Qi Deficiency: What It Is and How to Restore Your Energy to Its Full Potential

Qi is the vital life force with a spiritual connection to any living entity. It gives the body energy; therefore it is best described as our personal energy. Reiki practitioners believe Qi is the important energy force or flow we need to maintain balanced health. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners also think we attain harmonious Qi through easing imbalances and healing modalities such as herbology, nutrition therapy, physiotherapy, Qigong, Tai Chi Chuan, martial arts training, acupressure, meditation, yoga, and acupuncture. Qi deficiency can be a serious issue for those concerned with harmony and happiness.

Most things in our daily living provide Qi energy, especially our physical bodies and emotions. The word Qi defines energy. When something impairs us, it depletes our Qi energy levels. Qi deficiency may cause mitochondrial diseases because of impairment in body functions, inadequate immunity, and tiredness.

The immediate symptoms of a Qi deficiency include cardiovascular ailments, hypertension, and stroke. Other symptoms of a Qi deficiency are weariness, inability to breathe properly, mobility issues, being socially withdrawn, sweating uncontrollably, inflamed tongue, weak pulse, a diminished sense of smell, nasal congestion, inadequate appetite, diarrhea,irritability, insomnia, hemorrhoids, brain fog, nightmares, coughing, eating disorders, a compromised immune system, hair loss, lethargy, mood swings, emotional disturbances, palpitations, dizziness, cervical incompetence, auto-immune diseases and obesity.

Practitioners treat a Qi deficiency with nutrition therapy, martial arts, yoga, and chakra balancing. Chinese yam, licorice, and jujube are just some herbs used to enhance body functions while the Qi is out of balance. These herbs improve disease resistance, calm the mind, regenerate muscles and deter aging.

If patients maintain an ample diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins there will usually be an improvement in health. These minor changes make the person more active and energetic. As a result, fewer incidences of ill health and worn out feelings exist in the body. 

Many traditional Chinese practitioners emphasize satiating hunger and thirst before the body shows signs of dehydration. Following this guideline allows for proper supplementation of energy levels. If the patient refrains from indulging in processed snacks, excess sugar and some carbohydrates, the Qi becomes balanced and the body functions more efficiently.

Practicing healing our chakras is a potent way to balance deficient Qi energy and meridian points. There are 7 chakra points where energy flows. These are located in the crown of the head,"third eye," throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral, and root. Colors represent the chakras and control particular functions within the body. They illustrate our physical bodies and consciousness. 

Chakras can become imbalanced because of emotional pain, stress, illness, and repressed emotions. When chakras are out of alignment, the endocrine system, glands, and nervous system malfunction. The body then develops a Qi deficiency. After chakras undergo healing, there is a rejuvenation of Qi energy and it flows freely.

Nutrition therapy is the first line of defense practitioners should explore whenever there are Qi imbalances or deficiencies within the body. Foods which facilitate healing of a Qi deficiency are:

Persimmons

Certain foods contribute to illness and disease, and these also affect Qi energy. These foods include sugar, fried foods, sodium, dairy, citrus fruits, pork, and alcohol.

Toned blood counteracts weakness and restores vitality and vibrancy back to the body. There are specific herbs and tonics which tone the blood for a Qi deficiency. These herbs and tonics help to return the body back to its original state of wellness. 

Tonics and herbs that provide healing for Qi deficiency include:

Herbs improve cardiovascular health, hypertension, nerve function, adrenal production, and thyroid function. They also help to detoxify the body. For example, Burdock root purifies the blood and allows the body to recuperate speedily from illnesses. Parsley offers cardiovascular and musculoskeletal protection, while Siberian Ginseng supports the adrenal glands, improves circulation, stimulates the immune system, and increases energy levels.

Other Healing Herbs

Additional herbs which provide maximum healing benefits when treating a Qi deficiency include Golden Seal and Deer Velvet. Golden Seal cleanses the body allowing for proper glandular function. Deer Velvet is an important supplement for balancing a Qi deficiency. It treats osteoporosis and acute injuries, both of which create Spleen Qi deficiencies and liver damage. A qualified herbalist can customize and plan particular dosages of herbs and tonics to create the perfect healing combinations of botanicals to tone the blood.

Spleen Qi deficiency exacerbates improper digestion, allergies, health reactions to environmental pollution, climatic conditions, trauma, and emotional issues. Acupuncturists associate the digestive system with the spleen. Therefore, when the Spleen Qi is out-of-balance, stomach disorders such as leaky gut syndrome and gut flora imbalance contribute to a Spleen Qi deficiency. A Spleen Qi deficiency contributes to irritable bowel disorders, ulcers, and gastric issues. Research also shows it can trigger food allergies, fibromyalgia, diabetes, dementia, cancer, asthma, autoimmune disorders, and autism. 

