Qi + Blood: Inseparable Besties
Qi and Blood are inseparable. In fact, Blood is Qi, just in a very dense form.
When compared to each other, Qi is Yang and Blood is Yin. This essentially means that Qi is the more moveable, active, insubstantial, warm energy, and Blood is the more static, slow-moving, substantial, cool energy. For the body to function well, these two energies need to be in balance, or as close to balance as possible.
Let’s explore the four main features of the Qi-Blood relationship.
Qi Generates Blood
From Qi comes Blood. Specifically, Blood is made from from Food-Qi (extracted by the Spleen) and its production is enabled by Lung-Qi (which pushes the Food-Qi to the Heart to make Blood).
Qi Moves Blood
Qi is the driving force of Blood. It provides the Yang moving force to the Yin substance of Blood. Without sufficient Qi movement, Blood can stagnate.
Qi Holds Blood
Qi holds Blood in the blood vessels to avoid bleeding. In particular, one of the main functions of the Spleen is to carry out this action, as its Qi has a lifting and holding movement. Kidney-Qi is also responsible for holding Blood in the Uterus.
Blood Nourishes Qi
Blood provides the nourishment needed to sustain Qi. In addition, Blood nourishes Qi in the way that it provides an anchor for Qi, preventing it from ‘floating’.
Given these four characteristics of the Qi-Blood relationship, it is said that: