THE KIDNEYS
The kidneys in TCM are akin to the roots of a plant. They are the foundation to what gives us proper development, strength, health and vitality.
So, as the title of this blog suggests, the kidneys are the organ related to winter. The same time of year when plants recede into the earth and focus their energy to their roots.
And here we are. Cold days, less light…urging desires to curl up, keep warm and nourish our body.
And our instinctual winter behavior supports TCM theory of what the kidney organ and energy desire in the winter. Warmth, support, and rest.
The functions of the kidney organ in TCM are to :
- store essence – Essence is considered a ‘precious substance’ in Chinese medicine. It is what determines our general constitution as we grow, develop, reproduce and age. There are two types of essence in TCM :
- ‘pre-natal essence’. This can be likened to our DNA. It is constitutionally what we inherit from our parents. This is the vital substance that drives our growth and development through life. When we lack balance or moderation in our lifestyle choices, we can waste our pre-natal essence (i.e. encourage a pre-mature aging process)
- ’post-natal’ essence. This is the type of essence that we gain (or not) through the food we eat, the air we breath and the activity we get. If we take care of ourselves in life we can restore and replenish our body.
- produce marrow, nourish the brain and spinal cord and control the bones – Marrow in Chinese medicine is produced from the kidney essence and is what fills the bones, nourishes the brain and spinal cord and contributes to making blood. When our kidney essence is strong our bones and spine will be healthy and strong and we will have good memory and concentration. When our kidney essence begins to decline with aging, our bones and spine can weaken (i.e. osteoporosis) and our memory and concentration can wither.
- governs water in the body and the water passages in the body – The kidneys balance of the yin and yang energy in the body is seen in this role. In water metabolism, think of the kidney yin as the moistening properties and the kidney yang as the steaming properties. The kidney yin and yang control the fluid circulating in the lower part of the body through urination. If the kidneys are balanced in yin and yang energy, then urination will be normal.
- controls the lower orifices — The kidney energy holds the strength for the urethra and anus. When the kidney energy is weak incontinence, spermatorrhea, diarrhea or prolapsed anus can occur.
- controls inspiration in breathing and helps receive the ‘qi’ from the lung – Healthy breathing begins in the lower part of the body. And it is the kidneys in the mid to lower back area that are responsible for receiving the breath in a healthy breathing cycle.
the sense organ that the kidneys open into:
- the ears — The kidney essence nourishes the ears. When the kidney essence is in decline, symptoms such as tinnitus and loss of hearing will exist.
the tissue that the kidney organ energy nourishes :
- the hair — the abundance and health of the kidney essence nourishes the growth and health of the hair. When the kidney essence is in decline, hair will be brittle, dull, thin and there will be pre-mature graying or loss of hair.
the emotion the kidney is associated with:
- fear — the kidney energy can be weakened by fear.
what can we do to preserve our kidney essence and strengthen our kidney qi :
- the biggest lesson is living as balanced and healthy as possible. When we overtax our bodies, we are tapping from the definite resource of our kidney essence.
- keep warm and dry in the wet and cold. Especially, your low back and feet. These two areas relate to the kidney channel and organ system.
- see a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. The basis of Chinese medicine is to keep the body in an optimally balanced state of health.
- breath deep and grasp healthy vital air.
Through these winter months nourish and protect your roots!!
