What is “Qi”?
Qi has a number of core functions in the body. It transforms, transports, and holds. When qi is abundant, flowing and circulating harmoniously through our bodies, we feel at east, “in the flow” and full of energy. We can feel resourceful, impervious to the elements.
Qi is the motivator that transforms the air we breathe and the food we eat into vital substances that nourish the body; the qi itself, the blood and body fluids. Qi and Yang are considered part of each other – the act of transforming needs Yang and Qi.
Qi motivates, activates, and warms the body by helping it maintain normal body temperature. As Yin is related to blood and cooling, Qi is related to Yang and warming.
When the Qi is strong, it serves as a force shield protecting the body from external climactic influences like cold, wind, damp, heat, and dryness. Qi warms and protects the body via an aspect of itself known as defensive Qi, which can be equated with the western concept of the immune system.
To ensure optimal health, we need to tend to our Qi with good food, exercise, and rest. An illness or unresolved body or emotional tension, the free and abundant flow of Qi is affected, disrupting the harmonious flow of Qi.
What is Qi Stagnation?
Stagnation of Qi can be likened to a bad traffic jam in the body. With Qi stagnation, tension is the overriding experience: tense muscles, headaches, feeling uptight, short fused and stressed out, and shallow breathing are signs that the Qi is stagnant.
What causes Qi stagnation?
Modern life being on 24-7 constant stimulation, overwork, hormonal imbalances, stress, stress and more stress and too much alcohol consumption, poor quality food, overeating, other like overdose of coffee and spicy food. When Qi is stagnant, it aggravates premenstrual syndrome symptoms, includes headaches, digestive disturbances (such as irritable bowel syndrome IBS) and constipation.
REDUCE OR AVOID foods that are greasy, fatty or too spicy and tend to overheat the body; excessive alcohol and coffee consumption.
ADD FOODS THAT EAST AND MOVE QI Pungent vegetables such as Radish, Leeks and Ginger, herbs and spices, basil, fennel and rose. What is Qi Deficiency?
Qi deficiency is marked by the pervasive feeling of not having enough energy to get going in the morning or get through the day. The condition is prevalent when you are the one who keeps catching old. It is also marked by low appetite, a general feeling of weakness, looking pale and not having the energy to project your voice and energy. Stress, prolonged illness or lack of adequate rest and nourishment, compounded by overwork and a feeling of burnout, can lead to qi deficiency. A change of lifestyle habits, such as food intake, rest, exercise, and stress management can improve the situation.
AVOID FOODS THAT DO NOT BUILD QI foods straight from the fridge, which are cold, excessive raw food, dairy products. Tofu, cooling beverages such as green tea and beer, hot spices such as hot peppers.
ADD FOOD THAT BULD QI Whole grains such as brown rice and oats, nuts and seeds, sweet vegetables such as pumpkin. Tonic herbs such as astragalus or cordyceps. What is Rebellious Qi?
It exist in different forms. When we eat food, it naturally moves down to the stomach and through the digestive system, but in some cases, the stomach rebels and food moves upwards, causing symptoms like nausea, hiccups…etc. Coughing is another example of rebellious Qi and also the body natural response to expel phlegm and mucus.
AVOID FOOD THAT AGGRAVATE QI REBELLION Caffeine and alcohol, greasy and fatty food, heaty or spicy food such as garlic or hot pepper chilli.
ADD FOODS THAT CALM REBELLIOUS QI Food that are light and easy to digest, such as light vegetable soup, congee, miso soup and ginger. (Ginger helps to calm and harmonise digestion.) *The above information is for reference/sharing purposes only.
《This information should not be used as a substitute for the advice given to you by a Chinese medicine practitioner. If you are in doubt, please consult your practitioner in charge. " *以上资料供为参考。 《此信息不应替代中医师提供给您的建议。如果您有疑问，请咨询您的中医师。》
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