▲ Author: Professor Pan Yi, MD, PhD, Doctoral Supervisor, Director of the Department of Basic Theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Vice Chairman of the Basic Theory Research Professional Committee of Guangdong Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Association
Nowadays, everyone loves to “tonify”. Professor Pan Yi from Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine reminds us that if we want to tonify, it means we feel a sense of “insufficiency”, which in TCM is referred to as “deficiency”. The so-called “Qi deficiency” can be simply understood as a lack of energy.
So, is it really a deficiency? Is there a way to measure and judge it? Which organ system is experiencing the deficiency? Where should we tonify Qi for it to be effective?
Professor Pan Yi believes that these are the questions everyone should clarify before tonifying.
How to determine if you have “Qi deficiency”
The basic manifestations of “Qi deficiency” are summarized in TCM with eight simple characters: “spirit fatigue, lack of energy, and reluctance to speak”.
If we understand Qi as energy, then “Qi deficiency” is akin to a reduction in energy within the body. At this time, the body will have two very intuitive feelings: the first is a lack of physical strength, and the second is poor mental state. In addition, there are some common manifestations that are actually typical of Qi deficiency, yet many people are unaware of them.
In general, if you experience the following six situations, it is a typical state of Qi deficiency, and you can assess yourself accordingly.
The first is insufficient physical strength.
Feeling easily fatigued, disliking exercise, lacking energy, and even being reluctant to speak. Some people feel sleepy and yawn during exercise; modern medicine says this is due to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain, which is essentially what TCM refers to as Qi deficiency.
The second is poor mental state.
This state resembles what is often referred to as sub-health; medical examinations may not reveal any diseases, but one feels particularly “deficient”. For example, waking up from sleep still feeling tired and listless is also due to Qi deficiency.
Generally speaking, issues with physical strength and mental state often occur together, which is a very typical state of Qi deficiency. As Qi deficiency worsens, there are also some easily overlooked yet common situations that are actually caused by Qi deficiency.
The third is a decrease in disease resistance.
This is often referred to as issues with immune function. For example, easily catching colds, being susceptible to infections when someone nearby is sick, or having allergic issues, including skin problems, allergic rhinitis, and chronic respiratory diseases, all fall under the category of Qi deficiency in TCM.
This situation is common not only in adults but also in children.
The fourth is a decreased ability to adapt to external environments.
For instance, during the same seasonal transitions, some people adapt well, while others may experience a recurrence of old ailments or become more susceptible to colds or discomfort during seasonal changes, which also falls under the category of Qi deficiency.
The fifth is a reduction in the body’s self-regulation ability.
Self-regulation refers to internal issues, especially chronic diseases and metabolic disorders, such as gout, diabetes, and high triglycerides. After repeated treatments, there may be some recovery, but it cannot be completely resolved. This is essentially due to insufficient energy leading to a decline in self-repair and regulation capabilities, which fundamentally belongs to the category of Qi deficiency.
The sixth is sagging skin and muscles.
Since Qi is often associated with lifting and nourishing the body’s organs, insufficient Qi leads to a lack of supporting energy and nourishment for the muscles, resulting in sagging. While sagging is commonly associated with internal organs, the sagging of skin and muscles on the surface is more intuitive and is a concern for many women. You may notice that those who take good care of themselves not only have vibrant skin but also exude vitality, primarily due to abundant Qi.
The above six situations are typical manifestations of Qi deficiency.
Another situation to note is after prolonged illness or serious illness, or when children are sick, especially after a high fever, there is significant depletion of Qi. To quickly restore the body’s capabilities, it is crucial to focus on the care and replenishment of Qi.
We can self-assess, whether mild or severe; if you exhibit the above manifestations, you likely belong to the category of Qi deficiency and need to tonify Qi.
“Deficiency should be tonified,” how to specifically tonify Qi?
What are the specific methods to tonify Qi? Certain tonifying herbs and medicinal materials are certainly helpful, but how to select them specifically depends on identifying which organ system is problematic, and then choosing corresponding tonifying herbs to accurately tonify Qi for better results.
**Lung Qi Deficiency**
The lungs govern the exterior. Respiratory diseases, decreased resistance, and susceptibility to recurrent allergic diseases are primarily due to Lung Qi deficiency.
For example, whether in adults or children, low disease resistance and susceptibility to colds are often related to Lung Qi deficiency. Why does Lung Qi deficiency lead to frequent colds? Because weak Lung Qi affects the protective Qi at the surface, diminishing its defensive function. The protective Qi guards the body’s surface, similar to a “golden bell” that defends against external pathogens.
The lungs also govern the skin and hair. Enlarged pores and recurrent skin diseases are often due to Lung Qi deficiency.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and serves as the primary barrier against external pathogens. Skin issues are mostly related to the lungs. Pores are Qi openings; when Qi is insufficient, it cannot effectively perform its protective function, leading to poor pore contraction ability and enlarged pores.
To tonify Lung Qi, **Huang Qi (Astragalus)** can be used.
