Contents
Substances & nbsp: “fluids & nbsp” that circulate
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).
The Three Treasures of Life: Spirits – Essences – Qi
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 Mother manifests
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.
The functions and pathologies of Qi
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.
The Blood (Xue)
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).
Functions and pathologies of the Blood
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.
Organic liquids (JinYe)
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 functions and pathologies of body fluids
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.
ReferencesBibliography Eyssalet Jean-Marc. Energy Dietetics and Medicine Eyssalet Jean-Marc. Into the ocean of flavors the intention of the body, Kaptchuk Ted J. Understanding Chinese Medicine – The Cloth Without a Weaver, Maciocia Giovanni. The fundamentals of Chinese medicine, Schatz Jean et al. Insights into traditional Chinese medicine, Wiseman Nigel A and Ellis Andy. Fundamentals of Chinese Medicine, Paradigm |
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