Research On The Theory Of Nutrient Qi

The theory of nutrient qi originates in the Huangdi Neijing,which details the generation,circulation,physiological functions and pathological change of nutrient qi,forming a unique theory of nutrient qi.As an important material of human life,nutrient qi circulates regularly and stably in the meridians and spreads all over the body.And the zang-fu organs,skeletons,body hairs and orifices are all nourished by it,so the diseases from slight illness at the beginning to serious illness with long time are all closely related with nutrient qi.In contrast with the visible physical organs such as zang-fu organs,blood vessels,the concept of nutrient qi is more abstract,and more difficult to understand,so few people through the ages analyses it systematically.In the modern research on the TCM,because of the invisible and unmeasurable characteristics of nutrient qi,the studies of it are few.But for mastering and utilizing the TCM theory in its entirety and in depth,the theory of nutrient qi must be known well.The author searches a lot of ancient and modern literatures,focusing on the deep excavation of the Huangdi Neijing,and systematically cards and studies the theory of nutrient qi by means of literature research.The main contents are as follows:The first part: Relevant discussion about nutrient qi in Huangdi Neijing: The meaning of “nutrient”,the source and circulation of nutrient qi,the relationship between nutrient qi and zang-fu organs and tissues of human body.The generation of nutrient qi depends on the infusion of essence of water and grain transformed by zang-fu organs,while it provides the nutrient source for the regular functions of zang-fu organs.Nutrient qi circulates in the twelve meridians,stably and rhythmically,the real-time running rhythm of which is corresponding with the movement of celestial bodies,forming the foundation of the midnight-midday ebb flow theory in later ages.The second part: Brief introduction of the views of nutrient qi by some ancient doctors: "Cold injuring nutrient qi,wind injuring defense qi" by Zhang Zhongjing;Differentiate pathological change of nutrient qi and defense qi based on the floating and deep of pulse manifestation by Cheng Wuji;Close relation between nutrient qi and defense qi,and lung,spleen,kidney by Qi Shi(Ming Dynasty);Transmission and change system of warm disease by Ye Tianshi;Nutrient qi inheriting the liver's characteristics of warming up and dispersing,defense qi inheriting the lung's characteristics of depurative descending and concealing by Huang Yuanyu.Middle qi as the root of transformation of nutrient qi and defense qi by Peng Ziyi,and so on.The third part: Nutrient qi circulates regularly and stably in the meridians,with rhythm,which is real-time,corresponding with the movement of heaven and earth.It is the foundation of human life,and the physiology and pathology of human body are the external manifestations of its regular circulation.So the slight illness at the beginning and serious illness are all close related with nutrient qi,such as the beginning of common cold because of evil qi disrupting the circulation of nutrient qi,and even serious illness with blood vessel deficiency because of exhaustion of nutrient qi.From the aspect of nutrient qi,this paper discussed the common symptoms in clinic,such as common cold,insomnia,hemiplegia and exhaustion of nutrient qi.