mind that allows them to recognize the path to follow and commit to it. 

 The Essences. They are in a way the plans and specifications which allow to weave the material fabric on which the Spirits and the activity functional body rely to manifest. As the Essences include an innate aspect and an acquired aspect, it is advisable to make the share:

  • of what belongs to the inevitable determinism of prenatal Essences (also called Essences of the anterior sky);

  • from what flows from the Postnatal Essences (from the posterior sky), which depend on the hygiene of life and the wealth or the deficiencies of the environment.

Essences can be preserved, nourished, reconstituted and reinforced through an adequate diet, through exercises physical and respiratory, through healthy sexuality, through quality rest (sleep and meditation) and by cleaning up the air and Food consumed. They are stored in Kidneys who also ensure their preservation. (See Heredity.) 

Qi manifests itself in the presence throughout the organism of a dynamism which activates the different physical structures of the body and which allows more subtle levels, the expression of emotions and psychic life. Qi is described as a malleable substance that travels through the body in different material forms (Blood and Body fluids) or can be stored in the Viscères in the form of Essences, waiting to be mobilized by the original Qi, the YuanQi. The concept of Qi is described in the sheet who carries his name. We will dwell here to describe its multiples faces, its functions and its pathologies. 

 

The different Qi

Qi is always dynamic and changing. We qualify it differently according to the place where it is and according to its function of the moment:

  • Yuanqi. Coming from a symbolic place – the Gate of Destiny (MingMen) located between the Kidneys – the YuanQi is an Energy original received from our parents. She first goes up in the Triple Heater , then gradually gains the periphery to embrace the whole organism. It is she who constantly stimulates the trigger physiological and psychic processes. She is innate, but must be maintained by the Energies acquired (ZongQi) drawn from Air and Food; these external contributions have a direct impact on the capacity of expression of YuanQi.

  • Zongqi. Energy called synthesis, complex or ancestral, it comes from the combination of Qi extracted from Air and Food, and is produced chest. It is an Qi acquired, compared to the innate Qi that is the YuanQi. Its function is to support the activity of Lung andEnvelope of the heart, and to punctuate the circulation of Substances by the respiratory movement and cardiovascular pulsation. In addition, it returns towards MingMen, to maintain the original vitality at its source.

  • Zhenqi. Result of the fusion of innate Qi (YuanQi) and Qi acquired (ZongQi), ZhenQi constitutes true Energy or vital which covers the entire organism and all of meridians, and which includes the activity of Viscera, fabrics and Sensory openings. When the components of this Energy are used to combat pathogenic factors (energy perverse or XieQi), we call themenergy correct (Zhengqi).

  • Guqi. Transient energy produced from Food, it is part of the composition of ZongQi. The quality of GuQi depends of the diet and vitality of the Viscera responsible for digestion, mainly Spleen / Pancreas, stomach and theIntestine hail.

  • Qingqi. Assimilated fromAir, this Energy partners with GuQi to produce ZongQi. QingQi is dependent on breathing and ambient air quality. Breathing is primarily a matter of Lung activity, but also kidney support that provide strength and efficiency to the respiratory movement (what TCM calls the Qi reception capacity).

  • WeiQi. Function defensive of ZhenQi, this Energy circulates in the membranes, the skin, the muscles and even in the viscera. When we are active, it focuses its activity on Area of the body and intensifies exchanges with the outside. The WeiQi then promotes the adaptation of the organism to fluctuations in the environment. When we are at rest, and the body takes the opportunity to repair or develop its components, the WeiQi goes deep to help the Organs internal to balance their spheres of influence. Even though he follows major distribution lines, the WeiQi is very mobile and less dependent on the routes of the Meridians than its counterpart, Nourishing Energy YingQi.

  • YingQi. This Energy Mothermanifests by the capacity of the Blood to transmit nutrients to the viscera, fabrics and Sensory openings. She follows very defined paths according to an arborization which spreads from the main Meridians up to the whole body territory thanks to a multitude of ramifications called JingLuo. This Energy joins the layers of Energy defensive (WeiQi) to which it provides assistance. It circulates in a specific order and according to a particular rhythm: we talk about big traffic and small traffic, and we identify tides energy where the energy reaches more particularly certain Viscera at certain times of the day (see Meridians).

The production and toning of Qi essentially depend on three organs: 

  • The Lung, through respiration, renews the Qi coming from of Air (QingQi) and participates in the synthesis of acquired Qi (ZongQi).

