VITAL SUBSTANCES REN4
What do we mean by “Vital Mingmen (Fire of the Gate of Life) Substance”? Between the KDs The substances that create the Physiological fire of the body functional human body and its DU4 processes. It is the interaction of these substances that creates movement, Post-Heaven Essence physiological processes, soul, thought, Replenished by Qi. Qi formed from etc… food, drink, and air. Food and fluids The physical body is a manifestation of are transformed by the SP & ST. Air is these substances, their combination, taken in by the LU. and interaction. These substances vary in density and KD Essence physicality. Body Fluids are material Formed from both pre-heaven and and Shen is immaterial, while the other post-heaven essence. 3 (Jing, Qi, and Blood) are in-between. Stored in the KD, but circulates All of the Vital Substances are through the whole body. manifestations of Qi. Therefore by Guides growth, reproduction, manipulating Qi via Shiatsu, all of the development, sexual maturation, substances can be affected. conception, pregnancy, menopause and aging. The 5 Vital Substances Are: The root of KD qi. 1. Essence (Jing) Produces marrow (bone marrow, 2. Qi brain, spinal cord, nervous system). 3. Blood 4. Body Fluids Growth, Development, & Reproduction 5. Mind (Shen) Essence guides development in infants and children: growth of bones, teeth, The 3 Treasures: hair, and brain. 1. Essence Controls reproductive function: both 2. Qi sexual energies and fertility. 3. Shen (Mind) The natural decrease in Essence through the lifetime leads to aging. ESSENCE (JING) 精 Men’s essence flows in 8 year cycles, Character indicates ‘clear, refined rice’. women’s in 7 year cycles. (growth, sexual maturity, peak fertility, The 3 Types of Essence: menopause & andropause.) 1. Pre-Heaven (Congenital; Prenatal) 2. Post-Heaven (Acquired; Postnatal) Essence as the Basis of KD Qi 3. Kidney Essence Essence is relatively dense/fluid, and can be considered an aspect of KD yin. Pre-Heaven Essence Combines with warmth of KD yang Determines a person’s constitutional (mingmen) to produce KD qi. qualities. The combining of male and female Essence Produces Marrow energies at conception forms the fetus’s Bone marrow, brain, and spinal cord. pre-heaven essence, which nourishes “The brain is the sea of Marrow” the growing being and guides it’s (Spiritual Axis, chapter 33) development. Quantity determined at birth. Constitutional Strength Can be drained, but not increased. Goal Resistance against exterior pathogens of treatment & healthy lifestyle is to from Wei Qi, which is rooted in KD decrease drain, by living balanced life Essence. and having adequate post-heaven essence. Pathologies of Essence Growth, reproduction and Yuan Qi is Essence in the form of Qi. development: stunted growth in Yuan Qi is the motive force that children, poor bone development, creates functional activity in the body. infertility, habitual miscarriage, Facilitates Qi and Blood mental retardation, bone transformation (production). deterioration, losing teeth or hair, or Emerges at the Yuan Source Points. graying hair. Yuan Qi has a close relationship with Essence as basis for KD qi: poor sexual the Triple Burner, as it is the function, impotence, weakness of passageway for Yuan Qi to reach the knees, nocturnal emissions, tinnitus 12 channels. Some say the Triple and deafness. Burner is the essential to Essence as the basis of Marrow: poor differentiating into the various forms concentration, poor memory, of Qi. dizziness, tinnitus, and a feeling of Treated by stimulating the Source emptiness of the head. Points, REN 4, 5, 6, 7, and DU4. Essence as the basis of constitutional Yuan Qi responds to warmth and strength: being constantly prone to moxa. colds, influenza, and other exterior diseases, chronic rhinitis. Food (Gu) Qi: is the Qi produced from food. Food is taken into the Stomach, which ‘rots and ripens’. Food is transformed QI 气 into Food Qi by the action of the Character shows ‘rice vapor’. Rice is Spleen. material, nourishing, and dense. Food Qi then rises to the Lungs, where Vapor is immaterial, moving, and light. it combines with air to form Zong There is no direct translation for Qi. Gathering Qi. The most common translation is Some Food Qi also passes through the energy, but Qi is much more all Lungs to the Heart, where it becomes encompassing and complex than most Blood. people’s concept of energy. Qi refers Spleen Qi normally flows upward, to to the entire spectrum of matter and carry Food Qi to the chest. If the energy. Spleen Qi does not flow normally, Qi is not only human, animal, plant, or there can be incomplete digestion and life, but also inanimate things, from loose stools. the solar system to a pebble, from the Food Qi is the raw material for other weather to a