Refers to saliva in a general or physiological sense. Not the most common everyday word for saliva; 唾液 (だえき) is more frequent in modern Japanese.
bodily fluid (in Chinese medicine)
Technical term in traditional Chinese medicine for a colourless bodily fluid, such as tears or thin mucus. Not used in everyday conversation.
When saliva secretion decreases, the mouth becomes dry.
In Chinese medicine, 津液 is a concept that refers to bodily fluids in general.