According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), my body consists of the five basic substances – Qi, Blood, Body Fluids, Spirit, and Congenital Essence – that constitute my body and maintain its functional activities. TCM believes that the life process is, in fact, a process of the metabolism of these substances. My five basic substances are also the key parameter addressed by TCM therapy. Food therapy, and herbal too, are especially valuable for influencing the formation, regulation, and consumption of these basic substances.
Concept of Qi was originally a philosophy concept. The meaning of the term in Chinese is much broader and encompasses aspects that are difficult to translate into Western languages, but for making it simple, people translate it as “energy” or “life force”. Qi is the source of all life processes in the universe, arise from the energy field between the polarities of Yin and Yang. In my body, Qi comes from the combination of three kind of Qi, Primordial Qi inherited from my parents, the fresh air inhaled by my Lung, and the refined food essence transformed by my Spleen. Qi warms and protects my body and is responsible for growth and development, and for mental and physical activities. Qi flows through the channels of my body. Each organ has its own Qi, which controls the organ’s function. Dysfunction of Qi are formed in three conditions, e.g. Qi Vacuity (general physical weakness), Qi Stagnation (pain the the area of the Qi coursing disorder), and Qi Counter flow (a pathological change of direction of normal Qi flow). Qi is attributed to Yang, because it is mobile and functions to move and warm.
In TCM, Blood is Yin substance. It depends on Qi to be generated and distributed. Blood is mainly composed of Nutritive Qi and Body Fluids, which come from the refined food transformed and transported by the Spleen and Stomach. The main function of Blood is to nourish the whole body – the organs, skin, muscles, tendons and bones – to both nourish and moisten. When my Blood is sufficient I will have a rosy and bright face, strong and well-developed muscles, lustrous skin and hair, full vigor, perfect consciousness, and keen perception. On the other hand I will get withered hair and skin, atrophy and convulsion of tendons, thin muscles and weak organs, restlessness, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, dysphoria, and other mental disorder when I have deficiency of Blood. Dysfunction of Blood are formed in three conditions, e.g. Blood Vacuity (pale complexion), Blood Stasis (firmly localized pain), and Blood Heat (restlessness, heat sensation). “When Blood and Qi develop disharmony, a hundred illnesses can form.” (Su Wen).
Body Fluids is a general term for all the normal fluid of my body. They are extracted by my Spleen from food and beverages, include tears, joint fluids, sweat, digestive juices, urine, etc. As liquid substances, Body Fluids function to moisten and nourish my body. Compared with Blood, the nourishing effect of Body Fluids is not to strong. The generation, distribution and discharge of Body Fluids depend on Qi and its activities. On the other hand, Qi also relies on Body Fluids to be carried, and Body Fluids are where Qi exists, moves and changes. For example : Kidney Qi controls the opening and closing of the Bladder, so deficiency of Kidney Qi often leads to profuse and frequent urine, enuresis and incontinence of urine. Body Fluids are an important component of Blood, so Blood and Body Fluids usually influence each other under pathologic conditions. Dysfunction of Body Fluids are formed in two conditions, e.g. Damage to Body Fluids (dryness) and Body Fluid Accumulation (dampness).
Continuous supplementation and regeneration of Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids is one of the most important tasks of Chinese Food Therapy.
In TCM, spirit encompasses the mental, psychological, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person and is expressed in the person’s consciousness and personality. Spirit is closely connected with Heart, Congenital Essence, Blood, and Qi. My good spirit provides a radiant expression and eyes that are alert and clear. The functions of spirit are consciousness, thought, memory, sleep, emotions, spirituality, and psyche. Psychological and mental disorder, insomnia are the result of spirit dysfunction.
According to TCM, Congenital Essence forms the foundation for all physical and mental development. This substance is stored in the kidneys; it has no equivalent in Western medicine. Practitioners of TCM view the amount of my Congenital Essence as determining my quality of life and life expectancy. It cannot be generated and forms a sort of “inner energy clock” which determines my life span. Once my “inner energy clock” runs out, I die. The quality of Congenital Essence is the foundation for prenatal development of the body. Postpartum, Congenital Essence influences physical and mental growth and is responsible for the body’s reproductive strength. Poor constitution, premature aging, deformities, and infertility can be seen as Congenital Essence dysfunction.
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