You get out of it what you put in. Part II

A discussion on what goes into the body would not be complete without the discussion of Qi. Without it there would be no life. If it's path in the body is interrupted there is pain and discomfort. So, the presence and circulation of Qi represents health and life. There are many different kinds of Qi and each interacts with the body in it own way. Two basic forms of Qi are Da Qi and Gu Qi.

The Qi we breathe is called Da Qi or Qi of the air. It affects the Lung system (Capital L is the TCM model of the lung, small l is the western model of the lung). Pure sweet air gives us better results than foul polluted air. The ability of the Lung to take in Qi becomes affected when lungs fill up with stale stagnant air. We need to be able to push out the stagnant air to make room for fresh air. In TCM the Lung represents a system; it works as do all the other organ systems as part of a larger system. The lung system starts at the nose and includes the skin. When there are problems with the lung system there is asthma, allergies, shortness of breath on exertion, nose and throat disorders.

Another type of Qi is Qu Qi or Grain Qi this Qi is extracted from the food we eat. Good quality and nutritive food and drink produces similar quality of Qi for the body to use. Qu Qi is rotted by the Stomach, then the Spleen transmits Gu Qi to the Lung where it provides the energy used for various purposes. The quality of Grain Qi directly affects the our immediate energy output. Good digestion is the result of a good Spleen and Stomach system. Problems in this area include indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, regurgitation and anorexia or other eating disorders. Too many sweets and greasy fats produce a sticky goo or damp in the body which is difficult to eradicate. This system starts in the mouth.

The quality of what you eat, drink or inhale affects the quality of the Qi. Once inside the body these substances have to be transformed to their purest form so that the body can get the ultimate use from it. Fortunately, there is help to transform food, drink and air. It's called Tai Qi and Gi Gong, movements that involve postures, breath and at times meditation. Tai Qi/Gigong is not a magic bullet. It works as part of a system with good food, rest and common sense about health practices.