,Theory of Qi, Blood and Body Fluid,I Qi,1. Concept of Qi 2. Sources of qi 3. Formation of qi 4. The movement of qi 5. The functions of qi 6. Classification of qi,1. Concept of Qi Qi is the most basic substance of which the human body is comprised. Qi is the most basic substance maintaining life activity.,2. Sources of qi A Congenital essenceB Acquired essence, including the essential substance received from foodstuff and fresh air from the nature,3. Formation of qi The qi of the human body is formed through the joint work of the kidney, the spleen, the stomach and the lungs, combining the congenital essence and acquired essence.,4. The movement of qi Ascending, descending, exiting and entering are the four basic movements of qi. In TCM, the physiological state in which the four basic movements of qi are coordinated and balanced is called “harmonious functional activities of qi”. When they are uncoordinated and unbalanced, it is called “disharmonious functional activities of qi”.,Unsmooth flow of qi or obstructed flow of qi: Over ascending of qi: Not ascending on time or over descending: Qi exiting too much:,5. The functions of qi (1) Promoting function A Activate the growth and development of the human body B Promote the physiological functions of organs, channels and collaterals C Promote the formation and circulation of blood and the metabolism of body fluid,(2) Warming function A Through the warming function of qi, the body is able to keep its constant temperature. B The physiological function of each organ, channel and collateral is ensured by it. C Promote normal circulation of the essence, blood, body fluid without coagulation and stagnation.,(3) Defending function A Guard the surface of the skin against the exogenous pathogenic factors B Combat the invading exopathogen so as to expel it.,(4) Consolidating function A Keeping the blood circulating within the vessels B Preventing the body fluid from escaping;C Consolidating and storing the sperm, preventing emission and premature ejaculation; D Consolidating the organs so as to prevent them from descending.,(5) Nourishing function A To nourish the body surface through the defensive qi B To transport nutrients so as to moisten and nourish the tissues and organs through the meridian qi C To nourish the whole body through the nutritive qi transforming into blood,(6) Qi transforming function It refers to various kinds of changes taking place in the body through the movement of qi. Namely, the metabolism of essence, qi, blood and body fluid, and the transformation among them.,6. Classification of qi (1) Primordial qi Origin: It comes mainly from the congenital essence stored in the kidney, passing the san jiao and circulating throughout the body. Function: promoting the growth and development, activating and regulating the functional activities of all the zang-fu organs, channels and collaterals, tissues and other organs.,(2) Pectoral qi Origin: It is a combination of the fresh air inhaled by the lungs and the food essence derived from water and food transformed and transported by spleen and stomach. It is stored in the chest. Function: it flows through the respiratory tract to promote respiratory movement of the lungs. It fills the heart channel to promote the circulation of qi and blood.,(3) Nutritive qi Origin: It mainly comes from the food essence transformed and transported by the spleen and stomach. It flows within the channels. Function: producing blood and nourishing the whole body.,(4) Wei qi /Defensive qi Origin: It mainly comes from the food essence transformed and transported by the spleen and stomach. It flows outside the channels. Function: guarding the surface of the body, warming the body, regulating the opening and closing of the striae.,II Blood,1Concept of blood 2Formation of blood 3Circulation of blood 4. Functions of blood,1Concept of bloodBlood is a kind of red liquid rich in nutrients, circulating within the blood vessels. Vessels are pipes through which blood flows.,2Formation of blood (1) Transformationof food essence into bloodFood essence transformed and transported by spleen and stomach is the most fundamental substance to produce blood. (2) Transformation of essence into blood,3Circulation of blood (1) Conditions for maintaining normal blood circulation A The propelling and controlling function of qi B The integrity and smoothness of vesselsC Quality, quantity and temperature of blood,(2) Organs related to blood circulation The heart is taking charge of the blood circulation. The qi of heart has the power to promote the blood circulation. All vessels converges in the lung. The lung is in charge of qi of the whole body and is related to the formation of pectoral qi. The pectoral qi has the function of filling the heart channels to promote the circulation of qi and blood.,The spleen controls blood, with the function of keeping the blood flowing within the blood vessels. The liver stores blood and regulates the volume of blood. Besides, the liver governs the free flow of qi, which is one of the important factors for normal blood circulation.,