Have you ever felt like you’re running on empty, no matter how much rest you get? According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this might be because your body’s vital energies, known as Yang and Qi, are out of balance. These energies are more than just concepts, they reveal how our cells generate energy–especially in our mitochondria–often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell.
In pouring over scientific literature from time to time, I will find particularly interesting information. And so it was when I was researching Cistanche the other day and discovered this paper…
Yang/Qi Invigoration: An Herbal Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome with Yang Deficiency?
This is fascinating because they’re taking the ancient wisdom and ideas of TCM such as Yang and Qi and looking at them through a lens of scientific reductionism. The article specifically examined mitochondrial function in the cells. Being able to see where these two concepts are essentially the same with different language leads to interesting lessons and understandings.
Qi is the Energy that Flows Through Us
This paper shares that in TCM, Yang represents the body’s function and activity, while Qi is about the energy flow that keeps us alive. As seen in the image below, this can be broken up into different forms of Qi. (Understand that Primordial Qi is another name for Jing, which, refers to the three treasures.)
These different forms of Qi have different functions but are basically just a different way of looking at some of the bodily processes more from an energetic perspective than a reductionist one.
Here’s one quote from the paper that shows how the theory is matched up with the Western outlook on aging.
“Recently, age-related deterioration of immunity (“immunosenescence”) was found to be associated with oxidative stress, and immunosenescence is closely related to the aging process. In this connection, the involvement of immunosenescence in aging is consistent with the TCM theory which states that the substantial depletion of Qi is the primary cause of aging.”
Chronic Fatigue is Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Our mitochondria are crucial for turning the food we eat and the air we breathe into energy our body can use. Or as the Chinese would call it, Qi. When they’re not working correctly, it can lead to tiredness, among other health issues.
When fatigue becomes something that doesn’t seem to let up, you know there are deeper issues at play.
“Interestingly, CFS [chronic fatigue syndrome] in Western medicine partially resembles the Yang/Qi deficiency-induced fatigue syndrome in TCM. Unlike fatigue, which is a transient, a common self-limiting symptom, CFS is an illness characterized by a persistent (or relapsing) debilitating and clinically unexplained fatigue that leads to a substantial impairment in functional status and subsequent personal and economic morbidity.”
The deeper issues could be termed in Qi or in mitochondrial dysfunction. This image shows some of the pathways leading to the breakdown in mitochondrial function ultimately leading to CFS.
Yang- and Qi-Boosting Herbs
TCM has long used specific herbs to boost Yang and Qi, and modern research is starting to understand why this might be effective.
“In the realm of TCM, a pathological condition is caused by an imbalance of Yin/Yang status in the body. A prescription with tonic herb(s) can help to restore the balance of Yin and Yang and achieve a healthy condition. Tonic herbs are generally classified into four categories on the basis of their health-promoting actions, namely, “Yang-invigorating,” “Qi-invigorating,” “Yin-nourishing,” and “blood-enriching” herbs.”
Of these, the authors then look primarily at two herbs you may be familiar with, Cistanche and Schisandra.
This image shows just a few of the biochemical pathways science has investigated that these work through.
It is interesting to note that each of these herbs has a wide range of functions in the body and this image only contains a snapshot. They are considered a formula unto themselves because of how much they do.
What does this all mean for you? If you’re struggling with constant tiredness, incorporating these ancient remedies into your routine could offer new hope.
TCM’s approach to health, focusing on balance and the flow of energy, provides a holistic way to address fatigue. In any case, by supporting your mitochondria—the very organelles that power every cell in your body—you’re getting to the heart of the problem.
There are many other herbs that can help support mitochondria too. Shilajit comes foremost to mind. A combination of these three sounds like something worth taking to me!
For those tired of feeling tired, exploring the potential of Yang- and Qi-invigorating herbs might just be the first step towards reclaiming your energy and vitality. If you’re looking to support your mitochondria as you age, these are a few worth looking at.
Continued Reading…
If you want to understand more of the Chinese theory, you might want to see these articles:
- Increasing Androgen Receptor Number and Capacity - April 19, 2024
- Yang, Qi, Mitochondria and Chronic Fatigue - March 27, 2024
- Eczema: A Natural Approach to Soothing Your Skin - March 10, 2024
Ernie says
Thanks! Our family are regular customers of several of your products and are trying others. I note you are shipping from KC. I hope you are working on developing local production where you can of the various substances as it appears international trade and the general world situation are changing drastically and not for the better. It would be sad to lose the formulations and knowledge gained so far.
Logan Christopher says
We are aiming at doing more products domestically rather than internationally for those reasons. That’s included the launch of some recent herbs and formulas like Pandora’s Peace and Elk Antler.