Jin Ye (Body Fluids)
Jin Ye refers to all the normal fluids in the body aside from Blood. These include clear, thin fluids (Jin) that moisten the skin and muscles, and thicker, denser fluids (Ye) that nourish the joints, brain, and marrow. They originate from food and drink and are essential for moistening, nourishing, and lubricating the body's tissues and organs.
Jīn Yè
Body Fluids
Educational content · Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Source & Origin
Body Fluids are entirely post-heaven (acquired) substances, meaning they come from what you eat and drink after birth—not from inherited constitution. The Stomach is considered the "origin of fluids" because it is the first organ to receive and process ingested liquids and food.
The generation of Body Fluids involves the coordinated work of several digestive organs: the Stomach receives food and drink; the Spleen transforms and transports the extracted fluids; the Small Intestine separates pure from impure portions; and the Large Intestine reabsorbs remaining usable water. Throughout this process, the Kidney Yang provides the warming energy (heat) necessary for these transformations to occur.
Formation Process
The formation of Body Fluids follows a sophisticated process of extraction and refinement from food and drink. When you consume liquids and food, they first enter the Stomach, which is called the "origin of fluids." Here, initial separation begins between pure (usable) and impure (waste) portions.
The pure fluids are sent upward to the Spleen, which further transforms and transports them. The Spleen sends these refined fluids in two directions: upward to the Lungs for distribution throughout the body, and directly outward to nourish the four limbs and tissues. The impure portion descends to the Small Intestine for further separation—the pure part extracted here becomes Ye (thicker) fluids, while the impure continues to the Large Intestine and Bladder for elimination. This intricate process depends heavily on Kidney Yang providing warmth and motive force at each stage.
Location in Body
Jin (thin fluids) circulate primarily in the body's exterior—the skin, muscles, and sensory orifices like eyes, nose, and mouth. They travel with Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) along the body's surface and can be excreted as sweat, tears, or saliva. Jin fluids also penetrate into the blood vessels, helping to thin the blood and maintain proper circulation.
Ye (thick fluids) circulate in the body's interior, moving slowly through deeper structures. They nourish the joints (as synovial fluid), the spine and brain (as cerebrospinal fluid), the bone marrow, and internal organs. Ye fluids travel with Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) in the deeper layers of the body.
Movement & Flow
Body Fluids move through the body via the San Jiao (Triple Burner), which acts like a network of waterways or irrigation channels. The movement involves ascending, descending, dispersing, and draining in a continuous cycle.
The basic pathway is: fluids rise from the Stomach and Spleen to the Lungs (ascending); the Lungs disperse them outward to the skin and downward to the Kidneys and Bladder (descending and dispersing); the Kidneys vaporize some fluids back upward to moisten the Lungs while sending the rest down for elimination as urine (recycling and excretion). This cycle maintains proper hydration throughout the body while eliminating metabolic waste.
In-Depth Study
Jin Ye (津液) is the collective term for all the body's normal physiological fluids other than Blood. Think of it as your body's internal moisturizing and lubricating system. In TCM, these fluids are considered Yin in nature—cooling, nourishing, and substance-providing—and are essential for keeping all your tissues healthy and functioning properly.
The term combines two words: Jin (津), meaning lighter, thinner fluids like sweat, tears, saliva, and the moisture in your skin; and Ye (液), meaning thicker, denser fluids like joint fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and the lubricants that nourish your brain, bones, and marrow. While they have different characteristics, Jin and Ye constantly transform into each other and work together.
Body Fluids serve multiple crucial functions: they moisten your skin and muscles, lubricate your joints, nourish your brain and marrow, and even help regulate your body temperature through sweating. They also form part of your Blood and help keep it flowing smoothly. When Body Fluids become deficient, you experience dryness throughout your body; when they accumulate improperly, you get conditions like edema, phlegm, and dampness.
Historical Context
The concept of Body Fluids has been central to Chinese medicine since its earliest foundations in the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Classic), compiled around 200 BCE to 200 CE. The Neijing established the fundamental understanding of how fluids are generated, circulated, and excreted, including the famous passage describing fluid metabolism through the Stomach, Spleen, Lungs, and Bladder.
Zhang Zhongjing's Han Dynasty works (circa 200 CE), particularly the Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage), developed clinical approaches to fluid disorders, establishing formulas still used today for conditions like edema and fluid retention. Later physicians refined the distinction between Jin and Ye, their pathological transformations into Dampness and Phlegm, and treatment strategies. The Jing Yue Quan Shu (Complete Works of Zhang Jingyue, 1624) contributed the influential summary that the Kidneys are the root, Lungs the manifestation, and Spleen the controller of water metabolism.
Primary Functions
Moistening and Lubricating
滋润濡养Jin fluids moisten the skin, muscles, hair, and sensory orifices (eyes, nose, mouth, ears), keeping them supple and functioning properly. Ye fluids lubricate the joints, spine, and brain, enabling smooth movement and proper neural function.
Nourishing Tissues
充养髓脑Ye fluids carry nutrients to and nourish the deeper structures of the body—the bone marrow, spinal cord, brain, and internal organs. They provide the substance needed for these tissues to maintain their structure and function.
Constituting Blood
化生血液Jin fluids enter the blood vessels and become part of the Blood itself. They help maintain proper blood volume and consistency, preventing the blood from becoming too thick or stagnant. This is why TCM says "Blood and Fluids share the same source."
Regulating Body Temperature
调节阴阳Through sweating, Body Fluids help regulate body temperature. In hot weather or during fever, the pores open and sweat is released to cool the body. In cold weather, pores close and fluids are redirected to urination instead.
Transporting Nutrients
运载营养Body Fluids serve as the medium through which nutrients are transported to all parts of the body. They carry the refined essence from food to nourish every cell and tissue.
Eliminating Metabolic Waste
排泄废物Through the production of sweat and urine, Body Fluids help eliminate metabolic waste products from the body, supporting the normal Qi transformation activities of all organs.
Relationship to Organs
Produces
The Stomach is called the 'origin of fluids' because it receives and begins processing all ingested liquids and food, initiating the separation of pure and impure.
Transforms
The Spleen transforms and transports fluids, sending pure fluids upward to the Lungs and outward to the tissues. It is said to 'govern the transportation of fluids for the Stomach.'
Governs
The Lungs disseminate fluids to the skin and muscles (through dispersing) and send fluids down to the Kidneys and Bladder (through descending). They 'regulate the water passages.'
Governs
The Kidneys govern all fluid metabolism through their Qi transformation function. They separate pure from impure fluids, vaporize some back to the Lungs, and control excretion through the Bladder. The Suwen states: 'The Kidneys are the water organ, governing body fluids.'
Stores
The Bladder stores fluids received from the Kidneys and, through Qi transformation, excretes the impure portion as urine while recycling the pure portion back into circulation.
Transforms
The Triple Burner serves as the passageway for fluid movement throughout the body. It coordinates fluid transformation, transportation, and excretion at all three levels (Upper, Middle, Lower Burner).
Transforms
The Small Intestine separates the pure from the impure in fluids, absorbing usable nutrients and fluids while sending waste downward. It 'governs Ye (thick fluids).'
Transforms
The Large Intestine reabsorbs remaining water from food residue before forming stool. It 'governs Jin (thin fluids)' by reclaiming this final portion of usable fluid.
Relationship to Other Substances
Blood and Body Fluids share a common origin in food essence and continuously transform into each other. Jin fluids enter the Blood vessels to help constitute Blood and keep it fluid. When Blood is deficient, it can draw on Body Fluids; when fluids are depleted, Blood becomes thick and sluggish. This relationship is called "Blood and Fluids share the same source" (津血同源). Clinically, this means excessive sweating can injure Blood, and significant blood loss depletes Body Fluids.
Qi and Body Fluids are interdependent. Qi is responsible for producing, transforming, and moving Body Fluids throughout the body. Without adequate Qi, fluids cannot be properly generated, transported, or controlled. Conversely, Body Fluids serve as a vehicle for Qi movement and nourish the organs that produce Qi. When excessive fluids are lost (through sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea), Qi is also depleted because it follows the fluids out of the body.