twinkie. forms of Qi or Blood. It is not used by Qi vitalizes the body, propels and the body in this form. warms, and is Yang in nature. Gathering (Zong) Qi: formed by the Types of Qi combination of Food Qi and air. The SP There are many different ‘types’ of Qi, sends food Qi up to the LU, where it but they are all manifestations of the combines with air to form Gathering Qi. same Qi. Liver Qi and Heart Qi have Also translated as “Ancestral Qi” or “Qi different qualities, but they are both of the chest”. Qi and are more similar than they are Zong Qi is formed by the interaction different. It simply puts on “different of Food Qi and air in the Lungs. hats” in different situations. Nourishes the Heart and Lungs, and ‘Qi’ is also used to indicate the assists in the functions of the Heat and functional activity of an organ. ‘Liver Lungs. Zong Qi can be evaluated by Qi’ refers to the functional activity (or health of the Heart and Lungs. energetic physiology) of the Liver. Promotes LU function of controlling Qi and respiration. Original (Yuan) Qi: originates from the KD Promotes HT function of governing Essence and travels in the San Jiao (Triple Blood and vessels, and circulation of Heater) and all channels. blood to extremities. Controls speech and strength of voice. Coordinates with Original Qi to Zhong Qi also describes the SP/ST and regulate breathing and aid the KD. the production of Food Qi as the Zong Qi can be affected by emotional source of post-heaven essence. problems such as grief and sadness, which disperse energy in the chest and Upright (Zheng) Qi: A general term that weaken the Lungs. includes Defensive Qi, Nutritive Qi, and KD REN17 is the sea of Qi. Essence, which play a role in the body’s defense against external pathogens. True (Zhen) Qi: originates in the LU. This term is used in contrast to ‘Xie Qi’ Formed from Gathering (Zong) Qi and or evil/pathogenic Qi. Original (Yuan) Qi. Zhen Qi is the form of Qi that circulates in the channels and Functions of Qi nourishes the organs. 1. Transforming Has 2 forms: Nutritive (Ying) Qi and 2. Transporting Defensive (Wei) Qi. 3. Holding 4. Raising Nutritive (Ying) Qi 营气: circulates on the 5. Protecting interior of the body, nourishes the organs 6. Warming and tissues, and is relatively thick. Closely related to the Blood. Transforming Flows in both blood vessels and Qi transforms food and fluids into meridians. clear (usable) and turbid (unusable). Ying Qi is the form that we manipulate Involved in all transformations in the most often through treatment of body: food Food Qi True Qi; acupoints. fluids urine; Food Qi Blood; air The thicker, more Yin type of Zhen Qi. True Qi.
Defensive (Wei) Qi 卫气: circulates on the Transporting exterior of the body, protects the body Qi has the function of moving from external forces, and is relatively thin. substances around the body, and in Protects the body from external and out of organs. pathogens: wind, cold, heat, and Has many directions, together known dampness. as the Qi Mechanism: Warms, moistens, and helps to nourish ascending/descending; skin and muscles, opens and closes the entering/exiting. pores to regulate sweating. Controlled by the LU. Holding The lighter, more Yang type of Zhen Qi holds fluids and Blood in their Qi. proper places. Wei Qi does not circulate in the Spleen Qi holds Blood in the vessels. channels, but rather in the Cou Lung Qi holds sweat in the Cou Li. Li/exterior layer. Weakness of the Wei Qi may lead to Raising frequent colds, or spontaneous Qi holds the organs and body sweating. structures in their proper place. Wei Qi has its origins from the When the raising function of Qi is Essence, Yuan Qi, and Kidney Yang. inadequate, the Qi is said to be ‘sinking’. This can lead to prolapse or Central (Zhong) Qi: Middle Burner Qi of downward leakage of fluid (like the SP and ST. leucorrhea). Central Qi refers the SP function of transformation and transportation, Protecting and raising Qi. Qi protects the body from external pathogens. Wei Qi is primarily responsible for the BLOOD 血 protecting function, but it relies also on strength of the Ying Qi and Kidney Blood Essence. Blood is considered a dense material form of Qi. It is the red fluid that flows to all Pathologies of Qi: parts of the body and is governed by the 1. Qi deficiency Heart. The Heart and Liver are said to have 2. Qi sinking their own Blood: Heart Blood and Liver 3. Qi stagnant Blood. 