Yang Qi is the essence of life; it is a manifestation of Yang energy. Therefore, Yang Qi is crucial for our health, and nurturing it is essential for both wellness and healing. Only by understanding the significance of Yang Qi can we avoid unnecessary depletion of our vital energy.
Through our efforts, we hope to help more people recognize that Yang Qi is the key to our life and health. Daily activities, diet, lifestyle habits, and medicinal treatments must not harm Yang Qi. Only by nurturing Yang Qi can we achieve better health and longevity. In truth, supporting Yang is the primary method for wellness and healing, and it is the only method. Although the terms warming Yang, supporting Yang, and unblocking Yang differ, their essence is the same. Supporting Yang focuses on replenishing deficiency, warming Yang emphasizes dispelling cold, and unblocking Yang primarily aims to transform turbidity; ultimately, all three methods are about supporting Yang.
So how do we support Yang? With this article, I hope to avoid repeating explanations to readers. I encourage readers to widely share this article so that everyone can understand the importance of supporting Yang and thus improve their health. I wish every patient could prioritize supporting Yang for a swift recovery. May every reader nurture their Yang Qi to maintain health and stay away from illness.
What does Yang Qi mean for the human body?
Our life is a manifestation of Yang Qi, and healing or wellness must focus on Yang Qi. Recovery from illness occurs when pathogens retreat and Yang Qi is stabilized; health is maintained when Yang Qi is abundant, preventing the invasion of pathogens. Thus, Yang Qi is the root, while pathogens are the symptoms. Healing often requires addressing both root and symptoms, but one must never lose sight of the root. No medical approach should focus solely on pathogens while neglecting Yang Qi; dispelling pathogens is important, but supporting Yang is the key to recovery.
◎ What is life?
Life is a manifestation of Yang Qi, originating from the sun. If Yang Qi does not disperse, life continues. Wellness is about nurturing this Yang Qi within our bodies, preventing it from weakening due to Yin pathogens or extinguishing due to excessive emotions. Ancient sages advocated methods of wellness that align with Yin and Yang, fundamentally focusing on supporting Yang. Therefore, as long as Yang Qi is sufficiently nurtured, the fire of life will continue, and living to an old age is possible. Yang Qi is the foundation of life, and wellness is about supporting Yang.
Under normal circumstances, our diet should balance cold and hot foods, mixing cool and warm items to maintain Yang Qi. However, if one’s constitution is already weak and cold, it is essential to consume more warming foods to enhance Yang Qi. Thus, individuals with Yang deficiency should prioritize supporting Yang, such as drinking ginger syrup in the morning and avoiding cold foods.
Life is a manifestation of Yang Qi; when Yang Qi is strong, vitality is robust; when Yang Qi is weak, vitality diminishes. The spirit is the expression of life; when vitality is strong, the spirit is bright; conversely, when vitality is weak, the spirit is dim. The spirit is governed by the heart; when heart fire is bright, the spirit is sufficient; externally, it is reflected in the eyes, which shine when the spirit is abundant. Children have abundant Yang Qi, allowing them to play energetically without fatigue; their spirits are full, making it easy for them to memorize things.
Life is a manifestation of Yang Qi; to enhance vitality, we must nurture this Yang Qi. In life, we must not waste Yang Qi; it must be preserved and supported. Sleep is the best method to support Yang; we need to rest at appropriate times, sleeping at night and waking in the morning, aligning our daily routines with the rhythms of nature. Sleeping at night conserves Yang Qi, allowing it to rest, and upon waking in the morning, Yang Qi rises with the sun, filling us with vitality.
