Yuan Qi (aka Source Qi, aka Original Qi, aka Basal Qi)

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Yuan Qi (aka Source Qi, aka Original Qi, aka Basal Qi) is a special form of

Qi. Because understanding TCM Fluid physiology as well as the production of

Blood depends on familiarity with Yuan Qi, TCM students on the list are

urged to memorize and become comfortable with the following information:

 

" This type of Qi is closely related to Essence. Indeed, Original Qi is

nothing but Essence in the form of Qi, rather than fluid. It can be

described as Essence transformed into Qi. It is a dynamic and rarefied form

of Essence having its origin in the Kidneys. Original Qi is also often said

to include the 'Original Yin' (Yuan Yin) and 'Original Yang' *Yuan Yang):

this means that Original Qi is the foundation of all the Yin and Yang

energies of the body.

 

" Original Qi, like Essence, relies on nourishment from the Post-Heaven

Essence. "

 

Main ideas: Source (Original Qi) is Essence (Jing) in Qi form. It is the

source of all Yin and Yang energies in the body. (Info taken from The

Foundations of , Giovanni Maciocia, p.41)

 

Maciocia lists 5 functions of Source Qi: 1. Motive force, 2. basic of Kidney

Qi, 3. facilitates transformation of Qi, 4. facilitates the transformation

of Blood, and 5. comes out at the Source points (special acupoints).

 

1. Motive force: " Original Qi can be seen as the dynamic motive force that

arouses and moves the functional activity of all the organs. It does so

because, like the Essence, it is the foundation of vitality and stamina. As

a form of Qi, it circulates all over the body, in the channels. It could be

said to be the link between Essence, which is more fluid-like and related to

slow, long-term cycles and changes, and the day-today Qi, which is

energy-like and is related to short-term cycles and changes. " (p. 41-42)

 

It's that spark that gets the Organs up and doing their jobs. Also, suspect

and rule in or rule out Yuan Qi weakness in people who have trouble

accumulating and maintaining reserves of energy and stamina. This goes

beyond simple Qi Deficiency. This is a person who even when s/he does

manage to accumulate energy can quickly dissipate it, and there are no

reserves to draw upon. There is no stamina. Kidney Yang Deficiency may

also be especially noticable in such people.

 

2. Basis of Kidney Qi: " Original Qi is the basis for Kidney-Qi and is

closely related to all the Kidneys functional activities. According to

chapter 66 of the 'Classic of Difficulties', Original Qi dwells between the

two Kidneys below the umbilicus, at the Gate of Vitality.

 

" Thus, Original Qi is closely related to the Gate of Vitality and shares its

role of providing the heat necessary to all the body's functional

activities. " (p. 42)

 

Sometimes, when there is obvious Qi Deficiency but no Spleen or Lung

Deficiency, the Root is in the weakness of the Yuan Qi. In these cases,

Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang Deficiency as well as Blood Deficiency may also

be present even though there is no Spleen Deficiency.

 

3. Facilitates the transformation of Qi: " Original Qi acts as the agent of

change in the transformation of Gathering Qi into True Qi. " " This is one

way in which the Kidneys (where the Original Qi arises from) participate in

the production of Qi. " (p. 42)

 

There are different forms of Qi in the body. The Spleen extracts the Gu Qi

(Grain Qi) from food and liquids and takes it to the Lungs where it mixes

with the air Qi extracted by the Lungs to become Zong Qi (aka Gathering Qi).

The Gathering Qi is the Qi of the chest and affects things like the speech

and the strength of the voice.

 

The final stage is dependent on the Yuan Qi. The Zong Qi (aka Gathering Qi)

is transformed into Zhen Qi (aka True Qi). This is the Qi that " circulates

in the channels and nourishes the organs. " (p. 44) True Qi can take the

form of Protective Qi (Wei Qi) or Nutritive Qi (Ying Qi). But the Gathering

Qi doesn't get transformed into True Qi without the catalyst of the Yuan Qi.

 

4. Facilitates the transformation of Blood. Part of that Food Qi doesn't

get transformed into Zong Qi. It " rises to the chest and goes first to the

Lungs, and then to the Heart, where it is transformed into Blood. " (p. 43)

But this doesn't happen without the Yuan Qi serving as the catalyst for it

to happen.

 

5. Comes out at the Source points: " From its origin in between the two

Kidneys where the Gate of Vitality resides, Original Qi passes through the

Triple Burner and spreads to the internal organs and channels. The places

where the Original Qi stays are the Source points. " (p. 42) The Source

points are special acupoints. The fact that the Yuan Qi travels through the

Triple Burner accounts for its role in Fluid physiology.

