The Root

Your Kidneys are very special organs situated on both the left and right sides of your lower. They are known in Chinese Medical Terminology as the root or basal organ system. The Kidney Organ System is involved with the storage of Vital Essence, vitality or Jing.

The Kidney Organ System can be associated with the development of brain tissue, Blood, spinal fluid, marrow, teeth and bones. Libido levels, reproduction, water metabolism and normal life development are also associated with the health of the Kidney Organ System. It rules the lower body, is 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, assists the Spleen Yang, develops the Will, open into the ears, is associated with the flavor of salt and represented by the color of black.

Ming Men

The Kidney Organ System is said to be the system that contains the Ming Men. Hard to describe at best, it is known as the pre-natal Fire that fuels your existence. Usually it is thought that the element Water controls Fire based on the Five Elemental System. The Ming Men is much different in that it is the Fire that lives within the Kidney’s Element of Water that fuels your life force. This combined elemental life force (Qi) is said to fuel all twelve channels and the Five Yin organs of your body. When a Chinese Herbalist refers to the Ming Men they are also referring to the lower of the triple burners being the three metabolic, ethereal Fires of your body. Usually a Kidney Yang Formula is given to lead the Fire back to the source, re-kindling the Ming Men. Chinese Herbs such as Yin Yang Huo, Fu Zi 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 Chinese Medicine Pattern.

Yin

Since the concept of Yin is represented by cooling, calm, Water, Blood, night sweats and being at 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 Kidney Organ System, can result in Yin Deficiencies of either of the other four organ networks being the Lungs, Spleen/Stomach, Liver and Heart. Kidney Yin [the element of Water] 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 to patterns of Dryness and Heat Daily Disharmonies. Some of the problems associated with Kidney Yin Deficiency may be: dizziness, incontinence, 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 Chinese Herbal Formula that should be considered in the area of Kidney Yin Deficiency would be the Water Of Life 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 your knowledge in this area if the need arises. Essence can be looked at as all necessary bodily fluids including sperm. The same word in Chinese represents the fluids that surround and make up your 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 your Jing. Jing is also known as the storehouse and resident of the Will. A Chinese Herbal Formula that should be considered in the area of Essence or Jing Deficiency would be the Seeds Of Life Essence Formula.

Related Kidney & Urinary Bladder Organ System Disharmonies

Research the below Disharmonies on our Chinese Medicine Search

  •  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

Leave a Reply