When there is Yang Qi, if it circulates freely, then dampness and illness will dissipate. Occasionally, when Yang Qi is insufficient or obstructed, the body may temporarily store dampness, toxins, and metabolic waste, which may manifest as lipomas, stones, hyperplasia, cysts, fatty liver, tumors, etc. If such conditions are discovered, they are merely temporary physiological changes. Once Yang Qi is sufficient and the transformation function is enhanced, these products will naturally disappear. As long as life exists, the body will have Yang Qi and the ability to transform. Our daily diet provides energy from food, all relying on the transformation function of Yang Qi. Simultaneously, the normal excretion of toxins and waste also depends on this transformation function. If Yang Qi is strong and the transformation function is normal, then toxins can be smoothly expelled; if Yang Qi is deficient, the transformation function will be abnormal, leading to pathological metabolic products that accumulate in the body, resulting in disease.
◎ Cold pathogens harm the body, the root of all diseases
Health requires an appropriate body temperature; having body temperature is a manifestation of Yang Qi. Cold pathogens harm Yang Qi the most. Zhang Zhongjing’s “Treatise on Febrile Diseases” identifies cold damage as the source of all diseases, which is fundamentally based on this principle. When cold pathogens enter the body, they contend with Yang Qi; either the righteous Qi prevails and the pathogen retreats, leading to recovery, or the righteous Qi is weak, allowing the pathogen to invade, resulting in the transmission of disease through the six meridians. Zhang Zhongjing explored the patterns of disease caused by cold pathogens, which reflect the strength and decline of Yang Qi at different levels of the six meridians.
Life is dynamic; our bodies are in constant change. We need daily nourishment and will also metabolize waste that must be expelled. If the body’s Yang Qi is insufficient or the organ functions are weakened, the ability to expel waste will decline, resulting in the accumulation of waste in the body. If, after some time, the body’s Yang Qi recovers or organ functions normalize, the previously accumulated waste will be expelled. This principle also applies to the occurrence and treatment of tumors.
◎ Yang Qi: Ascending, Descending, Entering, and Exiting
When Yang Qi in the body can ascend, descend, enter, and exit, life is vibrant and continuous. Yang Qi primarily disperses upwards, allowing Qi to flow from within to the outside, which can uplift the spirit; Yang Qi primarily consolidates downwards, allowing Qi to flow from the outside to the inside, which can stabilize the foundation. Heart Qi should be soft above, while Kidney Qi should be firm below; softness disperses Qi, while firmness gathers Qi.
When Yang Qi is weak in its ascent or fails to rise, salty flavors can be used to soften the heart. Conversely, if Yang Qi excessively ascends without descending, or Qi rises without descending, bitter flavors should be used to strengthen the kidneys.
Some people worry that long-term exposure to sunlight due to work will affect their health. On one hand, life is a manifestation of Yang Qi, and the sun is the source of Yang Qi; on the other hand, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west daily, influencing the rise and fall of Yang Qi in our bodies. Therefore, we should frequently bask in the sun, which helps to promote the rise of Yang Qi in accordance with the rhythms of nature and balances Yin and Yang, allowing the clear to rise and the turbid to descend. Those who do not get enough sunlight are particularly prone to depression, which is the reason for this.
◎ The spirit is not sleepy
There is a saying: “The spirit is not sleepy.” The heart governs the spirit, and the spirit is a manifestation of Yang Qi. When heart Qi is strong, Yang Qi is abundant, illuminating brightly, and the spirit remains undiminished, leading to no fatigue or sleepiness. Conversely, those with insufficient heart Qi have weak spirits, dimness, and naturally feel drowsy. I have observed that many individuals with excessive phlegm-dampness easily fall asleep and can sleep for long periods. Some people even fall asleep at traffic lights, while others snore within three seconds of resting their heads on a pillow; these are reactions of insufficient Yang spirit and the dispersion of Yin dampness.
◎ Yang Qi can consolidate and retain Yin fluids
If there is Yang deficiency in any part of the body, it will lead to sweating, known as spontaneous sweating. This is another situation of sweating. If Yang Qi is disturbed internally and leads to sweating, it needs to be consolidated; if Yang Qi is insufficient and leads to sweating, it needs to be supported. Sweating is the result of Yang acting on Yin, so the key to treating sweating lies in treating Yang. By grasping the deficiency and excess of Yang Qi and the locations in the six meridians, one can understand the essence of sweating disorders. Similarly, sweating disorders require treatment of Yang, and discomforts such as pain, itching, numbness, and functional disorders should be treated likewise. The importance of Yang Qi cannot be overstated. “Yang deficiency is a common issue among modern people and the root of many diseases. Many men excessively deplete their Yang Qi, have irregular diets, experience significant stress, and lead sedentary lifestyles, resulting in spleen dampness, weak digestion, and difficulty controlling weight. Many women, in pursuit of beauty and vanity, wear insufficient clothing, blindly diet, and consume excessive cold foods, leading to imbalances in Qi and blood, cold-related menstrual pain, and a significant increase in uterine fibroids.”
◎ Yang Qi and disease treatment
In traditional Chinese medicine, treating major illnesses focuses on supporting the righteous Qi and then dispelling pathogens, as supporting the righteous Qi can save lives, while dispelling pathogens can treat diseases. The righteous Qi is life, and it is also a manifestation of Yang Qi. To preserve life, one must protect this Yang Qi; thus, one should not excessively use cold and cooling substances that extinguish Yang Qi, nor should one excessively attack and deplete it. Only by nurturing Yang Qi can one ensure survival. If, in the name of treating disease, one deprives a life that can still be sustained, this is not a reliable form of medicine but rather a form of theft or malevolence. Some people ask why they can feel several lumps under the skin in certain areas. I say: Wherever Yang Qi is absent in the body, there will be stagnation of Yin dampness, phlegm, and water, which may aggregate into lumps, hyperplasia, nodules, obesity, cysts, etc. Some individuals may find they have breast hyperplasia, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, hepatic hemangiomas, or lumbar hyperplasia. All hyperplasia, cysts, fibroids, and lumps are manifestations of Yin dampness stagnation, fundamentally caused by the inability of Yang Qi to circulate. Therefore, the key to treating diseases is to support and unblock Yang, allowing Yang Qi to flourish, thus enabling the expulsion of turbid toxins, phlegm, and dampness, preventing them from accumulating and causing harm. When Yang Qi flows freely, all symptoms can be resolved.
◎ Yang transforms Qi, Yin forms shape
Many women experience ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids; what is the reason? Traditional Chinese medicine believes: Yang transforms Qi, while Yin forms shape. If Yang Qi is insufficient, Qi transformation is hindered, and Yin pathogens such as phlegm and dampness will stagnate, leading to the formation of cysts, hyperplasia, and lumps, which often occur in areas where Yang Qi is weakest. If the uterus is Yang deficient, it may lead to uterine fibroids; if the ovaries are Yang deficient, it may lead to cysts. The correct treatment is to support Yang to transform Qi and unblock Yang to expel turbidity. Many diseases formed by Yin dampness and blood stasis (such as various tumors, cysts, hyperplasia, lipomas, hemangiomas, etc.) require unblocking Yang and expelling turbidity. How to unblock Yang? One can use warming herbs such as Ma Huang (Ephedra), Xixin (Asarum), Fuzi (Aconite), Ganjing (Dried Ginger), and Wuzhuyu (Evodia), or acupuncture, especially moxibustion, which can support, strengthen, and unblock Yang, effectively transforming Yin dampness. Additionally, in daily life, one should avoid wind and cold, be cautious with daily routines, and regulate diet to prevent damage to Yang Qi, which is beneficial for recovery. Currently, many people suffer from blood stasis, which manifests as various colors (blue, purple, black, red) in the skin and as lumps, hyperplasia, and pain internally. Preventing blood stasis requires not only taking some blood-activating and stasis-resolving herbal formulas but also emphasizing the importance of supporting Yang. Sufficient Yang Qi and unblocking will allow Qi to transform, blood to disperse, and meridians to flow smoothly, preventing stasis. Methods to unblock Yang can include using warming herbs or acupuncture, especially during the summer, which can best support Yang, dispel cold, promote Qi flow, and invigorate blood circulation.