The protective Qi is an elite force under the command of Lung Qi, and when Lung Qi is weak, the combat effectiveness of the protective Qi naturally declines. Therefore, to “tonify Qi” in this case, we should focus on replenishing the defensive Qi, and Huang Qi is the most suitable choice. Huang Qi not only tonifies Qi and increases its quantity but also directs Qi outward and upward, acting as a barrier to enhance the body’s defensive function by replenishing Lung protective Qi.
**Spleen Qi Deficiency**
Spleen Qi deficiency is more related to digestive system issues. For instance, frequently having a poor appetite, irregular bowel movements, and persistent dampness. Additionally, in children, recurrent food accumulation, nutritional deficiencies, and irregular bowel movements indicate Spleen Qi deficiency. In southern regions, especially during the humid spring, Spleen deficiency can easily lead to dampness, so individuals with Spleen deficiency often also have dampness issues.
The spleen governs the muscles. Sagging skin and muscles, as well as children being small and not growing, are primarily due to Spleen Qi deficiency. Many women believe that sagging skin is a skin issue, but in reality, it is the underlying muscles losing tension, which is more about insufficient Spleen Qi. The so-called anti-aging is essentially about tonifying Spleen Qi.
To tonify Spleen Qi, **Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes)** can be used.
In addition to tonifying Qi, it also has the effect of drying dampness, which aligns with the Spleen’s preference for dryness and aversion to dampness.
**Heart Qi Deficiency**
Poor mental state, chest tightness, and palpitations indicate Heart Qi deficiency.
Palpitations refer to the sensation of heartbeats that can be felt without intentional focus. Chest tightness occurs because Qi deficiency weakens the ability to propel blood, leading to slowed circulation, which are typical manifestations of Heart Qi deficiency.
Poor mental state, easily experiencing insomnia and vivid dreams, are also often due to Heart Qi deficiency. It is important to note that consistently poor mental state, poor sleep quality, and waking up feeling tired also belong to Heart Qi deficiency, as the heart governs blood vessels and spirit.
To tonify Heart Qi, **Ren Shen (Ginseng)** can be used.
Ren Shen is sweet, slightly bitter, neutral in nature, and enters the lungs, spleen, and heart channels. It can greatly replenish original Qi and also tonify Heart Qi, improving symptoms of palpitations, chest tightness, and weak pulse associated with Heart Qi deficiency, while also calming the mind and enhancing intelligence, treating insomnia, vivid dreams, and forgetfulness. It is often combined with Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed) and Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed), such as in the formula Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan.
**Liver Qi Deficiency**
Feelings of depression, dizziness, eye strain, and irregular menstruation are often due to Liver Qi deficiency.
When we talk about Liver Qi, we are more familiar with Liver Qi stagnation causing disease. Although Liver Qi deficiency is less common, it can still occur.
The liver is based on blood and uses Qi. Therefore, diseases of Liver Qi deficiency often accompany issues of insufficient Liver blood, leading to Qi stagnation, impaired liver function, and reduced vitality, with primary manifestations including dizziness, eye strain and fatigue, irregular menstruation, and insomnia.
The liver is closely related to emotions; Liver Qi deficiency is often due to emotional distress, which depletes Liver Qi. Women, by nature, are more sensitive and thoughtful, making them more susceptible to this condition, as prolonged overthinking can lead to internal injury of Liver Qi. As stated in the Suwen: “Men… at seven or eight, Liver Qi declines, and tendons cannot move,” Liver Qi deficiency is also related to age, as it naturally depletes with time.
To tonify Liver Qi, **Huang Qi (Astragalus)** can also be used.
As recorded in the “Medical Records of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine”, “The liver belongs to wood and corresponds to spring Qi, its Qi is warm and prefers to be free-flowing. Huang Qi is warm and ascending, thus using it to tonify Liver Qi is due to its upward and expansive nature, which aligns with the principle of seeking harmony with the same Qi.”
**Kidney Qi Deficiency**
Lower back pain, premature ejaculation, clear and thin vaginal discharge in women, and urinary incontinence are often due to Kidney Qi deficiency.
The kidneys store essence and govern reproduction. When Kidney Qi is deficient, it cannot control the fluids governed by the organ, leading to issues such as nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, clear vaginal discharge in women, and frequent urination, as well as urinary incontinence, which is common in women after childbirth, where a cough or sneeze can lead to leakage. These are all manifestations of Kidney Qi deficiency.
To tonify Kidney Qi, it is important to not only tonify Qi but also to focus on replenishing essence. Therefore, careful formulation is essential. A well-known Chinese patent medicine called Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan is designed to replenish essence and Yin while warming and tonifying Kidney Yang, allowing essence and Yin to transform into Qi, similar to boiling water where heat turns water into steam, nourishing the body.
In fact, methods to tonify Qi should not be limited to just herbs and food, as the source of original Qi and righteous Qi can also be obtained through certain practices. A very effective method to tonify Kidney Qi is through internal cultivation and practice.
Finally, Professor Pan reminds us that in daily health maintenance, it is essential to choose according to one’s own condition and not to follow others blindly. To assess one’s condition, one must master some simple diagnostic methods and understand one’s constitution.■
【Source: Guangdong Traditional Chinese Medicine. TCM Teacher Pan Yi, Author: Pan Yi】