Kidney Essence (Jing) and Body Fluids interact through the Kidney's role in fluid metabolism. Kidney Jing provides the foundational Yin that supports all fluid generation, while Kidney Yang provides the warmth needed to transform fluids. Severe depletion of Body Fluids over time can damage Kidney Yin and Essence.
Tongue Signs
Fluid Deficiency: The tongue appears dry, with little or no coating. In mild cases, the coating may be thin and dry; in severe cases, the tongue surface itself looks shriveled or has cracks. A red tongue without coating indicates significant Yin and fluid depletion.
Fluid Accumulation (Dampness/Phlegm): The tongue is typically swollen and pale, often with teeth marks along the edges. The coating is usually thick, greasy, or sticky—white indicates Cold-Damp; yellow indicates Damp-Heat. Excessive saliva or a wet tongue surface also indicates fluid accumulation.
Pulse Signs
Fluid Deficiency: The pulse is typically thin (xi) and rapid (shu), reflecting both the reduced fluid volume and the relative heat that develops when Yin fluids are insufficient. In severe cases, the pulse may also be weak (ruo) or thready.
Fluid Accumulation: The pulse is typically slippery (hua), indicating Phlegm or Dampness. It may also be soft/soggy (ru) or wiry (xuan) depending on whether Cold-Damp or Liver Qi stagnation is involved. Edema often produces a deep (chen) pulse.
Deficiency When Jin Ye (Body Fluids) is insufficient
When Body Fluids become deficient (津液亏虚), the body loses its ability to moisten and nourish tissues, leading to widespread dryness. This commonly occurs from excessive sweating, prolonged fever, chronic illness, overwork, or insufficient fluid intake.
Jin deficiency (伤津) affects the body's surface first—you may notice dry skin, dry lips and mouth, thirst, scanty urine, and dry stools. This is easier to correct with adequate hydration and nourishing treatments.
Ye deficiency (脱液) is more severe and involves deeper structures—symptoms include dry, cracked skin, emaciation, joint stiffness and pain, dizziness, blurred vision, and mental confusion. This is harder to replenish and indicates significant Yin damage. Severe fluid loss can progress to collapse of Yin (脱液亡阴), a critical condition requiring immediate treatment.
Clinical Signs
Related Patterns
Lung Yin Deficiency
Insufficient fluids lead to dry cough, dry throat, and dry skin due to Lung's role in dispersing fluids to the surface.
Stomach Yin Deficiency
The 'origin of fluids' becomes dry, causing thirst, dry mouth, poor appetite, and constipation.
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Fundamental fluid metabolism is impaired, leading to night sweats, dry mouth at night, and heat in the five palms.
Dryness in Large Intestine
Insufficient fluids in the intestines cause dry, difficult stools and constipation.
Excess When Jin Ye (Body Fluids) is in surplus
When Body Fluids fail to transform and move properly, they accumulate in the body, creating pathological products known as Dampness (湿), Phlegm (痰), and Fluid Retention or Edema (水饮). This is not truly "excess" fluid production but rather a failure of the Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys to properly transform and excrete fluids.
Dampness is diffuse fluid accumulation causing heaviness, sluggishness, and sticky sensations. Phlegm is more congealed—it can be visible (as in coughing up mucus) or invisible (causing lumps, masses, or mental cloudiness). Edema is water retention causing swelling, typically starting in the ankles (Yin edema from Kidney/Spleen deficiency) or face (Yang edema from Lung involvement). These conditions obstruct Qi flow and create a vicious cycle of further fluid stagnation.
Clinical Signs
Stagnation When Jin Ye (Body Fluids) fails to flow
Fluid stagnation occurs when Body Fluids stop moving properly and accumulate in specific areas. Unlike generalized excess, stagnation produces localized symptoms and often transforms into Phlegm or Blood Stasis over time.
Stagnation commonly results from Qi stagnation (since Qi moves fluids), cold constricting the channels, or organ dysfunction. The Triple Burner—the "waterways" of the body—becomes obstructed, preventing proper fluid circulation. Stagnant fluids may manifest as localized swelling, joint effusion, ascites (abdominal fluid), or pleural effusion. When fluids stagnate and thicken, they become Phlegm; when Phlegm and Blood stasis combine, they can form masses or nodules.