◎ Excessive Yin and Yang deficiency lead to three Yin syndromes
Individuals with excessive Yin and Yang deficiency are prone to illness, often presenting with three Yin syndromes. On one hand, Yang Qi is internally deficient and unable to rise; on the other hand, Yin cold, phlegm, dampness, and turbidity obscure and damage Yang Qi, creating a vicious cycle that leads to a continuous decline in constitution. To invigorate Yang, patients of this type must engage in regular exercise and pay attention to healthy living and dietary habits to uplift Yang Qi, gradually transforming some of the Yin dampness. If heavy moxibustion is used to support Yang, the effects will be even better. The head is the highest part of the body, receiving the most Yang Qi and is also the most susceptible to wind and cold pathogens. Therefore, in wellness practices, one should prioritize keeping the head warm and protected from wind; in cold or windy weather, wearing a hat is necessary. Hair not only dissipates heat from the head but also serves as a natural barrier to protect Yang Qi in the head. If one has already contracted wind and cold, it is not advisable to cut hair short immediately, as this would weaken the protective barrier of the head, making it easier for wind and cold pathogens to invade, potentially worsening a cold.
◎ Frequent colds – heavy moxibustion is best for supporting Yang
Some readers ask how to adjust their health when they have low resistance and frequently catch colds. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, what is referred to as resistance is the protective function of Yang Qi. When Yang Qi is abundant, the protective function is strong, and pathogens are kept at bay, making it less likely to catch a cold. If Yang Qi is weak, external pathogens can invade, leading to disharmony between the nutritive and defensive Qi, resulting in recurrent colds. The best method to support Yang Qi is through moxibustion. Regularly moxibustion on the Da Zhui (Dazhui) or Shen Zhu (Shenzhu) points can invigorate the Yang Qi of the Du meridian and enhance the body’s resistance. Both adults and children can benefit from moxibustion.
◎ The strength of Yang Qi determines the strength of the constitution
Many young people have weak constitutions. Analyzing the reasons, it may be due to heavy academic burdens and excessive worry, or significant work stress leading to the depletion of the spleen and the loss of nourishment for the postnatal essence. Additionally, not going to bed early causes Yang Qi to return to Yin at night, interacting with Yin and preventing the accumulation of strength for the next day’s Yang Qi rise. If one stays up too late, Yang Qi cannot interact with Yin and will be depleted externally; thus, staying up late is the most depleting of Yang Qi, leading to a poor constitution.
◎ Abnormal sweating is always due to Yang disturbance
If there is Yang Qi in any part of the body, normal sweating can occur; if there is an imbalance of Yin and Yang and Yang Qi is disturbed internally, then Yin fluids will leak out, leading to excessive sweating. Some people may only sweat from the head, indicating Yang Qi disturbance in the head; others may only sweat from the palms, indicating Yang Qi disturbance in the palms; and some may sweat from the chest, indicating Yang Qi disturbance in the chest. In summary, any abnormal sweating is due to Yang disturbance. One must first determine the location of Yang Qi disturbance and the level of the six meridians to effectively address the issue.
◎ Abnormal spirit disturbances
Clinically, I have seen patients who experience hallucinations or delusions. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, this is due to the inability of Kidney water to stabilize, causing internal fire to rise and disturb the spirit, resulting in abnormal mental states. The treatment requires gathering the floating fire and returning it to the Kidney water. One can use a method of drawing Yin to support Yang, employing seven parts Yang herbs and three parts Yin herbs, and taking them at night. This way, Yang roots in the lower body cannot rise, similar to how the summer solstice is the peak of Yang Qi while Yin is just beginning to emerge, harmonizing with the Yin of heaven and earth.
