There are five functions of Qi. First, Qi brings about a propelling effect. Not only it provides energy for growth and development of human body, it is responsible for the normal functioning of internal organs and meridians. In addition, it promotes the formation and circulation of blood and body fluid within the body.
Secondly, Qi provides warmth to the body. The heat energy of Qi warms up the body for carrying out metabolic activities. A lack of Qi would therefore result in a lowering of body temperature and consistent coldness of the hands and feet.
Thirdly, Qi is also essential for protection. According to the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, invasion of Evils (6 external factors) are the major reasons for a patient …show more content…
Qi abstains blood from leaking out into the tissues, ensures that the organs are in a fixed position. It also regulates the secretion of substances, for example saliva, hormones, and excretion of metabolic wastes, such as sweat and urine. Thus, deficiency of Qi would lead to haemorrhage, kidney or stomach prolapses and abnormal urination. In addition, seemingly contradictory to the propelling function of Qi, the two functions in fact perform in a complementary manner for osmoregulation and balance of normal blood circulation within our …show more content…
The vital energy moves in 4 directions: upward, downward, outward and inward along the 12 standard meridians running longitudinally throughout the body. The Meridians can be categorized into two groups, namely Yin and Yang group. The former meridians of the arm are lung, heart and heart, while that of the leg are spleen, kidney and liver. The latter meridians of the arm are large intestine, small intestine and triple Burner, while Yang meridians of the leg includes stomach, bladder and gall bladder. As Yang Qi and Yin Qi flows along the Yang meridians and Yin meridians respectively in different directions, and as Qi passes through various tissues and organs, it facilitates their normal functioning.
For example, ascending clear Qi in found in the spleen. This is essential for spleen to direct Qi to the stomach where transformation of food into nutritional essence take place. Stomach, contrastingly, delivers turbid Qi downward, which helps to push food downward to remove impurities kept inside the body. Furthermore, the liver promotes Qi outward and upward, whilst the lung promotes Qi inwards during inhalation and outwards during