4. Qi rebellious Formation of Blood: Qi Deficiency The Spleen produces Food Qi, which A weakness of the Qi associated with circulates up through the Lungs to the poor organ function, general Heart, where it is transformed into weakening through illness or Blood. overwork, or dietary imbalance. The transformation of Food Qi into General symptoms: fatigue, lack of Blood is assisted by the Original Yuan Qi strength, spontaneous sweating, The Kidneys also play an important role dizziness, soft voice, and shortness of in Blood formation: KD stores Essence, breath. which generates Marrow, and Marrow It is usually possible to pinpoint a contributes to the creation of Blood. certain organ as Qi Deficient. Tonify Qi with REN6, ST36, SP3, and Functions of Blood: DU20. 1. Nourishes the body. 2. Moistens the body and tissues. Qi Sinking 3. Provides material foundation to Qi Sinking is a breakdown of the anchor the Mind (Shen) Spleen Qi function of raising. 4. Combines with Essence to form Sinking manifests as prolapsed organs, Menses. enduring diarrhea, hemorrhoids, or depressed fontanel in infants. Blood circulates with Qi, both Tonify the Spleen Qi and raise with nourishing the body. DU20, REN6, REN12, ST36, and Back- Blood moistens the body tissues (Qi Shu points. does not have a moistening function), preventing them from drying out. Qi Stagnation Liver Blood especially moistens the eyes A decrease in the normal activity of Qi ad sinews, and the skin and hair. due to obstruction by excess emotions, Heart Blood moistens the tongue. trauma, Cold, Dampness, Blood stasis, Blood provides anchoring support for or Qi Deficiency. the Mind(Shen). Shen is immaterial and Qi Stagnation is characterized by Yang, Blood is material and Yin, so the feelings of fullness, distention, and Blood keeps the Shen from dispersing, oppression. and “Houses the Shen”. Pain associated with Qi Stagnation Without sufficient Blood, the Shen does not have a fixed location. becomes restless, and a person can Move Qi to regulate with REN6, become restless, anxious, and slightly REN17, PC6, LI4, and LV3. irritable. At night, the Blood provides a resting Qi Rebellion (Counterflow) place for the Shen and Hun, so if Blood A reversal of the normal direction of is deficient, there may be difficulty Qi. sleeping or excessive dreaming. Lung and Stomach Qi normally flow downward. Lung Qi rebellion leads to Heart and Blood difficulty breathing or cough. The Heart governs the Blood and blood Stomach Qi rebellion can cause vessels. vomiting or hiccough. Blood is made in the Heart.
The left radial pulse reflects the state of This is an insufficiency of Blood. Blood, while the right reflects the state Blood Deficiency may be caused by of Qi. excessive Blood loss, or a failure to form enough new Blood. Spleen and Blood Symptoms: paleness, withered The Spleen is responsible for the complexion, dizziness, dizzy vision, pale formation of Blood by transforming tongue, fine pulse. food into Food Qi. Most often, this condition is related to Spleen Qi has a holding function and the Heart, Liver, and Spleen. keeps the Blood in the vessels. Without Tonify Blood with LV3, SP6, ST36, and sufficient Spleen Qi, the Blood escapes Back-Shu points. Moxa is also good. from the vessels too easily, leading to easy bruising or hemorrhage. Blood Heat Blood Heat is a condition of pathogenic Liver and Blood heat in the Blood. The Liver stores the Blood. This is most common with severe During activity, Blood flows out to the external diseases. body tissues. During rest, Blood returns Heat causes the Blood to move to the Liver. ‘recklessly’ and extravasate, leading to Liver Blood moistens and nourishes the symptoms of bleeding (nosebleeds, eyes, providing good sight and profuse menstruation, blood in urine or comfortable eyes. stools). Liver Blood moistens the sinews, Bleeding due to heat is generally bright providing flexibility of the joints. red or purple-black. The Liver supplies Blood to the uterus There are also general heat symptoms, (along with the Chong Mai) for such as thirst, red tongue, and rapid menstruation. Deficient Liver Blood pulse. can cause scanty periods, and Liver Clear Blood Heat with KD2, LV2, SP6, Blood stagnation can cause painful and PC7. periods. Liver Blood is closely related to Kidney Blood Stasis Essence, and both play an important Blood Stasis is an impairment or role in reproductive function. cessation of the normal free flow of Blood. Lungs and Blood Blood Stasis can be caused by trauma, The Lungs help to circulate Food Qi to Qi Stagnation, Qi Deficiency, Heat, or the Heart to be transformed into Blood. Cold. The Lungs govern Qi, and so assist with Can manifest as pain, masses or circulation through the Heart and blood swellings, or bleeding. vessels. Symptoms: sooty complexion, dark purple tongue with speckles, fine rough Kidneys and Blood pulse. There may also be rough, dry The Kidneys provide Original Qi to assist skin, bruising, spider nevi, or prominent in the transformation of Food Qi into veins on the abdomen. Blood. Treat according to location of Kidney Essence can also be transformed symptoms. Points include REN17, SP10, into Blood. LI4, LV3, and SP6.
