Qiqing (七情) refers to the emotional responses of human consciousness to external stimuli. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is believed that appropriately expressing emotions can benefit physical health, while repression or excessive expression can harm the body. To address emotional issues, one must cultivate the heart and mind, gradually becoming aware and managing emotions, and nurturing oneself.TCM categorizes emotions into seven types: joy, anger, worry, thought, sadness, fear, and shock, with corresponding relationships to the five organs: excessive joy harms the heart, excessive anger harms the liver, excessive worry harms the spleen, excessive sadness harms the lungs, and excessive fear harms the kidneys.A normal person, when encountering events, may feel a little joy, a little anger, a little sadness, and a little fear, which will not harm the body. Only when these emotions are excessive will they affect health.The fluctuations of emotions can influence the movement of Yang Qi (阳气) within the body, and different emotional fluctuations affect the trajectory of Yang Qi differently. The Huangdi Neijing (《黄帝内经》) summarizes this as: anger causes Qi to rise, joy causes Qi to slow, fear causes Qi to descend, shock causes Qi to become chaotic, sadness causes Qi to dissipate, worry causes Qi to gather, and excessive thinking causes Qi to stagnate.
1
Anger Causes Qi to Rise
When one is angry, Yang Qi rises. This is why some people turn red in the face and neck during intense arguments; the Yang Qi pushes blood upward, causing a sudden rush of blood to the face, resulting in redness.There is an interesting term in ancient China: “anger causes hair to stand on end” (怒发冲冠). The excess blood in the body generates hair, and when a person is angry, the blood rushes to the head, causing the hair to stand up and even lifting the hat. Although this is an exaggerated expression, it reflects the common understanding of TCM in ancient society.Severe anger can lead to acute illnesses such as stroke and cerebral hemorrhage. When blood Qi rushes to the head, blood vessels that are usually congested can easily rupture, leading to cerebral hemorrhage. Additionally, if a person who is usually weak experiences a sudden rush of blood Qi to the head, they may faint, allowing cold pathogens to enter the body, resulting in paralysis.Many elderly individuals on television have died from anger caused by family disputes, which has some truth to it. During severe illness, the body is very weak, and the last bit of Yang Qi resides in the kidneys. If a family member provokes anger, the last bit of Yang Qi may rise, leading to a phenomenon known as “returning light” (回光返照), where the face turns red before the Yang Qi departs, resulting in death.Therefore, when patients are very weak or after surgery, it is important not to provoke strong emotions.In daily life, anger can harm the liver and gallbladder, especially for those who tend to bottle up their anger, leading to liver Qi stagnation. The emotion of anger actually consists of two processes: the first stage is liver Qi stagnation, where the body becomes agitated due to anger, causing immediate stagnation. The second stage is the release, where the liver attempts to clear the stagnation, causing Qi to rise and emotions to be expressed through language and actions.People who bottle up their anger remain stuck in the first stage, unable to release the stagnated Qi. If liver Qi stagnation occurs occasionally, it is not a major issue, as the body can self-regulate. During sleep, the body can naturally eliminate some negative emotions, and the stagnated Qi may be released through bodily functions, such as flatulence. For example, some people may feel much better after a good night’s sleep or after massaging certain acupuncture points.Although the body has a self-clearing ability, frequent suppression of anger may overwhelm this ability, leading to increasingly severe liver Qi stagnation, resulting in symptoms such as chest and rib fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, and bitter dry mouth, due to liver Qi not flowing smoothly and gallbladder Qi reversing.Moreover, liver and gallbladder issues often accompany gastrointestinal symptoms, as the liver and gallbladder are associated with wood, while the gastrointestinal tract is associated with earth. Wood overcomes earth, so individuals who experience bloating and diarrhea when angry likely have liver and gallbladder issues. By soothing liver Qi, these symptoms can be alleviated. Many chronic stomach issues are also related to liver and gallbladder problems, which is why TCM often combines liver-soothing herbs with treatments for stomach conditions, leading to quick recovery.
2
Joy Causes Qi to Slow
A mild sense of joy is very beneficial for the body. The Huangdi Neijing states: “Joy harmonizes Qi and allows the will to flow, thus Qi becomes gentle.” When a person feels joy, the Yang Qi flows smoothly throughout the body, clearing previously stagnant areas, allowing the Yang Qi to move at a gentle pace. Note that in TCM, “gentle” does not mean slow, but rather a harmonious state.Once Yang Qi flows smoothly, it can better nourish the skin, which is why there is a saying: “A smile can take ten years off your age.” Those who maintain a joyful disposition not only stay healthy but also appear younger. Some may argue that those who laugh often develop many wrinkles; however, this is not the case. Wrinkles form when muscles relax and Yang Qi is insufficient to reach the face, preventing the transport of blood and moisture. Over time, without the nourishment of blood and moisture, the skin becomes dry and wrinkles appear. For example, children, who often smile, do not develop wrinkles because they have abundant Yang Qi.However, excessive joy can harm the heart. For instance, some people faint from overwhelming joy upon winning the lottery. Any emotion taken to extremes can harm the body. Excessive joy can cause Qi to slow down rather than remain gentle. Have you ever noticed that after a hearty laugh or a moment of great joy, you may feel less motivated to do anything? This is a sign that Qi has slowed down, leading to a state of lethargy.
