Ancient Healing for Modern People: Food, Herbs & Essential Oils to Detox, Cleanse & Rejuvenate the Body, Mind & Soul

By Michele Arnold-Pirtle, DACM, L.Ac.

Western science along with Chinese Medicine both confirm that a healthy gut is necessary for our immune systems. In addition, there are more neurons in our gut than our brain, and we also know the gut and its hormones affects our brain, emotions, and behavior.

Plus, the musculoskeletal system depends on digestion for healthy movement and relaxation. Our guts extract the vital nutrients we need from our food and drink to nourish our joints, bones, and muscles.

Begin with a 10-day essential body detox and gut restoration program using essential oil protocols, and a healing rice congee (porridge) to release toxic buildup and kick start your metabolism.

This is a gentle way to cleanse the body’s organs naturally responsible for detoxification such as the liver, lungs, colon, kidneys, and skin. The essential oil protocols, 10-day daily menu, and food remedies provide support to help your organs function optimally so that they can do what they’re supposed to do in metabolism and digestion. They also contribute to the release of emotional and spiritual blockages. Bring yourself back into balance!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9780359126576

Book preview

Ancient Healing for Modern People: Food, Herbs & Essential Oils to Detox, Cleanse & Rejuvenate the Body, Mind & Soul

Ancient Healing for Modern People: Food, Herbs & essential oils to detox, cleanse & Rejuvenate the Body, Mind & Soul

Ancient Healing for Modern People

Food, Herbs & Essential Oils to Detox, Cleanse & Rejuvenate the Body, Mind & Soul

Michele Arnold-Pirtle, DACM, L.Ac.

Publisher:  Total Health Acupuncture Center

2018

USA

Copyright © 2018 Michele Arnold-Pirtle, DACM, L.Ac.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2018

ISBN - 978-1-387-84032-8

Acupuncture Center, Inc.

www.wellwithdrmichele.com

Ordering Information:

Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, educators, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the above listed web address.

U.S. trade bookstores and wholesalers: Please contact Total Health Acupuncture Center, Inc. Tel: [phone];

Fax: [phone] or email [e-mail]

Disclaimer

This book has not been evaluated by the FDA.  The products and methods recommended are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent illness or disease.  It is not a substitute for medical advice. 

This book has been designed to provide information to help educate the reader regarding the subject matter covered. It is made available with the understanding that the author and publisher is not liable for any misconception or misuse of the information provided. The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss, damage or injury cased, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the information contained in this book. The information presented herein is in no way intended as a substitute for medical counseling. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult a qualified health care professional.

Any mention of Bio-Medical Disease Names, Common Disease Names, or Symptoms does not claim the ability of Chinese herbal formulas, essential oils, whole foods, or supplements to cure, treat, heal, or prevent, such conditions. The names are included only for clarification of common support for minor and occasional everyday wellness needs.

Dedication

To my dad, Cliff.  I miss you, and I know you always believed in me.  The love of cooking, beer, food, and its history will always remind me of you.  May the tea be with you!

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my teachers, my friends, my fellow practitioners of Chinese Medicine, all lovers of Natural Remedies, essential oils, and my family without whose help this book would never have been completed.

Thank you for your patience and guidance.

Preface

As a health-conscious individual, you are most likely reading this guidebook, because if you’re like me, you want a quick and easy reference to turn to for choosing the right foods for healthy meals, and how to use food as medicine for a return to health.  As a mom, I know how hard it can be at times to always eat right.  We must try our best. 

For the holistic health practitioner, this book can serve as a resource explaining the benefits of Chinese Medicine, along with diet, herbal, or essential oil recommendations for your patients. 