◎ All pain requires warming and unblocking Yang Qi
For acute joint pain, doctors often recommend cold compresses, claiming it can obstruct blood flow and relieve local swelling and pain. However, traditional Chinese medicine believes that all pain is due to the obstruction of Qi and blood. Heat promotes the flow of Qi and blood, while cold causes stagnation. Therefore, for all types of pain, whether through internal medicine, external application, or acupuncture, it is essential to warm and unblock Yang Qi, promoting Qi flow and invigorating blood, rather than the opposite. If cold and cooling substances are misused, although there may be temporary relief, cold will linger, obstructing Qi and blood, leading to stasis and chronic conditions that are difficult to heal.
◎ Skin ulcers and sores require combined treatment with herbal medicine and moxibustion
Skin ulcers and sores are often due to underlying fire stagnation; their treatment should focus on clearing and draining this stagnation. It is beneficial to combine herbal medicine with moxibustion. Heavy moxibustion can draw out toxins, disperse fire, and also restore Yang, allowing the underlying fire to dissipate with the moxibustion heat, which is highly effective. Additionally, heavy moxibustion is warming and poses no risk of damaging the Yang Qi of the middle burner. Although skin ulcers and sores may present with heat, itching, redness, and swelling, one must avoid the excessive use of cold and cooling substances, which can lead to a lack of vital energy and prolong the condition, even causing complications. For treating acne, various sores, or wounds from injuries that do not heal, one can focus on the Shen Zhu (Shenzhu) and Da Zhui (Dazhui) points. The Shenzhu point is effective for treating abscesses and ulcers, promoting skin healing, and when combined with Dazhui, the effect is enhanced. The rationale is that Shenzhu is aligned with the Lung Shu point, which governs the skin and hair. The Du meridian is the sea of Yang meridians, overseeing the original Yang of the body, which is essential for growth and development. These two points can facilitate the smooth flow of Yang Qi throughout the body, allowing for natural healing of various sores.
◎ Yang decline and coma can be treated with heavy doses to support Yang
I once consulted on an elderly patient in the ICU of a Western hospital who had lung cancer surgery a month prior and had been in a coma, becoming increasingly weak. To prevent agitation, the doctors repeatedly administered sedatives, but the patient was losing vitality. At the family’s request, I tried traditional Chinese medicine. Upon examining the pulse, it was weak and feeble, and the limbs were pale and lifeless, but fortunately, the Foot Tai Xi (Taixi) pulse was still present. This indicated a decline in Yang Qi, with the spirit having no place to reside. I prescribed heavy doses of Yang-supporting herbs and instructed to stop the sedatives, and after three doses, the patient awakened. If there is garbage in a room, we often first collect it and package it before throwing it away. Before discarding it, we would never puncture the garbage bag, as it would cause the garbage to leak out. The same principle applies to the diagnosis and treatment of tumors. Any tumor is a “garbage” package of the body, which can often be expelled naturally when Yang Qi is strong, without the need for external interference. If one uses force to puncture the garbage bag to study its contents, this method is not wise.
◎ Elderly individuals with red palms indicate Yang Qi leakage
Some may ask why elderly individuals have persistently red palms. If both radial pulses are floating and strong, is treatment necessary? One’s life can be analyzed through the five elements: childhood is associated with wood, where Yang Qi rises; young adulthood is associated with fire, where Yang Qi disperses; old age is associated with metal, where Yang Qi should be contained. If an elderly person’s Yang Qi does not consolidate and instead floats outward, their palms may appear red, indicating Yang Qi leakage. At this time, herbal medicine or acupuncture should be used to help consolidate and retain the fire of the heart.
◎ All obesity is caused by the accumulation of cold, dampness, and turbidity
Dr. Li Ke believes that all obesity is caused by the accumulation of cold, dampness, and turbidity. In my view, Yang deficiency is the fundamental cause of obesity; overweight individuals often have a Yang deficiency constitution: when Yang is deficient, it cannot transform Qi, leading to the stagnation of Yin dampness, which accumulates and takes shape, resulting in obesity. Moreover, obesity can affect the smooth flow of Yang Qi, leading to conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and tumors. Therefore, supporting Yang is the fundamental principle for treating obesity; when Yang Qi is sufficient, Yin dampness will naturally disperse.
