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Different kinds of qi have different functions. Generally speaking, they can be summarized as follows:Promoting action: qi is a refined substance full of vitality. It promotes and activates the growth and development of the human body, the physiological activities of the viscera and meridians, the formation and circulation of blood as well as the production, distribution and excretion of the body fluid.Warming action: the Classic on Medical Problems (Nan Jing) says, “qi has a warming action.” The normal temperature of the body is maintained and readjusted by qi. A deficiency of qi can lead to a lower body temperature, intolerance to cold and cold limbs.Defending action: the defending action of qi is marked by the defense of the body surface against the invasion of exogenous pathogenic factors. That is why it is said in the Plain Questions that “only when qi in the body is deficient can pathogenic factors invade the body”.Consolidating action: the consolidating action of qi refers to the idea that qi can prevent the loss of blood and body fluid. For instance, qi controls blood by keeping it circulating in the vessels, and controls sweating, urination and seminal emission. If this consolidating action of qi is impaired, spontaneous sweating, incontinence, premature ejaculation and spermatorrhea may occur.Transforming action: the transforming action of qi refers to the various biochemical changes brought on by the movement of qi. For instance, the production of qi, blood, and body fluid depends on the transformation of food into nutrients; body fluids are converted into sweat and urine by means of anabolism; and the residues of food, after digestion and absorption, are turned into feces. All these processes are concrete manifestations of the transforming action of qi. So, the process of qi transformation is actually the process of the metabolism of substances and energy in the body.The various functions of qi are all performed by its movement. TCM calls the movement of qi as qiji (mechanism of qi). Theoretically, qi moves in four basic ways: ascending, descending, exiting and entering. Ascending refers to movement from below; descending, from above; exiting, from the interior; and entering from the exterior. These movements of qi are vital to life. Once they stop, life comes to an end.推动作用：气是活力很强的精微物质。它可以促进和刺激人体的生长和发育，内脏和经络的生理活动，血液的产生和循环，以及津液的产生、分布和排泄。温煦作用：《难经》说：“气主煦之。” 正常的体温是由气来维持和调节的。如果气的温煦作用减弱，就会出现体温下降、畏寒肢冷等虚寒病症。防御作用：气的防御作用主要在于护卫肌表，防御外邪入侵。所以《素问》说：“邪之所凑，其气必虚。”固摄作用：固摄作用指气可以阻止血液和津液的流失。比如，气可以通过让血液在血管里循环来固摄血液，还可以控制出汗、排尿和遗精。气的这种固摄作用如果受到损害的话，可能会发生自汗、小便失禁、早泄和遗精。气化作用：气化作用指由气的运动带来的各种生化变化。比如，气、血、津液的产生依赖于食物到营养物的转化；津液可以转化为汗液和尿液；食物残渣在消化、吸收后转化为粪便。所有这些过程都是气化的具体表现。所以气化过程实际上就是体内的物质代谢及能量代谢。气的各种功能，是通过气的运动来实现的。中医将气的运动，称为“气机”。理论上，气有升、降、出、入四种基本运动形式。升，是指气由下而上的运动；降，乃指气由上而下的运动；出，是指气由体内向体外的运动；入，则指气由体外向体内的运动。气的升降出入是人体生命活动的一种表现，升降出入一旦停止，人的生命也就中止了。■📽 
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