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The Lung governs Zong Qi (Gathering Qi) and circulates it throughout the body. The Spleen and Stomach govern Zhong Qi (Middle Qi) and are responsible for digesting food and fluids. The Mingmen (Gate of Life) in the Kidney governs the storage of Yuan Yang (Original Yang). (Between the two Kidneys lies the Mingmen, a single point at the center of the viscera which is Yuan Yang), and it governs the Yuan Qi (Primary Qi) of the entire body.

When Lung Qi is deficient, there will be panting and shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating from time to time, dry throat with low voice, shortness of breath making speech difficult, faint voice when speaking, and only being able to speak after a whole day. When Middle Qi is deficient, the four extremities will be slightly cold, abdominal distension that reduces occasionally but returns to its original state, abdominal pain that prefers pressure and stops upon pressing, lack of desire to eat, inability to digest food, loose stools or diarrhea, weak limbs with slight numbness. When Yuan Qi is deficient, floating deficient Yang may cause sore throat and hoarseness, tinnitus and deafness due to deficiency, tender redness with white on both malar areas, dizziness and palpitations, occasional slurred speech, drooling from the corner of the mouth, pupils dilating and contracting intermittently, twitching of the lower eyelid, staring blankly, incoherent speech lacking logic, trembling of both hands, numbness of limbs, muscle twitching, feeling heavy while sleeping, and a sensation of emptiness in the chest with interrupted breathing. These are all evidences of chronic Qi deficiency in the patient. If accidentally affected by external pathogens, one must first weigh the root and branch, urgency and slackness. Treat the branch if it is urgent; support the root if it is urgent. Select mild and appropriate herbs to gradually reduce the pathogenic factor and gradually restore healthy Qi. Although there may be no rapid effect, there will be no adverse consequences.

When Lung Qi is excess and rebels upward, symptoms such as chest oppression, dizziness, excessive phlegm, and Qi stagnation occur. In severe cases, panting prevents lying down, requiring opening the mouth and raising the shoulders. When Stomach Qi is excess causing middle Jiao fullness, symptoms such as epigastric discomfort, mental restlessness, belching with rotten odor, and vomiting acid water occur. In severe cases, food cannot enter, leading to vomiting and hiccups. When Intestine Qi is excess causing lower obstruction, symptoms such as abdominal distension, periumbilical pain, dry and hard stool blockage, or heat-induced diarrhea, or heat binding with side-flow occur. In severe cases, panting and vertigo prevent lying down, accompanied by tidal fever and delirious speech. When Liver Qi is excess and rushes upward, symptoms such as headache, dizziness, vomiting acid, and bitter taste occur. In severe cases, Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) occurs, Qi rushes to the Heart causing painful heat in the chest, lateral invasion causes limb coldness and tendon spasms, convulsions of hands and feet, downward pressure causes abdominal pain with diarrhea, tenesmus, and even orchitis/hernia pain in men, or lower abdominal swelling/pain, vulvar swelling/pain, leukorrhea, and metrorrhagia in women. Among these, there must be factors such as Phlegm-Heat, Damp-Heat, Food Stagnation, Depression/Constriction, Hidden Fire, or Internal Wind. Treatment must first address the cause, control the dominant pathology, prescribe medicine according to symptoms, and use specialized formulas to directly eliminate the pathogen and protect healthy Qi.