  • The Spleen / Pancreas, by digestion, renews the Qi drawn from Foods (GuQi), which maintains the Nourishing Energy (YingQi). The Spleen / Pancreas gives the Qi the tone needed to control others Substances and keeps the Viscera in place.

  • Les Kidneys, in relation with MingMen, support innate Qi (YuanQi), which in turn supports all activities and productions in the organization.

Qi, in its many facets, controls several functions: 

  • It is responsible for all movements in the body and all transformations which operate in the viscera and tissues.

  • It is responsible for warming the body and defending it.

  • He exercises control over the other Substances (both Blood and Essences as sweat and urine).

  • It helps keep Viscères in their right place.

Thus, any deficiency in Qi can slow circulation and hinder transformations essential inside the body. For example, weakness of the Qi of the Viscera involved in digestion will often cause bloating and swelling, along with difficulty adequately transform Foods to extract the active ingredients and nutritional components. 

It is also possible that the Qi cannot circulate correctly, that it stagnates or is knotted. These problems can come from other factors than a weak Qi. Thus, certain emotions can disrupt circulation, Cold can slow it down, excess Food can oppress it, etc. If Qi has the ability, he will fight his condition of stagnation by "revolting". If Food Stagnates in Stomach, the revolt Qi will manifest as regurgitation or vomiting. If phlegm clog the lung and affect the breathing Qi, it will revolt, causing cough and possibly asthma. 

There are many manifestations of weakness, Stagnation or revolt of Qi. For example, when the function of Control Qi weakens, we can notice unexpected sweating, drops after urination, spontaneous hematomas and well other phenomena where Qi momentarily loses Control circulation of Body Fluids or Blood. Too low a Qi can also cause problems like organ descending, hemorrhoids or varicose veins.

 

Regenerate Qi

In TCM, and more particularly in acupuncture, the treatments are mainly aimed to correct the state of the Qi. Placing needles and handling exerted on the acupuncture points aim either to strengthen the Qi, either to release their Stagnations or to restore their normal movements. Through meridians, the acupuncturist can act from a distance, on the movements internal of the organism and on the Viscera.

Blood is a condensation of nourishing Qi (YingQi). It circulates in the vessels to get fluids and nutrients to all the tissues in the body, their allowing to maintain their respective structures. It maintains the material base necessary for Qi activity and manifestations of Spirits (consciousness, memory, thought, sleep, etc.). The blood nourishes the tissues, conveying the Essences to the Organs, the bones and the Marrow; it nourishes the muscles and moistens the skin and hair; it carries sweat and provides an important component of menstrual flow (celestial dew); he brings the acquired share of Essences who feed the fetus; it feeds the Brain and Sensory openings , supporting the activity of the senses. Moreover, it roots the Spirits by nourishing the structures useful for the activity psychic and it serves as a vehicle for these same Spirits; he owns therefore an important energy component and is not strictly material like the blood of Western physiology. 

The Blood depends on many Organs. When it circulates in the vessels, he is under the leadership of Xin, the Heart sovereign. It is stored, released and controlled in its flow through the Liver, which preserves the quality. He is regenerated by Energy from Food and Liquids made available through in the Bowels (Stomach, Intestines) and in the digestive system (Spleen / Pancreas). Finally, the Blood is enriched by the Bone Marrow which belongs to the sphere kidneys.

Chinese medicine recognizes a close link between Qi and Blood (Xue). The expression QiXue also designates the vascularization of the body. This vascularization influences in particular the complexion, the intensity of the color and texture of the language where you can assess the quality Qi and Blood. Taking the pulse – which goes far beyond counting the beats per minute – also assesses the quality of Qi which pulse in the Blood. Depending on the dilation or contraction of the vessels, and according to characteristics like its strength, regularity of its movement, its "presence" under the skin, the pulse can be described as rapid, slow, regular, shallow, deep, strong, weak, flexible, tense, etc. (see Palp). 

In the theory of Yin Yang, the Blood is Yin : it controls, channels and makes the activity more harmonious Yang of Qi (the functional activity of the body) and that of the Spirits. When the Blood weakens, Spirits are agitated (anxiety, anxiety, insomnia, emotional instability, irritability …), and their activities are less effective (impaired memory, concentration, planning…). 

Several pathologies can affect the Blood, impairing its function of nourish and moisten the body, and modifying its ability to root properly the mind. The main affections of the Blood are Empty, Stagnation and the heat some blood. 

A Empty of Blood can be caused by a multitude of factors, ranging from a poor or unbalanced diet to an excess of worries, passing by the incapacity of the sphere digestive to adequately transform Food, menstruation too abundant, or a problem with the bone marrow. In addition to the pallor and mental disorders already mentioned, the Blood Void can cause symptoms like lack of breast milk, dizziness, drops in pressure as well as tics, spasms and tremors that we observe when the muscles are malnourished.

