Acupuncture and Qi

[Guest guest]

> what is Qi . . . life force energy ?

 

That's a workable definition at this point.

>

> So if the acupuncturist says my Qi is weak and says that the

acupuncture

> will help that, it sounds like you are saying it is indirectly

raising Qi?

 

Yes. It's helping the Spleen and perhaps the Lungs to work more

efficiently. These are the two main Organs involved in accumulating

Qi. The Stomach " rottens " and " ripens " the food (and drink), and the

Spleen extracts the Grain Qi from it and carries it to the Lungs

where it mixes with the Air Qi. If the Spleen or Lungs are weak, they

are not properly extracting Qi. If the Spleen is weak, it also has

trouble transporting what Grain Qi it does extract to the Lungs. So

by strengthening the Spleen and Lungs, they are better able to

extract and transport Qi.

 

Sometimes acupuncture is enough to get Qi up. But sometimes herbs

and diet are needed too.

 

> What else besides herbs will raise Qi ?

 

Some foods are Qi tonic. The word " tonic " in TCM hebalism means that

somethings supplements. Qi tonic herbs, Blood tonic herbs, Yin tonic

herbs, and Yang tonic herbs.

 

But some foods also have Qi tonic properties. Like mackerel, herring,

dates, coconut meat, ell, etc.

 

BUT, TCM dietary advice is more than just " add this to your diet " .

What hurts the Spleen? The thing that bothers the Spleen most of all

and weakens it is Dampness. So stay away from or limit foods that

are Damp-engendering like dairy and wheat. The Spleen also is very

vulnerable to Cold, so limit foods with cooling thermal energy, limit

or eliminate raw foods, and stay away from chilled foods and drinks,

especially ice in your drinks. Let them warm up a bit first.

 

Also be careful not to get too cold. Dress warmly in cold weather.

Stay out of damp areas. Get enough rest because overdoing damages

the Spleen. So does being pensive.

[Guest guest]

Chinese Natural Cures by Henry C. Lu, ISBN 1-57912-056-3.

 

Among other things, this book goes into the TCM properties of a

number of foods.

 

This is a book your local library should be able to get for you.

After checking out a copy and seeing that it was what I needed, I

bought a copy for myself.

 

Blue Poppy also has some dietary books.

 

I'm going to toss out some information that won't mean anything at

present to some of the readers new to TCM, but I want them to keep it

in mind for future reference. The TCM idea of a balanced meal is one

that contains all 5 flavors in the rough ratios the person needs.

Bitter, sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Lu's book also gives the

flavors of various foods. TCM Materia Medicas (lists of herbs and

other healing substances and their properties - sort of like a TCM

PDR but for herbs) will list the flavor(s) of herbs.

 

Each of the flavors has an affinity for certain Organs. For the

Spleen, it's the sweet flavor. Sometimes herbal formulas for the

Spleen will include sugar in the formula.

 

Salty has an affinity for the Kidneys. Some formulas for the Kidneys

will include the directions to take a pinch of salt with the tea.

 

Too little or too much of a certain flavor relative to what the

person needs can be harmful.

 

I know all this information is overwhelming, but the sooner one has

an overall view of the " forest " the quicker the " trees " start to come

into focus.

 

For those new to the list and new to TCM, TCM Ograns are not

equivalent to the anatomical organs of the same name.

[Guest guest]

> What else besides herbs will raise Qi ?

 

Some breathing exercises also can help to raise it. Remember, the air

has Qi too. Part of the Qi in the body is coming from Qi extracted

from air.

[Guest guest]

victoria_dragon wrote:

> > What else besides herbs will raise Qi ?

>

>Some breathing exercises also can help to raise it. Remember, the air

>has Qi too. Part of the Qi in the body is coming from Qi extracted

>from air.

>

 

 

Pray tell, which breathing exercices :-)

 

Thank you !

 

Cat

 

 

^. .^ ~

 

" Optimism is magic! "