Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids

physiology

Qi, blood (xue), and body fluids (jin-ye) are the body’s fundamental substances. Qi is the driving and warming force; blood nourishes and moistens the tissues and serves as the foundation of consciousness; body fluids moisturize the organs, joints, and skin. These substances are interdependent: qi moves blood and retains body fluids, while blood and body fluids nourish qi. Their deficiency, stagnation, or loss underlies many syndromes.