Fang Zhou Kai Qi Yong Xin Huan Piao
1. The Imbalance of Yin and Yang QiA healthy human body requires that all internal organs function normally within a controlled range. The production of Yin and Yang Qi must reach the normal levels required by the body, and the body temperature formed by the balance of hot and cold must stabilize at a certain degree, allowing the body to feel well. However, as people live in this world, their range of activities expands with social progress and advanced transportation, leading to an increased perception of climate changes. Coupled with the unpredictable changes in nature and frequent natural disasters, all these environmental and climatic changes inevitably affect the physiology of the human body. Additionally, changes in living standards, labor intensity, and even diet and rest can positively or negatively impact the physiological state of the body. When these influences exceed the body’s ability to self-regulate, pathological changes occur.When a person is in a pathological state, the functioning of the five internal organs becomes abnormal, disrupting normal physiological activities, which in turn affects nutrient absorption. The flow of blood and the transport of body fluids also become abnormal. In a pathological state, the abnormal functioning of the organs further hinders the production and operation of Yin and Yang Qi. Once the Yin and Yang Qi undergo uncontrollable changes and the balance cannot be automatically adjusted, significant abnormalities in the overall hot and cold balance will follow.On one hand, the organs in a pathological state cannot function normally; on the other hand, the abnormal changes in Yin and Yang Qi exceed the controlled range. The pathological human body will express the abnormal state of the organs’ Yin and Yang Qi through symptoms. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) categorizes the abnormal states of Yin and Yang Qi into two types: one is insufficient supply, which is termed deficiency syndrome; insufficient supply of Yin Qi is called Yin Qi deficiency, and insufficient supply of Yang Qi is called Yang Qi deficiency. The other type is excessive supply, termed excess syndrome; excessive supply of Yin Qi is called Yin Qi excess, and excessive supply of Yang Qi is called Yang Qi excess.The standard for the balance of Yin and Yang Qi supply is the health of the human body, primarily reflected in whether the body feels discomfort and whether the body temperature stabilizes at normal standards. The imbalance of Yin and Yang Qi supply produces distinct characteristics in human physiology. The Huangdi Neijing explains these pathological symptoms as follows:
“Huangdi asked: Why does the human body feel hot and uncomfortable? Qi Bo replied: It is because Yin Qi is deficient and Yang Qi is excessive, hence the heat and discomfort.”“The Emperor said: The human body is not cold from clothing, nor is there cold Qi within; what causes cold from within? Qi Bo said: It is due to excessive phlegm Qi, with Yang Qi being deficient and Yin Qi being excessive, hence the body feels cold as if emerging from water.”“The Emperor said: Why do the limbs feel hot, and when encountering wind and cold, do they feel like being scorched by fire? Qi Bo said: This person has Yin Qi deficiency and Yang Qi excess; the limbs are Yang, and with both Yangs interacting, Yin Qi is deficient, and insufficient water cannot extinguish the excessive fire, thus Yang alone governs.”“The Emperor said: Why does a person feel cold, and hot water cannot warm them, thick clothing cannot provide warmth, yet they do not freeze? Qi Bo said: This person has excessive kidney Qi, relying on water, with Yang Qi declining, kidney essence being depleted, and one water cannot overcome two fires. The kidney is water, and it is born in the bones; if the kidney does not produce, the marrow cannot be full, hence the cold even reaches the bones.”The Huangdi Neijing summarizes the pathological consequences of the imbalance of Yin and Yang Qi as: “Excess Yang leads to heat diseases, excess Yin leads to cold diseases,” and also presents specific symptoms such as “Yang deficiency leads to external cold, Yin deficiency leads to internal heat, excess Yang leads to external heat, and excess Yin leads to internal cold.”Why does “Yang deficiency lead to external cold”? The Huangdi Neijing states that it is because “Yang receives Qi from the upper