We need this information because there is much confusion these days as to what is healthy.  America is in poor health despite all the fad diets and trends.  When we look at the yearly statistics compiled from the American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and other government sources, we suffer from heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and arthritis.  As of 2017, heart disease remains the number one killer accounting for about 1 out of every 3 deaths in the US, and strokes account for about 1 in every 20 deaths.[1]  They consider Life’s Simple 7 as ways to reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular and heart disease. They are, don’t smoke, increase physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet, control cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.  Of course, these risk factors also can reduce a whole host of other diseases and cancer. Unfortunately, it appears obesity is skyrocketing where 37.7 % of adults in the US are considered obese.[2]  This is an increase of 7.2% from 2000.  An estimated 23.4 million, or 9.1 percent, of American adults have diagnosed diabetes.[3]  An estimated 34% of American adults have high blood pressure where only approximately 54.5% have the condition under control even on antihypertensive medications.[4] The findings report that direct and indirect costs of cardiovascular diseases and stroke are estimated to total more than $316 billion.[5]

This book is designed to cut through the confusion of what is healthy to eat. The goal is to help individuals eat right, balance blood sugar, maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure, which are 4 of the 7 factors known to reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke. It works because it is a return to traditional whole foods without unnecessary restrictions.  The premise is to eat with balance in mind.  This means enjoy from all foods groups without eating too much of any one kind of food.  There must be a little give and take with what is appropriate for individual circumstances.  At first thought, it may seem easier to have fewer choices with a list of eat this, and not that.  However, leaving out whole food groups, or those that are one color such as, don’t eat anything white, leads to imbalance.

As an acupuncturist and Doctor of Chinese Medicine, I learned firsthand from my own experience and from that of my patient’s feedback as to what really works long-term.  Chinese Medicine has been around for centuries, and the theories and practices still apply to the modern people of today for all populations, and ethnicity according to Bob Flaws (2008), a Chinese Medicine expert. He has found that this is because our basic physiology remains the same, with the same basic nutritional requirement.[6] We have survived at the top of the food chain because we adapt to our surroundings, we eat whatever is available, and we learned how to prepare foods properly for best absorption and nutritional assimilation anthropologists find.[7]  Also, analysis of many foods indicates that there are both good and bad properties of some foods, and proper cooking methods neutralizes the antinutrients.  Thus, proper cooking methods are just as important as eating fresh real food.  The antinutrients are the plants defense mechanism.  This might indicate that food doesn’t want to be food. It doesn’t want to be eaten.  From this we can deduce that’s the basic reason why we cook most of our foods. Some foods only want to be eaten when the seeds are ready to be scattered, so a new plant or tree can grow.  That is why we eat fruit such as a peach when it is ripe.[8]  To me, these points above indicate why the dietary practices of Chinese Medicine works well for most people. 

Therefore, a general diet for optimal health, called a healthy Spleen-Qi diet, will be explained because most people living in temperate climates do well on a spleen-Qi diet.  Food therapy for different constitutional types will also be outlined suggesting the best foods to bring you back to a state of health.

I have personally used many of the food recipes, essential oil protocols and herbal remedies listed in this guide for myself and my own family with great success.  As a doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, many of my patients use the eating guidelines, recipes, essential oils and herbal remedies with amazing results. 

Please note, that Chinese food, and many Chinese food restaurants in America today serve dishes that are adapted to suit American palates and often differ significantly from those found in China.[9] Of the various regional cuisines in China, Cantonese cuisine has been the most influential in the development of American Chinese cuisine.  Although yummy, the plates may not be a representation of healthy Chinese dietary practices.[10]

Much of what people eat in China has also changed. In China today, studies indicate that with increases in standards of living many people, whether living in cities or rural areas, no longer follow the traditional Chinese healthy diet.[11]  The nutritional surveys show there has been a change with increased overall food consumption and calories, eating out, thus not cooking foods at home, and a more sedentary life-style.  Their diet consists of increased amount of meats, fish, poultry, pork, foods fried in canola oil, or peanut oil, fatty greasy foods, noodles, polished white rice, dumplings, starches, refined wheat, white flour, corn, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and much more sugary foods and drinks.  There is also a high amount of antibiotic use in livestock, and in the waters.  It has become a more Westernized diet they say.[12]  An article written by Veronica Hackethal, Diabetes is a Major Health-Crisis in China, highlights the epidemic where there has been an increase in diabetes from only 1% in 1980, to over 11% by 2010. The culprit isn’t any one thing researchers find, but a culmination of everything mentioned.[13]  The authors of the book, Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries (2006), write that as in many developing countries, processed refined foods are becoming cheaper, and more accessible than fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.  The good news is that studies show that with a return to a traditional diet, health can be restored, and diabetes along with Coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke, and some specific cancers, can be reversed.[14]

