Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi)
Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is the refined essence derived from food that circulates within the blood vessels and meridians. It nourishes all internal organs and tissues, transforms into Blood, and works in harmony with Wei Qi (Defensive Qi) to maintain health—representing the Yin, internal, nourishing aspect of True Qi.
Yíng Qì
Nutritive Qi
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Source & Origin
Ying Qi is entirely a post-heaven (postnatal) substance, meaning it is produced after birth through the body's processing of food and drink. It is derived from Gu Qi (Food Qi) and is closely linked with Blood. The Spleen and Stomach are the primary organs responsible for its creation, which is why they are called the "Root of Post-Heaven Qi."
Ying Qi comes from the water and grain essence (水谷精微) that the Spleen transforms from food. This refined essence represents the purest, most nutritious component of what we eat and drink. The quality of one's diet directly affects the quality and quantity of Ying Qi produced.
Unlike Yuan Qi (Original Qi) which has a pre-heaven component inherited from parents, Ying Qi depends entirely on ongoing nourishment. This makes proper digestion and healthy eating habits essential for maintaining adequate Ying Qi levels throughout life.
Formation Process
Gu Qi is further refined to become other forms of Qi, such as Ying Qi (Nourishing Qi) and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi). Gu Qi is transported upward to the Lungs and Heart, where it is transformed into Ying Qi and Zong Qi (Gathering Qi).
The formation process begins when food enters the Stomach, where it is "rotted and ripened" (decomposed). The Spleen then transforms this into Gu Qi (Food Qi), the first stage of refinement. The refined essence of water and grain is transmitted to the Lungs, which then distribute it throughout the body. The clear, pure, and nutritious portion becomes Ying Qi, while the turbid, more active portion becomes Wei Qi.
Zhen Qi (True Qi) is the final stage of the transformation of Qi. Through the action of Zong Qi, Yuan Qi is transformed into Zhen Qi. This final distillation results in the Qi which flows through the channels. Zhen Qi originates in the Lungs and takes on two different forms: Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) and Wei Qi (Defensive Qi).
Location in Body
Ying Qi, derived from the essence of water and grain, enters the vessels and circulates throughout the whole body. It flows inside the vessels, penetrating the five Zang and connecting the six Fu organs, circulating without rest. This circulation follows a precise pathway through the 12 regular meridians.
According to the Ling Shu, Ying Qi completes 50 cycles through the body in 24 hours. Using the breath count method: the total length of the meridians is 16 zhang and 2 chi, and one breath (one inhalation plus exhalation) moves Ying Qi 6 cun. With 13,500 breaths per day, Ying Qi completes one cycle every 270 breaths, totaling 50 cycles per day.
Unlike Wei Qi which circulates in the superficial layers between skin and muscles, Ying Qi flows deep within the blood vessels and meridians. It concentrates in the chest (the "Sea of Qi") and is distributed from there to all organs and tissues through the vascular and meridian network.
Movement & Flow
Ying and Wei Qi circulate without rest, completing 50 cycles in one day and night, then converging once. They follow the alternating circulation of Yin and Yang meridians, like a ring without end. This continuous circulation ensures constant nourishment to all body tissues.
Ying Qi's circulation follows a specific daily rhythm through the 12 regular meridians, starting at the Lung meridian (3-5 AM) and proceeding sequentially through each channel. The TCM Circadian clock begins at 3:00 AM with the Lung meridian; Qi dominates in each of the 12 Regular Meridians for 2 hours before moving on to the next one.
The movement of Ying Qi is characterized as "clear and soft" (清柔) compared to Wei Qi's "coarse and swift" (慓悍) movement. This reflects Ying Qi's Yin nature—it flows steadily and deeply within the vessels, providing constant, gentle nourishment rather than rapid defensive action.
In-Depth Study
Ying Qi, or Nutritive Qi, is one of the fundamental vital substances in Traditional Chinese Medicine that flows within the blood vessels and meridians to nourish the entire body. It is derived from Gu Qi (Food Qi) and is closely linked with Blood. It circulates within the blood vessels and internal organs, nourishing them and supporting the function of the Zang-Fu organs while promoting growth and maintaining overall health.
