- Stagnation of qiis caused by an irregular energy flow or blockage; this
may be the result of physical injury or emotional stress and its
symptoms include indigestion and irritability or swelling and
inflammation following a knock. - Rebellious qiis when qiflow is in the wrong direction – e.g. in the
stomach qiis considered to flow downwards; a reverse flow might
cause nausea and vomiting.
An excess of qiis not considered to be detrimental unless it is blocked or
it is over-acting on another organ system, e.g. in the case of a migraine
headache, where the qiof the liver is blocked and, in excess, it invades the
stomach and causes vomiting; with this release of energy the intensity of
migraine symptoms is often reduced.
Feng shuiis an ancient Chinese practice believed to use the laws of both
heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography), to help one improve life by
receiving positive qi. Most of today’s feng shui schools teach that it is the
practice of choosing a place to live or work, arranging objects and using
colour to achieve harmony with one’s environment.
Jing (essence)
The concept of jing, similar to qi, is difficult to convey in a single English
word. It may be translated as ‘essence’ and underpins all aspects of organic
life. If jingis plentiful life itself is good, full of harmony and vitality. If jing
is lacking then qiwill be weak, life will be dull and the person will be
susceptible to contracting disease. Jingdiffers from qiin that the former is
responsible for the developmental changes associated with growth through-
out life, whereas the latter is associated with day-to-day bodily functions.
Jinggoverns fertility, sexuality and growth, and is believed to have 7-year
cycles in men or 8-year cycles in women, during which development and
ageing take place.
Jing is responsible for:
- governing growth, reproduction and development
- production of bone marrow
- promotion of kidney qi
- determining the basic constitutional strength.
Deficiency of jingis the only disharmony and is said to be more preva-
lent in men than in women. The following symptoms may be identified:
- Developmental disorders, including physical, mental and learning
problems – as jingdeteriorates with age, so symptoms of baldness,
deafness, brittle bones and senility may result
126 | Traditional medicine