burner to warm the skin and flesh, allowing cold Qi to remain outside; if the upper burner is obstructed, cold Qi will remain outside, hence the cold sensation.” In modern understanding, this means: the heart is the management center of Yang Qi, which distributes Yang Qi through the upper blood vessels and waterways to warm the skin and muscles, resisting the cold climate of the natural world, preventing external cold from invading the body. When Yang Qi is deficient, the amount of Yang Qi supplied by the upper burner network decreases compared to normal, and the heat energy distributed cannot meet the needs, making the network feel blocked. Once the skin and muscles lack sufficient Yang Qi for nourishment, external cold can invade, causing the skin to feel cold, leading to the phenomenon of “Yang deficiency leading to external cold.”Why does “Yin deficiency lead to internal heat”? The Huangdi Neijing states that it is because “excessive labor and fatigue lead to a decline in Qi, insufficient food Qi, obstruction in the upper burner, and blockage in the lower abdomen, leading to heat in the stomach, which causes internal heat.” In modern terms, this means: if a person engages in excessive activity or labor, they will inevitably consume a large amount of energy, leading to extreme fatigue. Continuous excessive fatigue weakens the body, causing a loss of appetite and reduced food intake. A lack of appetite indicates that the spleen and stomach’s function is impaired, and the smooth operation of the spleen and stomach directly affects the absorption of nutrients and fluids, leading to insufficient fluid absorption. The lack of fluids weakens the operation of the upper blood vessels and waterways, and insufficient nutrient supply correspondingly reduces the supply of Yin Qi. Due to the decline in network function, the heat in the stomach and the heat in the heart region lack sufficient Yin Qi to neutralize, gradually accumulating in the chest, leading to a sensation of internal heat, which is the reason for “Yin deficiency leading to internal heat.”Why does “excess Yang lead to external heat”? The Huangdi Neijing states that it is because “if the upper burner is not unobstructed, the skin becomes dense, the pores are blocked, the Xuanfu is not open, and the Wei Qi cannot release heat, hence external heat.” In modern understanding, this means: when Yang Qi is excessively abundant, the excess Yang Qi cannot achieve a normal balance with the normal amount of Yin Qi, leading to excess internal heat being transported to the skin, causing the skin to become dense, blocking sweat glands and preventing sweating. The body cannot dissipate heat through sweating, leading to heat accumulation. If bowel movements are also obstructed, the excess heat trapped in the skin cannot be expelled in time, causing excessive Yang Qi to accumulate in the skin, making it feel intensely hot to the touch, which is the reason for “excess Yang leading to external heat.”Why does “excess Yin lead to internal cold”? The Huangdi Neijing states that it is because “the Qi of the extremities rises, cold Qi accumulates in the chest and does not disperse; if it does not disperse, warm Qi leaves and cold remains, leading to blood coagulation and stagnation, hence internal cold.” In modern understanding, this means: when the production of Yin Qi is excessive, and there is insufficient Yang Qi to harmonize, the excess cold Qi rises and invades the chest, continuously accumulating cold Yin Qi, gradually forming a strong cold mass that counteracts the heat in the chest. At this time, blood coagulates and becomes stagnant due to the cold, as if the blood vessels are blocked and not unobstructed, causing blood flow to slow down. The cold Qi accumulating in the chest cannot be effectively guided out, leading to a sensation of cold in the chest, which is the cause of “excess Yin leading to internal cold.”TCM has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the clinical symptoms presented by the imbalance of Yin and Yang Qi. Through long-term medical practice and continuous experience accumulation, the symptoms of Yin and Yang Qi imbalance have been organized into standardized patterns, establishing a systematic model of symptoms. This greatly facilitates medical diagnosis; if the symptoms match the standardized patterns during diagnosis, treatment can be accurately administered, making it clear and convenient.
