There are “Five Essential Substances” within our body, and we cannot survive without them.

They allow us to have a physical body as well as physiological and mental activities with that body.

The “Five Essential Substances” are “Essence“, “Qi“, “Blood“, “Body Fluid“, and “Mind“.

Essence

‘Essence’ is the most fundamental substance that provides the material foundation for the human body. It is the material basis of life, and it allows us to maintain life activities.

There are three types of Essence in our body.

1. Pre-natal Essence

The pre-natal essence of a person originated from the combined essence of the father and mother. It is inborn. It serves as the basic substance for constructing the body and initiating life activities.

The pre-natal essence is stored in the “Kidney” (The Kidney in Chinese Medicine (CM) is different from that of Western Medicine (WM), in the next article I will start to introduce the Organ Systems in CM).

2. Post-natal Essence

Post-natal essence is acquired from the food nutrients after digestion. It is distributed to all parts of the body. It is responsible for promoting growth, development, and maintenance of the body.

3. Reproductive Essence

The reproductive Essence is the substance that allows us to produce offsprings. This is similar to the Sperm and Ova in WM.

Qi

Qi is an invisible energy force that drives everything in the Universe. “Qi” is more complex, but for beginners, you can think of it as “Energy”.

Qi has the below functions.

1. Propelling Function

Qi is the force that promotes growth, development, and the physiological activities of our body.

2. Warming Function

Qi provides heat energy for maintaining the body temperature thus making sure the organs and tissues are in the optimal temperature to function.

3. Protecting Function

Qi protects the body against any exogenous pathogens. This is similar to what Western Medicine (WM) calls the Immune System.

4. Retaining Function

Qi holds the internal organs in their proper places. Also to keep blood flowing within the blood vessels.

5. Transforming Function

Qi allows the transformation of substances to one another inside our bodies. This is similar to what WM calls Metabolism.

Try this experiment, put your hands about 5cm apart, palms facing each other. Wait for a minute or two.

What do you feel? Type in the comment section below!

Blood

In Chinese Medicine (CM), “Blood” is defined as the red liquid that circulates in the vessels throughout the body for nourishing and moistening the organs and tissues.

In that sense, the “Blood” in CM does seem to be similar to that of Western Medicine (WM). However, the “blood” in CM does not only include the functions of Blood in WM. It covers a wider range of functions.

For example, in CM, blood does not only deliver nutrients to all parts of the body. It is also essential for mental activities. Blood acts as a material basis for mental activities. Any deficiency or imbalance of blood will have effects on the emotions and mental activities of the person.

Body Fluid

Body Fluid refers to all functioning liquids (except blood) in the body. This includes sweat, urine, saliva, tears, mucus, gastric juices, etc.

The body fluids are responsible to moisten and nourish all parts of the body. For example, they lubricate the joints, nourish the brain, marrow, and bones. Body fluid is also an important component of blood.

The body fluid of a person must be in balance in order to be healthy. For example, an excess of body fluid will cause water retention and edema will occur.

Mind

“Mind” is what makes us humans unique. “Mind” gives us consciousness, thoughts, emotions, and senses.

In Chinese Medicine (CM), the body and the mind cannot be separated. Therefore the Mind also needs material basis such as “Essence”, “Qi” and “Blood” in order to properly function.

For example, if one has lost too much blood, it will affect their mind, thus the ability to think critically.

The “Five essential substances” are vital for one’s health. Should there be a deficiency or excess of any of these five substances, the body will be in a state of imbalance. Thus diseases or sickness occur.

Therefore it is important for CM doctors to diagnose carefully the condition of the five substances of patients and create a treatment plan that is focused on the specific Substances that is out of balance.

In the next article, I will start to talk about one of the most important topics in CM. That is the “organ system”. When you go to CM doctors, they often say things like, “Your kidney is weak”, “You spleen-qi is deficient”.

However, it must be reminded that the “Kidney”, “Spleen”, and other organs in CM is totally different from that of Western Medicine, although we use the same word.

Therefore it is very important to differentiate.

Registered Acupuncturist (R.Ac), Alex Hui created this blog to share with the world the treasures in Chinese Medicine (CM).