Unlike Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), which protects the exterior of the body, Ying Qi works internally, providing deep nourishment to organs, tissues, and cells. "Ying" refers to the Qi that has a "nutritive" function—it has a "charging" quality within the vessels, much like nutrients being delivered through the bloodstream. The term "Ying" (营) comes from military terminology meaning "military camp," reflecting its yin nature as it stays contained within the vessels, while Wei Qi (the "guards") patrols freely outside.
Ying Qi represents the purest, most refined essence extracted from food. It is considered Yin in nature compared to Wei Qi's Yang quality, and the two substances work together in harmony—Ying nourishing from within while Wei protects from without—maintaining the body's overall balance and vitality.
Historical Context
The "Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic" (Huangdi Neijing) is the most important ancient text in Chinese medicine and provides the foundational description of Ying Qi. The theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine is described in the Huangdi Neijing, written during the period 475-225 BCE. The Ling Shu section contains a dedicated chapter (Chapter 18) specifically discussing Ying Qi's formation, circulation, and functions.
The terms "Rong Qi" (榮氣) and "Ying Qi" (營氣) both appear in classical texts as "camp qi." Both Ying and Wei are military terms—Ying representing troops stationed in camps (Yin, internal, contained) while Wei represents guards who patrol freely (Yang, external, mobile). This military metaphor helped ancient practitioners conceptualize how different types of Qi protect and nourish the body.
In the Qing dynasty, Ye Tianshi developed the Wei-Qi-Ying-Blood (卫气营血) theory of warm disease diagnosis, which systematized how pathogenic heat progresses through these four levels. This became a major framework for diagnosing and treating febrile diseases, and Ying Qi deficiency or pathogenic invasion of the Ying level remains clinically relevant today.
Primary Functions
Transform into Blood
化生血液Ying Qi's main physiological functions include transforming into Blood (化生血液). When Ying Qi enters the Lungs, it is poured into the vessels where it transforms into Blood. This transformation occurs in the Heart and Lungs, making Ying Qi essential for maintaining healthy blood volume and quality.
Nourish the Body
营养全身Ying Qi flows through the meridians, delivering nourishment to every part of the body. It sustains the organs, muscles, skin, and bones, keeping them healthy and functional. This deep internal nourishment supports all physiological activities of the Zang-Fu organs.
Circulate with Blood
行于脉中Ying Qi nourishes the internal organs and the whole body. It is closely related to Blood, and flows with Blood in the vessels as well as in the channels. This circulation follows a specific pathway through the 12 regular meridians.
Support Healing and Regeneration
愈合再生Ying Qi is deeply involved in the processes of healing, regeneration, and overall vitality. When the body is injured or depleted, Ying Qi provides the nutritive resources needed for tissue repair and recovery.
Form the Material Basis of Blood
血之组成The refined portion of water and grain essence (水谷精微) is the main component of Ying Qi, which is the nutritive substance necessary for the physiological activities of organs and meridians, and is also a component of Blood.
Relationship to Organs
Produces
The Spleen transforms food and drink into Gu Qi, which is the raw material for Ying Qi production; Spleen deficiency directly impairs Ying Qi formation
Produces
The Stomach 'rots and ripens' food as the first step in extracting the essence that becomes Ying Qi
Transforms
The Lungs receive Gu Qi and refine it into Ying Qi; they also distribute Ying Qi throughout the body via the meridian system
Governs
The Heart governs the blood vessels where Ying Qi circulates; it transforms Ying Qi into Blood with assistance from Yuan Qi
Stores
The Liver stores Blood which is closely related to Ying Qi; it ensures smooth flow of Qi and Blood throughout the body
Relationship to Other Substances
Ying and Wei come from the same source—the essence of water and grain—but differ in function and location. "Ying travels within the vessels, Wei travels outside the vessels." Ying belongs to Yin (internal, nourishing) while Wei belongs to Yang (external, protecting). They must work in harmony; when disharmonized, symptoms include fever, chills, and abnormal sweating.
Ying Qi is closely linked with Blood, and the two often flow together through the vessels and meridians. This relationship is essential for ensuring that the body's tissues receive a steady supply of nutrients and oxygen. Ying Qi transforms into Blood and also propels Blood circulation. They are often referred to together as "Ying-Blood" (营血).
Ying Qi is derived from Gu Qi. Gu Qi is the first-stage refined essence from digested food, which is then further transformed by the Lungs and Heart into Ying Qi. The quality of Gu Qi directly determines the quality of Ying Qi produced.
