This video course is all on the 4 Vital Substances in Chinese medicine. Just like their name indicates, they are VITAL! We can’t survive without them.

I’ve been teaching TCM to future acupuncture professionals since 2008 and absolutely love it! Now, my goal is to expand my reach to TCM Rock Stars (yep, that’s you!) all over the world. I want to make Chinese medicine easy to grasp and fun to learn. Enjoy!

Keep rocking using TCM,

Clara
TCM Geek

PS: If you want more, check out these Chinese Medicine foundation made easy lessons: The Zang-Fu Organs, The 5 Element Theory and The Yin Yang Theory.

All the graphics from this video are from my book “Chinese Medicine Made Easy”, have you got your copy yet?


The 4 vital substances
Qi, Blood, Essence & Body Fluid Theory

Qi: energy, life force…

All various types of Qi are ultimately one Qi, merely manifesting in different forms. In the body Qi is referred to an essential substance that constitutes the human body, maintain life activities, and physiological functions of the human body.

  • Qi formation: Congenital Qi (from Parents) found in KD + Food Qi (transformed by the SP & ST) + Fresh air Qi (Allowed by the LU)
  • Qi functions: warming (keep temperature constant), defending (against external forces), promoting (growth, production of fluids, blood…), controlling (excretion of body fluids) and raising (holds organs in place)
  • Qi movements: ascending & descending, Exiting & entering
  • Qi classification: Yuan Qi (congenital for growth), Zong Qi (Chest to breath), Zhong Qi (in the SP & ST), Ying Qi (nutritive, in blood), Wei Qi (defensive in skin), Zhen Qi  (True & vital in Meridians).

  • Qi directions: LU descends, SP ascends, ST descends, KD ascends, HT descends & LV goes in all directions.

Blood (Xue)

Qi & Blood cannot be separated, they are always together, Qi moves blood and Blood nourish Qi.

  • Blood formation: produced by SP, ST & Food, KD essence and formed in the heart.
  • Blood Functions: nourish, moisten, blood is also the basis for mental activities.
  • Blood circulation: HT moves it, SP produces it, LU disperse & distributes it, LV stores it, KD assists in its production.

Essence (Jing)

Although Essence is stored in the Kidneys, it also circulates all over the body particularly in the 8 extraordinary meridians. Essence is made of congenital Qi & lifestyle. Jing is very difficult to replenish if lost.

  • Essence functions: growth (Child), reproduction (sexual activity, pregnancy), development (brain). As the person ages, the essence diminish.
  • Essence is primarily Yin in nature.
  • Production: essence produces bone marrow.

Body Fluid (Jin Ye)

Jin Ye (fluids) includes all fluids of the body. It is an essential substance constituting the human body and maintaining life activities.

  • Jin (Thin fluid): watery, clear, light, sweat. Saliva, tears, part of blood also.
  • Ye (thick): turbid, heavy, dense, marrow, brain, eyes, gastric secretions.
  • Functions: moisten & nourish (organs, sense organs & all tissues)