QI

Question 1

5 functions of ZONG QI. (Gathering)

Answer 1

1) Nourishes Heart and Lungs
2) Assists w Lung fx of controlling Qi and respiration and Heart fx of governing blood and blood vessels
3) Is energy of the chest- controls speech and strength of voice
4) Affects and promotes circulation to extremities
5) Is coordinated with Yuan Qi to regulate breathing.

Question 2

Properties of Gu Qi (4)

Answer 2

• transformed from food into Gu Qi by Spleen
• is the basis of Qi and Blood
• rises to Lungs, mixes w air to form Zong Qi
• rises to Heart, is transformed into Blood by Kidney Qi and Yuan Qi

Question 3

Functions of Original Qi (6)

Answer 3

1) MOTIVE FORCE - circulates Qi in channels, arouses all fx activity of organs, link between essence (slow, fluid), and Qi (fast-moving)
2) BASIS OF KIDNEY QI- basis for and related to all kidney qi fx; dwells in Gate of Life, between 2 kidneys
3) FACILITATES TRX OF QI- agent of change in transforming Zong Qi into Zhen Qi
4) CONDUIT FOR TRIPLE BURNER - “conductor to move heat”; triple burner= special envoy that makes Yuan Qi separate and differentiate in different forms around body
5) FACILITATES TRX OF BLOOD- facilitates transformation of Gu Qi into Blood in Heart (the yang to transform the yin)
6) COMES OUT AT SOURCE (YUAN) POINTS- originates in Gate of Life, passes through Triple Burner, spreads to organs and channels, stays at Source Points

Question 4

Zong Qi derives from:

Answer 4

interaction of Gu Qi (from SPLEEN & Stomach) w/ air in Lungs

Question 5

Gu Qi derives from:

Answer 5

Food rotted and ripened by Stomach; transformed into Gu Qi by Spleen. (still raw form- unusable by body)

Question 6

Yuan Qi derives from:

Relies on:

Answer 6

Kindey Essence- dynamic, rarefied form of Essence with origin in the Kidneys
*relies on nourishment from Post-Heaven Essence

Question 7

Weak Zong Qi might manifest as:

Answer 7

Weak circulation; weak voice.

Question 8

An example of mutual assistance between Kidneys and Lungs, as it realtes to Qi:

Answer 8

Zong Qi flows downwards from Lungs to aid Kidneys; Yuan Qi flows upwards from Kidneys to aid breathing.

Question 9

The two forms of Zhen Qi/True Qi are:

Answer 9

Defensive (Wei) Qi and Nutritive (Ying) Qi.

Question 10

Zhen Qi is:

Answer 10

• final stage in refinement and transformation of Qi
• the Qi that circulates in the channels & nourishes organs
• originates from Zong Qi in Lungs

Question 11

Zhen Qi originates from:

Answer 11

Zong Qi, in the Lungs

Question 12

What are the main qualities and functions of Ying Qi?

Answer 12

• more refined aspect of True Qi (Zhen Qi)
• interior- nourishes internal organs
• closely linked to Blood; flows with it in blood vessels
• also flows in channels; it is the qi activated when needling
• is the basis for the immune system- “the supply lines/reserves” (Zach quotes)

“Nutritive Qi is extracted from food & water, regulates the 5 Yin organs, moistens the 6 Yang organs, enters the blood vessels, circulates in the channels, is linked to Yin organs and connects to Yang organs.”

Question 13

Which Qi are you accessing when needling?

Answer 13

Ying Qi / Nutritive Qi

Question 14

What are the mains functions of Wei Qi?

Answer 14

• protects from exterior pathogens (cold, heat, wind, dampness)
• warms, moistens, partly nourishes skin & muscles
• under control of Lungs, it opens and closes pores (sweat; temperature regulation)
• “immune system; first (few) lines of defense” (Zach quotes)

Question 15

What are the qualities of Wei Qi?