The take away from the above research is that all is not lost, and we must have hope and faith in our bodies to heal themselves when given the means to do so.  I believe we can take control of our own health to a certain degree.  For everyday wellness and minor concerns, we can take care of ourselves naturally.  We can use specific foods, diet, herbal remedies, and essential oils.  It is always advised to seek proper medical care when necessary, but it’s nice to have natural solutions as a first line of defense.  Of course, we can’t help 100% of people always.  But, if we can make a difference for 80% or more of people, we have done our job.  And, there are variable factors regarding those who don’t respond favorably.  Many of us respond quickly and favorably to essential oils.  I have found that in my home it creates an empowering and learning environment that invites participation of self-care methods.  Both of my boys have their favorite oils for example, Tyler loves peppermint oil, and Luke loves wild orange.  Everybody has different body chemistry, and like foods, people may respond differently.  If something isn’t generating the desired results, change it, and try something different.  Don’t be afraid to experiment.  Personal experience and knowing how to use and apply essential oils is the best insurance.  Although, there is never a 100% guarantee with anything considered whether from holistic or allopathic medicine.  The positive note from this is that with holistic medicine we can pursue health without toxic chemicals and side-effects to experience a longer happier productive life. 

Enjoy! 

To health and natural healing for you and your family.  May you feel good every day!

Michele Arnold-Pirtle, Doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (DACM), Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.)

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[1] American Heart Association-American Stroke Association. (2017). Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2017 At-a-Glance. Retrieved from: https://www.heart.org/idc/groups/ahamah-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_491265.pdf

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Flaws, B.  (2008, Aug.).  The Tao of Healthy Eating, Dietary Wisdom According to Chinese Medicine, Second Edition.  Boulder: Blue Poppy Press.     

[7] Boyle, R. (2012, Oct. 22). Eating Cooked Food Made Us Human: Raw food takes too long to digest and offers too few calories to grow a human brain. Cooking it is the key. Popular Science.  Retrieved from: https://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-10/eating-cooked-food-made-us-human-study-finds

[8] Ibid.

[9] Wikipedia. (2017, September 20). American Chinese Cuisine. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Chinese_cuisine

[10]Hu, F.B. (2011, June). Globalization of Diabetes:  The role of diet, lifestyle, and genes.  Diabetes Care; 34(6): 1249-1257. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc11-0442 . Retrieved from: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/34/6/1249

[11] Ibid.

[12] Ibid. 

[13]Hackethal, V. (2014, Sept. 18). Diabetes Is a Major Public-Health Crisis in China.  Medscape.  Retrieved from: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/831911

[14] Willett, W., Koplan, J., Nugent, R., Dusenbury, C., Puska, P., Gaziano, T. Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, et al., editors. (2006). Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries. 2nd edition.  Chapter 44, Prevention of Chronic Disease by Means of Diet and Lifestyle Changes. Oxford University Press.

Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11795/

Introduction

The cause of most illnesses and degenerative diseases according to studies is poor digestive function, yeast, candida, other microorganisms, poor eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, over eating, starvation, over work, emotional upset, and mentally overthinking (Willett WC, 2006).[15]  The 10-Day Essential Body Detox and Gut Restoration Program is a way to jump-start the body back to health.  It detoxifies the body, reduces inflammatory responses, heals the intestinal lining, restores beneficial intestinal bacteria, and improves digestive health.  Therefore, it can help anyone wanting to feel healthier, have more energy, lose weight, and support healthy cellular health and DNA. 

