Qi, first originates from nature, completing gas exchange through respiration, and more importantly, stems from the refined essence of water and grains transformed by the spleen and stomach.Yet within the daily consumption of food and drink lies the mystery of how qi is generated and transformed within the body.
In traditional Chinese medicine theory,The spleen and stomach are the source of qi and blood productionIt governs the pivotal mechanism of qi's ascent and descent, akin to the "power plant" for the production and circulation of qi and blood in the body. How do the spleen and stomach nourish the qi of the entire body?
Today, let me talk about this invisible yet crucial health "engine".
The spleen and stomach are the source of qi and blood production and serve as the pivot for the ascent and descent of qi throughout the body
The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon states:The spleen and stomach are the officials of the granary, from which the five flavors are derived.This statement highlights the central role of the spleen and stomach in the generation of qi and blood and the movement of qi in the human body. The spleen and stomach govern the transportation and transformation of food and water, responsible for generating qi and blood, and regulating the ascending, descending, entering, and exiting of qi throughout the body, primarily manifested in the aspects of "ascending" and "descending".
1、 升 —— 升清益气
After eating, the spleen and stomach transport and transform water and grains, sending the refined substances from food upward to the heart and lungs, where they combine with the clear qi inhaled by the lungs to form sufficient ancestral qi and qi-blood. These clear yang qi ascend and spread, on one hand nourishing the head, face, and sensory organs, keeping the mind clear and the complexion rosy; on the other hand, they replenish the organs and meridians, providing energy to various parts of the body. Additionally, the spleen's function of raising the clear can also secure the internal organs, preventing prolapse. This is the key role of "ascending."
2. Lowering - Reducing Turbidity and Detoxifying
While the spleen and stomach ascend the clear, they also need to transport the waste after metabolism downward to the large intestine and bladder for excretion. Only when the stomach's descending function is normal can food be smoothly digested, preventing abdominal distension and fullness; when waste descends smoothly, issues such as constipation, belching, and acid reflux will not occur. This ascending and descending, like the interaction of heaven and earth's qi, maintains the dynamic balance of the body's qi mechanism.
Two, Spleen and Stomach Imbalance, Signals of the "Power Plant" Shutting Down
When the spleen and stomach, the "power factory," become dysfunctional, the production of qi and blood is insufficient, and the ascending and descending of qi is abnormal, the body will manifest variousWarning SignsDigestion:poor appetite, abdominal distension after meals, belching and acid reflux, loose or dry stoolsInsufficient qi and blood manifests asLimb weakness, listlessness, sallow complexion, dizziness, and palpitationsQi sinking downward will manifest asGastroptosis, Uterine ProlapseUpward counterflow of stomach qi can also causenausea and vomiting, continuous hiccupsThese are typical symptoms of the imbalance between the "ascending" and "descending" movements of the spleen and stomach qi. Therefore, the spleen and stomach are the source of qi and blood production, serving as the most crucial pivot for the ascending and descending of qi within the body, controllingClear yang ascends, turbid yin descendsThe law of operation.
Three, Conditioning
How to repair the function of the spleen and stomach, so that the production of qi and blood has a source, and the rise and fall of qi is orderly? Strengthening the spleen and harmonizing the stomach is the key link, which can be assisted by Chinese patent medicines:Xiangsha Liujun Wan。
Composition:Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Citrus reticulata, Pinellia ternata, Aucklandia lappa, Amomum villosum
Fang JieStrengthen the foundation of spleen and stomach transportation and transformation: Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, Licorice root
These four herbs are classicFour Gentlemen Decoctionis the core combination for invigorating the spleen and replenishing qi. Codonopsis pilosula tonifies the middle and replenishes qi, Atractylodes macrocephala invigorates the spleen and dries dampness, Poria cocos promotes diuresis, drains dampness, invigorates the spleen, and calms the mind, while Glycyrrhiza uralensis replenishes qi and harmonizes the middle. The combination of these four herbs is like adding bricks and tiles to the "power plant" of the spleen and stomach, enhancing their transportation and transformation functions, fundamentally improving the ability to generate qi and blood, and alleviating symptoms of spleen deficiency such as limb fatigue, poor appetite, and loose stools.
