Decoding Qi: Understanding the Harmony of Human Physiology

The Yellow Emperor inquired of Qi Bo: “Human essence, energy, and spirit are vital substances for maintaining normal physiological functions. Meridians are pathways through which Qi and blood flow, nourishing the tendons and bones, lubricating the joints. Defensive Qi can warm the muscles, nourish the skin, and regulate the opening and closing of the sweat pores. Human willpower governs the spirit, gathers the soul, adapts to climate changes, and regulates emotions. When the blood vessels are unobstructed and harmonized, Qi and blood flow smoothly throughout the body, nourishing the body, strengthening the tendons and bones, and lubricating the joints. When the functions of Defensive Qi are normal, the muscles are supple, the skin is soft and lustrous, and the interstitial spaces are tight. When the willpower is focused, the spirit is concentrated, the mind is sharp, the soul is stable, avoiding emotional disturbances such as regret and anger, thus preventing the five viscera from being attacked by pathogenic factors. When cold and heat are balanced, the six bowels can transform food grains, preventing diseases like wind syndrome and Bi syndrome, and making the meridians unobstructed and the joints flexible. This describes the normal physiological state of the human body.”

“The five viscera store the essence, energy, blood, and soul, while the six bowels transform and transport water and food, distributing fluids. These functions are endowed by nature and are unrelated to one’s intelligence, virtue, or superficiality. However, some people live to an old age without being invaded by pathogenic factors, remaining strong even through harsh weather, while others fall ill despite staying indoors without emotional stress. Why is this so? Please explain.”

Qi Bo replied: “This question is difficult to answer. The physiological functions of the five viscera are in harmony with nature, conforming to the principles of yin and yang changes, and are connected to seasonal variations, corresponding with the five elements of the five seasons. Each of the five viscera has its own differences in size, position, strength, and alignment, while the six bowels vary in size, length, thickness, curvature, and tension. These twenty-five variations, manifesting as either good or bad, should be elaborated. Allow me to explain further.”

“If the heart is small, the spirit is restrained and stable, making it less susceptible to pathogenic factors but prone to sorrow. If the heart is large, one is less prone to sorrow but more susceptible to pathogenic factors. If the heart is positioned too high, it compresses the lungs, causing stagnation of lung Qi, leading to irritability, forgetfulness, and stubbornness. If the heart is positioned too low, it disperses the essence, making one easily affected by cold and frightened by words. If the heart is firm, the essence is stable and well-guarded. If the heart is weak, one is prone to consumptive diseases and heat syndromes. If the heart is properly aligned, the essence and blood are harmonious, making it difficult for pathogenic factors to invade. If the heart is misaligned, one’s character is unstable and indecisive.”

“If the lungs are small, there is little retention of pathogens, preventing shortness of breath. If the lungs are large, there is more retention of pathogens, leading to chest obstruction and throat blockages, causing conditions like Qi reversal. If the lungs are positioned too high, it causes upward flow of Qi, leading to shoulder lifting and coughing. If the lungs are positioned too low, they are close to the diaphragm, causing pressure on the stomach and leading to subcostal pain. If the lungs are firm, one is less prone to coughing and Qi reversal. If the lungs are weak, one is prone to consumptive diseases. If the lungs are properly aligned, the lung Qi is harmonized and unobstructed, preventing invasion by pathogens. If the lungs are misaligned, it leads to chest pain.”

“If the liver is small, the essence is stable, preventing subcostal pain. If the liver is large, it compresses the stomach, leading to conditions like diaphragm obstruction and subcostal pain. If the liver is positioned too high, it supports the diaphragm and presses against the ribs, causing fullness and shortness of breath. If the liver is positioned too low, it presses against the stomach, making one susceptible to invasion by pathogenic factors. If the liver is firm, the essence is stable and not easily invaded by pathogens. If the liver is weak, one is prone to consumptive diseases. If the liver is properly aligned, the liver Qi is smooth, preventing pathogenic invasion. If the liver is misaligned, it causes subcostal pain.”

