Ying Qi (Nutritive Qi)

Ying Qi: the Nutritive Qi that flows deeply through the body

Of the two forms assumed by Zhen Qi, Ying Qi is the more internal and nourishing. While Wei Qi guards and protects the outer layers of the body, Ying Qi flows deeply through the meridians and blood vessels and nourishes every organ and tissue from within. Ying Qi is the quiet nourisher — less outwardly active than Wei Qi, but equally indispensable to life.

What is Ying Qi?

The name Ying Qi — pronounced "ying" — literally means "Nutritive" or "Nourishing Qi". The name directly describes its function: nourishing the internal organs and the entire body. Ying Qi is the nutritive current that continuously circulates through the body, supplies the organs and tissues with the energy they require and sustains physiological processes.

In terms of Yin and Yang, Ying Qi is Yin in nature — internal, nourishing and inwardly directed — in contrast with Wei Qi, which is Yang: external, active and outwardly directed. This Yin-Yang relationship between Ying Qi and Wei Qi reflects the fundamental balance between nourishment and protection that characterises the healthy body.

Close relationship with Blood

One of the most characteristic properties of Ying Qi is its close relationship with Blood. Ying Qi and Blood flow together through the blood vessels and meridians and are so closely connected that TCM frequently discusses them together. Whereas Blood is the material, nourishing fluid, Ying Qi is the energetic component that helps maintain its movement and supports its nourishing function.

This explains why disorders of Blood and Ying Qi often occur together in TCM theory. Blood deficiency is typically associated with insufficient Ying Qi, while chronic deficiency of Ying Qi can impair the nourishment associated with Blood. Treatment of Blood deficiency therefore traditionally includes measures intended to nourish both Blood and Ying Qi.

The Qi reached by acupuncture

Ying Qi has a special significance in acupuncture practice: it is traditionally regarded as the Qi that is reached and directed when a needle is inserted into an acupuncture point. The familiar De Qi sensation — heaviness, warmth, tingling or radiation experienced during appropriate needling — is interpreted within acupuncture theory as the experience of Ying Qi being engaged and moved. Within this traditional framework, reaching Qi is considered important to the therapeutic action of acupuncture.

This makes Ying Qi one of the most clinically accessible forms of Qi: it is the energy the acupuncturist seeks to influence, regulate and direct through the meridians and acupuncture points. Much of the traditional art of acupuncture can therefore be understood as working with Ying Qi.

Clinical significance

Ying Qi deficiency is traditionally associated with signs of insufficient nourishment, such as a pale complexion, fatigue, dry skin and mucous membranes, weak memory and concentration and a general feeling of internal deficiency. Because Ying Qi is so closely related to Blood, these signs overlap considerably with those of Blood deficiency. Treatment traditionally focuses on nourishing Blood and Ying Qi through Blood-nourishing herbs, rich and nourishing food and acupuncture points selected to strengthen nutritive Qi.