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Chapter 16 of 81
黄帝内经·灵枢
Overall Paraphrase
The Yellow Emperor said: The movement pattern of Nutritive Qi (the refined, nutrient-rich essence that flows within the vessels) is rooted in the reception of water and grain. After food enters the stomach, it undergoes digestion and absorption; the essential portion is transported upward to the lungs, then spreads and infuses throughout the interior, while also dispersing and nourishing the exterior. The most refined part travels along the channel pathways (the routes through which the meridians circulate), moving in a continuous cycle without cease—this is the principle that accords with the rhythms of heaven and earth.
The specific circulation route of Nutritive Qi is as follows: It originates from the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, flows into the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, ascends to the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian, descends to the dorsum of the foot, enters between the great toes, and converges with the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian; it then ascends along the inner thigh and enters the heart via the spleen meridian. Following the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, it emerges from the axilla, travels along the inner arm, and enters the tip of the little finger, converging with the Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian; ascending through the axilla, it emerges at the inner aspect of the cheekbone and enters the inner canthus of the eye; rising to the vertex, it descends along the nape and converges with the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian; it travels along the spine down to the sacrum and coccyx, then descends to the tip of the little toe; following the sole of the foot, it enters the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, ascends into the kidneys, passes from the kidneys to the heart, and disperses throughout the chest. It then follows the Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, emerges from the axilla, descends along the inner arm between the two tendons, enters the palm, and emerges at the tip of the middle finger; it then returns and flows into the tip of the ring finger, converging with the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian; ascending, it enters the Danzhong (the region between the breasts in the chest) and disperses throughout the Triple Burner; from the Triple Burner, it enters the gallbladder, emerges at the costal region, and enters the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian; it descends to the dorsum of the foot, then from the dorsum enters between the great toes, converging with the Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian; ascending to the liver, it passes from the liver upward to the lungs, then ascends along the throat, enters the opening of the hang sang (nasopharynx), and terminates at the xumen (nostrils). Its branch: ascends along the forehead, follows the vertex, descends through the nape, travels along the spine into the sacrum—this is the pathway of the Du Meridian (Governor Vessel); it connects with the genitals, ascends past the pubic region, enters the navel, ascends along the interior of the abdomen, enters the que pen (supraclavicular fossa), descends into the lungs, and then emerges again through the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian. This is the complete pathway of Nutritive Qi circulation, representing the normal pattern of forward and reverse movement.
The central focus of this chapter is revealing the complete circuit of Nutritive Qi circulation, whose scholarly thought can be summarized in three points:
I. Grain Qi as the Root of Nutritive Qi 💡 The statement "inner grain is the treasure" establishes the material basis of Nutritive Qi generation—the refined essence of water and grain. The stomach is the Sea of Water and Grain, serving as the starting point of Nutritive Qi transformation; the lungs govern the qi of the entire body and serve as the pivot for Nutritive Qi dispersal. Stomach → Lungs → Whole Body: this is the crucial chain from "generation" to "distribution" of Nutritive Qi.
II. The Twelve-Meridian Cycle Is Like a Ring Without End 💡 Nutritive Qi circulates according to the sequential flow order of the twelve meridians: Hand Taiyin Lung → Hand Yangming Large Intestine → Foot Yangming Stomach → Foot Taiyin Spleen → Hand Shaoyin Heart → Hand Taiyang Small Intestine → Foot Taiyang Bladder → Foot Shaoyin Kidney → Hand Jueyin Pericardium → Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao → Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder → Foot Jueyin Liver → returning anew to Hand Taiyin Lung. This cycle of "ending and beginning anew" represents TCM's systematic description of the rhythms of qi and blood movement.
III. The Du Meridian Branch as a Supplementary Pathway 💡 After completing the main circulation through the twelve meridians, Nutritive Qi follows an additional branch along the Du Meridian—from the head entering the spine, connecting with the genitals, entering the navel, ascending the abdomen, entering the supraclavicular fossa, and ultimately returning to the Lung Meridian. This pathway incorporates the extraordinary meridians (vessels beyond the twelve regular meridians) into the Nutritive Qi circulation system, reflecting the holistic view of "regular meridians as primary, extraordinary meridians as supplementary."
Value Dimension: This theory constructs a complete circulatory system model, emphasizing the physiological chain of diet → energy transformation → systemic distribution → continuous recirculation, which shares directional resonance with the basic principles of human digestion, circulation, and metabolism. Its concept of an "endless ring" of circulation also reflects ancient people's profound intuition regarding the dynamic equilibrium of life.
Limitation Dimension: The specific pathways of Nutritive Qi circulation (such as "entering between the great toes" or "emerging at the tip of the middle finger") are deductions based on meridian theory by ancient scholars, not pathways in the modern anatomical sense. As a concept, Nutritive Qi cannot be directly observed or verified within the modern scientific framework. The rigor of the twelve-meridian flow sequence more closely resembles a model-based expression rather than empirical description.
Rational Consideration: Understanding Nutritive Qi circulation as a systemic model through which ancient people used "meridian language" to describe the body's material transport and energy distribution helps us appreciate its intellectual value without being constrained by the literal meaning of specific pathways.
Related Concepts:
Further Reading:
This content is based on classical Chinese medicine texts and is provided solely for traditional cultural study and research. It does not constitute any medical diagnosis, medication recommendation, or treatment advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider if you experience any discomfort.