TCM Fluid Physiology: Jin-Ye (Fluids)

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This is a post for the intermediate TCM students on the list.

 

Jin-Ye is the term for the normal (and needed) Fluids in the body.

 

The Jin Fluids " are thin, clear and watery, and flow quickly and

easily " (Fluid Physiology and Pathology in Tradtional Chinese

Medicine, Steven Clavey, p. 11.) " Jin Fluids follow the circulation of

the qi and blood, and in fact assist their smooth flow, spreading

throughout the surface of the body to warm and moisten the muscles,

flesh and orifices, and flush the skin with nourishment. " (p. 11.)

 

In contrast, the Ye Fluids are " thick and viscous, move slowly and

function as a moistening lubricant and supplement to jing-essence,

especially in the deep yin areas of the body, such as the joints and

marrow. " (p. 11.) Ye is " distributed to the zang-fu " (Organs), " bones

and joints, brain and marrow, but doe not flow with the qi and blood. "

(p. 11.) In other words, some of the normal secretions of Organs/

organs are Ye Fluids. The lubrication in joints are Ye Fluids.

 

In an earlier post we saw the role the Stomach and Spleen play in the

production of Qi. The Stomach and Spleen also play an important role

in the production of Jin-Ye. The following paragraph has some very

important info from a clinical standpoint:

 

" The production of jin and ye fluids depends on the ability of the

Spleen and Stomach to absorb the essence of food and fluids. If this

activity is vigorous, the output of jin and ye fluids will be

excellent; if the level of Spleen and Stomach functioning is

inadequate, the production of jin and ye fluids will suffer and fluid

deficiency may result. This is why in clinic a deficiency of both qi

and fluids is not uncommon. " (p. 12.)

 

I want readers to keep in mind that the Spleen plays an important role

in the production of Qi, the production of Jin-Ye, and the production

of Blood. When you're in clinical practice, it won't be unusual to see

cases where the client has two or even all three of these

Deficiencies. Especially if the Spleen has been below par for some

time.

 

Jin-Ye and Blood are not the same thing though Jin is present in Blood.

 

Something that is important to remember is that " Qi depends on fluid

as a 'carrier', much as it does on blood. " (p. 12.) This is why a

person is weakened by excessive loss of fluids - be it sweat, crying,

vomiting, diarrhea, etc. The Qi within the fluid is being lost as

well as the Fluid. Potential Qi also is being lost as we see in the

next paragraph:

 

Another important concept to keep in mind is that Qi can " transform

into fluids, and fluids into qi. " (p. 12.) An example of Qi

transforming into Fluid is what happens when " Nutritive Qi " becomes

sweat. Another example of this is " when the qi of the organs produce

their respective fluids " . (p. 12.)

 

An example of Fluids turning into Qi is what happens in the Urinary

Bladder " when the last remaining clear portion of the fluids is

transformed into qi by the vaporizing action of the warming yuan qi of

the San Jiao, " (aka Triple Heater) " 'which then rises to warm and

rourish the tissues of the zang-fu (zang fu zu zhi)'. " (Zang-fu -

Organs. Actually Organs (Zang) and Bowels (Fu) but usually refered to

as Organs.)

 

Clavey gives the example of " fluid exhaustion damaging qi " when a

person suffers dehydration (like from Summerheat). The " lassitude and

exhaustion " are coming from there not being enough Jin-Ye to transform

into Qi. (p. 12.) BTW, one tip-off that the person may be suffering

dehydration and Jin-Ye Deficiency is that the person may describe

movements as being harder than usual. Sort of like trying to pull a

rusty lever. It takes more effort than if the lever was well oiled.

There may also be nausea (remember that Fluids form the basis for

certain secretions of Organs/ organs) and headache. (BTW, Clavey

recommends White Tiger plus Ginseng Decoction " for cases of

dehyrdations from Summerheat. (p. 12.))

 

The body has two basic ways of ridding itself of excess fluids. It

transforms them into sweat or urine. It's important to keep in mind

that " The distribution of jin and ye fluids and their transformation

into sweat or urine for expulsion from the body is completely

dependent upon the movement of qi in the body. " (p. 12.) He's talking

about the Zang-fu (Organ) Qi here. The " Spleen's dispersal of essence;

Lungs' spreading, clearing and descent; the vaporizing function of the

Kidneys; these are behind the rising and falling of jin and ye fluids

through the San Jiao " (Triple Heater), " and the movement of the qi and

fluids from the interior to the surface and back again. " (p.12.)

 

If anything goes wrong in either of these areas, excess fluids can

build up. Like so much in TCM, it can be a snowballing situation. If

there is any " weakness or obstruction in this area of qi function "

(he's talking about Qi Stagnation from any cause here), this " can lead

to fluid accumulation. This, in Chinese, is called 'qi not moving (or

transforming) water' (qi bu xing, shui, qi bu hua shui). " But the

opposite also occurs. " Fluids build up abnormally and occlude the flow

of qi. This is called 'water stopping and causing qi blockage (shui

ting qi zhi). " (p. 13.) Qi Stagnation can cause fluid accumuation, and

fluid accumulation can cause Qi Stagnation. After a while, they're

both happening, and the situation is snowballing.

 

Clavey recommends the " simultaneous use of herbs to move qi, and herbs

to promote fluid metabolism. " (p. 13.)