Root, spirit and stomach chi
As the word implies, "root" refers to the central energy of the body or the foundation of life. In our Western society, it is easy to ignore root because it is so basic to us. It is only recognized as valuable when it is lost. As with the breath or heartbeat, it is taken for granted, though without any of these there is no life at all. When root is lost, seemingly small symptoms and sicknesses begin to occur much more frequently. We become more susceptible to colds and flu and are more sensitive to the inevitable poisons we encounter in our lives. Foods, experiences, and relationships seem much more difficult to assimilate and transform into usable nutrients.
"Spirit" in the pulse is its quality of shape or strength. It is the divine essence of the human organism, related to drive, creative movement, and the highest individual expression of manifestation on this plane of existence. It represents the relative balance of forces. Spirit requires proper stomach chi or nourishment (physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual), and it demands a strong root. If these prerequisites are present, then the life force is “systematic and in good order.”
"Stomach chi" is a quality of temperance and measure. A prominent Chinese medical classic states, “a relaxed pulse means that it is accompanied by stomach chi.” Also, “…it is slow and peaceful.” As implied, stomach chi is closely related to nutrition. This includes, but is not limited to, the idea of physical food or diet. All levels of nourishment of the body/mind are to be considered here. If we are properly nourished on all levels, we will be strong enough to deal with the invasions of vicious energies in our life (viral and bacterial attacks, the natural seasonal shifts, environmental poisons, emotional drain, other forms of stress, etc.), and we will be calm and peaceful.
The three qualities, root, spirit, and stomach chi, are basic to Oriental diagnosis. Each of these qualities is related to the other qualities and cannot be considered in isolation. Each benefits from the nourishment provided by OHCO's Stomach Chi formula.