Yuan-qi

(Primordia qi)

Primordial qi comes from kidney-qi, needs  nourishment and enrichment of acquired qi.

Primordial qi is stored in the kidney, and distributed to body through the triple energizer.

1. Vital qi in the body.

2. to promote the growth and development of the body, maintain reproductive functions of the body.

3. to warm and promote all the viscera physiological functions into full play.

Zong-qi

(Pectoral qi)

The fresh air inhaled by the lung + the food nutrients absorbed and transported by the spleen.

Pectoral qi accumulates in the chest, which can infuses into the heart and the lung, and flows in the vessels and respiratory tract. 

1. To warm and nourish the heart vessels to maintain their functions in transporting qi and blood.

2. To warm and nourish the lung and the upper respiratory tract to maintain their nfunctions in governing respiration and vocalization.

Ying-qi

(Nutrient qi,

or nutrient yin)

Nutrient qi comes from the most essential part of the food nutrients.

Inside the vessels

1. To transform into blood.

2. To nourish the whole body.

Wei-qi

(Defensive qi, or defensive yang)

1. To warm and nourish the body.

2. To protect the body against pathogenic factors.

3. To warm and nourish the superficies, and regulate sweat to protect the body against pathogenic factors.

Written by Hu Xiaohua

Medboo TCM training center