 

" To sum up, Original Qi is like Essence in 'Qi' form, it originates between

the two Kidneys and is derived from the Pre-Heaven Essence. " (before birth,

contributed by parents) " It is constantly replenished by the Post-Heaven

Qi " (after birth, comes from food, liquids, and air), " it is related to the

gate of Vitality, it relies on the transporting function of the Triple

Burner to circulate all over the body and it circulates in the channels to

emerge at the Source points. " (p. 42)

 

Victoria

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Victoria,

 

I have heard from some other TCM students than Yuan Qi is burned up when

a person uses recreational drugs. Harder drugs burn more Yuan Qi, and

the burning up of the yuan qi so quickly is what causes the 'high'.

 

I have never heard of this theory before, and I haven't seen it in any

books (neither has my teacher).

 

It seems logical, though, and I wonder if you have any knowledge of Yuan

Qi deficiency showing up in drug addicts. (Could be helpful information

for NADA treatments).

 

thanks,

 

--

Ruby Mae

rubymae - email

(510) 239-2239 x4777 - voicemail/fax

 

 

 

---- " Judy Fitzgerald " <victoria_dragon wrote:

> Yuan Qi (aka Source Qi, aka Original Qi, aka Basal Qi) is a special

> form of

> Qi. Because understanding TCM Fluid physiology as well as the production

> of

> Blood depends on familiarity with Yuan Qi, TCM students on the list

> are

> urged to memorize and become comfortable with the following information:

>

> " This type of Qi is closely related to Essence. Indeed, Original Qi

> is

> nothing but Essence in the form of Qi, rather than fluid. It can be

>

> described as Essence transformed into Qi. It is a dynamic and rarefied

> form

> of Essence having its origin in the Kidneys. Original Qi is also often

> said

> to include the 'Original Yin' (Yuan Yin) and 'Original Yang' *Yuan

> Yang):

> this means that Original Qi is the foundation of all the Yin and Yang

>

> energies of the body.

>

> " Original Qi, like Essence, relies on nourishment from the Post-Heaven

>

> Essence. "

>

> Main ideas: Source (Original Qi) is Essence (Jing) in Qi form. It

> is the

> source of all Yin and Yang energies in the body. (Info taken from

> The

> Foundations of , Giovanni Maciocia, p.41)

>

> Maciocia lists 5 functions of Source Qi: 1. Motive force, 2. basic

> of Kidney

> Qi, 3. facilitates transformation of Qi, 4. facilitates the transformation

>

> of Blood, and 5. comes out at the Source points (special acupoints).

>

> 1. Motive force: " Original Qi can be seen as the dynamic motive force

> that

> arouses and moves the functional activity of all the organs. It does

> so

> because, like the Essence, it is the foundation of vitality and stamina.

> As

> a form of Qi, it circulates all over the body, in the channels. It

> could be

> said to be the link between Essence, which is more fluid-like and related

> to

> slow, long-term cycles and changes, and the day-today Qi, which is

>

> energy-like and is related to short-term cycles and changes. " (p. 41-42)

>

> It's that spark that gets the Organs up and doing their jobs. Also,

> suspect

> and rule in or rule out Yuan Qi weakness in people who have trouble

>

> accumulating and maintaining reserves of energy and stamina. This

> goes

> beyond simple Qi Deficiency. This is a person who even when s/he does

>

> manage to accumulate energy can quickly dissipate it, and there are

> no

> reserves to draw upon. There is no stamina. Kidney Yang Deficiency

> may

> also be especially noticable in such people.

>

> 2. Basis of Kidney Qi: " Original Qi is the basis for Kidney-Qi and

> is

> closely related to all the Kidneys functional activities. According

> to

> chapter 66 of the 'Classic of Difficulties', Original Qi dwells between

> the

> two Kidneys below the umbilicus, at the Gate of Vitality.

>

> " Thus, Original Qi is closely related to the Gate of Vitality and shares

> its

> role of providing the heat necessary to all the body's functional

> activities. " (p. 42)

>

> Sometimes, when there is obvious Qi Deficiency but no Spleen or Lung

>

> Deficiency, the Root is in the weakness of the Yuan Qi. In these cases,

>

> Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang Deficiency as well as Blood Deficiency may

> also

> be present even though there is no Spleen Deficiency.