1. Symptoms of Excess Yang Qi:Excess Yang Qi, also known as Yang excess, is characterized by excess heat or fire, where the surplus Yang Qi becomes a harmful fire evil. Excess Yang Qi occurs when the production of Yin Qi remains normal while the production of Yang Qi becomes excessive. After the combination of Yin and Yang, the excess Yang Qi manifests clinically as heat symptoms, commonly seen as a flushed complexion; mental excitement or irritability; tongue appearance showing yellow coating, red and dry tongue; pulse being strong and rapid; symptoms include fever, aversion to heat but not cold, thirst, preference for cold drinks, yellow and thick phlegm, constipation or sticky foul diarrhea, abdominal pain with tenderness, and hot and painful urination, with a burning sensation when touching the chest and abdomen.When the symptoms of excess Yang Qi appear only in a single organ, they will also exhibit the characteristic reflections of that organ’s pathology. The Huangdi Neijing states:“In cases of liver heat disease, there is difficulty in defecation, abdominal pain, and a tendency to lie down. The body feels hot. If heat is excessive, it leads to delirium and agitation, fullness and pain in the flanks, and restlessness in the hands and feet.”“In cases of heart heat disease, there is initial lack of joy, followed by heat, and if heat is excessive, it leads to sudden heart pain, irritability, headache, flushed face, and no sweating.”“In cases of spleen heat disease, there is initial heaviness in the head, cheek pain, irritability, a blue complexion, a desire to vomit, and body heat. If heat is excessive, it leads to back pain, inability to bend or stretch, and abdominal fullness with diarrhea, and pain in both jaws.”“In cases of lung heat disease, there is initial prickling sensation on the skin, aversion to wind and cold, yellow tongue, and body heat. If heat is excessive, it leads to coughing and wheezing, pain in the chest and back, difficulty in breathing, unbearable headache, and sweating with chills.”“In cases of kidney heat disease, there is initial lower back pain and leg soreness, intense thirst, and body heat. If heat is excessive, it leads to neck pain and stiffness, cold and sore legs, and hot feet, with a reluctance to speak.”2. Symptoms of Excess Yin Qi:Excess Yin Qi, also known as Yin excess, is characterized by coldness or excess cold, where the surplus Yin Qi becomes a harmful cold evil. Excess Yin Qi occurs when the production of Yang Qi remains normal while the production of Yin Qi becomes excessive. After the combination of Yin and Yang, the excess Yin Qi manifests clinically as cold symptoms, commonly seen as a pale or bluish complexion; mental irritability; tongue appearance showing white coating; pulse being tight and wiry; symptoms include feeling of heat, but significant aversion to cold, or joint pain that worsens with cold, or abdominal pain that is relieved by warmth, no thirst, but clear and frequent urination.When the symptoms of excess Yin Qi appear only in a single organ, they will also exhibit the characteristic reflections of that organ’s pathology:In cases of liver cold disease, there may also be vertex pain, dry heaving, foamy vomiting, flank pain, abdominal distension, cold extremities, and a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum or cold pain.In cases of lung cold disease, there may also be coughing, thin white phlegm, cold body, chest fullness, and wheezing, and in severe cases, coughing with chest tightness and rapid breathing.In cases of spleen cold disease, there may also be tasteless mouth, abdominal rumbling, diarrhea, undigested food, abdominal fullness, and fatigue.In cases of kidney cold disease, there may also be morning diarrhea, abdominal coldness, fatigue, lack of appetite, or undigested food, or cold pain in the lower back and knees, fatigue, and lower body edema.3. Symptoms of Yang Qi Deficiency:Yang Qi deficiency, also known as Yang deficiency, is characterized by deficiency cold. Yang Qi deficiency occurs when the production of Yin Qi remains unchanged while the production of Yang Qi decreases. After the combination of Yin and Yang, the relative excess of Yin Qi occurs. Yang deficiency manifests clinically as cold symptoms, commonly seen as a pale complexion; mental fatigue; tongue appearance showing pale and tender tongue with white coating; pulse being weak and slow; symptoms include aversion to cold, no thirst, or preference for hot drinks, clear and thin phlegm or foamy, or vomiting clear water, thin or loose stools, clear and frequent urination, cold hands and feet, or discomfort in the chest and abdomen, but relieved by warmth.When Yang Qi deficiency occurs in a specific organ system, the condition will clearly reflect the physiological characteristics of that organ:In cases of heart Yang deficiency, there may also be palpitations, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, fatigue, chest tightness, and cold extremities. Due to insufficient Yang Qi in the heart, it cannot effectively promote blood circulation, leading to slow heartbeats and often causing myocardial ischemia, resulting in angina.In cases of spleen Yang deficiency, there may also be fatigue, reduced appetite, clear water regurgitation, abdominal fullness and pain, cold extremities, and abdominal rumbling, or edema under the eyes. Due to insufficient Yang Qi in the spleen, it cannot timely transform and transport fluids, leading to water retention and edema.In cases of kidney Yang deficiency, there may also be cold pain in the lower back and legs, cold extremities, fatigue, impotence, premature ejaculation, frequent urination, and nocturia.Due to insufficient Yang Qi in the kidneys, it cannot warm the lower burner, leading to a cold sensation in the lower abdomen, weakness in the lower back and knees, and water retention in the legs.4. Symptoms of Yin Qi Deficiency:Yin Qi deficiency, also known as Yin deficiency, is characterized by deficiency heat. Yin Qi deficiency occurs when the production of Yang Qi remains unchanged while the production of Yin Qi decreases. After the combination of Yin and Yang, the relative excess of Yang Qi occurs, and clinical symptoms manifest as heat symptoms. Yin deficiency is clinically characterized by redness in the cheeks; mental irritability; tongue appearance showing red with little coating, dry and cracked tongue; pulse being thin and rapid; symptoms include subjective internal heat, dry throat and mouth, afternoon fever, hot palms and soles, night sweats, and dry stools.When Yin Qi deficiency occurs in a specific organ, the following symptoms may also appear:In cases of heart Yin deficiency, there may also be palpitations, irritability, insomnia with many dreams, anxiety, dizziness, tinnitus, and night sweats.In cases of liver Yin deficiency, there may also be pain in the flanks, which is persistent and uncomfortable, with discomfort in the upper abdomen. Due to Yin deficiency, there is a lack of fluids, leading to dry eyes, decreased vision, and pain, which can lead to headaches in severe cases.In cases of spleen Yin deficiency, there may also be dull pain in the abdomen, irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite, and abdominal distension after eating, due to insufficient fluids, often leading to mild burning pain in the abdomen.