Regulate the ascending and descending pathways of qi movementTangerine Peel, Pinellia, Costusroot, Amomum Fruit
Tangerine Peel regulates qi and strengthens the spleen, dries dampness and resolves phlegm; Pinellia dries dampness and resolves phlegm, lowers adverse qi and stops vomiting. When used together, they can resolve dampness in the spleen and stomach, improving symptoms such as abdominal distension and belching caused by internal phlegm-dampness obstruction. Costus Root promotes qi circulation and relieves pain, strengthens the spleen and aids digestion; Amomum Fruit transforms dampness and stimulates appetite, warms the spleen and stops diarrhea. These two herbs promote qi circulation without depleting qi, both promoting the movement of spleen and stomach qi to relieve abdominal distension and pain, and awakening the spleen and stimulating the appetite to improve acid reflux and belching, restoring the normal rhythm of "ascending the clear and descending the turbid" in the spleen and stomach qi.
The entire formula combination, withThe spleen and stomach are the source of qi and blood productionBased on the cube, starting from "Strengthen the spleen and replenish qiandRegulating Qi and Harmonizing the MiddleTwo perspectives in formulation, both tonifying the deficiency of the spleen and stomach and regulating the qi of the spleen and stomach, tonifying without stagnation, warming without dryness, suitable for various digestive discomforts and symptoms of qi and blood deficiency caused by spleen and stomach weakness and poor qi circulation.
IV. Classic Patient Improvement Cases
Last autumn, a 58-year-old Mr. Wang came to see me for a consultation, saying he had beenAbdominal distension and acid reflux, general fatigueThe problem has persisted for over two years. Usually, after eating a little greasy or cold food, the sensation of acid reflux and heartburn surges upward. There is constant belching after meals, and I always feel weak, becoming breathless after climbing just two flights of stairs. Additionally, my stool has been loose and shapeless for years.
I observed his tongue was pale with a white greasy coating, and his pulse was soggy and slow. The pattern differentiation isspleen and stomach weakness with internal phlegm dampness obstructionHowever, his symptoms did not respond well to the use of Xiangsha Liujun Pills alone. Therefore, a tailored treatment plan based on Xiangsha Liujun Pills was formulated for him: using Xiangsha Liujun Pills as the foundational formula, he was instructed to take it at the conventional dosage. Additionally, considering his pronounced phlegm-dampness and significant fatigue,fried coix seed, fried hyacinth beanCoix seed strengthens the spleen and removes dampness, while hyacinth bean strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the middle. When combined with Xiangsha Liujun Wan, they enhance the effect of strengthening the spleen and removing dampness.
I also reminded him to have regular meals, eat less raw, cold, and greasy food, and take a 10-minute walk after meals to help the spleen and stomach with digestion.
After persisting with the treatment for one month, Mr. Wang returned for a follow-up visit, reporting that his bloating and acid reflux had significantly improved, his stools were gradually becoming more formed, and he felt more energetic. Continuing with the same prescription for another two months, his discomfort symptoms almost completely disappeared, his complexion changed from sallow to rosy, and he felt rejuvenated. He reflected, "Only when the spleen and stomach are healthy does the body truly feel comfortable!"
V. Conclusion
The qi, blood, and qi movement within the body, though invisible, are omnipresent, sustaining and propelling the operation of life. The spleen and stomach, as the source of qi and blood production and the pivot of qi movement, nourish the organs and the entire body, much like the quietly functioning "logistics manager" in a household. Beyond understanding its operational rules, it requires maintenance through daily lifeEat regular meals, avoid raw, cold, and greasy foods, do not lie down immediately after meals, and maintain a cheerful mood.