What does this mean to you?  Relief of the symptoms indicating poor spleen-Qi health such as:

Constipation, loose stools or diarrhea

Hemorrhoids

Obesity

Melasma (cholasma)

Acne (pimple), black heads

Yeast and candidiasis

Bad breath

Acid reflux or heart burn

Itchy skin, rashes, eczema

Ulcers

Irritable bowel syndrome

Gas and bloating, fullness, tummyache

Nausea or lack of appetite

Headaches

Insomnia

Fatigue

Sugar cravings or cravings for refined carbohydrate foods

Poor focus, memory or concentration

Teeth grinding

Stress, emotional upset, lack of self-control, anger, frustration, depression, irritability.

Allergies and asthma

In this book, we outline a 10-day Essential Body Detox and Gut Restoration Program, the basic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) balanced Spleen-Qi diet for a healthy life, TCM Food and herbal remedies for your constitutional meridian body type, and essential oils for cleansing and rejuvenating the body, mind and soul. 

The program involves the use of a 10-day Essential Body Detox menu plan with specific foods, Chinese Herbal remedies, and essential oils to bring you back to a state of balance.  When transitioning to a new healthier diet and lifestyle habits, it is often beneficial to begin with a cleansing-detoxification regime.  It is a great way to jump start weight loss, have a clear plan of action, and stay on course beyond 10 days for a new vibrant you.  The point is to clear the body and gastrointestinal tract of any toxic residues, parasites, candida, yeast, viruses, bacteria, chemicals, and inflammation.  These are referred to as ‘Gu Toxins’ in Chinese Medicine.[16]  Clearing Gu Toxins is also a time to replenish healthy intestinal bacteria flora.  With the help of essential oils, we can clear the clutter from our mind, clear old toxic patterns of eating, negative patterns of behavior, habits, pent up negative emotions, and to improve our attitude in general.[17]

Ultimately, to establish and continue the basic TCM spleen-Qi (pronounced Chee or Chi) diet after the 10-day program.  It means that most meals focus on whole plant foods including vegetables, beans, sea vegetables, rice, millet, other whole-grains, with smaller amounts of animal foods such as meat, poultry, or fish than the typical American diet.  It is not a return to your old unhealthy eating habits after the program.  That wouldn’t give any long-term benefits, am I right? 

A spleen-Qi diet includes general food rules for balanced health for all constitutional types and patterns of imbalance.  These guidelines help to balance and prevent the signs of weak, damp, spleen-pancreas Qi, and poor digestion. You will develop new healthy habits, and a good relationship with food that will last a lifetime.

When ill or imbalanced a return to health can be accomplished through food therapy with eating foods beneficial for your constitutional type (meridian diagnosis), and to avoid those that aggravate it. 

With Chinese Medicine dietary practices, you will experience a greater free flow of Qi-energy and blood circulation that will leave you feeling good everyday so that you can do more of things you love.  There is an old Chinese proverb that says:

When there is free flow of Qi-energy and blood there is no pain, or disharmony,

When there is a blockage of Qi-energy and blood circulation there is pain or disease.

The following protocols and dietary practices are only meant to serve as a guide.  Refer to an essential oil resource, herbal text, or holistic health practitioner for additional information.  Use your best judgement and common sense.  Seek appropriate medical care when needed.  This handbook is not meant to replace medical treatment.  When pregnant, nursing, or undergoing therapy for debilitating illnesses such as cancer always consult with your physician first.  It isn’t always wise to make drastic changes in your diet under these circumstances. 

Drawing on years of study of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and experience treating many patients in my acupuncture practice, I want to share what I have learned.  I have provided easy to follow recipes and guidelines you can use to complete an Essential Body Detox and Gut Restoration Program enabling you to develop a healthy diet and lifestyle.

My goal is to provoke awareness about this healing medicine, and prompt you to use the self-care methods that are available and simple for you to do at home.  It is what we can do for ourselves every day that can really make a difference.   So, that you can live a more active, healthier life…longer. 

Often there will be times when you need the care and expertise of a competent health professional. For a thorough Chinese Medical diagnosis, an herbal formula, essential oils, or acupuncture, I highly suggest you find a qualified licensed acupuncturist and doctor of Chinese Medicine for your partner in healing.