Answer 15

• courser aspect of Zhen Qi than Ying Qi
• circulates on outer layers/ exterior; diffused under skin
• does not enter channels
• circulates 50 times in 24 hours (25 day; 25 night)

Question 16

Describe how Lungs and Wei Qi interact to control sweating

Answer 16

Lungs diffuse fluids to skin and muscles, where it mixes with Wei Qi, which controls the opening and closing of pores (holds). If Wei Qi is weak, it won’t hold it in = excess sweat.

Question 17

What determines the strength of Wei Qi?

Answer 17

Lung Qi; Kindey Yang.

ROOTED in Lower Burner (Kidneys); NOURISHED by Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen); SPREAD OUTWARD in Upper Burner (Lungs).

Question 18

Explain the daily circulation of Wei Qi:

Answer 18

• circulates exterior of body 25 times per day in Yang superficial channels
• circulates Yin organs 25 times per night (KD, HT, LU, LR, SP)
• flow from interior to exterior, emerging at inner corner of eyes- this is what open eyes and wakes us up in the morning

Question 19

ZHONG QI / Central Qi (“middle/center” burner) refers to:

Answer 19

1) another way of defining the Qi of the ST and SP, or the Port-Heaven Qi derived from food)
2) SP fx of transportation and transformation (also the True Qi of ST and SP)
3) also implies SP fx of raising Qi (condition of sinking SP-Qi is often referred to as deficiency of zhong/central qi)

Question 20

What is Zheng Qi / Upright Qi?

Answer 20

-the various types of Qi that have fx of protecting body from invasion by exterior pathogenic factors
1) Wei QI
2) Ying Qi
3) Kidney Essence/ Jing
^ all play role in defense against pathogenic factor.
*Usually used in relation/contrast to “pathogenic factor” (zheng qi v. xie qi)

Question 21

What are the functions of Qi? (6)

Answer 21

1) Transforming
2) Transporting
3) Holding
4) Raising
5) Protecting
6) Warming

Question 22

Explain Qi fx of Transforming

Answer 22

Qi is yang in nature, and it powers the transformation of food & fluid (yin in nature) into 2 parts: 1) clear yang, 2) turbid yin.
Then, transformed into Gi Qi; transformed into Zhen Qi.

Ex: ST Qi rots & ripens food
SP Qi transforms that food into Gu Qi
KD Qi transforms fluids
BL Qi transforms urine
HT Qi transformed Gu Qi into Blood (w/ Yuan Qi and Kidney Essence/ Jin)
LU Qi transforms air and Gu Qi into Zhen Qi

Question 23

Explain Qi fx of Transporting

Answer 23

Qi Mechanism/ Qi Ji (movements of qi in body) transports substances/ forms of Qi in and out of various structures

Question 24

Explain Qi fx of Holding

Answer 24

Qi (yang) holds Blood and fluids (yin) in proper places.
ex:
SP qi holds Blood in vessels
SP&KD qi hold Blood in uterine vessels
KD&BL qi hold urine
LU qi holds sweat (w/ Wei Qi/ chest qi)

Question 25

Explain Qi fx of Raising

Answer 25

- ensures body structures are held in proper place, i.e. not sinking * in pathogenic conditions involving leakage of mucus/Blood, it is both holding fx & raising fx at fault SP qi raises organs in general KD qi raises uterus

Question 26

Explain Qi fx of Protecting

Answer 26

- Wei Qi protects from pathogenic factors (cold, damp, heat, wind); opens and closes pores under control of Lungs; immune system- like first few lines of defense. - Ying Qi is the yin basis for the immune system (supply lines/ reserves); nourishment basis. - Kidney Essence/ Jing (somehow... I SUPPOSE b/c Yuan Qi is necessary for production of Zhen Qi (wei and ying qi) and Blood- which flows w Ying Qi in the blood vessels)

Question 27

Explain Qi fx of Warming

Answer 27

*fx of yang qi* - warmth is needed to transform, transport, excrete (move/motivate) - especially crucial for fluids (yin in nature)

Question 28

What is the source of YANG and WARMTH in body?

