In Chinese medicine the term Xue means Blood.
Traditional Chinese Medicine understands Blood, Xue, as a material form of Qi, it is Qi in a denser state.
Blood and Qi are inseparable, not only because they are the same in a general sense.
- Blood without Qi would be an inert and motionless fluid, Qi gives life to Blood.
- Qi without Blood is only a concept or a manifestation, it needs Blood to manifest.
Formation of Blood (Hematopoiesis)
Blood comes from Gu Qi or Food-Qi produced by the Spleen and Stomach.
- Spleen sends the pure substances derived from food upward to the Lungs.
- Lung energizes the food Qi thanks to the Yuan Qi it receives from Kidney forming Zhen Qi.
- This is sent to the Heart to circulate it in the form of Blood.
The role of the Kidneys is fundamental in the production of Blood by storing Jing and projecting the Yuan Qi so that it flows through the body.
- The Jing stored in Kidney produces the Marrow. This produces bone marrow which helps form Blood.
- Both Post-Heaven Qi (Spleen and Stomach), and Pre-Heaven Qi (Kidneys), are in constant interaction for the production of Blood.
Functions of Blood
- The main function of Blood is to nourish the body: it complements the action of Rong Qi or Nutritive Qi, since Blood is a dense form of Qi and it is thanks to Blood that nutritive Qi flows through the body.
- Unlike Qi, Blood in its journey through the body performs the function of moistening the organism. It hydrates and dampens body tissues so they do not dry out.
- Blood is the material basis of Shen: it roots the mind, contains it and gives it a "space" to rest and flourish.
Relationships
Blood, like the rest of substances and body processes, is in constant interaction with the rest of the body.
Blood and the Heart
- Heart governs Blood and blood vessels.
- The fire of Heart (Yang) produces Blood (Yin).
- Blood nourishes and cools the fire so it does not ascend excessively.
Blood and the Spleen
- Spleen produces Gu Qi which is the root of Blood.
- The Qi of Spleen has hemostatic function. It sustains Blood within the blood vessels.
Blood and the Liver
- The Liver stores Blood.
- During wakefulness and movement Blood flows to muscles and sinews.
- At night Blood returns to the Liver.
- The Blood stored in the Liver moistens the eyes and irrigates the sinews.
- The Blood of Liver gives Blood to the uterus and Chong Mai
Blood and the Lungs
- The Lungs enrich the Gu Qi and help the Spleen to send it to the Heart to generate Blood.
- The Lungs control the channels and blood vessels providing Qi and helping the Heart to propel Blood.
Blood and the Kidneys
- Yuan Qi comes from Kidney and it helps in the transformation of Gu Qi and Jing into Blood.
- Menstrual Blood comes directly from the Jing of Kidney.
Blood and Qi
- Blood is a dense form of Qi
- Qi is Yang and Blood is Yin. Both are inseparable and interdependent
- Rong Qi circulates with Blood within the blood vessels.
- Qi generates Blood.
- Qi propels Blood.
- Qi contains Blood.
- Blood nourishes Qi.
Blood and Jing
- There is a mutual influence between Jing and Blood.
- Blood can end up being Jing, and vice versa.
Pathologies
There are three pathologies of Blood.