The Root
The Kidneys are very special organs situated on both the left and right sides of lower the back. They are known in Chinese medical terminology as the root or basal organs. The Kidney system is involved with the storage of vital Essence, vitality or Jing. The Kidneys can be associated with the development of Brain tissue, Blood, spinal fluid, marrow, teeth and bones. Libido levels, reproduction, water metabolism and a healthy life development are also associated with the health of the Kidneys. The Kidney(s) rule the lower body, are associated with the urinary bladder, is represented by the root of tongue, holds the basal fire [pilot light] or metabolic energy of the body, is related to the emotion of fear, is connected with the urinary bladder, assists the Spleen Fire, develops the Will, open into the ears, is associated with the flavor of salt and represented by the color of black.
The Kidney is said to be the organ that contains the
mingmen, hard to describe at best, it is known as the
pre-natal Fire that fuels our existence. Usually it is thought that the element
Water controls
Fire in the elemental, earthly sense. The
mingmen is much different in that it is the
Fire that lives within Kidney’s element of Water that fuels our lives. This combined elemental
life force (Qi) is said to fuel all
twelve channels and the
five Yin organs of the body. When a Chinese herbalist refers to the
mingmen they are also referring to the
lower of the triple burners being the three metabolic, ethereal
Fires of the body. Usually a
Kidney Yang Formula is given to lead the
Fire back to the source, re-kindling the mingmen. Herbs such as yin yang huo, bai ji tian and rou gui are used to warm the
lower burner. A cold lower back, legs, incontinence, slow mental or physical movement, fluid retention of the limbs and mid-section, frequent urination and stiff, cold joints [especially the knees] are seen in this pattern.
Since
Yin is represented by cooling, calm,
water, Blood, night sweats and rest any such disturbance or deficiency in these areas may fall under the premise that the
Kidney Yin may be lacking. Any lack of
Yin as gathered and stored by the
Kidneys can result in
Yin deficiencies of either of the four organ networks being the
Lungs, Spleen/Stomach, Liver and Heart. The Kidney Yin [Water element] is in direct control and balancing of the
Heart Fire as pertaining to the laws of the
Five Element Theory. As a result of lower
Yin levels there can be a resultant increase of
Yang [Heat or Fire levels] giving way patterns of
dryness and
heat disharmonies. Some of the problems associated with
Kidney Yin deficiency may be: dry skin, ringing ears, water retention, night sweats, insomnia, emotional fright, constipation, restlessness, anxiety, agitation, joint pain (heat-type), red face , weak bones, chronic fever or sore throat, dry mouth, memory loss, hot palms/feet/chest, slow healing wounds, rashes or bumps, hair loss, weak eyes, extreme libido levels, dark urine, pre-mature ejaculation, hot flashes and a weak or sore lower back. A formula that may be helpful in the area of
Kidney Yin Deficiency may be the
Kidney Yin Formula.
Essence
As an attempt to explain
Essence or Jing it would be best to keep it simple. There are many texts available to help further one's knowledge in this area if the need arises. Essence can be looked at as all necessary bodily fluids including sperm, the same word for
Jing in Chinese, as the fluids that are a person’s life force.
Jing is a product of both
Kidney Yin and Yang and appears before birth, pre-natal, and can be built after birth or post-natal. Some say that too much sex can diminish the
Jing. Jing is also known as the storehouse and resident of the
Will. A formula that may be helpful in the area of
Essence or Jing loss may be the
Kidney Essence Formula.
Some basic Kidney disharmonies may be:
- Insomnia
- Night sweats
- Constipation
- Incontinence
- Chronic fever
- Chronic sore throat
- Low immune
- Low sex drive
- Red face
- Hot hands, feet, chest
- Slow healing wounds
- Weak hair, bones, eyes
- Lower back pain, weakness
- Joint pain especially knees, hips and ankles
- Dry mouth, skin
- Increased thirst
- Water retention especially lower body and mid-section
- Pre-mature ejaculation
- Dream disturbed sleep, nightmares, vivid
- Low appetite, slow digestion
- Fright, fear, agitation and restlessness
- Low motivation
- Skin problems, rash/red/abscess types
- Kidney or urinary bladder infections
- Blood problems
- Ringing of the ears
- Hot flashes