Ying Qi, also called Rong Qi, is derived from Zong Qi. It enters and penetrates the Heart vessels, circulating with Blood throughout the body. Zong Qi provides the motive force that helps circulate Ying Qi through the vessels.
Yuan Qi facilitates the transformation of Gu Qi into both Blood and Ying Qi. While Ying Qi is entirely post-heaven in origin, it requires the catalytic action of Yuan Qi for its final transformation. Yuan Qi also supports the organs that produce Ying Qi.
Ying Qi and Jin Ye work together to form Blood. The fluids provide the liquid matrix while Ying Qi provides the nutritive essence. Both are necessary for proper Blood formation and must be adequate for healthy blood production.
Tongue Signs
Ying Qi Deficiency: The tongue appears pale or slightly pale pink, indicating insufficient blood and nourishment reaching the tongue tissue. The tongue body may be thin and slightly dry, reflecting the lack of moisture and nutrition. In severe cases, the tongue may appear withered or shriveled.
Heat Entering the Ying Level (Warm Disease): The tongue becomes deep red or crimson (絳舌, jiàng shé), indicating heat has penetrated to the Ying (nutritive) level. This is an important diagnostic sign in febrile diseases showing the pathogen has moved deeper into the body. The tongue coating may be scanty or peeled.
Blood Stasis Related to Ying Level: Purple spots or a purple hue on the tongue indicates Blood stasis, often accompanied by Ying Qi dysfunction. Sublingual veins may appear dark and distended.
Pulse Signs
Ying Qi Deficiency: The pulse is typically thin (xi mai), weak (ruo mai), or thready, reflecting insufficient substance flowing through the vessels. It may also be choppy (se mai) if Blood deficiency accompanies the Ying Qi deficiency. The pulse lacks strength and may be difficult to feel clearly.
Heat in the Ying Level: The pulse becomes rapid (shu mai) and fine or thready. Unlike heat at the Wei or Qi level where the pulse is flooding and forceful, Ying level heat shows a rapid but thin pulse because the heat is consuming Yin fluids and Blood rather than generating an exuberant Yang response.
Ying-Wei Disharmony: The pulse may be floating and moderate (fu huan), indicating the exterior is not properly secured. In some cases, it may be tight on the surface but weak at deeper levels, reflecting the imbalance between exterior and interior aspects of Qi.
Deficiency When Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is insufficient
When Ying Qi is deficient, the body loses its ability to properly nourish internal organs and tissues. Without sufficient Ying Qi, the body's tissues become weak, leading to poor health and susceptibility to illness. This manifests as generalized weakness, fatigue, and poor recovery from illness or exertion.
Because Ying Qi is closely related to Blood, deficiency often presents with signs of Blood deficiency: pale complexion, dizziness, poor memory, insomnia, palpitations, and dry skin. The person may feel cold, have low energy, and experience poor wound healing.
Since Ying Qi is derived from Gu Qi, which comes from food, Ying Qi deficiency is usually caused by long-term improper diet leading to malnutrition. Chronic digestive disorders, prolonged illness, excessive blood loss, and constitutional weakness can all contribute to Ying Qi deficiency.
Clinical Signs
Related Patterns
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Root cause of Ying Qi deficiency; impairs digestion and production of Gu Qi
Heart Blood Deficiency
Results from inadequate Ying Qi transformation; presents with palpitations, insomnia, poor memory
Liver Blood Deficiency
Develops when Ying Qi fails to nourish Blood stored in Liver; causes dizziness, pale nails, blurred vision
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Combined deficiency affecting both energy and nourishment; general weakness and pallor
Excess When Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) is in surplus
Ying Qi itself does not typically present in an excess pattern in the classical sense. However, when pathogenic factors—particularly heat—invade the Ying level, this represents a serious condition in warm disease (温病) theory.
Heat entering the Ying level indicates that pathogenic warmth has penetrated deeply into the body, damaging Yin and Blood. Symptoms include high fever worse at night, restlessness, mental confusion, faint skin rashes, thirst with no desire to drink much, and a deep red or crimson tongue.
This differs from Ying Qi deficiency—here the pathogen is consuming Ying Qi and damaging the Blood level. Treatment requires clearing heat from the Ying level and cooling the Blood, using formulas like Qing Ying Tang (Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction).
