XUE (Blood)..the Chinese conception of Blood
<p>XUE (Blood) <br /><br />
Definition <br />
<br />
Although the red liquid which circulates throughout the body is called Blood in Western Medicine, <br />
that is only part of the Chinese conception of Blood. In addition to being a substance, Blood is <br />
also regarded as a force, a level of activity in the body which is involved with the sensivity of the <br />
sense organs, as well as a deep level of the body in the progression of febrile diseases. <br />
Traditionally, it is said that Blood is manufactured in the Middle Energizer, using the QI derived from <br />
the air in the Lungs and food digested by the Spleen. The major function of Blood is to carry <br />
nourishment to all parts of the body. It is therefore closely related to nourishing QI. Essence and <br />
Blood have a common source; both constitute the material basis of the human body, Blood comes <br />
from congenital essence and is nourished by acquired food essence. Blood is the 'mother' of vital <br />
energy for being the latter's material basis. Hence deficiency of Blood usually causes insufficient <br />
vital energy, and massive loss of Blood may lead to collapse (prostration of vital energy). <br />
<br />
Formation and circulation of Blood <br />
<br />
As the fundamental substances required in Blood formation originate from food essence produced <br />
by the Spleen and Stomach, these two organs are regarded as the source of QI and Blood. The <br />
thirtieth chapter of Miraculous Pivot holds: <br />
'When the Middle JIAO receives food essence it will transform it into red fluid which is called Blood'. <br />
The seventy-first chapter of the same book also says: 'YING QI flows into the vessels to be <br />
transformed into Blood'. Essence and Blood may also transform into each other. The book Zhang's <br />
General Medicine states: 'If Blood is not consumed, it turns into essence in the kidney; if essence <br />
does not leak out, it is transformed into Blood in the liver'. Taking food essence and kidney essence <br />
as the material basis, Blood is formed by the functional activities of ZANG-FU organs such as the <br />
Spleen, Stomach, Heart, <br />
Lung, Liver and Kidney. <br />
After being formed, Blood normally circulates in the vessels throughout the body, and is acted upon <br />
jointly by the Heart, Liver and Spleen. The Heart dominates the Blood and vessels, and the <br />
propelling force of Heart QI is the basis of Blood circulation. The Spleen QI controls Blood and <br />
prevents extravasation. The Liver promotes the free flow of QI, stores Blood and regulates its volume. <br />
The coordination of these three organs ensures continuous blood circulation in the vessels <br />
throughout the body. Dysfunction of any of them may cause abnormal Blood circulation. Deficiency <br />
of Heart QI, for instance, may lead to stagnation of Heart Blood. Dysfunction of the Spleen in <br />
controlling Blood may lead to Bloody stools, uterine or subcutaneous bleeding and ecchymoses. <br />
<br />
Functions of Blood <br />
<br />
Blood circulates throughout the body, passing through the five ZANG and six FU in the interior, and <br />
the skin, muscles, tendons and bones on the exterior. <br />
In this way Blood nourishes and moistens the various tissues and organs of the body. The <br />
Twenty-second Problem of Classic on Medical Problems generalises this function of Blood, saying: <br />
'Blood dominates nourishment and moisture'. The nourishing and moistening function of Blood <br />
manifests clearly in the movement of the eye and four limbs. According to the tenth chapter of Plain <br />
Questions, 'When the liver receives Blood, it gives rise to vision; when the feet receive Blood they <br />
are capable of walking; when the palms receive Blood they are capable of holding; and when the <br />
fingers receive Blood they are capable of grasping'. <br />
The forty-seventh chapter of Miraculous Pivot says: 'When the Blood is in harmony ... the tendons <br />
and bones will be strong and the joints will function smoothly'. Insufficiency of Blood may impair its <br />
nourishing and moistening function, and give rise to symptoms such as impaired vision, dryness of <br />
the eyes, motor impairment of the joints, numbness of the four limbs and dryness and itchiness of <br />
the skin. <br />
Blood is the material foundation for mental activities. A sufficient Blood supply ensures clear <br />
consciousness and a vigorous spirit. The twenty-sixth chapter of Plain Questions states: 'QI and <br />
Blood are the foundation for human mental activities'. The thirty-second chapter of Miraculous Pivot <br />
says: 'Harmonious circulation of Blood ensures a vigorous spirit'. These quotations explain the close <br />
relationship between Blood and mental activities. Deficiency of Blood, therefore, may produce <br />
mental disorders. An example is deficiency of Heart or Liver Blood which may result in mental <br />
restlessness, with symptoms such as palpitation, insomnia and dream- <br />
disturbed sleep.</p> <p>Yes, blood in the view of traditional Chinese medicine is a little different from that in western medicine. <br />
Personally I think the concept of Ying-nutrient Qi is quite unique in traditional Chinese medicine. <br />
However, I could neither deny the similarity between the concepts of blood in western and traditional Chinese medicine, even the general vasculature system understood in traditional Chinese medicine. <br />
In very far ancient time, Chinese medical practitioners did some anatomical work, having found some basic knowledge of the human anatomy. <br />
It's also the basis for a part of the understanding for the anatomy and physiology in traditional Chinese medicine. <br />
I think Dionisios tried hard to understand the essence of traditional Chinese medicine and I'm sure he'll be prominent in this field.</p>
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