Guest guest Posted April 4, 2000 Report Share Posted April 4, 2000 The concept of Blood in TCM is similar to that in Western medicine but there are some differences. The concept of Blood in TCM contains some ideas that found in Western medicine. There's a close relationship between Blood and Qi in TCM. Blood is the " mother of Qi " , and Qi controls Blood. Where Qi goes, Blood follows. Thus, Qi Stagnation can lead to Blood Stasis. Likewise, Blood Stasis can affect Qi flow. It's not unusual for Qi-regulating and Blood- regulating herbs to be prescribed at the same time. Keep them both moving. Blood nourishes and moistens tissue throughout the body. In this sense, the TCM definition of Blood is similar to that of Western medicine. The concept of how proper Blood is formed differs radically in TCM from the Western model because the TCM concept of Blood differs some from that of the Western concept of blood. In TCM, there is a blueprint in Original Qi for the formation of Blood. The Original Qi is what an individual gets from the parents. The Spleen extracts the Grain Qi from food and carries it to the Lung. There, the Nutritive Qi transforms it into Blood. The final step is when the purified Air Qi (which the Lung extracts from air) mixes with the Blood to activate it. Western physiology puts the accent on the physical formation of blood cells; TCM puts the accent on what invigorates the Blood. It's the usual form in Western medicine vs. function in TCM. Understanding the TCM concept of Blood is going to have some practical, healing applications. Later you'll learn how Blood Stasis and Qi Stagnation can create pain and lumps in the body and interfere with healthy processes. You'll also be hearing more about Blood and Nutritive Qi (as well as Protective Qi and Qi) when you study Virulent Heat Evils. Virulent Heat Evils is a model for some infectious diseases. Cold-induced Evils is a model for other infectious diseases. Both can be fatal if not treated properly, but the Virulent Heat Evils can get really nasty. Some of the things that can go wrong with Blood include Blood Deficiency, Stagnant or even Congealed Blood, and Hot Blood. Victoria --== Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ ==-- Share what you know. Learn what you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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