A Chinese Explanation of Qi
There are many different types of qi in the body which transform into one another:
- Inherited qi is the qi we inherit from our parents and our ancestors. It is associated with the kidneys, the lumbar vertebrae and the lower Dan tien energy centre located just below the navel at CV3 and CV4.
- Acquired qi is delivered from a combination of Nutrient qi and Clear qi.
- Nutrient qi comes from the food we eat
- Clear qi comes from the air we breadth
In some ancient documents inherited qi is referred to as Pre- Birth qi and Acquired qi is referred to as Post- Birth qi. Before we are born we rely on our inherited qi and after we are born we need Acquired qi. The Acquired qi combines with a little of the Inherited on each breadth we take and makes the Meridian qi which keeps the body alive. When the Inherited qi runs out we die. Even if we try get more Acquired qi it will not help us.
The Spleen extracts Nutrient qi from the food in the stomach. It sends this upward to nourish the heart and the lungs. The spleen also uses it to make blood to nourish the whole body. The Nutrient qi combines in the chest with the Clear qi inhaled from the air to make Pectoral qi. It is stored in the chest and promotes the functions of the Heart in controlling the circulation of blood.
All the different types of qi in the body are called Constructive qi and this supports the Defensive qi which is on the surface of the body and protects it from EPA, Exogenous Pathogenic Attack. If the Constructive qi is weak it will fail to support the Defensive qi and so we will be vulnerable to EPA and become ill. So we need to eat the right amount of appropriate food at the right times, get enough sleep at the right time and do a bit of exercise every day then we will be healthy and strong.
With permission of Paul Robin
