Fluids: Jin vs. Ye

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Jin-Ye is the general term for fluids in the body. But some authorities

will translate " Jin " as " fluids " and " Ye " as " liquids " . This can be very

confusing to those new to TCM. What's the difference? The key to

understanding the difference (and Fluid physiology) is that in Chinese

thought, everything is relative, existing in relationship to something else.

For example, Qi is Yang when compared to Blood, and Blood is Yin when

compared to Qi. The front of the body is Yin when compared to the back, and

the back is Yang in relation to the front of the body.

 

Jin and Ye are relative terms for Fluids. The Jin is " clear, light, and

thin-watery. " The Ye is more turbid than the Jin, and also is heavy and

dense. (Maciocia, The Foundations of , p. 55)

 

" So?????? " , many readers may be asking at this point. What's the big deal?

The significance of this differentiation will only become apparent once one

begins to study Fluid physiology and the problems that can result from Fluid

pathology.

 

In TCM, Fluid physiology is a series of steps in the body in which the fluid

consumed in water and food is separated or refined into the " clear, light,

and thin-watery " Jin and the " more turbid, heavy, and dense " Ye. (Maciocia,

Foundations, p. 55.) Through each step in this process, the Jin keeps

getting more clear and more light, and the Ye keeps getting more heavy and

dense. The Jin tends to move upward and outward; the Ye tends to move inward

and downward (relative to each other).

 

Jin circulates " with Defensive Qi on the Exterior (skin and muscles).

(Maciocia, Foundations, p. 55) Being by definition lighter than Ye, Jin

tends to move quicker than the heavier Ye. Jin can take the form of sweat,

tears, saliva, and mucus. Jin moistens and partially nourishes skin and

muscle. (Maciocia, p. 55.)

 

" Another important function of the fluids " (Jin) " is to become a component

of the fluid part of Blood. In other words, these fluids thin the Blood out

and prevent its stasis. " (Maciocia, Foundations, p. 55) If there is a

problem with Fluid physiology and Jin not being properly separated so that

it can become part of the plasma part of blood, the person will have " thick "

blood, circulation problems due to " thick " blood, possible problems with

blood pressure, nausea, weakness, dizziness, etc.

 

In cases of a person suffering from this kind of dehydration and " thick "

blood, what went wrong where? Chances are the problem is in the Lungs (like

Heat in the Lungs) and/or the Upper Burner (a division of the Triple

Burner). The Jin " are under the control of the Lungs, which spreads them to

the skin all over the body, and of the Upper Burner, which controls their

transformation and movement towards the skin. " (Maciocia, p. 55.)

 

In contrast, the more turbid, heavier, and denser Ye circulate internally

along with the Nutritive Qi. Because they are heavier and denser, they move

slowly relatively to the Jin. The Ye " moisten the joints, spine, brain and

bone marrow. They also lubricate the orifices of the sense organs, i.e.

eyes, ears, nose and mouth. " (Maciocia, p. 55) Ye pathology sometimes is the

Root of people having trouble turning their heads, bending over, or moving

their arms or legs. There is not the full range of motion due to there

being insufficient Ye to lubricate these areas. Disturbance in Ye

production also can be the Root of some cases of dry mouth, dry nose, dry

eyes, etc.

 

When Ye-type problems are pronounced, look for problems in the Spleen,

Kidneys, and or Middle and Lower Burners. The Ye " are under the control of

the Spleen and Kidneys for their transformation, and of the Middle and Lower

Burner for their movement and escretion. " (Maciocia, p. 55.)

 

In actuality, Jin and Ye pathologies tend to occur together because they are

relative to each other. Fluid physiology in TCM is a series of steps in

which the lighter, clearer Jin is further separated from the heavier, denser

Ye. This will be especially noticable in cases of long-standing Fluid

pathology. In these cases there frequently will be problems in the Lungs,

Kidneys, Spleen, and Triple Burner. But one usually will be more pronounced

than the other, giving the healer clues as to fine-tuning and adjusting

treatment as the clinical picture changes during treatment.

 

For those new to TCM: The important things to remember at this stage is

that the Jin are clearer, lighter, and thinner compared to the Ye, and the

Ye is heavier, denser, and more turbid compared to the Jin. Also, Fluid

physiology in TCM is a series of steps in which the Jin and Ye are separated

from each other and further refined.

 

The Stomach is the source of body Fluids. The food and drink first enter

the Stomach where the Spleen transforms and separates Fluids in the first

step of the process of refinement.

 

The two broad categories of Fluid Pathology are Deficiency (like in

dehydration though not limited to the Western concept of dehydration) and

Excess of Fluids (like in the cases of edema, Phlegm-Fluid).

 

Victoria

 

 

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