Mild cognitive disorder is a condition that lies between normal age-related decline and dementia,primarily characterized by a decline in cognitive functions such as memory and executive function.In traditional Chinese medicine,it falls under the categories of"amnesia"and"consumptive disease,"closely linked to dysfunction of the"spirit."The principle that"yang qi nourishes the spirit when refined"originates from the Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor.It explains how the abundance and regulated circulation of yang qi influence the proper functioning of the human spirit.Yang qi generates,nourishes,and protects the spirit's functions,a process dependent on the unimpeded flow through the sanjiao and the xuanfu.Yang qi originates from kidney yang,circulates through sanjiao,nourishes the upper,middle,and lower zang-fu organs,generates vital substances,and regulates the opening and closing of xuanfu.This enables it to generate the spirit,nourish vital substances,and defend against external pathogens.These three elements coordinate and interact to facilitate the operation of spirit.With aging,excessive consumption of rich and greasy foods,or emotional distress,yang qi gradually becomes deficient.This impairs the circulation of qi and fluids within the"sanjiao-xuanfu,"hindering the transformation of qi,blood,and essence.Consequently,phlegm-dampness,static blood,and turbid toxins accumulate internally,disturbing the clear orifices.Among these factors,kidney yang deficiency impairs sanjiao qi transformation and deprives the xuanfu of nourishment,forming the foundational pathogenesis for mild cognitive disorder.Deficiency-induced stagnation,coupled with phlegm-stasis mutual entanglement,ascends to disturb the xuanfu,constituting a key factor in cognitive disorder onset.Clinically,treatment must adhere to the core pathogenesis of yang deficiency,adopting the therapeutic principle of"regulating the sanjiao and opening xuanfu."Restoring xuanfu patency and sanjiao function harmonizes qi and blood throughout the body,thereby restoring mental consciousness.This paper explores the relationship between yang qi and the spirit,examining the connections between yang qi,sanjiao,and xuanfu.It aims to provide new insights and approaches for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of mild cognitive disorder.

Mild cognitive disorder is a condition that lies between normal age-related decline and dementia,primarily characterized by a decline in cognitive functions such as memory and executive function.In traditional Chinese medicine,it falls under the categories of"amnesia"and"consumptive disease,"closely linked to dysfunction of the"spirit."The principle that"yang qi nourishes the spirit when refined"originates from the Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor.It explains how the abundance and regulated circulation of yang qi influence the proper functioning of the human spirit.Yang qi generates,nourishes,and protects the spirit's functions,a process dependent on the unimpeded flow through the sanjiao and the xuanfu.Yang qi originates from kidney yang,circulates through sanjiao,nourishes the upper,middle,and lower zang-fu organs,generates vital substances,and regulates the opening and closing of xuanfu.This enables it to generate the spirit,nourish vital substances,and defend against external pathogens.These three elements coordinate and interact to facilitate the operation of spirit.With aging,excessive consumption of rich and greasy foods,or emotional distress,yang qi gradually becomes deficient.This impairs the circulation of qi and fluids within the"sanjiao-xuanfu,"hindering the transformation of qi,blood,and essence.Consequently,phlegm-dampness,static blood,and turbid toxins accumulate internally,disturbing the clear orifices.Among these factors,kidney yang deficiency impairs sanjiao qi transformation and deprives the xuanfu of nourishment,forming the foundational pathogenesis for mild cognitive disorder.Deficiency-induced stagnation,coupled with phlegm-stasis mutual entanglement,ascends to disturb the xuanfu,constituting a key factor in cognitive disorder onset.Clinically,treatment must adhere to the core pathogenesis of yang deficiency,adopting the therapeutic principle of"regulating the sanjiao and opening xuanfu."Restoring xuanfu patency and sanjiao function harmonizes qi and blood throughout the body,thereby restoring mental consciousness.This paper explores the relationship between yang qi and the spirit,examining the connections between yang qi,sanjiao,and xuanfu.It aims to provide new insights and approaches for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of mild cognitive disorder.