Qi-Regulating Medicines: Tonifying Qi, Moving Qi, and Descending Qi

Definition:

Qi-regulating medicines, also known as “Li Qi” medicines in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), are used to address imbalances in Qi (vital energy) that lead to various health problems.

• Qi Deficiency (Qi Xu): This refers to a weakened state of Qi, insufficient to nourish the organs and support bodily functions. It often manifests as fatigue, shortness of breath, pale complexion, and poor digestion.

• Qi Stagnation (Qi Zhi): This describes an obstruction or blockage of Qi flow, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, irregular menstruation, and emotional distress.

• Qi Reversal (Qi Ni): This involves Qi flowing in the wrong direction, typically upward, causing conditions like coughing, asthma, hiccups, bloating, and heartburn.

Classification:

Based on their actions and mechanisms, Qi-regulating medicines are primarily categorized into two groups:

• Qi-Moving and Stagnation-Resolving (Hành Khí Giải Uất): This group aims to unblock Qi flow, alleviate pain, and address symptoms associated with Qi stagnation, such as bloating, indigestion, nausea, anxiety, irregular menstruation, and emotional tension.

• Qi-Descending and Reversal-Correcting (Phá Khí Giáng Nghịch): This group targets Qi reversal, directing Qi back to its proper flow pattern. It’s commonly used for conditions arising from Qi going upward, including coughing, asthma, hiccups, bloating, and belching.

Examples of Qi-Moving and Stagnation-Resolving Medicines:

• Cyperus Rhizome (Hương Phụ):

• Part Used: Rhizome

• Properties: Slightly pungent, slightly bitter, neutral in nature

• Meridians: Liver, Spleen, Triple Energizer

• Chemical Constituents: Essential oils, phenolics

• Actions: Moves Qi, alleviates pain, relieves stagnation, regulates menstruation, aids digestion, clears Liver heat.

• Turmeric Rhizome (Uất Kim):

• Part Used: Branching rhizomes

• Properties: Pungent, bitter, cool in nature

• Meridians: Liver, Heart, Gallbladder, Lung

• Chemical Constituents: Curcumin (colorant), essential oils, starch

• Actions: Moves Qi, promotes blood circulation, clears Liver toxicity, promotes bile flow, stops bleeding, clears heat and dampness, eliminates phlegm, resolves stagnation.

• Tangerine Peel (Trần Bì):

• Part Used: Dried peel of ripe fruit

• Properties: Pungent, bitter, warm in nature

• Meridians: Spleen, Lung

• Chemical Constituents: Essential oils, hesperidin, vitamins A and B

• Actions: Moves Qi, harmonizes digestion, stops nausea and diarrhea, resolves phlegm, dries dampness, suppresses coughing.

• Magnolia Bark (Hậu Phác):

• Part Used: Bark of stem

• Properties: Pungent, bitter, warm in nature

• Meridians: Spleen, Stomach, Lung, Large Intestine

• Chemical Constituents: Magnolola, essential oils

• Actions: Moves Qi, eliminates dampness, lowers Qi, alleviates asthma, clears the Large Intestine, stops diarrhea, relieves colds, and treats malaria.

• Saussurea Root (Mộc Hương):

• Part Used: Root

• Properties: Pungent, bitter, warm in nature

• Meridians: Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine, Liver

• Chemical Constituents: Essential oils, alkaloids

• Actions: Moves Qi, alleviates pain, soothes the Liver, lowers blood pressure.

• Angelica Root (Ô Dược):

• Part Used: Root

• Properties: Pungent, warm in nature

• Meridians: Lung, Spleen, Kidney, Bladder

• Chemical Constituents: Alkaloids, essential oils

• Actions: Harmonizes Qi, warms the middle burner (middle Jiao).

Examples of Qi-Descending and Reversal-Correcting Medicines:

• Immature Citrus Fruit (Chỉ Thực):

• Part Used: Unripe fruit that falls naturally from sour or sweet orange trees

• Properties: Bitter, pungent, sour, warm in nature

• Meridians: Spleen, Stomach

• Chemical Constituents: Alkaloids, glycosides, saponins

• Actions: Descends Qi, aids digestion, alleviates pain, resolves phlegm, and treats edema.

• Citrus Peel (Chỉ Xác):

• Part Used: Peel of unripe citrus fruit, split in half before drying

• Properties: Bitter, pungent, cool in nature

• Meridians: Spleen, Stomach

• Chemical Constituents: Alkaloids, glycosides, saponins

• Actions: Descends Qi, transforms phlegm, aids digestion, detoxifies, and expels wind.

• Tangerine Peel (Thanh Bì):

• Part Used: Green peel of the Tangerine fruit

• Properties: Bitter, pungent, warm in nature

• Meridians: Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach

• Chemical Constituents: Essential oils

• Actions: Clears Liver Qi, alleviates pain, moves Qi, and aids digestion.

• Rosebud (Thị Đế):

• Part Used: Receptacle (calyx) of the Rose fruit

• Properties: Bitter, neutral in nature

• Meridians: Stomach

• Chemical Constituents: Tannins

• Actions: Descends Qi, corrects Qi reversal.

• Agarwood (Trầm Hương):

• Part Used: Wood of the Aquilaria tree

• Properties: Bitter, pungent, warm in nature

• Meridians: Spleen, Stomach, Kidney

• Chemical Constituents: Essential oils

• Actions: Descends Qi, alleviates asthma, warms the middle burner, alleviates pain, promotes urination, and lubricates the intestines.

Important Considerations:

• The use of Qi-regulating medicines should be supervised by a qualified TCM practitioner.

• Self-medication with Qi-regulating medicines is discouraged due to potential side effects and interactions.

• These medicines may not be suitable for everyone, particularly pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, individuals with diabetes, low blood pressure, or other specific conditions.

• Proper storage is crucial to maintain the quality and efficacy of Qi-regulating medicines.

Conclusion:

Qi-regulating medicines play a vital role in addressing various health issues related to Qi deficiency, stagnation, and reversal. Selecting the appropriate medicine and using it correctly can effectively improve health conditions. However, patients must follow the guidance of a TCM practitioner for safe and effective treatment.