Clinical Signs
Stagnation When Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi) fails to flow
While Ying Qi stagnation is not a primary pattern in TCM, when Blood stagnates, Ying Qi circulation is impaired since they travel together. Blood stasis (瘀血, yū xuè) represents the primary pathological pattern affecting the Ying-Blood level.
When Ying Qi fails to flow smoothly with Blood, tissues become malnourished and circulation is compromised. This can result from trauma, chronic illness, emotional stagnation, or Cold invading the blood vessels. Signs include fixed stabbing pain, dark complexion, purple lips, and masses or lumps.
Treatment focuses on invigorating Blood and removing stasis while simultaneously nourishing Ying Qi to restore proper circulation. Points and herbs that move Blood are combined with those that tonify to achieve both goals.
Clinical Signs
How to Nourish Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi)
Since Ying Qi is derived from Gu Qi which comes from food, eating a nutritious, balanced diet is crucial. Foods that are easy to digest and nourishing—such as soups, stews, whole grains, and well-cooked vegetables—support the transformation of Gu Qi into Ying Qi. Avoiding excessive raw or cold foods helps the Spleen and Stomach process nutrients more effectively.
Eating at regular times, without rushing, helps support your digestive system's ability to extract the maximum amount of Qi from your food. Avoid overeating or eating too late at night, as these habits can strain the Spleen and reduce the production of high-quality Ying Qi.
Gentle exercises like Qi Gong and Tai Chi are excellent for cultivating and circulating Ying Qi throughout the body. They work by harmonizing the body's energy, helping you to retain and nourish your Qi while promoting calm and relaxation.
Adequate rest and sleep are critical for nourishing Ying Qi. When the body is at rest, it can focus on healing and regeneration, restoring depleted Qi and strengthening the organs. Acupuncture and herbal formulas that tonify Spleen Qi and nourish Blood are commonly used to support Ying Qi levels.
Clinical Relevance
The Wei-Qi-Ying-Blood differentiation provides a framework for diagnosing temperature diseases, analyzing the progression from superficial to deep levels, identifying different stages, judging disease severity, and determining treatment principles. When pathogens enter the Ying level, it indicates serious illness requiring immediate treatment to clear heat and cool the Blood.
Clinically, Ying Qi deficiency often presents alongside Blood deficiency and requires tonification of both Spleen and Heart. Treatment focuses on strengthening digestion to improve nutrient extraction while directly nourishing Blood. Common symptoms include fatigue, pallor, palpitations, insomnia, and poor memory.
When Ying and Wei are disharmonized, symptoms may include aversion to cold and fever, absence of sweating or excessive sweating, daytime fatigue and nighttime restlessness, and lowered resistance to external pathogens. The classic formula Gui Zhi Tang harmonizes Ying and Wei for such presentations.
Classical Sources
Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu
Chapter 18 - Ying Qi (营气篇)营气者，泌其津液，注之于脉，化以为血
Nutritive Qi secretes body fluids, pours them into the vessels, and transforms them into Blood
Huangdi Neijing Ling Shu
Chapter 18 - Ying Wei Sheng Hui (营卫生会篇)人受气于谷，谷入于胃，以传与肺，五脏六腑，皆以受气，其清者为营，浊者为卫
Humans receive Qi from grain. Grain enters the Stomach and is transmitted to the Lungs. All five Zang and six Fu organs receive this Qi. The clear part becomes Ying (Nutritive) Qi, while the turbid part becomes Wei (Defensive) Qi
Huangdi Neijing Su Wen
Bi Lun (痹论篇)营者，水谷之精气也，和调于五脏，洒陈于六府，乃能入于脉也
Nutritive Qi is the refined essence of food and drink. It harmonizes and regulates the five Zang organs, spreads through the six Fu organs, and then enters the vessels
Nan Jing (Classic of Difficulties)
Chapter 30营行脉中，卫行脉外
Nutritive Qi circulates within the vessels, while Defensive Qi circulates outside the vessels
Modern References
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text for Acupuncturists and Herbalists
Definitive modern textbook with detailed explanation of Ying Qi formation, circulation, and clinical applications
Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Standard reference text covering Ying Qi within the context of meridian theory and acupuncture practice
The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine
Accessible introduction to TCM concepts including clear explanation of different types of Qi
Huang Di Nei Jing Su Wen: An Annotated Translation
Scholarly translation of the classical source text with extensive commentary on Ying Qi passages