◎ Recovery from major illnesses requires a focus on supporting Yang to improve constitution
Recovery from major illnesses requires timely treatment, which addresses the symptoms; on the other hand, improving constitution is fundamental, which addresses the root cause. Treatment should not rely solely on surgery or Western medicine; traditional Chinese medicine can also be effective, whether through herbal formulas or acupuncture. Improving constitution requires a focus on wellness, integrating diet, emotions, exercise, and daily routines. Ultimately, recovery means uplifting Yang Qi in the body and expelling the Yin dampness that has accumulated within.
How to care for your Yang Qi
Life has many disappointments, but for the sake of health and longevity, and to enjoy life, we must strive to make ourselves happy.
◎ Health and Longevity
First, choose a profession you enjoy, as this is the source of happiness in life; second, fill your heart with sunshine; even when facing setbacks and failures, do not give up on pursuing happiness; third, consciously laugh heartily, as this will enrich the heart Qi, allowing Yang Qi to flow freely, dispelling gloom; fourth, forget all grievances. Humans are in harmony with nature; as the Yang Qi of heaven and earth changes, so should we. In spring, Yang rises, and human Yang Qi also rises, representing wood; in summer, Yang floats, and human Yang Qi also floats, representing fire; in autumn, Yang consolidates, and human Yang Qi also consolidates, representing metal; in winter, Yang hides, and human Yang Qi also hides, representing water. Earth represents the central Qi, the pivot for the rise, float, consolidation, and hiding of Yang Qi. Therefore, the five elements represent five states of change of Yang Qi. The five elements must be applied flexibly and should not be rigidly confined to five substances. Human Yang Qi is interconnected with the natural world, rising in the morning, consolidating in the afternoon, and hiding at night. The method of regulation should help Yang Qi rise in the morning; traditionally, there are formulas for Da Yang Dan (Great Yang Decoction) to primarily uplift Yang; in the afternoon, it should help Yang Qi descend, traditionally using Da Yin Dan (Great Yin Decoction) to primarily consolidate Yang. If there is a fever in the morning, it is often due to excessive Yang Qi rising, requiring appropriate consolidation; if there is a fever in the afternoon, it is often due to Yang Qi not descending, requiring assistance in its descent. For example, if there is a fever in the late afternoon, it is necessary to consolidate and descend Yangming.
◎ The method of preserving life is heavy moxibustion
What is life? It is a manifestation of Yang Qi. Heavy moxibustion can support Yang and is most suitable for wellness and preserving life. Commonly used heavy moxibustion points include Zu San Li (Zusanli), which can strengthen the spleen and stomach, replenish central Qi, open meridians, and harmonize Qi and blood; Shen Que (Shenque), which can warm and promote original Yang, strengthening the middle burner; and Qi Hai (Qihai), which can replenish Kidney Qi, warm Spleen Yang, and strengthen both pre- and postnatal essence. Heavy moxibustion can be performed throughout the year, selecting one or two points for moxibustion each time, and with consistent practice, it can have effects in disease prevention, wellness, and longevity.
◎ Heavy moxibustion can be performed after the beginning of winter
Some may ask if heavy moxibustion can be performed after the beginning of winter when Yang Qi is meant to consolidate. My view is that it can certainly be done. Winter still has the changes of the moon’s phases and the daily rise and fall of Yang; heavy moxibustion can support Yang and suppress Yin, helping to elevate Yang Qi during each lunar month and each day. Furthermore, heavy moxibustion can improve Yang deficiency and Yin excess constitutions, alleviate the torment of illness, and prevent the occurrence of colds and other infectious diseases. Therefore, heavy moxibustion can be performed at any time, including winter.
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