Energy & Vitality

In Western medicine, energy and vitality refer to one's capacity for growth, development, and vigorous activity. Studies in psychoneuroimmunology substantiate that a person's perceived energy levels directly influence physical health outcomes (Gouin et al., Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2012). Ayurveda describes vitality as the life force and fire governing biological processes. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), vitality is managed by the "three treasures": Jing, Qi, and Shen. Jing, primarily stored in the kidneys, regulates growth and collaborates with Qi in systemic protection. Qi, also residing in the kidneys, is both a physical and emotional life force derived from parental inheritance and essential substances such as air and food (Zhang et al., Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015). Together, Jing and Qi form the basis for Shen, representing the emotional and spiritual layers of human existence. Shen resides in the heart and its disturbance, often linked to a spleen dysfunction failing to nourish the heart adequately, can result in symptoms like anxiety and insomnia (Wang et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2017).