Answer 28

Kidney Yang and the Minister Fire (arising from the Kidneys). *and Spleen Yang, which derives its warmth from Kidney Yang

Question 29

What is the Qi Mechanism/ Qi Ji?

Answer 29

The 4 movements of qi (ascending, descending, entering, exiting) that all processes depend on. "Like traffic regulated with one-way streets." - crucial for balance and proper function

Question 30

What Qi movements are linked with Yang?

Answer 30

Ascending | Exiting

Question 31

What Qi movements are linked with Yin?

Answer 31

Descending | Entering

Question 32

What happens when the Qi mechanism is disrupted?

Answer 32

Qi stagnation | Qi rebellion

Question 33

Describe the directions of movement of Lung Qi?

Answer 33

ALL OF THE DIRECTIONS! - Lung-Qi descends towards Kidneys, and Bladder. - Lung Qi ascends to diffuse Wei Qi and sweat to the space between skin and muscles - Lung-Qi regulates entering and exiting of Qi from space between skin and muscles

Question 34

What happens when Lung-Qi fails to descend?

Answer 34

Breathlessness or cough- Lung Qi controls exhalation & descends Qi to Kidneys, which control inhalation; rebellious Lung-Qi can manifest as cough.

Question 35

Describe the relative location and qi movements of Lungs and Liver (in terms of energy- not anatomy)

Answer 35

Liver is on the left side; Liver-Qi ascends like the rising sun (yang, east). Lung is on the right side; Lung Qi descends like the setting sun. (yin, west).

Question 36

Describe the Direction of Qi movement of the Liver

Answer 36

- controls smooth flow of Qi in all directions | - assists all other organs to channel their Qi in right directions

Question 37

Describe the Qi movement of Kidneys.

Answer 37

- ascends and descends; enters and exits - controls transformation of Water, descends impure fluids, ascends clear parts of fluids up spine (as vapour into lungs) -

Question 38

What organs control inhalation and exhalation?

Answer 38

"Exhalation is controlled by Lungs and Heart, inhalation is controlled by Kidneys and Liver." - Classic of Difficulties

Question 39

Describe the relationship of Kidneys and Lung in terms of Qi.

Answer 39

"The Lungs govern Qi, the Kidneys are the root of Qi." | Lungs descend Qi to Kidneys, Kidneys receive & ascend Qi to Lungs. (exhale, inhale)

Question 40

Describe Qi movements of Spleen-Stomach.

Answer 40

- Spleen send Qi upwards to Lungs and Heart (transforming- ascending) - Stomach sends (impure) Qi downwards (receiving- descending)

Question 41

Describe the Qi movements of Hear-Kidneys.

Answer 41

Heart-Qi descends to meet with Kidney Qi, which ascends. | Heart-Fire flows downwards to meet Water of the Kidneys, Kidney-Water rises to meet Heart-Fire.

Question 42

What are the pathologies of Qi? (4)

Answer 42

1) Qi deficiency (often due to overwork/ dietary irregularity- most often affects ST, SP, LU, KD) 2) Qi sinking (cause prolapse of organs- mostly applies to SP and KD) 3) Qi stagnation (fails in movement- mostly applies to LR, but also LU and Intestines) 4) Qi rebellion (flowing in wrong direction)

Question 43

What does the character for Qi respresent?

Answer 43

(uncooked) rice; vapour/steam/gas - indicates both material and immaterial - indicates subtle deriving from course

Question 44

The two aspects of Qi that are especially revelant to medicine:

Answer 44

1) Qi is in a constant state of flux- varying states of aggregation (condensed/dispersed) 2) Qi is an energy which manifests simultaneously on physical and emotional-mental-spiritual level.

Question 45

Term "Qi" is used in 2 major ways in medicine:

Answer 45

1) refined energy produced by organs | 2) the functional activity of any organ/ the complex of its activities