In cases of lung Yin deficiency, there may also be dry cough without phlegm, or scanty and sticky phlegm, hoarseness, irritability, insomnia, afternoon fever, night sweats, and in severe cases, blood-streaked phlegm.In cases of kidney Yin deficiency, there may also be cold and sore lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, loose teeth, night sweats, premature ejaculation, insomnia, and nightmares, with a pale complexion.2. The Harmony of Yin and Yang QiToday, people know that a healthy person generally maintains a stable body temperature, which is approximately 37 degrees Celsius when measured with a standard thermometer. Why must the human body temperature remain stable at this level? It can be confidently stated that this is the final choice made during human evolution. At this temperature, cellular activity is most vigorous, which is most beneficial for human growth. Overall, this temperature is necessary for the normal physiological activities of human life. Through millions of years of evolution, natural selection has determined this temperature as the optimal condition for physiological activities.TCM recognized thousands of years ago that the human body temperature is stable, and the internal environment must remain at a certain temperature. TCM discovered that the long-term stability of body temperature is due to the existence of a mechanism that harmonizes Yin and Yang Qi, establishing a highly efficient hot and cold exchange system for heat transfer, specifically engaging in the harmonization of Yin and Yang energies within the body. Through the mutual regulation of hot and cold energy, the body temperature remains stable.Why does TCM understand that the human body temperature is a stable state? It is important to note that the measurement of temperature is a scientific invention of the last century. Did ancient people know what temperature was? TCM indeed knew that a healthy human body could maintain a stable body temperature during daily calm life, which is a balanced state formed by the exchange of Yin and Yang energies. The Huangdi Neijing calmly tells future generations, “Carefully observe the location of Yin and Yang and adjust it, aiming for balance.” This can be understood as follows: the movement of Yin and Yang Qi in the human body inevitably leads to energy exchange during their unavoidable contact, and through this exchange, they continuously harmonize, achieving a balanced state, which is the normal standard of body temperature. However, it is somewhat regrettable that TCM lacks a specific temperature to determine the balance of Yin and Yang Qi, and there is no specific quantitative standard. People cannot know what the standard body temperature is when Yin and Yang Qi are balanced. Although ancient people did not specify the exact temperature of Yin and Yang balance, the human body has a stable temperature, which is what ancient people referred to as the “balance aimed for.” The term “balance” refers to this basic stable body temperature.In ancient times, what standard did people use to measure temperature? Due to the lack of evidence, modern people cannot know. Today, the standard for measuring temperature is determined by the temperature difference between the freezing point and boiling point of water, so it may not be the same as the measurement methods of ancient people. For this reason, modern people cannot demand that ancient people accurately specify body temperature degrees. If they had established a body temperature standard, and if this temperature standard differed from what people today understand, it would also lead to discrepancies in understanding. The ancient term “balance aimed for” is the most intelligent way to express the balanced state formed by the harmonization of Yin and Yang Qi.Since everyone’s body temperature is generally the same, people with different measurement standards can confirm the body temperature formed by the balance of Yin and Yang from their respective temperature standards. For modern people, the temperature standards include Fahrenheit and Celsius, with a significant difference in measurement data. The body temperature referred to today is 37 degrees Celsius, while in Fahrenheit, it would be much higher, reaching 100 degrees. Using the balance of Yin and Yang to express standard body temperature allows for broad adaptability, enabling anyone using any temperature standard to measure their accurate body temperature.What is the mechanism of the hot and cold exchange system in the human body? How does it specifically exchange heat? These perplexing questions remain unanswered in TCM, leading many modern people to believe that many foundational TCM concepts lack scientific basis. In fact, these mysteries can be unraveled. As long as people follow the principles stated by ancient people and combine them with modern scientific discoveries for mutual verification, they can understand how the process of Yin and Yang harmonization occurs.The heart is the center and management hub of Yang Qi, mobilizing blood as a carrier, using the vascular network as a channel to transport Yang Qi throughout the body. The kidneys are the center and management hub of Yin Qi, mobilizing body fluids as a carrier, using the waterway network as a channel to