The weather can also adversely affects the body during a Spleen Qi deficiency. Dampness may cause the body to have aches and pains. On a cloudy day, a person who has a Spleen Qi deficiency may feel foggy, disoriented, anxious, and worried. They may even exhibit Obsessive Compulsive Disorder symptoms.

In a Spleen Qi deficiency, symptoms present as weakness, lethargy, heaviness, phlegm accumulation, numbness, coldness, tingling, shoulder aches, backaches, blurred vision, and dizziness. A Spleen Qi deficiency affects the kidneys, creating urinary issues. 

Spleen Qi deficiency may manifest because of acute injuries or traumatic brain injury. Qi and blood stagnation. Pain creates a stagnant pattern, thus decreasing energy flow within the body. Injuries which cause Qi deficiency are best treated with a range of therapies.

Detoxification, modification of diet, vitamin supplementation, herbs, probiotics, and relaxation techniques all provide healing for a Spleen Qi deficient person. Acupressure and acupuncture are modalities to mobilize Qi, clear stagnant energy and strengthen the spleen, stomach and kidneys. We associate weak digestion with a Spleen Qi deficiency; therefore we recommend the Paleo diet and foods which tone the spleen.

For a complete restoration of normal body functions, there are several forms of treatment protocols which are necessary:

Yang/Qi Invigoration Therapy

Qi invigoration prevents mitochondrial diseases by treating the mitochondria. The mitochondria are the energy center of our bodies. They process oxygen and convert the food we consume into energy. Mitochondrial diseases are long-term, genetic, inherited ailments. 

Some examples of mitochondrial diseases are Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, muscular dystrophy, and Lou Gehrig's disease. Gene mutations are responsible for mitochondrial diseases. Symptoms of mitochondrial diseases include musculoskeletal issues, vision problems, hearing impairment, neurological problems, gastrointestinal disorders, and dementia.

Explanation of Yang/Qi Invigoration Therapy

When someone is going through a Yang/Qi deficiency, he or she may experience chronic fatigue, which is debilitating. Schisandra Fructis and Cistanches Herba are two herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine which quell extreme weariness and symptoms of a Qi deficiency. 

They provide calming effects, energy recovery, improved health, fatigue relief, correct breathing problems, fight cancer, protect the liver, improve memory, ease depression and prevents aging. These herbs deter and treat mitochondrial diseases and major Qi deficient symptoms such as sweating, immune dysfunction and oxidative stress.

Probiotics are effective in treating diarrhea, eczema, urinary problems, colds, flu and prevent cancer. They are powerful for treating a Qi deficiency. The following foods all provide plenty of probiotics when consumed in their raw or unpasturized forms, though we recommend taking it easy with the dairy-based products:

Herbs for treating an impaired Spleen Qi include:

These herbs all treat dampness and cold phlegm. They cleanse and detoxify the liver and lymphatic system.

Acupressure/Acupuncture points heal the Qi through therapeutic massage therapy. These points are capable of the balancing of Qi:

Foods such as mackerel, rice, squash, mushrooms, and ginger balance the Spleen Qi. Probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes provide replenishment of deficient nutrients within the body.

A daily multivitamin and calcium supplement resolve a Spleen Qi imbalance. Enzymes create healing for a stressed digestive system by offering anti-inflammatory and blood diluting properties, making them beneficial for dissolving blood and phlegm. Enzymes help with pain management associated with indigestion, bacteria, and inflammation.

Dwelling on negativity can affect Qi. Unresolved emotional issues and hormonal imbalances challenge our joy. Disharmony in our Qi levels disturbs the heart, creating a lack of enthusiasm, despair and restlessness. Improper heart functions cause psychological disorders, decreased spirit and lowered vigor.

Malaise feelings develop and gnaw at our self-esteem and confidence. These emotions extract the joy out of living because we know we are not experiencing our best lives. If joy is still absent once practitioners balance Qi, then we have to consider lifestyle modifications such as changing our profession or living environment.

Qi is energy manifested from the earth and created by movement, generating heat, nerve impulses, thoughts, and emotions. Living our lives as normal, vital humans, we accumulate Qi energy. If a Qi deficiency is present, our lives turn chaotic and show signs of disharmony. Eventually, sickness, disease and emotional issues will occur. When Qi is in excess, our emotions of sadness, grief, fear and anger intensify. 

A Qi deficiency alters our interactions with other human beings. Our interpersonal and communication skills become problematic. It distracts our thinking and we appear stressed as feelings of disharmony permeates our bodies. Balancing a Qi deficiency restores good health. The mind becomes serene and we experience contentment.

If Qi is out of balance, the body overcompensates for the deficiency causing a depletion in the entire system. Once healthcare practitioners remedy the main cause and treat a Qi deficiency, a majority of these symptoms will vanish. The body with balanced Qi will no longer experience discomfort, and then longevity and vitality become attainable.

Featured Image via Pixabay