The Stagnation Blood often comes from Cold (climate, cold baths, air-conditioned workplace, warehouse refrigeration). Trauma (strains, fractures, bruises) can also cause slowing of blood circulation or stagnation and, in conjunction with other conditions, the appearance of clots or masses of Blood. Stagnation causes numbness and stinging pain, blood pools can be particularly painful with sharp sensations as if you inserted the point of a knife into the pain site. 

Finally, the very state of the Blood can be altered by a pathogenic factor called Heat, creating a Blood heat. A large number of ailments can result from this: internal bleeding (nose, lungs, stomach, intestines, uterus, kidneys); dermatological conditions (boils and abscesses, eczema, rashes skin conditions accompanying fevers or diseases such as measles); and even mental disorders (agitation, delirium).

 

Regenerate Blood

Through acupuncture, activating the circulation of Qi and warming or by dispersing the Heat, or using plants that stimulate blood circulation and break the Stagnations, TCM can treat various blood related disorders like problems menstrual (dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea), pain postpartum, swelling, sequelae of trauma and fractures, hemorrhages, abscesses and various wounds.

Body fluids include all of the body's fluids: secretions, sweat, urine, blood serum and plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, interstitial fluids, etc. TCM considers that all liquids are derived Food processing. The process of settling liquids depends first on the Kidneys and Qi original, the YuanQi. It is however in the Triple Heater, also called the Waterway, that the separation of liquids, which are said to be pure, takes place and impure (see Physiology). Liquids unclean descend to be evacuated by the Bladder while pure liquids rise to be dispensed by the Blood and circulate with them Nourishing energies (YingQi) and defensive (WeiQi) to their respective destinations. The Spleen / Pancreas, which manages the digestive sphere, is the Body responsible for this decantation with three of the Entrailles, either the stomach, theIntestine hail and the Large intestine. As for the circulation of liquids to the Area of the body and then to their ultimate culmination in the Bladder speak Triple Heater, she is under the leadership of Lung.

There are two types of Organic Liquids (JinYe): 

  • The Jin are very fluid. Constantly flowing from Triple Heater, they are used to humidify and temper the skin, inter alia by perspiration; they will finally be eliminated in the form of urine.

  • The Ye, viscous substances rich in nutritive components, are especially distributed to the Spinal cord, the Brain, the joints and the five Organs major. The latter, through their Meridian Systems (JingLuo), are responsible for providing the appropriate secretions to the sense organs: the Lung secretes fluids from the nose, the Spleen / Pancreas and the Kidneys control the production of saliva, Liver that of tears, and the Heart that of sweat.

The main function of organic liquids is to moisten and nourish the body. Their production can be disrupted in many ways. If the proper functioning of the Spleen / Pancreas is compromised by the diet (food allergies, excess of raw and cold foods or dairy products) or by certain drugs (such as antibiotics), the production of Liquids will become pathogenic and may lead to the appearance ofenergy perverse like humidity internal or generate harmful phlegm or mucus. If the Kidneys and the Qi original (YuanQi) are weak, we will mainly observe problems water retention and urinary problems, fluids being poor evacuated. In contrast, profuse sweating, repeated diarrhea, hemorrhage, lack intake, too dry environment can create weakness Organic liquids accompanied by signs of Drought. 

The consequences of a deficiency in Organic Liquids can to be very numerous. Their Stagnation can create retention and edema. If phlegm invades the lung, they will promote asthma; if they reach the openings of the Heart, they will cause mental disturbance, confusion and manic and compulsive disorders. Exaggerated humidity will give symptoms of fatigue, tiredness, heaviness of the head and limbs, congestion in the chest and abdomen, and will lead to a propensity infections and inflammatory phenomena, such as small fevers end of the day.

Organic liquids constitute the Substance with pathogenic forms more varied. There are TCM publications dealing exclusively with these pathologies. They can manifest in secretions, sweating, urine, edema, internal humidity, and in multiple phlegm and mucus. These can be either visible, like pathological secretions from the Lung, either hidden, like some cysts, masses or deposits that we perceive by swelling of the tissue or as a result of palpation of the viscera or the abdomen.

 

Regenerate Organic Liquids

Restoring normal physiology of body fluids usually requires modify the diet and use the pharmacopoeia at the same time that acupuncture to stimulate circulation in meridians, invigorate the functions of the viscera involved in the management of Liquids and eliminate pathogenic forms.