To get the most out of using Chinese Medicine Food Therapy, some history and basic Chinese Medical theory will be explained, as will the safety and uses of essential oils, and herbal remedies.

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[15] Willet, W., et al. (2006). 

[16] Flaws, B.  (1999).  Welcome to There’s a Fungus Among Us: A Talk on Chinese Medicine & Chronic Candidiasis.  Lecture and Notes.

[17] Schnaubelt, K. (2011, November).  The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils, The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy.  Rochester:  Healing Arts Press.

Part 1-Chinese Medicine for a Healthy Life

WHAT IS ORIENTAL MEDICINE?

It is a whole health system created over 3,500 years ago.  It is also known as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  It is a holistic natural approach to diagnosing, preventing, and treating diseases.  The human body needs warmth, balance and harmony.  Thus, the therapies we use bring balance to the flow of our Qi (Chee)-energy and blood circulation.  It is important to keep Qi-energy flowing freely that becomes blocked by normal stresses of everyday life.  An obstruction to the flow of Qi is like a dam. When Qi becomes backed up in one part of the body, the flow becomes restricted in other parts. This blockage of the flow of Qi can be detrimental to a person’s health, cutting off vital nourishment to the body, organs and glands.  Physical and emotional trauma, stress, lack of exercise, overexertion, seasonal changes, poor diet, accidents, or excessive activity are among the many things that can influence the quality, quantity and balance of Qi.[18]

Normally, when a blockage or imbalance occurs, the body easily bounces back, returning to a state of health and well-being. However, when this disruption is prolonged or excessive, or if the body is in a weakened state, illness, pain, or disease can set in.[19]  According to ancient Chinese Medical theory:

Blockage of the flow of Qi can be detrimental to a person’s health

and leads to various signs and symptoms or health concerns.

Acupuncturists can provide you with Chinese herbal remedies as well as regular acupuncture treatments that can free the flow of blocked Qi-energy and blood to help keep you feeling healthy and strong.[20]  At home methods often recommended by acupuncturists include meditation, exercise, massage, essential oils, food therapy for specific complaints, eating a healthy spleen-Qi diet, periodic fasting, or a cleansing and detoxification program. 

Chinese Medicine Constitutional Meridian Diagnosis

Diagnosis by your acupuncturist is confirmed through a collection of your overall signs and symptoms, tongue diagnosis, pulse diagnosis, the sound of your voice, odor, facial complexion, and emotional expression.  What we see and what you’re experiencing is your pattern, constitutional type or Five-Element Meridian Diagnosis.  In terms of self-evaluation found in Part 6: Choose Your Constitutional Meridian Diagnosis, you will find the different Qi, Blood, and Five-Element categories with their matching signs and symptoms.  It is still advised to seek the care of an acupuncturist for accurate confirmation of your Meridian diagnosis. 

Much of these patterns and Chinese Medical terminology that you will read about can be explained with corresponding Western definitions wherever possible.  The beauty in using Chinese Medical terminology is that the patterns of the five elements of nature includes the total physicality, personality, and needs of the whole person.  In other words, they not only include a diseased state, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for example, but all other symptoms the individual is experiencing as well.  One person with IBS may feel exhausted, feel cold, and tend toward loose stools while another person with IBS will experience tension, irritability, more constipation, and feeling too warm.   Their treatments may be different with the focus for the first to nourish and warm Kidney-Qi with the latter to regulate the Liver-Qi, nourish yin, and calm the mind.

The saying is: [21]

Different diseases, same treatment (yi bing tong zhi)

Same disease, different treatment (tong bing yi zhi)

Chinese Medicine thought, and terminology provides a picture of whole systems working together, not individualized parts, visualizing the relationship of symptoms to the whole body.  We don’t have isolated organs, but organ systems that work together. 

With that said, I do hope you find Chinese Medicine interesting, and that you will now be more aware of the strength and value that this ancient healing art can offer you.  There is so much more to learn if you’re interested!