transport Yin Qi throughout the body. Since Yang Qi circulates in the blood vessels and Yin Qi circulates in the waterways, it indicates that the hot and cold exchange system in the human body is an integrated system composed of the vascular network and the waterway network. Only through the combination of these two can Yin Qi and Yang Qi come into contact, mix, and exchange energy, achieving hot and cold harmonization.1. Questions about the Existence of WaterwaysModern medicine has a comprehensive understanding of the vascular network, knowing the distribution and flow of all sizes of arteries and veins. However, the understanding of the “Three Burners” is very superficial. From the perspective of modern anatomical knowledge, the large pipeline-like waterway network described in TCM essentially does not exist. In human anatomy, one can see that there is moisture in the gaps between cells and that there are sweat glands in the skin that can discharge sweat. However, to date, no large pipeline-like waterways specifically for fluid circulation, like blood vessels, have been discovered. The human body has a urinary system, which is a simple collection and discharge mechanism for waste fluids. Anatomically, this system is straightforward, with the urinary tract leading to the bladder, and the bladder connected to the kidneys via two ureters, with the kidneys connecting to the blood vessels. Therefore, the entire urinary system consists only of the kidneys and bladder, along with two ureters and one urinary tract.
Regarding the channels and methods of fluid circulation in the human body, modern medicine’s understanding differs entirely from that of ancient TCM. According to modern physiological knowledge, the water and nutrients absorbed by the body are primarily transported through the vascular network after being absorbed by the small intestine. The waste fluids produced by the body are also transported through the vascular network. In other words, fluids primarily circulate through the blood vessels, and this understanding is supported by anatomical experiments and confirmed in modern medical practice.(1) Practical verification that the water and nutrients absorbed by the body are transported through blood vessels: Modern medicine administers fluids to patients through intravenous drip, whether for nutrients, water, or even medications. The most illustrative example is in patients who have had their small intestines surgically removed. Modern medicine has proven that the small intestine is the organ for nutrient absorption. When the small intestine is removed due to disease, the patient cannot absorb nutrients normally. To sustain these patients’ lives, modern medicine uses scientific technology to prepare nutrient solutions containing essential substances for human growth, which are injected into the patient’s veins. Reports indicate that a female patient who had her small intestine removed not only maintained her health by relying on intravenous nutrient solutions but also successfully became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy child, creating a miracle in human life sciences. This strongly indicates that blood vessels are the channels for transporting nutrients.(2) Practical verification that the waste fluids produced by the body are transported through blood vessels: Modern medicine confirms that blood has the function of transporting waste fluids. It carries waste from the blood vessels to the kidneys, which serve as the filtering device for waste fluids, fully responsible for dialysis of waste from the blood. After the blood passes through the kidneys, the blood and waste are separated, and the cleaned blood returns to the heart, while the separated waste accumulates in the bladder. Patients with kidney disease cannot filter waste fluids normally due to impaired kidney function, leading to the accumulation of waste fluids in the blood vessels, muscles, and skin, resulting in edema. More severely, when kidney damage leads to kidney failure, the accumulation of waste fluids in the body can lead to uremia if not treated promptly, often resulting in serious consequences. The treatment for kidney failure in modern medicine typically involves dialysis, where blood is drawn from the patient’s veins to a dialysis machine, where waste is filtered out, and the purified blood is returned to the body. This demonstrates that blood vessels are the channels for transporting waste fluids.From the perspective of modern medical knowledge, it can be affirmed:1) The nutrients and water absorbed by the body are not transported through waterways;2) The waste fluids produced by the body are also not transported through waterways;3) There are no other large tubular waterways in the human body besides the urinary system;4) The circulation of fluids primarily occurs within the vascular network.Is there a tubular waterway network system in the human body? From an anatomical perspective, it can be confirmed that there is none. However, TCM affirms its existence and its functional role, and successful treatment practices have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of unblocking waterways. Does this mean TCM is wrong? Is the “Three Burners” waterway network described in the Huangdi Neijing fictional? Are