Qi deficiency (气虚) is a term in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that refers to a series of pathological changes and symptoms caused by insufficient vital energy (元气). The term “Qi” represents the most fundamental substance of the human body, formed by the combination of the essence (精气) from the kidneys, the energy derived from the spleen and stomach’s absorption and transformation of food, and the clear air (清气) inhaled by the lungs.Qi deficiency generally refers to a state of physical weakness, pale complexion, shortness of breath, fatigue in the limbs, dizziness, spontaneous sweating upon exertion, and a weak voice. It includes the deficiency of Yuan Qi (元气), Zong Qi (宗气), and Wei Qi (卫气), as well as a reduction in the functions of Qi in promoting, warming, defending, consolidating, and transforming, leading to decreased bodily functions and weakened resistance to disease.
▲Hao Wanshan: Born in November 1944, graduated from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Currently a professor and doctoral supervisor at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. With 50 years of clinical practice, he emphasizes emotional regulation for patients, particularly skilled in treating emotional disorders.The fundamental activity of life is the movement of vital energy (元气) rising and falling. Qi deficiency is a common condition often caused by congenital insufficiency, malnutrition, aging, prolonged illness, major surgery, and excessive fatigue. Clinically, Qi deficiency can also include symptoms of lung Qi deficiency (肺气虚), heart Qi deficiency (心气虚), spleen Qi deficiency (脾气虚), and kidney Qi deficiency (肾气虚).What are the manifestations of a person with a Qi deficiency constitution?01 Individuals with Qi deficiency generally have a dull complexion and poor physical strength.People with Qi deficiency often have a pale, lackluster complexion, sweat easily, and experience shortness of breath. While a person with sufficient Qi can climb several flights of stairs without issue, a person with Qi deficiency may feel breathless after just three flights, with a rapid heartbeat.02 Individuals with Qi deficiency tend to be taciturn and easily fatigued.People with Qi deficiency are generally quiet and reluctant to speak, unlike those with sufficient Qi who are energetic and actively participate in activities and express opinions. Those with Qi deficiency prefer to avoid unnecessary interactions. What does being taciturn mean? It means that when you talk to them, they are reluctant to respond, and even a few extra words can tire them out.People with Qi deficiency also tend to feel fatigued, often feeling tired after a short walk, while others do not feel fatigued. They often seek support when standing or sitting, appearing listless. In contrast, those with sufficient Qi exhibit a strong posture. I once observed a martial arts star who truly embodied the saying “standing like a pine, sitting like a bell,” with a strong voice.03 Individuals with Qi deficiency are sensitive to cold and wind, making them prone to colds.People with Qi deficiency are sensitive to cold and wind, easily suffering from sneezing and colds, especially children. Some children may recover from a cold only to catch another after a brief visit to kindergarten, causing concern for their families. This is actually a manifestation of Qi deficiency.In summary, Qi deficiency involves insufficient kidney Qi, spleen Qi, and lung Qi. Among these, kidney Qi is inherited from the mother, varying in abundance. Additionally, spleen Qi is crucial; often, it is the deficiency of spleen Qi that leads to lung Qi deficiency, making those with spleen Qi deficiency more susceptible to external pathogens.04 Individuals with Qi deficiency often experience abdominal bloating after eating.People with Qi deficiency may experience abdominal bloating because their spleen struggles to transform food effectively, leading to food stagnation in the body.05 Individuals with Qi deficiency often have loose stools.People with Qi deficiency find it difficult to form solid stools because their Qi is insufficient to hold the stools, leading to easy slippage.06 What does the tongue appearance of a person with Qi deficiency look like?Individuals with Qi deficiency often have teeth marks on their tongues. This occurs because those with Qi deficiency have retained dampness in their bodies, which can lead to swelling of internal organs and skin over time, although this swelling is not always visible. However, the swelling of the tongue is noticeable due to constant pressure from the teeth, resulting in visible teeth marks when the tongue is extended.If the tongue coating covers the entire tongue, it indicates significant internal dampness.Generally, a normal tongue coating should reveal the tongue body, but a certain type of coating can cover the entire tongue, obscuring the tongue body, which in TCM is referred to as a “full tongue coating,” indicating heavy internal dampness.The thicker the tongue coating, the heavier the internal dampness.In addition to a full tongue coating, the thickness of the coating can also indicate the severity of internal dampness.Cracks in the middle of the tongue indicate spleen and stomach Qi deficiency.If the teeth marks on the sides of the tongue are not prominent, but there are significant cracks in the middle (everyone has some cracks in the middle of their tongue, but in normal individuals, they are not prominent due to the coating), this indicates poor spleen and stomach function, with insufficient spleen Qi unable to nourish the tongue coating, leading to noticeable cracks.Individuals with Qi deficiency often have a swollen tongue.People with Qi deficiency often have a swollen tongue (though some may have a thin tongue, they still exhibit teeth marks, indicating spleen Qi deficiency).No tongue coating or a very thin coating indicates Qi deficiency.If your tongue has no coating or a very thin coating, appearing pale, this indicates a deficiency of Zheng Qi (正气), particularly spleen and stomach Qi deficiency.Individuals with this tongue appearance fall into two categories: one group has experienced a major illness affecting their spleen and stomach, leading to a loss of tongue coating. These individuals need to focus on nourishing their spleen and stomach to restore health. The other group has damaged their spleen and stomach due to improper diet, which is not a major illness. I once encountered a man whose tongue was completely smooth and devoid of coating. When I asked him, “Why is your stomach Qi so deficient?” he replied that he drinks heavily every day. How could his stomach not be harmed?Maintenance methods for individuals with Qi deficiency constitution.For those whose stomach Qi is insufficient due to damage, the priority is to nourish the stomach Qi. It is advisable to reduce water intake and drink barley tea, which can help promote stomach Qi.
Formula:30-60 grams of raw barley (生麦芽).Usage:Steep in water to make tea.Note:Be sure to use raw barley, which has the function of promoting stomach Qi. Do not use roasted barley, as it reduces Qi. Some experienced TCM practitioners advise patients with absent tongue coating to drink barley tea to quickly promote stomach Qi until the coating returns, indicating recovery.Additionally, one can use 3 grams of raw astragalus (生黄芪), 6 grams of Chinese yam (淮山药), and 9 grams of raw barley (生麦芽), boiled in water as a tea substitute, and continue for several weeks to help promote stomach Qi.· The End · Warm Reminder:This platform shares health-related graphic information for reference and learning purposes only and is not intended as a basis for medical diagnosis. Please consult a physician for guidance if needed.⊙ Copyright Notice: The article is sourced from the internet; please contact us for removal if there is any infringement.
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