Essence (
, pronounced “Jing”) is considered in TCM and Chinese philosophy to be another precious substance of nature, derived from a process of refining, distilling, or extracting from coarser material, like rosin from conifers, latex from rubber trees, or sperm from animals and humans. Actually, it is one kind of Qi’s concentration, though it may be invisible to a normal person.
In TCM, the Essence is closely related to Primordial Qi: as Essence is liquefied Qi, and Qi is aerated Essence, they are both changeable substances of matter, energy, and information. TCM recognizes three Essences: Primordial Essence, Acquired Essence, and Shen (Kidney-related Mind–Body system) Essence.