Jing, Qi, Xue,
Jin
Ye Theory - Essence Qi Blood And Body Fluids Theory
| Jing,
Qi, blood (xue), and
body fluid (jin ye) are fundamental substances of the
human body which sustain the normal physiological functions of the zang-fu
organs and tissues. Jing, translated as
Essence, a very precious substance, should be guarded and not wasted.
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Jing(Essence)
Prenatal Jing (Pre-Heaven Essence)
At conception, the Prenatal Jing is passed
to the fetus from the parents.
Prenatal Jing (together with an energy
derived from the Kidneys of the mother) nourishes the fetus during
pregnancy.
Prenatal Jing determines basic
constitution, strength, and vitality. It is fixed in quantity, determined
at birth: it cannot be added to, only conserved and used up more slowly.
It is stored in the Kidneys.
The way to conserve Prenatal Jing is by
striving for balance in all life activities. Balance meaning moderation in
diet, work/rest, sexual activity. Irregularity or excess in these areas
wastes Prenatal Jing.
Certain exercises help conserve Prenatal
Jing, such as breathing exercises, Taiji (Tai Chi), and Qi Gong.
Postnatal Jing (Post-Heaven Essence)
After birth, the child begins eating,
drinking, and breathing independently. Its Lungs, Spleen and Stomach then
begin functioning to extract and refine Qi from the food and drink it
consumes and the air it breaths. Postnatal Jing is the complex of essences
thus refined and extracted. Postnatal Jing depends on the functions of
Stomach and Spleen.
Jing, translated as Essence, is a very
precious substance, which should be guarded and not wasted.
Two main kinds: Prenatal Jing (Pre-Heaven
Essence) and Postnatal Jing (Post-Heaven Essence).
Kidney Jing
- Kidney Jing plays important role in
physiology.
- Is hereditary, like Prenatal Jing and
determines constitution.
- However, is partly replenished by the
Postnatal Jing.
- Stored in the Kidneys but has fluid nature
and circulates all over the body, especially in the Eight Ancestral
(Extraordinary) Vessels.
- Forms the basis for growth, development,
sexual maturation, and reproduction.
- Moves in long, slow cycles, and presides
over the major phases of development in life.
- The first is in childhood. Kidney Jing
controls growth of bones, teeth, hair, brain development and sexual
maturation. Where Kidney Jing is weak, there may be poor bone and teeth
development, stunted growth, and mental retardation.
- Puberty. Kidney Jing controls
reproductive function and fertility, and normal development into
adulthood. Developmental problems that occur at this time such as
amenorrhea, are often related to weak Kidney Jing.
- Conception and pregnancy are guided and
controlled by Kidney Jing. Where Kidney Jing is weak, signs such as
infertility, chronic miscarriage and other such problems may occur.
- Kidney Jing declines naturally, finally
producing the characteristic signs of hair/teeth loss, impairment of
memory, etc.
- Kidney Jing is the basis for Kidney Qi
Jing is fluid-like and therefore more Yin. Can be considered as an aspect
of Kidney Yin.
Forms the material basis for production of Kidney Qi (via the warming
action of Kidney Yang. Kidney Yin is warmed by Kidney Yang and Kidney Qi
is formed, but Kidney Jing is necessary before this transformation can
occur.
Deficiency of Kidney Jing can thus result in such problems as impotence,
chronic weak or sore lower back, weak knees, tinnitus, urinary
incontinence, deafness, loose teeth, etc. (all signs of weak Kidney Qi
and/or Yang.)
- Kidney Jing produces Marrow
Kidney Jing produces Marrow. Marrow produces bone marrow, the brain, and
the spinal cord (Marrow in TCM has no exact equivalent in Western
Medicine).
The Brain in TCM is called the "Sea of Marrow". Therefore if Kidney Jing
is weak, brain may be undernourished, leading to poor
memory/concentration, "empty" feeling in the head, dizziness, etc.
