How to Tell if Your Qi and Blood are Sufficient
Introduction: The standard for a person's health is sufficient qi and blood. The body's organs are like a person; only when they are well-fed can they work with strength. Blood is the "food" for the organs. So, how can you tell if your qi and blood are sufficient?
Look at the eyes: When looking at the eyes, you are actually looking at the color of the sclera. The saying "a person gets old and their pearls turn yellow" actually refers to the sclera becoming cloudy, yellow, and having blood vessels. This indicates insufficient qi and blood. If your eyes can always stay wide open, it means you have sufficient qi and blood. Conversely, large eye bags, dry eyes, and heavy eyelids all indicate insufficient qi and blood.
Look at the skin: Skin that is fair with a rosy pink hue, has a lustrous and elastic appearance, and is free from wrinkles and spots indicates sufficient qi and blood. Conversely, rough, dull, dark, yellow, pale, bluish, or reddish skin, or skin with spots, indicates poor health and insufficient qi and blood.
Look at the hair: Black, dense, and smooth hair indicates sufficient qi and blood. Dry hair, hair loss, yellowing, whitening, or split ends all indicate insufficient qi and blood.
Look at the ears: Modern people's ears are often small, appearing increasingly stiff and somewhat deformed in shape. Besides the form, the main things to look at are the color, the presence of spots, and any pain. If the ears are a light pink, lustrous, spot-free, wrinkle-free, and full, it indicates sufficient qi and blood. A dull and lusterless appearance indicates a decline in qi and blood. If the ears are withered, dry, have spots, and many wrinkles, it indicates that the kidney function is beginning to fail, and you should pay attention. Did you know that a person's ears are constantly growing throughout their life? This is why the ears are also an important organ in TCM diagnosis by observation.
Feel the temperature of your hands: If your hands are warm all year round, it means you have sufficient qi and blood. If your palms are hot, sweaty, or your hands are cold, it indicates insufficient qi and blood.
Look at the fingertips of your fingers: If the fingertips are flat, thin, or the fingertips are slender, it indicates insufficient qi and blood. Conversely, full, fleshy, and elastic fingertips indicate sufficient qi and blood.
Look at the blue veins: If you see blue veins on the index finger of an adult, it means poor digestive function in childhood, and this condition has continued into adulthood. Such individuals have a weak constitution and a deficiency of both qi and blood. If you see blue veins on the little finger, it indicates insufficient kidney qi. If the lines on the palm near the wrist crease are numerous and deep, it indicates poor nutrition, a weak constitution, and insufficient qi and blood in childhood. In adulthood, such women are prone to gynecological diseases.
Look at the half-moons on your fingernails: Normally, the half-moons should be present on all fingers except the little finger. On the thumb, the half-moon should occupy 1/4 to 1/5 of the nail area, and on the other fingers (index, middle, ring), it should not exceed 1/5.
If there are no half-moons on the fingers or only on the thumb, it indicates a heavy internal cold, poor circulation, and insufficient qi and blood, preventing blood from reaching the fingertips. If the half-moons are too numerous or too large, it can easily lead to diseases such as hyperthyroidism and hypertension.
Look at the vertical lines on your fingernails: These appear only on adult hands and are not present in children. When vertical lines appear on an adult's fingernails, one must be highly vigilant. This indicates a deficiency of both qi and blood, physical exhaustion, and a sign of aging. Palm diagnosis is also a very important part of TCM diagnostics and is the best supplement to a comprehensive diagnosis that includes face, tongue, and pulse diagnosis.
Look at the gums: Receding gums indicate insufficient qi and blood. As soon as you notice that the gaps between your teeth are widening and food gets stuck more easily, you should take note, as your body is on a downward path and aging is accelerating.
Look at your sleep: If an adult falls asleep quickly, sleeps soundly, breathes evenly, and wakes up naturally after a full night's sleep, like a child, it indicates abundant qi and blood. Conversely, those who have difficulty falling asleep, are easily startled or wake up frequently, have frequent nocturia, breathe heavily, or snore all have a blood deficiency.
Look at your exercise: If you experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty recovering from fatigue during exercise, your qi and blood are insufficient. Those who feel energetic and relaxed all over after exercise are in good condition.