In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), all forms of life are regarded as being animated by an essential life force or vital energy called chi. Human chi is either inherited from parents or derived from substances in nature such as air, food and water. But chi has various definitions in Chinese culture: it may refer to a gas, a particular property, function or even the weather. For example, evil chi – also referred to as exogenous evils – are outside influences that invade the body and cause disease. Normal body chi, which promotes health and prolongs life, is the other extreme of the many kinds of energy, It’s difficult to find a word or phrase that completely describes the nature of chi. Most often, it’s best defined according to its functions and properties. Chi circulates through the organs, muscles, skin and meridians, providing the power source for viral activities. Meridians are the pathways along which chi flows. Acupuncture uses points along these pathways to unblock clogged chi flow. In a gaseous state, air contains more kinetic heat energy than in its liquid state. Like air, chi also contains heat energy for the body. Being a heat source, chi warms the body and keeps it at a constant temperature so normal physiological functions can take place. A chi deficiency, therefore, can lead to lowered body temperature, intolerance of cold and cold limbs. Chi also defends against attacks by exogenous evils. In western terms, this functions like the immune system. Chi also retains the body’s substances and organs by holding everything in its proper place. For example, chi keeps the blood flowing within the vessels and monitors the secretion and excretion of sweat, urine, saliva, stomach and intestinal juices, as well as consolidating the organs so they can’t migrate out of their proper position. If these chi functions fail, problems such as spontaneous sweating, haemorrhaging, urinary incontinence, diarrhea, premature ejaculation, and stomach or kidney prolapse may occur. Chi also possesses so-called transformation functions, which are important for the metabolism of blood and body fluids. Chi refines these substances and transforms them into essence or vital energy. Certain chi actions allow food to be changed into a nutrient essence, indigestible food and water products are also transformed by chi into urine and stool for excretion. The organs and meridians possess their own chi, which works in definitive patterns. Spleen chi ascends the pure part of digestive food for transformation into nutrient essence to be distributed throughout the body. Stomach chi pushes food into the intestines to remove its impurities. Both the spleen and stomach are regarded as the sources of chi and blood. Another example is heart chi. It’s responsible for circulating chi and blood. Lungs are important organs for chi. They rule chi and are responsible for normal respiration, which depends on chi descending downward into the body. Disharmonious movement of chi sometimes leads to health problems. Nu understanding how chi is formed, TCM has identified important factors for maintaining health. By eating a healthy diet and breathing fresh air, the body extracts its most valuable essences and uses them to help form the energy that’s essential for normal bodily functioning. Rose Tse and Angela Collingwood are editors for Shen-Nong, a subsidiary of Integrated Chinese Medicine. Before taking any medicine, consult your TCM or general practitioner Rose Tse and Angela Collingwood info@shen-nong.com Edited by Suzanne Harrison suzanne.harrison@scmp.com Published: May 30, 2005 Source: South China Morning Post