The foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is philosophical consisting of seven elements, e.g., yin, yang, qi, jing, seng, blood and fluid. In Chinese medicine, all diseases are a result of unbalance or deficiency of the seven elements. Drugs and treatments are used to restore balance or treat deficiency. Chinese medicine may be traced to 400 B.C. It is said that Emperor Huang Ti wrote the book, Nei Ching (Cannon of Internal Medicine), the basics of Chinese medicine.
Ying and yang are the two opposites. Ying represents "shaded","dark," "female,""cool." "water,"and "winter." In contrast, yang represents "sunny,""bright,""male," "warm," "fire," and summer." Ying nourishes and circulates the body's substance, e.g., blood and fluids. Yang generates warmth and zest for life. Chinese philosophers wrote about ying and yang in the early 4th century BC. There is always an element of ying within yang, and an element of yang within ying. It indicates that ying can not exist without yang, or vice versa. Disease is considered the result of unbalance of ying and yang. Qi, or air or energy, is the vital force in the body. Qi and blood are interdependent. Qi promotes circulation and organ function, whereas blood nourishes qi. Kung Fu (martial art) and Tai-chi (shadow boxing) are for generating qi. Acupuncture stimulates circulation of qi. Qi is what separates a dead man from a live man. A person can not survive without qi. Jing or essence refers to the reproductive capacity, such as growth, sexual power, pregnancy, strength, and vitality. Seng refers to the physics, mentality, and sprit. Blood depends upon qi to be circulated throughout the body. In Chinese medicine, dizziness for example is the symptom of deficiency of blood. Fluids denotes fluids in the body other than blood, including saliva, sweat, urine and tears. The symptoms of deficiency of fluid are dry, rough, or chapped..