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The western reader who is having difficulty understanding the concepts of Qi and Jing will not find things getting any easier when discussing the nature and significance of Blood in Chinese medicine. Blood in Chinese medicine is not merely the physical substance that id recognized as blood in Western medicine. Closely allied to Qi, it nourishing the body and the shen.
Chinese medicine sees Blood as a very material and fluid manifestation of Qi. In considering Blood we will slightly alter the focus of our discussion, looking at origin of blood functions of blood interrelationships with blood disharmonies of blood. |
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It is thought there are two ways in which blood is produced for use throughout the body.
As will be seen, in Chinese medicine, the Spleen, Stomach, Lungs, Heart, and Kidneys all have important roles to play in the development of blood.
1.Transformation of blood
Food and Drink are transformed into Blood, starting with the Spleen. The Spleen extracts Gu Qi from the food ingested into the Stomach and this is sent upward to the chest area. The Lung Qi begins the process of transformation into blood, and the Gu Qi is then sent from the lungs to the Heart where the Yuan Qi and Jing facilitates the further transformation into Blood.
2. The action of marrow
Marrow is also involved in the process of the production of blood. In this instance, the Jing that is stored in the Kidneys produces Marrow. This is turn produces Bone Marrow, which further contributes to the manufacture of blood. |
It is thought there are three main functions of Blood in the body.
1.Nourishing the body
Probably the most important function of Blood is that by continuously circulating throughout the body it carries nourishment with it to all the organs, muscles, tendons, and so on. Remember that in Chinese medicine, blood is seen as an aspect of Qi and as such it helps carry the nutritive aspects of Qi.
2.Moistening the body
Being a fluid, blood has an important role in moistening and lubricating throughout the body.
3.Aiding the mind (Shen)
Chinese medicine sees the blood as helping to anchor the mind, allowing for the development of clear and stable through processes. When an individual is blood-deficient, there can be a tendency toward irritability and anxiety because the blood is not adequately anchoring the mind. |
Blood has important relationships with all the Yin organs (zang) of the body. This will be discussed in greater detail when we look at the function of the various organs.
It is, however, worth saying a little more about the intimate interdependency between the Blood and Qi. Blood is an aspect of Qi. Qi can be considered Yang with respect to blood since it is more ethereal; and ,by implication, blood is considered Yin with respect to Qi since it is more tangible. This close relationship can be seen in the following ways.
*Qi produces blood.
*Qi mones blood around the body.
*Qi holds the blood in the blood vessels.
*Blood nourishes Qi.
The Chinese sum up this close relationship between Qi and Blood by stating that Qi is the commander of blood, and blood is the mother of Qi. |
Three main types of blood disharmonies are thought to exist.
1. Deficient Blood (Xue xu)
If blood is deficient, this is usually connected with the Spleen ' s ability to move Gu Qi for blood production. Typically, this can lead to pale complexion, dry skin, and dizziness on occasions.
2. Stagnant Blood (Xue Yu)
If Qi is weak or stagnant, it may fail to move the blood adequately, thus leading to stagnation of blood. Typically, this will lead to attacks of sharp and often intense pain. There may also be the development of tumors.
3.Heat in the Blood
This usually results from internal heat generated by the disharmony of another organ-usually the liver. Heat in the blood can lead to skin conditions and mental/emotional problems, among many other disharmonies. |
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