Vital Substances: Blood

Formation of Blood

  • The main source of Qi and Blood is the Spleen and Stomach

  • The Stomach digests food and the Spleen transforms that into Food Qi

  • Food Qi is sent to the Lungs, then to the Heart, where it is transformed into Blood with the help of Original Qi

  • “If Qi is not exhausted, it returns essences to the Kidneys to be transformed into Essence; if the Essence is not depleted, it returns Essence to the Liver to be transformed into Blood”

  • Kidney Essence produces Marrow; Marrow is one of Extra Fu organs that contributes to making Blood

  • Original Qi from Kidney contributes to the transformation of Food Qi into Blood in the Heart

  • The production of Blood involves not only Post-Heaven, the Spleen and Stomach, but also Pre-Heaven, the Kidneys

  • Within the Blood Vessel, there is Nutritive Qi that secretes Body Fluids, which can be transformed into Blood

  • Inside the Blood Vessels, Body Fluids transform into Blood, and outside of the Blood Vessels, Blood transforms into Body Fluids 

  • Blood can be made from Qi, Essence, Marrow, and Body Fluids

  • Production of Blood involves the Stomach, Spleen, Lungs, Heart, Kidneys, and Liver

Circulation of Blood

  • Circulation of Blood involves the Heart, Lungs, Spleen, and Liver 

  • The Heart “governs Blood and Vessel” 

  • The Lungs not only “control channels and Blood Vessels,” but also “govern Qi

  • “Qi moves, Blood follows; Qi stagnates, Blood congeals” 

  • Qi is the “commander of Blood,” and Qi is the force behind the circulation of Blood 

  • The Spleen “controls Blood” 

  • The Spleen keeps Blood circulating within the Blood Vessels and prevents it from leaking out  

  • The Liver “stores Blood” and “maintains the free flow of Qi”

  • The Liver regulates Blood volume

  • The Liver is closely related to Ren and Chong channels, and uterus

  • The Heart, Lungs, and Liver are involved with the “transporting” functions of Qi

  • The Spleen and Liver are involved with the “holding” functions of Qi

Functions of Blood

  • Blood is Yin so it nurtures

  • Blood nourishes and moistens Qi 

  • “Qi is the commander of Blood and Blood is the mother of Qi”

  • Blood nourishes and replenishes Essence

  • Blood nourishes various tissues and organs

  • Blood is the material foundation for Qi and Mind

Next, we are going to learn about the fourth Vital Substance, Body Fluids. If you have any feedback or questions about the material covered, please don’t hesitate to contact at junhwa@tcmexplained.com. Until next time. 

* The content is provided only for education purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

References

1. Cheng, Xinnong, ed. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion. 3rd ed. Fifteenth Printing 2014. Beijing: Foreign Languages Press, 2012.

2. Kaptchuk, Ted J. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000.

3. Maciocia, Giovanni. The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone, 2015.