Which one are you right now? A one-page guide to identifying Qi, Blood, and Water

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Hello everyone. This is Yuyu Kampo.

When you open a book on Kampo, the three terms 'Qi,' 'Blood,' and 'Water' always appear. And many people stumble here for the first time. They can read the explanations, but they don't know which one they are.

Today, I will summarize only how to distinguish them on one page. I will write this so that it makes sense just by reading this article, so beginners are welcome to join in.

First, the meaning of the three in one line each

• Qi is the invisible force that moves the body. In terms of a house, it corresponds to electricity.

• Blood is the flow that carries nutrition and moisture, and calms the mind.

• Water is all moisture other than blood. It moisturizes the body and cools down heat.

And what is important is that when these three are 'deficient' or 'stagnant,' they result in completely different health issues.

Even with the same 'lack of energy,' is the battery running low, or is the wiring clogged? If the cause is different, the things you should do are also opposite.

Three questions will determine the general direction

You don't need a complex diagnosis. Please ask yourself the following three questions.

Question 1: Do you feel better when you rest? Or do you feel better when you move?

If you feel better when you rest, you are on the deficient side. If you feel better when you move, you are on the stagnant side.

The type who is exhausted at the end of the day is on the deficient side. The type who feels uncomfortable when sitting still and feels a bit relieved when walking or taking deep breaths is considered to be on the stagnant side.

Question 2: Is your color pale? Or is it dark?

Please look in the mirror. Your complexion, lips, nails, and the inside of your eyelids.

If the overall color is washed out and pale, you are in the direction of blood deficiency. If dark circles or dullness are prominent and your lip color is sunken and dark, you are in the direction of blood stagnation.

Question 3: Does it change with the weather?

You get headaches before it rains, you can't get up on low-pressure days, or your body feels heavy on humid days.

If this sounds familiar, consider the possibility that your water is stagnant. Try sticking out your tongue and checking if there are tooth marks along the edges. If there are wavy marks, it is sometimes read as a sign that you have excess water.

The six types and their representative signs

Once you have a general idea from the three questions, try checking the list below.

Insufficient Qi: Qi Deficiency

• You get tired from just a little movement, or you lack energy in the afternoon

• Your voice becomes quiet, and you find it troublesome to talk

• You have a small appetite and feel very sleepy after eating

• You catch colds easily, and they tend to linger

• You feel clearly better when you rest

Stagnant Qi: Qi Stagnation

• You have a feeling of something stuck in your throat or pit of your stomach

• Your stomach feels bloated, and you burp or sigh often

• You alternate between feeling irritable and feeling depressed

• The location of your symptoms changes from day to day

• Symptoms worsen after tension and improve when you move around

Insufficient Blood: Blood Deficiency

• You feel dizzy when standing up, and your complexion or lips are pale

• Your nails break easily, and your hair has become thinner

• Eyes feel dry or blurry

• Experience muscle cramps

• Sleep is light and you dream often

Blood stagnation ── Oketsu

• Stiff shoulders or headaches always occur in the same spot

• Dark circles under the eyes, dull skin

• Bruise easily and bruises take a long time to fade

• Hands and feet are cold, but the face feels flushed

• Dark-colored lips

Lack of water ── Yin deficiency

• Mouth and throat get dry easily, craving cold drinks

• Skin and hair tend to be dry

• Palms and soles of feet feel hot, experience night sweats

• Face feels hot and flushed in the evening

Water stagnation ── Suitai

• Feet swell by evening, sock marks remain

• Body feels heavy and sluggish, head feels heavy

• Feel unwell before rain or during low pressure

• Dizziness, a lightheaded floating sensation

• Teeth marks along the edges of the tongue

It is not a mistake if two or three apply to you.

This is an important point.

If you couldn't narrow it down to just one, please don't worry. The body does not fit neatly into a single category. In fact, it is normal for them to overlap.

For example, if you lack Qi, your ability to produce Blood also declines, so Qi Deficiency and Blood Deficiency often occur together. If Qi stagnates, Blood also becomes difficult to move, so Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis often occur together. Since it is Qi that moves Water, Qi Deficiency and Water Stagnation also come together.

Therefore, rather than deciding on one, such as 'I have Blood Deficiency,' I think it is closer to reality to view it as 'Right now, my Blood Deficiency is strong, and I also have a little Water Stagnation.'

Steps you can take starting today, by direction

For those on the deficient side (Qi Deficiency, Blood Deficiency, Yin Deficiency).

Before replenishing, do not deplete. Stop staying up late for one day, reduce your schedule by one task, or cut back on one cold drink. Both Qi and Blood are made from what you eat. Drastically reducing your food intake will directly thin out the materials needed.

For those on the stagnant side (Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis, Water Stagnation).

Move and warm yourself. Exhale slowly, walk, rotate your shoulders, and soak in a bathtub. Even just avoiding staying in the same posture makes a difference. Since coldness intensifies all types of stagnation, please keep your ankles and abdomen warm even in summer.

And there is one thing I would like to convey to both sides. Today's answer is for today. As the seasons change and your busyness changes, your tendencies will also change. That is why, if you write down what applied to you now, it will be a clue when you look back at it next time.

That accumulation will become your learning of Kampo.

*Kampo medicines vary from person to person depending on their constitution (sho) and symptoms. To choose the Kampo medicine that is right for you, please do not rely on self-judgment and be sure to consult a pharmacist or doctor who is knowledgeable about Kampo. Also, if your symptoms are severe, persist for a long time, or change suddenly, please see a medical institution first.

May your daily life be even a little more energetic and comfortable.

Yuyu Kampo

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