What is Qi Essence?
Qi is the invisible yet palpable force that animates our body, mind, cells, and organs; the ‘energy’ that drives the plethora of their functions. Qi is derived from the air we breathe, the sunlight, and the food we consume.
Through the lens of Taoist philosophy, Qi is one of the three primary Treasures, along with Jing (Essence) and Shen (Spirit). A foundational and ultimate goal of Taoist practices is to cultivate these Three Treasures, which in turn manifests as vitality and longevity of the body, mind and Spirit.
As the second Treasure, Qi is most simply summed up and perceived as our vitality. Our Qi energy is responsible for the animation of our physical body (Jing), it is the force that governs all bodily functions and thought. Qi energy provides nourishment and protection to the body, cells and primary organs.
The QI blend may be right for you if you experience:
- Tired limbs
- Shortness of breath - this can be a sign of Qi deficiency
Reduced appetite - Weak digestion, bloating etc.
- Low immunity, frequent illness such as colds/flu etc.
- Frequent diarrhoea and loose stools
- Prolapse of vital organs, especially in the uterus, stomach and rectum
- Slow wound healing
- Low energy and vitality
The QI Blend as an Energy Tonic
From the SuperFeast range, the QI blend is our energy tonic. Those who wish to support the creation of energy directly through the use of herbal medicine will benefit greatly from this formula.
It is important to note that these herbs are not stimulants, and their effect will not be experienced in the same instant and forceful manner as coffee or caffeine. It may take some time for you to cultivate vitality as the herbs assist your body to recalibrate and restore Spleen and Lung Qi.
Tonic herbalism places a strong focus on longevity and the QI blend is not intended to be a quick fix. The cultivation of Qi through both herbal and physical practices allows you to learn how to sustainably energise and revitalise your body from the inside out. To understand how it feels to be energised naturally, not from external sources such as caffeine or stress, but from the optimal function of your Organs and body as a whole.
The QI Blend Pairs Well With
In the context of health optimisation and the Taoist tradition, tonic herbs are not directly used to treat or clear individual symptoms, but rather to create harmony within the system as a whole.Â
To further utilise the medicinal magic of the herbs in the QI blend, pair its use with the actions below:
- Chewing well
- Eating a nourishing diet that is easy to digest, focusing on foods that charge your constitution and allow your body to build Blood and Qi
- Living or at least eating in a parasympathetic state of rest and digestion. Drawing deep calm breaths into the belly will help to create this parasympathetic environment within the body. As well as a gratitude/appreciation practice of choice. Any practice that helps you stay in a calm and grounded space will assist your Spleen to extract life-giving Qi from the food you eat.
- Raw/cold foods. If your diet contains a lot of cold, raw foods the QI Blend will help you to maintain your digestive fire and digestive capacity so that your body is able to utilise and draw nourishment from your diet. If you’re a smoothie bowl person, then the Qi blend is perfect for this.Â
- Pranayama/breath-work, practices that enhance the depth of the Lungs.
- Immune enhancing protocols
- Fascial stretching/Yin Yoga/Taoist Yoga.
- Joint mobility exercises.
- Qigong and inner alchemy practices.
- Cold plunging - to protect the body from cold invasion.
- Warming herbs like cinnamon and ginger.
Tonification
In ancient Taoist medicine, tonic herbs and medicinal mushrooms were used to nourish and tonify specific systems within the body. These systems correlate with the natural elements, and their direct effect can be classified as either Major or Minor.
Major - Lung MetalÂ
Minor - Spleen Earth
Treasures
When there is harmony between the body systems and elements, we cultivate the expression of health known as our Treasures.Â
Major - Qi
Minor - Blood
Serving Suggestion
recipes
recipes
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QI Digestive Fire Tonic
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