Pathologies of Blood 1. Blood deficiency* 2. Blood heat* 3. Blood stasis* 4. Blood cold 5. Blood dryness 6. Blood desertion
Blood Deficiency BODY FLUIDS 津液 Jin ye Lungs The LU diffuse fluids from the SP out to “Body Fluids” are all of the normal fluid the body surface and Cou Li. substance of the human body. The main LU also sends fluids down to the KD and functions are to moisten, lubricate, and to UB. nourish the marrow, brain, and bones. It is said that ‘the Lungs regulate the water passages’. 津 Jin : indicates moist, saliva Kidneys Light clear fluids, such as sweat, tears, The KD vaporize, or steam, fluids in saliva, mucus. order to circulate them back up to the Lungs. This helps to moisturize the Ye 液: fluid Lungs, preventing them from becoming More turbid, heavy, dense fluids, such as too dry. synovial fluid to moisten joints, brain, KD Yang helps the SP transform body spine, bone marrow. fluids, and insufficient KD Yang often causes an accumulation of body fluids. Source KD Yang supports the SI function of Body Fluids originate from food and separating clear and turbid. drink. These are transformed and KD Yang assists the UB in separating separated by the Spleen. pure and impure. The Spleen sends fluids up to the Lung, which diffuses them out to the surface, Small Intestine and descends fluids to the Kidney. The SI receives fluids from the SP/ST The Spleen also sends fluids to the Small and separates them into clear and Intestine, which separates clear and turbid. It sends the clear to the UB and turbid, sending clear the Bladder and LI for further refinement. turbid to the Large Intestine. SI function relies on KD Yang for The Bladder again separates clear and warmth and Qi to fuel its action. turbid fluids, sending clear fluids back into the body’s circulation, and Bladder excreting the turbid as urine. This The UB further refines fluids from the function of the Bladder relies on Kidney SI, sending pure fluids back into Yang. circulation and excreting the impure as The Large Intestine reabsorbs some of urine. the fluids, and the turbid is excreted with feces. Triple Burner In fluid circulation, clear fluids must be The Triple Burner is involved in all sent upward and outward, turbid fluids stages of fluid transformation, must flow downward to be excreted. transportation, and excretion. The Lungs, Spleen, and Kidneys are the The Upper Burner helps to draw fluids primary organs of fluid circulation. upward from the SP, and helps the LU These three also represent the three to diffuse those fluids. burners of the San Jiao (Triple Heater). The Middle Burner assists the SP/ST in transforming fluids from food and Spleen drink. The SP controls the initial The Lower Burner assists the KD, UB, transformation of food and drink into and SI in their functions of body fluids, and the separation of clear transforming, separating, and excreting and turbid. fluids. The SP is responsible for sending the pure upwards, and the impure JIN & YE downwards. As the SP is central to body fluid Jin physiology, it is always treated in cases “Fluids” of fluid pathology. Jin fluids are clear, light, and thin. They Fluid accumulation can give rise to circulate with Wei Qi at the exterior. phlegm, leading to cough and Jin are controlled by the Lungs, which expectoration of mucus. Fluids can also diffuse them out to the skin and body impair the movement of organ Qi, surface. causing varied symptoms, such as Jin fluids include sweat, tears, saliva, palpitations, rapid breathing, cough, and mucus. feelings of fullness, a watery feeling to Form the fluid component of the Blood. the abdomen, edema, and others.