“If the spleen is small, the essence is stable, making it difficult for pathogenic factors to harm. If the spleen is large, it causes fullness and pain in the subcostal area, affecting one’s ability to move freely. If the spleen is positioned too high, it causes pulling pain in the subcostal area. If the spleen is positioned too low, it presses against the large intestine, making one susceptible to pathogenic invasion. If the spleen is firm, the essence is stable, preventing pathogenic invasion. If the spleen is weak, one is prone to consumptive diseases. If the spleen is properly aligned, the spleen Qi is strong, preventing pathogenic invasion. If the spleen is misaligned, it leads to abdominal distention.”

“If the kidneys are small, the essence is stable, making it difficult for pathogenic factors to harm. If the kidneys are large, it causes lumbar pain and limits one’s ability to bend and stretch, making one susceptible to pathogenic invasion. If the kidneys are positioned too high, it causes back pain and limits movement. If the kidneys are positioned too low, it causes lumbar and pelvic pain and may lead to conditions like hernia. If the kidneys are firm, one is less prone to lumbar pain. If the kidneys are weak, one is prone to consumptive diseases and susceptible to external pathogenic invasion. If the kidneys are properly aligned, the kidney Qi is abundant, preventing pathogenic invasion. If the kidneys are misaligned, it causes lumbar and pelvic pain.”

These are the twenty-five common variations in the five viscera and six bowels.

The Yellow Emperor asked: “How can we understand the size, position, firmness, alignment, and inclination of the five viscera?”

Qi Bo replied: “People with a reddish complexion and fine skin texture tend to have a small heart. Those with a coarse skin texture generally have a large heart. If the xiphoid process of the sternum is not prominent, the heart is positioned high. If the xiphoid process is short and protrudes like a chicken’s chest, the heart is positioned low. People with a long xiphoid process have a firm heart, while those with a soft, small, and weak xiphoid process have a fragile heart. If the xiphoid process points straight down and is not protruding, the heart is aligned properly. If the xiphoid process deviates to one side, the heart is inclined and not aligned correctly.”

“People with a pale complexion and fine skin texture tend to have small lungs. Those with a coarse skin texture generally have large lungs. Individuals with high, prominent shoulders and a protruding chest but recessed throat have their lungs positioned high. Those with retracted armpits and outwardly expanded ribs have their lungs positioned low. If the muscles in the shoulders and back are thick, the lungs are firm. If the muscles are thin and weak, the lungs are fragile. Individuals with well-proportioned and firm muscles in the chest and back have properly aligned lungs, while those with skewed and sparse ribs have misaligned lungs.”

“People with a bluish complexion and fine skin texture tend to have a small liver. Those with a coarse skin texture generally have a large liver. Individuals with a broad chest and high, outwardly protruding ribs have their liver positioned high. Those with low and inwardly retracted ribs have their liver positioned low. People with well-developed and strong chest and flank muscles have a firm liver, while those with weak ribs have a fragile liver. Individuals with a well-proportioned and well-developed chest and abdomen have a properly aligned liver, while those with skewed and protruding ribs have a misaligned liver.”

“People with a yellowish complexion and fine skin texture tend to have a small spleen. Those with a coarse skin texture generally have a large spleen. If the upper lip is upturned and everted, the spleen is positioned high. If the upper lip is drooping and loose, the spleen is positioned low. People with firm lips have a firm spleen, while those with large but not firm lips have a fragile spleen. Individuals with symmetrical and well-proportioned lips have a properly aligned spleen, while those with asymmetrical lips have a misaligned spleen.”

“People with a dark complexion and fine skin texture tend to have small kidneys. Those with a coarse skin texture generally have large kidneys. Individuals with high ears have their kidneys positioned high. Those with ears that are retracted backward have their kidneys positioned low. People with firm ears have a firm kidney, while those with thin and weak ears have a fragile kidney. Individuals with well-aligned ears close to the jawline have properly aligned kidneys, while those with asymmetrical ears have misaligned kidneys.”