3
Fear Causes Qi to Descend
Some people turn pale when frightened because the blood Qi descends. Others may experience incontinence due to fear, as Yang Qi descends. If a person has weak Yang Qi below, they may lose control of the urinary tract and anus, leading to involuntary expulsion of waste. This situation is more common in the elderly, who often have weak Yang Qi.The kidneys are responsible for storing vital essence, which is essential for growth, bone marrow formation, and reproductive functions. However, when a person experiences excessive fear, Yang Qi descends, leading to incontinence, and even the vital essence stored in the kidneys may be expelled along with waste. In extreme cases, individuals may die from shock.It is important to note that not only sudden fright can harm the kidneys; prolonged exposure to fear can gradually deplete the vital essence in the kidneys, leading to a pale complexion and lack of energy. This is due to the descent of Qi, which prevents blood Qi from reaching the face, and the gradual loss of vital essence due to chronic fear.
4
Sadness Causes Qi to Dissipate
Some sadness can last for a long time, such as after a breakup or the death of a loved one. As mentioned earlier, sadness causes Qi to dissipate. Prolonged sadness and intense grief can easily lead to Yang deficiency, weakening the body’s resistance. Some individuals who are already weak may faint from crying. Patients who remain in a state of prolonged sadness find it difficult to recover, as their Yang Qi is continuously consumed by the emotion of sadness, preventing recovery.Sadness also harms the lungs, as lung Qi tightens during sadness, preventing the expulsion of stagnant air and phlegm. Over time, this leads to an accumulation of waste gases and tightness in lung Qi, resulting in lung disease.Many ancient stories recount individuals who died from excessive grief over the loss of a spouse or parent, succumbing to illness months later. This is due to the excessive consumption of Yang Qi, which prevents the expulsion of pathogenic factors, leading to the development of fatal diseases.
5
Excessive Thinking Causes Qi to Stagnate
When a person overthinks, Qi tends to stagnate, as all attention is focused on the thoughts at hand. Consequently, Yang Qi is concentrated in the brain, leading to stagnation over time. This stagnation can result in insomnia; many people experience this when they think too much, leading to restless nights filled with dreams due to the stagnation of Yang Qi in the brain, preventing the spirit from descending to the kidneys.When a person is deep in thought, the digestive function of the spleen and stomach diminishes, as Yang Qi is concentrated in the brain. The spleen and stomach, deprived of energy, may weaken over time. Consider the intense study periods during high school; many may have noticed a decline in digestive function, sometimes even losing the desire to eat or feeling weak after eating.The spleen and stomach are the source of postnatal Qi, which supports the spirit and daily activities. A significant portion of Yang Qi is derived from the transformation of food by the spleen and stomach. Additionally, the spleen and stomach categorize the essence of food according to the needs of various organs. Therefore, individuals with long-term poor spleen and stomach function may appear emaciated, fatigued, and frequently ill, not only due to Yang deficiency but also due to the lack of nourishment to the five organs. Thus, it is essential to balance work and rest, limiting prolonged periods of intense thought, and taking breaks to relax, as excessive focus on a single issue can be detrimental to health.
6
Shock Causes Qi to Become Chaotic
Shock and fear are often linked, but shock primarily disrupts the spirit, causing unease, while fear is more about dread. Sudden shock can lead to a disordered state of mind, making it difficult to concentrate, resulting in chaotic Qi movement. During such times, the pulse may be erratic, and the individual may feel mentally and emotionally disorganized.Frequent chaotic Qi can easily lead to blood stasis and prevent Yang Qi from properly protecting the body. It is worth noting that children are particularly susceptible to shock; they may cry at night or appear flustered after being startled, indicating that their spirit is disturbed. A small amount of Fu Shen (茯神) powder can be given to them.
7
Worry Causes Qi to Gather
The final emotion is worry, which arises when the mind cannot balance reality with expectations. Worry involves fearing that bad things will happen, while anxiety involves hoping for good outcomes; both reflect a conflict between present circumstances and future expectations. Our minds can only deal with the present, and when we focus on the future or distant matters, we may feel helpless, leading to worry.During worry, Qi tends to gather; instead of being dispersed to protect the body, it becomes concentrated, leading to Yang deficiency on the surface, making one more susceptible to illness. Prolonged worry can also lead to liver Qi stagnation, negatively impacting both the liver and spleen.
This discussion on emotional illness aims to remind everyone not to experience extreme joy, sadness, fear, or anger, as these can be detrimental to health. While external treatments and medications can address emotional-related illnesses, true healing begins with cultivating the heart and mind, gradually becoming aware and managing emotions, and nurturing oneself!