the functions of waterways merely imagined? If there are no waterways, then the existence of Yin Qi would also be questionable, as there would be no circulation network for Yin Qi. Without circulation channels, can Yin Qi still exist? If there is no waterway network, then the hot and cold exchange system cannot exist.TCM asserts that waterways do exist. If they did not, TCM would not describe their functions in such detail. TCM’s medical practices have also proven the existence of waterways. According to TCM, if there are no waterways, the harmonization of Yin and Yang would not be effective, and the body temperature would not maintain a stable range. A large number of TCM medical practices confirm that TCM’s understanding of waterways is correct. However, the issue is that modern medicine’s understanding is entirely accurate; the vascular network is not only the channel for blood circulation but also the primary channel for the circulation of fluids, nutrients, and waste. This understanding is supported by anatomical evidence and cannot be denied.If both ancient TCM and modern medicine are correct, how can the discrepancies in understanding be reconciled?2. The Essence of the Existence of Waterways in the Human BodyBefore addressing this issue, it is essential to recognize a fact: blood contains a large amount of body fluids, nutrients absorbed through digestion, and waste products expelled during life activities. This fact clearly conveys the message that the vascular network serves as both the channel for blood circulation and the channel for fluid circulation. Nutrients essential for human life are transported through blood vessels, and waste materials produced during physiological activities are also transported through blood vessels. It should be noted that the waste fluids are separated from the blood by the kidneys, accumulating in the bladder as urine. The kidney’s filtration function proves that fluids possess permeable properties. Similarly, the sweat expelled from sweat glands and the moisture in the intercellular spaces must also permeate from the vascular network, indicating that blood vessels circulate fluids while also circulating body fluids, thus strongly supporting the notion that blood vessels have dual transport functions. This dual transport function of blood vessels leads to the idea that since fluids circulate through blood vessels, they are also part of the waterway network described in TCM.The vascular network is part of the waterway network. Is this possible? Yes, this is the secret of the hot and cold exchange system in the human body. Generally, the vascular network serves as the channel for blood circulation and Yang Qi, while the waterway network serves as the channel for fluid circulation and Yin Qi. The two should be independent systems, each separated. However, nature’s evolution is remarkable. During millions of years of human evolution, nature created an optimized structure for the human body, utilizing minimal resources to maximize functionality. Since blood must contain body fluids to function, it becomes possible for all body fluids to be transported through the vascular network. This reduces the need for redundant construction of the waterway network, minimizing waste, conserving resources, and improving efficiency, which is undoubtedly a successful innovation.
The vascular network is a closed system, with blood circulating within closed blood vessels, which is common knowledge. Although body fluids also flow with the blood in the vessels, these fluids can permeate out of the vessels through separation. The ability of fluids to permeate from the blood vessels is the key to understanding why blood vessels are part of the waterways. It is through this permeation that the barrier between blood vessels and waterways is bridged, allowing fluids to flow freely between the two. Since fluids possess permeable properties, one can imagine that if the blood within the vessels were removed, only the fluids would remain. In this case, the sweat glands, intercellular spaces, blood vessels, and the urinary system would form a vast tubular waterway network system, which is what TCM refers to as “waterways.”TCM refers to the waterway network formed by sweat glands, intercellular spaces, blood vessels, and the urinary system as the “Three Burners.” In this network system, the sweat glands, intercellular spaces, and urinary system constitute the peripheral structure of the waterway network, while blood vessels form the inner structure of the waterway network. The “Three Burners” consist of the arteries as the main structure of the waterway input network, and the veins as the main structure of the waterway output network. The water and nutrients entering the body from food are absorbed by the small intestine and transported through the arterial blood vessels, where they permeate out at the ends of the arteries into the sweat glands and intercellular spaces. The waste fluids and excess water produced during metabolic processes then flow back into the venous blood vessels, where they are transported to the kidneys for separation, accumulating in the bladder, and expelled through the urinary tract. From TCM’s perspective, some waste is also expelled through the intestines, thus summarized as: “The turbid Yin is expelled through the lower orifices.”The intercellular spaces exist throughout the body, interconnected and permeating the entire body, which is why it is said that the human body is the “Three Burners.”3. The Method of Hot and Cold Energy ExchangeThe shape of the hot and cold exchange system in the human body: Overall, it is the entire “Three Burners” waterway network system, and specifically, it is an integrated whole composed of the peripheral waterways and the inner blood vessels.Why must the waterways rely on blood vessels as channels? This is the brilliance of nature; it not only reduces redundant pipelines but is also the inevitable choice for heat transfer, as direct contact is the simplest and most efficient form of hot and cold exchange.Every adult knows that the best way to harmonize cold and heat is to let both sides come into direct contact; the larger the contact area, the higher the efficiency. People have this experience in daily life; for example, when washing the face or bathing, if the water temperature is too cold, adding some hot water can immediately adjust it to a suitable temperature. Conversely, if the water temperature is too hot, adding some cold water will also quickly adjust it to a suitable temperature. The hot and cold exchange system in the human body can achieve the highest efficiency of hot and cold harmonization because the blood vessels are the inner structure of the waterways. Blood vessels serve as the channels for both blood and fluids, allowing Yin Qi and Yang Qi to share the same pathway. This means that Yin Qi is directly added to Yang Qi, or cold Qi is directly injected into hot Qi, allowing Yin Qi and Yang Qi to exchange heat in direct contact, rapidly achieving Yin and Yang balance.The process of hot and cold exchange: Blood burns within the vascular network, generating a large amount of heat energy (Yang Qi). When nutrients and fluids are absorbed from the small intestine, they naturally absorb Yang Qi from the blood during transport through the arterial blood vessels, raising their temperature. The fluids containing Yang Qi then permeate out of the blood vessels into the intercellular spaces, taking away some of the heat energy from the arterial blood, cooling the blood. The metabolic process in the body is a large-scale heat-absorbing operation, which not only absorbs the heat energy brought by the nutrient fluids but also needs to absorb heat from the surrounding space, thus producing a large amount of cold Qi. Since the blood vessels are the inner structure of the waterways, the cold Qi produced must return along with the waste and excess water generated during metabolism to the venous blood vessels. This is equivalent to directly injecting cold water into hot water, allowing for immediate hot and cold exchange, rapidly achieving Yin and Yang balance. The continuous burning within the blood vessels generates Yang Qi, while the body continuously synthesizes and produces cold Qi. The constant exchange between the two quickly achieves mutual balance, resulting in a long-term stable temperature.
It can be imagined that if the human body only burns and continuously produces Yang Qi without producing Yin Qi, the following situation would occur: since the human body is not an excellent heat conductor, the continuously produced Yang Qi cannot be entirely dissipated at once. Some of it will inevitably accumulate, and as the accumulation of Yang Qi continues, the body’s temperature will rise. When the accumulated temperature exceeds the body’s maximum tolerance, living cells will be burned by the high temperature, causing the organism to perish in the high temperature generated by its own Yang Qi accumulation.Conversely, if the human body continuously synthesizes and produces Yin Qi without producing Yang Qi, the following situation would occur: the continuously produced Yin Qi will also accumulate, and as the accumulation of Yin Qi continues, the body’s temperature will decrease. When the accumulated low temperature exceeds the body’s tolerance limit, living cells will be frozen, causing the organism to perish in the low temperature generated by its own Yin Qi accumulation.Fortunately, humans have effectively solved this complex problem through long-term evolution. Under normal circumstances, the human body produces a certain amount of Yang Qi while also producing an equal amount of Yin Qi, achieving hot and cold balance through efficient heat transfer, thus achieving three goals:(1) Preventing Yang Qi from accumulating and causing excessive body temperature;(2) Preventing Yin Qi from accumulating and causing excessively low body temperature;(3) Maintaining body temperature within a stable range.The waterway network utilizes the vascular network as the inner structure to achieve the highest efficiency of hot and cold harmonization, maximizing functionality with the simplest organizational resources. We must admire the masterpiece of nature and the ancient people’s understanding of human life sciences, as they were able to discover the hot and cold exchange system formed by the connection of waterways and blood vessels, identifying the causes of hot and cold balance, laying the foundation for TCM’s understanding of the stability of body temperature.