Qi flow and blood circulation

"Qi flow and blood circulation" is a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, representing the dynamic movement of vital energy (qi) in conjunction with the circulatory function of blood. Qi is viewed as the vital force or life energy that animates the body and maintains physiological processes, whereas blood is regarded as its yin counterpart providing nourishment[1][3][4][5]. In TCM, optimal health requires balanced interaction and smooth flow of both qi and blood; stagnation or deficiency is thought to cause a spectrum of diseases, with therapeutic approaches such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong aimed at 'regulating qi' and 'promoting blood circulation'[1][2][4][7]. These concepts, and the interventions used to influence them, do not correspond to specific biological molecules, receptors, or druggable protein targets as conventionally defined in modern biomedical science, and the existence of qi as a physical entity has no scientific validation[4][5][7]. There is no canonical molecular abbreviation, family, or specific pharmacological or genetic biomarker, as "qi flow and blood circulation" is a broad, non-molecular diagnostic and therapeutic construct unique to TCM, not a molecular or receptor-level drug target.

Other names

Qi movementQi and blood flowQi and blood circulationQi stagnation and blood stasis

Conceptual regulation of qi and/or blood flow, presumed to address 'qi stagnation' or 'blood stasis' (TCM pathology); not molecularly defined[2][5][7]