Qi Deficiency Symptoms & Treatment
Qi deficiency is a common pattern of disharmony whereby a person lacks sufficient amounts of this vital substance to maintain health. This is often due to a poor diet, lack of physical activity, or a combination of the two.
It can also arise due to a weakness of the Lungs, which are responsible for taking in air, or the Stomach and Spleen, the primary digestive organs. Some people have a constitutional weakness of the Kidneys, which may also contribute to qi deficiency.
The general symptoms of qi deficiency include:
Tiredness
Pale skin
Shortness of breath
Weak voice
Spontaneous sweating
Poor appetite
Loose stools
Specific organs may also be affected by qi deficiency, resulting in additional symptoms. The most common of these include the Lungs, Spleen, Stomach, Kidneys, and Heart.
Lung Qi Deficiency
The Lungs take in oxygen from the air, which is a crucial step in qi formation. If the Lungs are weak, either due to constitutional factors or a history of infections, they are unable to perform this function effectively.
Lung qi can also be weakened by poor posture, for example, stooping over a desk or hunching over a phone for prolonged periods. These activities impair breathing and can contribute to Lung qi deficiency over time.
In addition to the general symptoms of qi deficiency listed above, Lung qi deficiency can cause:
Bright white complexion
Dislike of speaking
Cough
Watery sputum
Poor immunity
Nourishing Lung qi involves paying proper attention to posture and breathing, as well as the other methods of nourishing qi discussed below.
Spleen Qi Deficiency
In Chinese medicine, the Spleen is one of the key digestive organs, responsible for transforming and transporting food essences so that the body can utilise them efficiently. Along with the Lung and Kidney, it plays a crucial role in qi formation.
The Spleen is weakened by poor diet and irregular eating habits, as well as mental strain and chronic disease. Living in a humid climate or otherwise damp conditions can also hinder Spleen function and lead to qi deficiency.
In addition to the general qi deficiency symptoms listed above, Spleen qi deficiency can cause:
Lack of appetite
Bloating after eating
Nausea
Weak or heavy limbs
The Spleen is primarily nourished through attending to one’s diet and eating habits, including consuming plenty of naturally sweet foods, such as grains and root vegetables, which are considered very nourishing for the Spleen qi.
Stomach Qi Deficiency
The Stomach has a close relationship with the Spleen. It aids the extraction of food essences by mechanically and chemically breaking food down into a soupy substance for further digestion. Failure to perform this function hinders Spleen function and, ultimately, qi formation.
The leading causes of Stomach qi deficiency are dietary, particularly under-eating or a lack of nutrition, especially protein. It can also be the result of chronic disease.
In addition to the general symptoms of qi deficiency listed above, Stomach qi deficiency can cause:
Lack of appetite
Reduced taste sensation
Abdominal pain
Morning tiredness
Weak limbs
Like the Spleen, the Stomach is primarily nourished through diet and eating habits, particularly eating regularly, not over- or under-eating, and eating while in a relaxed state of mind.
Kidney Qi Deficiency
The Kidneys are the source of our “original qi,” which combines with oxygen from the Lungs and food essences from the Spleen to form “true qi,” which warms, nourishes, and protects the body from disease.
Kidney qi deficiency is usually constitutional, although the Kidneys can be weakened by chronic disease, excessive sexual activity, or frequent childbirths without adequate time to recover in between.
In addition to the general qi deficiency symptoms listed above, Kidney qi deficiency can cause:
Lower back pain or weakness
Frequent, copious urination
Dribbling urination
Urinary incontinence
Premature ejaculation
Spermatorrhoea
Uterine prolapse
Chronic vaginal discharge
Prevention is better than cure here, but the Kidneys can be nourished through acupuncture and herbs, as well as diet and other yangsheng practices, such as qi gong.
Heart Qi Deficiency
The Heart governs Blood, which has a close relationship with qi. It is said that qi moves the Blood, while Blood nourishes qi. Any significant Blood loss, whether it be due to an injury or heavy menstruation, can cause Heart Blood, and therefore Heart qi, to become deficient.
Furthermore, the Heart is seen as the seat of the emotions in Chinese medicine, and long-standing emotional imbalances can also contribute to Heart qi deficiency.
In addition to the general symptoms of qi deficiency listed above, Heart qi deficiency can cause:
Palpitations
Shortness of breath on exertion
When treating Heart qi deficiency, it is also usually necessary to nourish the Blood, which is primarily done through diet and supporting the digestive organs.
Treatment for Qi Deficiency
Because qi is formed using oxygen from the Lungs, food essences from the Spleen, and original qi from the Kidneys, nourishing these organs is crucial for nourishing qi.
This means maintaining good posture and breathing deeply, having a nutritious diet and good eating habits, and preserving Kidney qi by not engaging in excessive sexual activity or the use of stimulants.
Acupuncture, herbal medicine, and Chinese dietary therapy can also be useful ways to support these organs, supplement qi, and treat deficiency.
References:
Maciocia G (1989) The Foundations of Chinese Medicine (first edition) - Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, London
Wiseman N, Feng Y (2014) A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine - Paradigm Publications, Taos, NM