“These conditions vary, but by understanding these patterns and adjusting accordingly, one can maintain health. If not managed well, these conditions can lead to various diseases.”

The Yellow Emperor said: “That is well explained. However, I want to know why some people rarely get sick and live long, even when subjected to severe emotional stress or harsh environmental conditions, while others fall ill despite staying indoors without any emotional disturbances. Why is this so?”

Qi Bo responded: “The five viscera and six bowels are the places where internal and external pathogenic factors reside. Allow me to explain the reasons behind this. People with all small viscera rarely get invaded by external pathogenic factors but are often anxious and worried. Those with all large viscera are slow and calm, making it difficult for them to worry. Individuals with all viscera positioned high are often ambitious. Those with all viscera positioned low are more content with their status. People with all firm viscera rarely get sick. Those with all fragile viscera frequently suffer from illnesses. Individuals with all properly aligned viscera have harmonious temperaments, are upright and well-regarded. Those with misaligned viscera are often selfish, greedy, and cannot maintain harmonious relationships.”

The Yellow Emperor inquired: “I wish to understand the corresponding relationships between the six bowels and other body parts.”

Qi Bo explained: “The lungs correspond to the large intestine and the skin. The heart corresponds to the small intestine and the blood vessels. The liver corresponds to the gallbladder and the tendons. The spleen corresponds to the stomach and the muscles. The kidneys correspond to the triple burner and bladder and the interstitial spaces and body hair.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “How do the six bowels correspond to other body parts?”

Qi Bo elaborated: “The lungs correspond to the skin. If the skin is thick, the large intestine is thick. If the skin is thin, the large intestine is thin. People with loose skin and large abdomen have a loose and long large intestine. Those with tight skin have a tight and short large intestine. Individuals with smooth skin have an unobstructed large intestine. Those whose skin is not well attached to the muscles have a knotted and obstructed large intestine.”

“The heart corresponds to the blood vessels. Individuals with thick skin have thick blood vessels and a thick small intestine. Those with thin skin have thin blood vessels and a thin small intestine. People with loose skin have loose blood vessels and a large and long small intestine. Those with thin and weak skin and blood vessels have a small and short small intestine. Individuals with winding blood vessels in the regions of the three yang meridians have a knotted and obstructed small intestine.”

“The spleen corresponds to the muscles. People with thick and firm muscles have a thick stomach. Those with thin and weak muscles have a thin stomach. Individuals with small and weak muscles have a not firm stomach. Those with thin and disproportionate muscles have a prolapsed stomach. A prolapsed stomach causes the stomach’s lower orifice to be poorly regulated. People with not firm muscles have a loose stomach. Those with small granular muscles have a tightly bound stomach. Individuals with many small granules in their muscles have a knotted and obstructed stomach Qi. An obstructed stomach Qi causes the stomach’s upper orifice to be poorly regulated.”

“The gallbladder corresponds to the nails. People with thick and yellowish nails have a thick gallbladder. Those with thin and reddish nails have a thin gallbladder. Individuals with hard and bluish nails have a tightly bound gallbladder. Those with soft and reddish nails have a loose gallbladder. People with normal white and unmarked nails have smooth gallbladder Qi. Those with abnormal black and marked nails have knotted and obstructed gallbladder Qi.”

“The kidneys correspond to the bones. Individuals with dense and thick skin texture have a thick triple burner and bladder. Those with coarse and weak skin texture have a thin triple burner and bladder. People with loose skin texture have a loose triple burner and bladder. Those with tight skin without body hair have a tightly bound triple burner and bladder. Individuals with beautiful and dense body hair have smooth triple burner and bladder Qi. Those with sparse body hair have knotted and obstructed triple burner and bladder Qi.”

The Yellow Emperor asked: “While the thickness and quality of the viscera and bowels have certain indications, what about their pathological changes?”

Qi Bo replied: “The viscera and bowels correspond to the exterior body tissues. By observing the external body tissues, one can understand the condition of the viscera and bowels, thereby identifying the internal pathological changes.”