Chinese Medicine Physiology

Embryological science is where Western physiology and anatomy coincides with the ancient knowledge of Chinese Medicine and acupuncture. Dr. Daniel Keown, M.B., Ch.B., Lic. Ac. in his book, The Spark in the Machine:  How the Science of Acupuncture Explains the Mysteries of Western Medicine (2014), shows how the physiology of Western Medicine supports the theories of Chinese Medicine.  Keown explains how the Chinese included the actions of glands along with the visceral organ's functions they were attached to or near in the physiology of each of the meridian-organ systems. For example, the adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys, therefore, functions of the adrenals are included in the functions of the kidney channel in Chinese Medicine. The spleen channel includes functions of the pancreas.  Anatomically the spleen is connected to the pancreas, which is attached at the end like a stalk.[22]  That is why the category of Spleen-Qi includes the functions of the spleen as we know it in Western Medicine; it’s role in immunity, degradation of old blood cells, and lymphatic circulation, plus the actions of the pancreas gland in digestion and metabolism. 

The other organs of digestion, stomach, liver, gall bladder, small intestine, and large intestine, have their own physiology and category of a pattern of disharmony as well their part in Good Spleen Qi-Digestion. 

For example, the liver, we know is involved with digestion by way of secreting bile.  The liver in TCM also helps regulate our emotions and keeps our Energy-Qi flowing smoothly throughout the body.  When imbalanced we may feel frustrated, irritated, depressed, or impatient.  It is from the liver’s inability to effectively metabolize the hormone histamine. The hormone that makes us feel itchy, frustrated, and irritable.[23]  These feelings can then hinder proper digestion!  If you experience some of these feelings, you may be diagnosed with a pattern of Liver Qi Stagnation.

What is Qi-Energy and Meridians?  See the following, "Body Meridians", illustration.

A life in essential-harmony is having strong and balanced Qi-energy, vital to health.  Qi (chee or chi) has many different meanings such as, energy, warmth, breath, air, space, oxygen, movement, or function. 

Qi flows in our channel systems and blood vessels.  The channels are also called meridians because they look like meridian lines found on a map.  They are found superficially on our skin following lines like blood vessels and nerves. They reach interiorly connecting to our organs and glands.  They are responsible for communication and energy distribution reaching every muscle, organ, gland, tissue, and cell of our body.  Thus, they are important for both treatment and diagnosis.  The Dao of Chinese Medicine, by Donald Kendall richly describes Qi and the physiological processes of the organ-channel systems (2002).  Kendall (2002), explains how the channels carry small negative electrical currents, and that fluids flow between the spaces of the fascial planes. There are fourteen main meridians, with twelve primary paired channels, and two single channels.  The primary channels are each named according to the organ it innervates which are, Liver, Gallbladder, Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium, Triple Warmer, Spleen, Stomach, Lung, Large Intestine, Kidney and Bladder.  The two single channels are found along our midline, the conception vessel (Ren) down the front, and the directing or governing vessel (Du) down the back on the spine.  Along the channels are spaces, or holes, which are surrounded by a greater density of neural capillary beds, called acupuncture points, or nodes. They act as electrical transmitters along an electrical circuit.  Qi coursing through the channels can be manipulated at these stations.  Acupuncture points have a greater electrical charge, with less electrical resistance.  This vibrational frequency can be measured on the skin along the channels using an electro dermal device.  This bio-electrical charge is created within our cellular membranes of the mitochondria by the sodium ion-potassium pump.  Qi-energy is also the potential energy of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) necessary for metabolic processes.  Qi is the energy generated from ATP where heat is released, and it becomes Adenosine di-phosphate (ADP).  Cells need a constant supply of Qi-energy from carbohydrates, oxygen and fats to regenerate ATP from the ADP.  This is cellular respiration in the Krebs’s or Citric Acid cycle, where food and oxygen generate energy.

food + air = energy

glucose + oxygen = water + carbon dioxide + energy (Heat)

Qi like electricity is invisible, but we can see its effects

It is also the developmental energy, and cooperative force

Cellular Qi