2. On Chong Qi

2. On Chong Qi

Tang Rongchuan provides a detailed explanation of the critical role of Chong Qi in human pathology, infusing this traditional TCM concept with new, broader implications. The Chong meridian originates in the uterus, ascends alongside the navel, and terminates at the chest, with one branch on each side. Based on extensive clinical observations, Tang argues that Chong Qi is the key determinant of systemic blood reflux and related pathologies: “Blood ultimately returns to the Sea of Blood, and Chong Qi is the conduit to this sea. Its channel lies within the Yangming meridian; without Chong Qi, blood will never flow upward, and any instance of blood reflux is invariably linked to Chong Qi. Therefore, treating blood requires addressing Chong Qi first.” Since the Chong meridian begins in the uterus and connects to the Yangming meridian, its qi flows downward naturally. Consequently, conditions such as hematemesis, vomiting, and hemoptysis are closely associated with Chong Qi’s upward movement; only by promptly descending Chong Qi can qi flow smoothly, stopping the bleeding and preventing blood from rushing out uncontrollably. Among formulas for descending Chong Qi and arresting bleeding, Tang highly praises the efficacy of Xie Xin Tang; he also considers rhubarb alone to be the primary herb for reversing and stabilizing Chong Qi, capable of “descending qi in the stomach”—that is, “any qi that is reversed in the meridians, muscles, skin, or body—will inevitably yield.”

When Chong Qi moves upward, it may carry kidney-related phlegm and cough; when it affects the liver and invades the lungs, it can cause wheezing and coughing; if it encounters empty fire in the stomach and rises upward, symptoms such as flushed cheeks and rapid breathing may appear. All these manifestations can be effectively treated by methods that reverse and stabilize Chong Qi. Tang believes that Mai Men Dong Tang from the “Golden Cabinet” and Gui Ling Gan Cao Wu Wei Tang from the “Shanghan Lun” both possess the ability to reverse and stabilize Chong Qi, making them suitable for treating the aforementioned conditions.