Wei Qi in TCM

In both TCM and Western medicine, the skin acts as a natural barrier against pathogenic invaders between our skin and body. The skin is the largest organ of the body and protects us from microbes and the elements help regulate body temperature and permit the sensations of touch, heat, and cold. The Defensive Qi in TCM known as, Wei Qi (pronounced ‘way che’) has a similar first line of defense response against microorganisms as seen in Western medicine.

What is Wei Qi in TCM?

In both TCM and Western medicine, the skin acts as a natural barrier against pathogenic invaders between our skin and body. The skin is the largest organ of the body and protects us from microbes and the elements help regulate body temperature and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold. The Defensive Qi in TCM known as, Wei Qi (pronounced ‘way che’) has a similar first line of defense response against microorganisms as seen in Western medicine.

According to Traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of Qi is viewed as a phenomenal source of all things, matter, and energy. Whether from an emotional, mental, spiritual or physical aspect, everything in the universe, inorganic and organic is composed of and defined by its Qi. In clinical practice, Qi comes in different forms in the body and performs various functions.

Wei Qi is one form of Qi. “Wei” in Chinese means ‘to defend’ or ‘to protect’. In TCM, the exterior of the body includes our skin, muscles, and channels. Wei Qi circulates outside the channels of the body, in the space separating the muscles and the skin where exterior pathogens first invade. This space is often referred to as the ‘Lung’s Defensive Qi’. All 12 internal organs of the body fulfill unique functions associated with the various types of Qi. For proper functioning to occur, it’s essential that the different types of Qi flow in their correct direction.

Qi is constantly in motion and moves in a complex manner between the organs. In order to sustain normal physiological function among the internal organs, there must be a balance in the direction and movement of the different types of Qi.

The lungs are the uppermost organ in the body and are in charge of descending and distributing Qi throughout the body. The lungs have a physiological connection to the skin by its function of diffusing Wei Qi and body fluids throughout the body between the area of muscles and skin.

The Lungs control the spreading of Wei Qi and body fluids in the exterior of the body and also the opening and closing of the pores. Because Wei Qi is diffused under the skin, it also warms the skin and muscles, regulates sweat glands and body temperature and protects against pathogenic invaders. Any interruption in the circulation of Wei Qi creates disharmony with the lungs diffusing function. If Lung-Qi is deficient, Wei Qi becomes weak and is unable to reach the skin to protect the body against pathogenic factors. The pores will either become too open to defend against pathogens coming in and there will be sweating, or the pores become too tight where pathogens may become trapped and fever occurs.

What disrupts Wei Qi?

Exterior pathogenic invasions that can disrupt our Wei Qi include Wind, Dampness, Cold and Heat. We call these exterior patterns in TCM because they invade the exterior of our bodies. The wind is often how the other climatic factors get transported into the body. These exterior patterns can attack as one pattern alone, as in a ‘wind attack’ or in combined patterns such as a ‘wind-cold’ or ‘wind-heat’ attack and so forth. The nature of wind itself, for example, has a rapid onset, moves swiftly and causes sudden changes to occur. Clinical manifestations of an exterior wind invasion resemble the same actions in the body. Of course, it also depends on one’s constitution at the time of an external invasion. A healthy person will have a strong immune system and therefore, a strong Wei Qi is able to defend and protect against exterior pathogens.

The most vulnerable areas of the body are the superficial channels and the Lungs, where wind invasions occur first. An exterior pathogenic invasion of wind is just that. For example, if a gust of wind blows across you, it can actually penetrate through your skin causing you to suddenly feel chilly, and make you want to cover up. In TCM, this is known as an ‘aversion to wind or cold’. Because of the location of the superficial channels being on the exterior of the body, when a wind invasion occurs, it disrupts the circulation of Wei Qi and impairs the Lungs diffusing function. The superficial channels are located on the back of the head and neck and backside of our body. One can experience pain and stiffness in the neck and back as well as a sore and itchy throat from a wind invasion. Wind and cold invasions also cause the pores in the skin to tighten up because cold contracts the pores, and there’s no sweating. The main symptoms of exterior pathogenic invasions typically manifest much like the common cold or flu. Symptoms appear as any of the following: a runny nose, an itchy, sore throat, coughing, allergies, sneezing, wheezing, body aches, stiff neck, no sweating or sweating, and a fever. It is important to note that our internal organs share an energetic connection with their relevant exterior channels. Because of their association, symptoms starting in the exterior channels may transmit to the internal organs, and vice versa. This is the reason why it is so important to cover up in the first place.

A Formula used to Strengthen Wei Qi

The formula Yu Ping Feng San, English name: Jade Windscreen Powder, is an excellent formula for those that are prone to wind-cold attacks. It is used to strengthen the Wei Qi, tonify Lung Qi and stop sweating. Yu Ping Feng San is indicated for the common cold, influenza, runny nose, chills, allergic or chronic rhinitis, spontaneous sweating or sweating easily, aversion to wind, head or skin rash.

I hope you enjoyed reading about Wei Qi and will be more conscious of covering up, especially now that we’re officially in the winter months. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

References:

Kaptchuk, T. J., & Kaptchuk, T. J. (2008). The web that has no weaver: Understanding Chinese medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Maciocia, G. (2015). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A comprehensive text. Edinburg: Elsevier.
Skin Problems and Treatment. (n.d.). WebMD