>

> 3. Facilitates the transformation of Qi: " Original Qi acts as the

> agent of

> change in the transformation of Gathering Qi into True Qi. " " This

> is one

> way in which the Kidneys (where the Original Qi arises from) participate

> in

> the production of Qi. " (p. 42)

>

> There are different forms of Qi in the body. The Spleen extracts the

> Gu Qi

> (Grain Qi) from food and liquids and takes it to the Lungs where it

> mixes

> with the air Qi extracted by the Lungs to become Zong Qi (aka Gathering

> Qi).

> The Gathering Qi is the Qi of the chest and affects things like the

> speech

> and the strength of the voice.

>

> The final stage is dependent on the Yuan Qi. The Zong Qi (aka Gathering

> Qi)

> is transformed into Zhen Qi (aka True Qi). This is the Qi that " circulates

>

> in the channels and nourishes the organs. " (p. 44) True Qi can take

> the

> form of Protective Qi (Wei Qi) or Nutritive Qi (Ying Qi). But the

> Gathering

> Qi doesn't get transformed into True Qi without the catalyst of the

> Yuan Qi.

>

> 4. Facilitates the transformation of Blood. Part of that Food Qi doesn't

>

> get transformed into Zong Qi. It " rises to the chest and goes first

> to the

> Lungs, and then to the Heart, where it is transformed into Blood. "

> (p. 43)

> But this doesn't happen without the Yuan Qi serving as the catalyst

> for it

> to happen.

>

> 5. Comes out at the Source points: " From its origin in between the

> two

> Kidneys where the Gate of Vitality resides, Original Qi passes through

> the

> Triple Burner and spreads to the internal organs and channels. The

> places

> where the Original Qi stays are the Source points. " (p. 42) The Source

>

> points are special acupoints. The fact that the Yuan Qi travels through

> the

> Triple Burner accounts for its role in Fluid physiology.

>

> " To sum up, Original Qi is like Essence in 'Qi' form, it originates

> between

> the two Kidneys and is derived from the Pre-Heaven Essence. " (before

> birth,

> contributed by parents) " It is constantly replenished by the Post-Heaven

>

> Qi " (after birth, comes from food, liquids, and air), " it is related

> to the

> gate of Vitality, it relies on the transporting function of the Triple

>

> Burner to circulate all over the body and it circulates in the channels

> to

> emerge at the Source points. " (p. 42)

>

> Victoria

>

>

> _______________

> Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

>

>

>

>

> Post message: Chinese Traditional Medicine

> Subscribe: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

> Un: Chinese Traditional Medicine-

> List owner: Chinese Traditional Medicine-owner

>

> Shortcut URL to this page:

> /community/Chinese Traditional Medicine

>

>

[Guest guest]

>I have heard from some other TCM students than Yuan Qi is burned up when

>a person uses recreational drugs. Harder drugs burn more Yuan Qi, and

>the burning up of the yuan qi so quickly is what causes the 'high'.

>

>I have never heard of this theory before, and I haven't seen it in any

>books (neither has my teacher).

 

 

I haven't seen any info about Yuan Qi and hard drugs, but Michael Tierra

states that Ritalin burns up Yuan Qi.

 

I found a Bob Flaws article on opioids damaging the Righteous Qi.

 

Victoria

 

 

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[Guest guest]

Ruby Mae wrote:

>

> Victoria,

>

> I have heard from some other TCM students than Yuan Qi is burned up when

> a person uses recreational drugs. Harder drugs burn more Yuan Qi, and

> the burning up of the yuan qi so quickly is what causes the 'high'.

 

I don't think that this is traditional theory, more likely a recent

observation. I don't know that I agree with it in every case either.

There are many drugs and many responses to them, I think that you should

look at users of a particular drug and make a generalized assessment

based on what you see.

 

Alcohol for instance is known to cause damp-heat when used too much.

Marajuana seems to consume yin, at least during the high (dry mouth, red

eyes, etc...)

 

As for the Yuan source qi, I suspect that this would be more of a

problem in the cocaine and/or opiate category.

 

--

Al Stone L.Ac.

<AlStone

http://www.BeyondWellBeing.com

 

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Al.

 

Victoria

 

>Alcohol for instance is known to cause damp-heat when used too much.

>Marajuana seems to consume yin, at least during the high (dry mouth, red

>eyes, etc...)

>

>As for the Yuan source qi, I suspect that this would be more of a

>problem in the cocaine and/or opiate category.

 

 

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