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Chinese physiology
Vital Substances
diagnoses

definition

Vital substances are the basic manifestations of Qi in the body.
They are a blend of cosmology, anatomy and physiology.
They explain basic body phenomena and functions in the form of elemental constituents.

The five most fundamental vital substances are (from Yang to Yin)
• Shen = Spirit
• Qi = Vital Energy
• Jing = Essence
• Xue = Blood
• Jin-Ye = Vital Fluids

They may also be paired in Yin-Yang couplets (Yang aspects to the left)
• Qi <-> Xue
• Shen <-> Jing
• Jin <-> Ye

The 3 Treasures (San Bao)
Shen - Qi - Jing

Jing Shen (Essence/Spirit) is a common term in Traditional Chinese Medicine referring to the Yin-Yang continuity of the two, and their mutual dependence in the explanation of that elusive notion called "vitality"


footnotes