- Kidney Jing determines our Constitution
Our protection from exterior pathogens depends largely on the strength of
a type of Qi: the Defensive (Wei) Qi.
However, the state of Kidney Essence also influences our strength and
resistance. If the Essence is "wasted" or poorly stored, the person may
have lowered immunity to exogenous pathogenic influences and constantly be
ill with cold, influenza, allergies, etc.
- Essence and Qi are the material foundation
for Shen (Mind).
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Qi
The character qi denotes a dynamic essence characterized by both substance and
function. For example, clean qi, turbid qi, and the qi transformed from the
essence of food are substantial qi, while the qi of the heart, liver, spleen,
kidney, stomach, and the qi of the channels and collaterals are functional qi.
The classification of qi in the human body varies with its distribution,
origin, and function.
Primary
Qi (Yuan Qi)
Primary qi is the most important and fundamental qi originating from the
congenital essence. It is nourished and replenished by the fundamental
substance of food after birth. Primary qi is also known as the qi of the
kidney, and is distributed to the whole body via the sanjiao functions. It
arouses and promotes the activities of the zang-fu organs and tissues. If primary
qi is congenitally deficient or exhausted due to chronic disease, then various
pathological changes will occur.
Aggregative
Qi (Zong Qi)
This is the combination of inhaled clean qi through the lung with the
fundamental substance qi of food digested and absorbed by the stomach and
spleen. Aggregative qi is accumulated in the chest and has the function of
nourishing the lung and the heart, thus promoting respiration and blood
circulation.
Nutrient
Qi (Ying Qi)
Nutrient qi originates from the essential substance of food transformed by the
spleen and stomach. It is the component part of blood flowing throughout the
body. The Suwen states, "Nutrient qi is actually the
essential qi transformed from food and water." While in the Lingshu it
is recorded: "The nutrient qi is secreted by the body
fluid, circulates in the blood vessels, and is transformed into blood to
nourish the four extremities, the five zang and six fu organs."
Defensive
Qi (Wei Qi)
Defensive qi is mainly derived from the essential substances of food and water
which form a part of the human body's yang qi. It circulates outside the
vessels mainly spreading through the muscles and skin. It's physiological
functions are (a) defending the body surface against the invasion of exogenous
pathogenic factors, (b) warming and nourishing the tissues and organs, and (c)
adjusting the opening and closing of the pores.
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Blood
(Xue)
Blood is transformed from the essence of food via the digestion and absorption
of the spleen and stomach. According to the Lingshu, "When
the middle jiao receives food and water, it transforms it into red fluid which
is called blood." After its formation, blood circulates incessantly
throughout the body to nourish the zang and fu organs, the skin, the muscles,
tendons, and bones in order to maintain their normal physiological activities.
Blood is the substantial basis for mental activities. Only when there the qi
and blood are abundant can there be high spirits and clear minds. So in the
Suwen it states, "Blood and qi are the spirits of
man." Pathological changes of blood cause symptoms of palpitation,
insomnia, unconsciousness, delirium, etc.
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Body
Fluid (Jin Ye)
Body fluid in TCM is a general term for all normal liquid in the body including
saliva, gastric fluid, intestinal fluid, joint cavity fluid, tears, nasal
discharge, sweat, urine, etc. Body fluid is derived from food and drink which
is digested and absorbed by the spleen and stomach. It exists in the blood,
tissues, and interstices of joints. A lucid and thin fluid termed jin fluid permeates the muscles and skin. Its main
physiological function is to warm and nourish the muscles, and to moisten the
skin. A turbid and viscous fluid called ye fluid supplies the joint cavities,
brain, and body orifices. Its main physiological function is to lubricate the
joints, tone the brain, and moisten the orifices. Although corresponding in
general origin, formation, and function, jin and ye
differ by their distribution, location, and individual functions. Since no
definitive line can be drawn between the two, they are not clinically
differentiated but are generally termed "jin
ye" (body fluid).
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