Clinical Signs
How to Nourish Jin Ye (Body Fluids)
Dietary Approaches: Drink adequate room-temperature or warm water throughout the day. Include moistening foods like pears, apples, honey, sesame seeds, almonds, spinach, and congee (rice porridge). Avoid excessive spicy, hot, or drying foods that consume fluids. Warm, cooked meals support Spleen transformation better than raw, cold foods.
Lifestyle: Avoid excessive sweating from overexertion or saunas, as sweat is a precious Jin fluid. Protect fluids during illness by not over-sweating fevers. Get adequate rest to allow the body to replenish fluids. Practice gentle exercises like Tai Chi or Qi Gong rather than intense workouts that cause excessive fluid loss.
Treatment Principles: For fluid deficiency, treatment focuses on generating fluids (生津), nourishing Yin (滋阴), and supporting the Spleen and Stomach as the source of fluids. For fluid accumulation, treatment involves transforming Dampness, resolving Phlegm, promoting urination, and strengthening the organs responsible for fluid metabolism (Spleen, Lungs, Kidneys).
Clinical Relevance
Diagnosis: Assessing Body Fluids is essential in TCM diagnosis. Practitioners examine signs of dryness (deficiency) or accumulation (excess/stagnation) through the tongue coating, skin texture, urination patterns, bowel movements, and sweating tendencies. The tongue is particularly revealing—a dry tongue without coating suggests fluid deficiency, while a swollen tongue with greasy coating indicates fluid accumulation.
Treatment Principles: For fluid deficiency, treatment focuses on generating fluids (生津), nourishing Yin (滋阴), and addressing the underlying organ weakness. For fluid accumulation, principles include transforming Dampness (化湿), resolving Phlegm (化痰), promoting urination (利水), and strengthening the Spleen and Kidneys. The clinical maxim "Blood and Fluids share the same source" means practitioners must be cautious—never induce sweating in someone who is bleeding, and never cause bleeding in someone who is sweating excessively.
Common Conditions: Body Fluid pathology underlies many conditions including dry skin disorders, Sjögren's syndrome, diabetes (wasting-thirst syndrome), edema, chronic sinusitis with excess mucus, digestive disorders with loose stools, joint problems, and certain types of headaches and dizziness.
Classical Sources
Huangdi Neijing Suwen
Chapter 21 - Jing Mai Bie Lun (Discussion of the Channels)饮入于胃，游溢精气，上输于脾，脾气散精，上归于肺，通调水道，下输膀胱，水精四布，五经并行
When drink enters the Stomach, the essence overflows and is transported upward to the Spleen. The Spleen disperses the essence upward to the Lungs, which regulate the water passages and send fluids down to the Bladder. Thus water essence spreads throughout the body, flowing through the five channels.
Huangdi Neijing Suwen
Chapter 34 - Ni Tiao Lun (Discussion of Counterflow Regulation)肾者水脏，主津液
The Kidneys are the water organ, governing body fluids.
Huangdi Neijing Lingshu
Chapter 30 - Jue Qi (Decisive Qi)腠理发泄，汗出溱溱，是谓津。谷入气满，淖泽注于骨，骨属屈伸，泄泽，补益脑髓，是谓液
When the pores open and sweat flows abundantly, this is called Jin. When grain enters and Qi is full, moist essence flows into the bones, lubricates the joints for bending and stretching, and supplements the brain and marrow—this is called Ye.
Jing Yue Quan Shu
Zhong Zhang (Swelling)盖水为至阴，故其本在肾；水化于气，故其标在肺；水惟畏土，故其制在脾
Water is the ultimate Yin, so its root is in the Kidneys. Water is transformed by Qi, so its manifestation is in the Lungs. Water fears Earth, so its control is in the Spleen.
Modern References
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists
Comprehensive modern textbook with detailed chapters on Body Fluids, their physiology, pathology, and clinical applications.
The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine
Accessible introduction to TCM concepts including Body Fluids for Western audiences.
Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Standard TCM textbook used in Chinese medical schools with authoritative coverage of vital substances.