Stomach qì

1. The power manifest in stomach function. See stomach governs intake; stomach governs rotting and ripening; stomach qì governs downbearing. Impairments of the stomach’s governing of downbearing include disharmony of stomach qì and stomach qì ascending counterflow.

2. Activity of the stomach and the spleen in general.

3. Stomach (and spleen) function as reflected in the appetite. A healthy patient who has a good appetite is said to have stomach qì, a patient with a poor appetite is said to have weak stomach qì, whereas a patient who is severely ill and cannot eat is said to have no stomach qì. Thus, it is often said, The presence of stomach qì means life; the absence of stomach qì is death. See appetite.

4. The strength of the spleen and stomach manifesting in the pulse. See stomach, spirit, and root; pulse bereft of stomach qì.