2. The Qi Treasures of the Qi

气: 至宝

s

QI ENERGY OF LUNGS, STOMACH AND SPLEEN

The importance of Jing as Essence appears so great that we might consider from the human creature's point of view that it is the original Qi, but we know that actually it is what is called Yuan Qi that is termed among the ancient Chinese Original Qi.

However it is further stated that Yuan Qi, 元气, is derived from Jing Qi. Why then is it called original.? It is perhaps because Chinese ancient masters considered the Physical body to be most important and Mental operations as only playing a subsidiary role.

The brain of the central nervous system and the spinal cord of the autonomic nervous system are obviously unimportant and missing from the Chinese medicine.

Since this particular energy, now called Yuan qi, promotes and stimulates all the functional activity of the organs it might then be considered as the ORIGINAL Vital Breath 元气 in that sense.

Chapter 66 of the "Classic of Difficulties" specifically directed at discussing Nan Jing states: that yuan qi,元气, is Dòng qi, 动气, which translators declare is Motive Force, but when correctly translated, is a force of moving, acting and changing.​

It is said to be situated between the two kidneys and that it is life-giving and that it is the root of the 12 channels. Since the truth of its "situation" is not important at the moment to discuss we will provisionally accept that what is called the Triple Burner, 三焦, then causes the Original Qi to differentiate and form the particular characteristics for its different uses around the body.

THE TRIPLE BURNER 三焦

Ancient anatomic drawings  of this Triple Burner are organized into viscera, bowels, and channels in the ancient documents.

The triple burner has a physiologic activity but its organ is not clearly defined.

This thesis is based on the materials from original text of Nei Jing, Nan Jin, and Chung Zhang Jing, known references in the methodology of Chinese medical research.

The broad definition of triple burner from Nan Jing and Chung zhang Jing corresponds with spinal cord, including medulla oblongata, pons and brain stem, besides autonomic nerve system as the control master between the central and visceral organs.

Deduction from modern sources concluded that the narrow definition of triple burner should include the visceral sensory nerve and autonomic nerve It is also important to note that its function consisting of regulations of:

1. Flow under pressure by the heart and lungs

2. Movement and formation by the stomach and spleen

Thus linking Heart and Lungs in the first point and  Stomach and Spleen in the second.

Functions of the Lungs: Qi and Respiration

There will be almost no one who finds it hard to believe that the lungs administer Respiration and thus Qi (vital energy).

This respiration takes in Oxygen rich Qi and exhales Qi laden with Carbon Dioxide, which is of little value to the system.  This constant exchange in the cycles of breathing maintains the correct function of all the body's physiological processes that need Qi for the enrichment of blood and for the meridians.

The lungs then intake air and that air is impregnated with Qi (energy). That energy is derived from the energy of food,  Gu Qi, 气 and is taken by the Spleen and directed to the Lungs where it combines with inhaled air (with help from Yuan Qi 原气 of the Kidneys) to form Zong Qi, 宗气 which although called Chest Qi is best called Reservoir Qi.

We can give the following formula:

Energy of Food, Gu qi, combined with the Energy of Air, kong qi, 空气, produces Body Energy Reservoir, Zong Qi, 宗气.

The Zong Qi, 宗气, regulates involuntary movement of Heart and Lungs and in turn is nourished by the Qi of the Heart and Lungs.- If Zong Qi, 宗气, levels are low, then there is low energy and poor circulation.

The Lungs then spread this energy all over the body and it is called then Zhen qi, 真气 and is contained in two forms Ying qi, 卫气, which is Nutritive and Wei qi, 营气、which is Defensive.

In discussing the Treasures of Qi relative to the energy of lungs, stomach and spleen, what we are interested in is not so much their clear biological function for the body, but their interaction with either the Feminine principle Shen, the Transforming Shen, the Essences of Na Jing and Nan Jing, or other mental processes and their impediments.

It is evident that faulty breathing due to organ dysfunction may cause mental dysfunction.

But we come a full circle back to defensive qi without showing a direct effect of either the stomach or the lungs upon mental factors, although clearly any debility in their function will have a corresponding subsidiary mental effect, such as sadness and grief, but the relation between organ and the mental state cannot be said to be a direct one or to be specific.

Only the Spleen, which was discussed in another section appears to generate mental disturbance due to its dysfunction.

A MODERN PHYSIOLOGICAL VIEW

The changes neccesary in conducting Chinese modern health practices are first to place the human central nevous system including all brain functios central to the system.

Understand that the visceral organs do not perform central brain functions.

Understand that the spinal cord is the bridge between the central and peripheral organs and plays a role of conduction and autonomic system.