💨 What is Qi (氣)?
In the classical text Huangdi Neijing, 274 different concepts of Qi are used. Even among practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, the question “What is Qi?” remains a hot topic without complete consensus.
💡 This is too complex and unnecessary to discuss with patients during brief consultations. However, since the concept is well-known through popular media, I’d like to organize it once in a simple, accessible way.
🌊 The Core Concept of Qi (氣): ‘Flow’
In Eastern philosophy, ‘Qi’ has been used in various concepts to explain natural and life phenomena. If we roughly find a common thread:
Qi (氣) = ‘Flow’
💡 Precision of Expression
We usually say “Qi flows,”
but more precisely, “that which flows is Qi.”
The Concept of ‘Qi’ in Nature:
💨 Flow of Air → Qi that explains the cause of wind
💧 Flow of Water → Qi that explains the power of rivers flowing
🩸 Flow of Blood → Qi that explains circulation in living beings
🌍 Interesting Fact: Ancient Eastern philosophers believed that not only living beings but also objects influence each other through some kind of flow. This worldview allowed them to understand that tides occur due to the influence of the Earth and Moon long before Western science proved it.
🏥 The Concept of ‘Qi’ in Medical Diagnosis
When we move to human body phenomena, Qi is used in quite limited concepts. Let’s examine how traditional Chinese medicine uses ‘Qi’ as a concept to explain human life phenomena. More specifically, let’s discuss ‘Qi’ as diagnostic terminology.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Describes ‘Qi’ in Two Main Ways
1️⃣
Qi is Weak
2️⃣
Qi is Stagnant
📉
1. Weak Qi = Decreased Metabolic Function
In Modern Medical Terms: A state of fatigue and lack of energy due to problems in the process of converting food and drink into energy
Main Symptoms:
🔍 Most Important Clinical Symptom
“No Appetite”
When metabolism decreases, you basically don’t feel hungry. In clinic, when a patient complains of fatigue, the first thing I ask is “Are you hungry?”
💡 Diagnostic Tip: If despite fatigue the patient is very hungry, it’s often not a metabolic decline problem, and we need to find other causes.
Treatment Methods:
Representative Herb:
🌿 Ginseng (Renshen, 人參)
Representative Acupoint:
📍 ST36 (Zusanli, 足三里)
✅ Confirming Treatment Effect: When appetite returns, it’s a sign that treatment is progressing well.
If your practitioner diagnoses you and says “Your Qi is weak”
→ Understand it as “My metabolic function is decreased”
😰
2. Stagnant Qi = Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance
In Modern Medical Terms: A state where the balance of the autonomic nervous system (consisting of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves) is disrupted due to stress
Main Symptoms:
🔍 Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Detailed Classification
Traditional Chinese medicine distinguishes between initial stress response states and the inflammation and edema that appear when autonomic nervous system imbalance persists for a long time, treating each differently.
Inflammatory State:
Huo (Fire, 火) or Re (Heat, 熱)
Edema State:
Shi (Dampness, 濕) or Tan (Phlegm, 痰)
Treatment Methods:
Representative Herbs:
🌿 Chai Hu (Bupleurum, 柴胡)
🌿 Xiang Fu (Cyperus, 香附)
Representative Acupoints:
📍 LR3 (Taichong, 太衝)
📍 GB34 (Yanglingquan, 陽陵泉)
If you hear “Your Qi is stagnant,” don’t be alarmed
→ Just think “I’m under a lot of stress”
📋 Summary
💚 Conclusion
The concept of ‘Qi (氣)’ may sound complex and abstract,
but in clinical practice, it’s used with this concrete and practical meaning.
Next time your practitioner says “Your Qi is weak” or “Your Qi is stagnant,”
you’ll now understand exactly what they mean.
This article is based on the knowledge and clinical experience of Dr. Byoungjin Na, Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine, with editorial and organizational assistance from ChatGPT and Claude AI.
Dr. Byoungjin Na, Dr.TCM
Director of GreenLeaf Acupuncture & Herb Clinic
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind.
GreenLeaf Acupuncture & Herb Clinic
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