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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