Ye “Liquids” or “Humors” Ye humors are more turbid, dense, and MIND (SHEN) 神 heavy. They circulate in the interior with the Ying Qi. Mind (Shen) Ye fluids are controlled by the KD and The Shen is the most subtle and SP. immaterial of the vital substances. Ye fluids moisten the joints, spine, brain, and bone marrow (synovial and spinal The 5 Spirits fluid), and lubricate the sense organs. 1. Shen (HT) mind 2. Hun (LV) ethereal soul Fluids, Blood, and Qi 3. Po (LU) corporeal soul All are derived from food and drink. 4. Yi (SP) intellect Production, distribution, and excretion 5. Zhi (KD) will of fluids all rely on the movement of Qi (upward, downward, inward, and Of the 5 spirits, the Shen is closest to outwards). the Western idea of ‘spirit’ or ‘mind’. The holding function of Qi pertains to The Shen is a form of Qi. It is fluids as well as Blood. Deficiency of Qi considered to be a component of the may lead to excess fluid loss through body, not separate from the body. sweat, urine, etc… Shen is formed at conception from Damage to fluids can lead to deficient Essence of the mother and father. The Qi and abnormal accumulation of fluids Essence is the material foundation of can impair the normal flow of Qi. the Shen. Fluid is an important constituent of Shen relies on nourishment from both Blood. pre-natal and post-natal Essence Insufficient fluids may impair formation (therefore KD and SP/ST). of Blood, leading to Blood deficiency. Insufficiency of Qi and Essence will affect the Shen, leading to unhappiness, Fluid Pathology depression, anxiety, or clouded mind. 1. Depletion or deficiency of fluids State of mind also affects Essence and 2. Accumulation of fluids. Qi. Emotional stress or excess emotion affects the Shen first, but also the Qi Depletion of Fluids and Essence. Fluids can be damaged by high fever or Shen resides in the Heart (and HT prolonged fever, excessive sweating, Blood). urination, vomiting or diarrhea. Shen and the other spirits interact Symptoms include: thirst, dry throat, closely, and together form the spirit or lips, nose, and skin, dry stool, and a soul of a person. Each spirit has its own rough dry tongue. emotions, but these are all registered by the Shen. Accumulation of Fluids This refers to abnormal accumulations Functions of the Shen of fluid in the body. 1. Consciousness Accumulation generally results from 2. Thinking impairment of the transformation 3. Memory functions of the SP, KD, or LU. 4. Insight 5. Cognition must process sounds in order for 6. Sleep them to become meaningful. This is 7. Intelligence similar to the Western medicine idea 8. Wisdom of the brain being essential to 9. Ideas perception of the senses. 10. Affections 11. Feelings 12. Senses
1. Consciousness: includes thoughts, perception, and self awareness. This gives us a sense of individuality. The Shen recognizes our thoughts, feelings, and sensations and integrates them into our idea of self. 2. Thinking: relies on clearness of the Shen. A weakened or disturbed Shen slows and dulls the thinking. 3. Memory: includes the ability to memorize facts and create new memories, as well as the ability to remember past events. 4. Insight: is the capacity for self knowledge and self recognition. The Shen processes all perceptions, stimuli, and feelings. 5. Cognition: includes perceiving and forming reactions to stimuli. 6. Sleep: calmness and balance of the Shen is necessary for sound sleep. Restless Shen leads to restless sleep. 7. Intelligence: relies on a healthy Shen. Weakness of the Shen dulls thoughts and decreases intelligence. Innate intelligence relies on the Essence, but putting that innate talent to the greatest use relies on the Shen. 8. Wisdom: is the ability to integrate thoughts and memories to apply them wisely. 9. Ideas: of dreams, imagination, and projects rely on the Shen. The Hun also plays a major role. 10. Affections: indicates a normal range of affectionate feelings. The Shen recognizes and is aware of all ‘feelings’ the person experiences. Anger is associated with the Liver, but it is the Heart that recognizes ‘I feel angry’. 11. Feelings: rely on the Shen to recognize and perceive sensations and stimuli. 12. Senses: rely on the Shen for recognition. Although the ears are associated with the KD, the Shen