Exploring the Theoretical Connotation of"Insufficient Qi Is Cold"Based on the Concept of"Excess Qi Is Fire"

LI Jingjing; HAN Ming; FANG Shengquan

doi:10.26950/j.issn.2097-5031.2026.01.008

Abstract：The sage Zhu Danxi proposed that"there are ten or twelve diseases of qi that are cold",and thus established the theory of"excess qi is fire"to guide clinical practice.His"theory of fire"has also been widely accepted by medical practitioners throughout history.Yang Qi,the Qi of the Six Obstructive Elements,Qi Mechanism,and the excess Qi of the Five Organs and Six Organs can all generate pathological fire.Clinically,symptoms such as dry mouth,dry throat,tinnitus,hunger relief,and constipation are common.Therefore,the principle of"excess Qi is fire"should be used as the diagnostic criteria,and methods of reducing Qi and purging fire should be applied.However,in clinical practice,it is not advisable to simply clear heat and reduce fire.It is necessary to carefully identify the pathogenesis and"eliminate excess heat"in a targeted manner,especially to prevent the harm of bitter cold and stomach deficiency.Based on reverse thinking,the theory of"insufficient qi is cold"can be derived.Qi is the foundation of all things,and when Qi deficiency is lost in warmth,Yin cold arises while taking advantage of deficiency.The deficiency of Wei Qi,Zhong Qi,Yuan Qi,and the Qi of the five organs and six viscera can all cause the decline of Yuan Yang and produce cold symptoms.Clinically,common symptoms include chills,loose stools,and cold limbs.By examining classic medical texts and literature records,the theoretical connotation and clinical application points of this theory can be systematically explained.If the cold phenomenon is observed,it must be attributed to the deficiency of qi,or if qi deficiency is encountered,caution should be taken when administering warm medicine.