Shaoyin Kidneys - Functions
The root of
pre-heaven Qi. Our Essence is taken from our parents and
established at conception. The Kidneys are the foundation or
primary Yin and Yang for all other organs. Kidney Yin is
fundamental for birth, growth, and reproduction. Kidney Yang is the
momentum behind all physiological activities. The Kidney Yin
provides material for the Yang to burn, without Yang the Yin would
be inert. Therefore, they each need each other to exist. If one
becomes deficient, the other will become deficient (like a fire
running out of wood, or like a pile of wood with a small waning
flame). When treating disorders of the Kidneys a practitioner
should note that treatment of both Yin and Yang is necessary. If
the flame of a fire is stoked but there is little wood, the fire
will quickly consume. If there is a very small fire and too much
wood is added it will smother the flame. The Kidneys are the water
organ, and they are also the source of fire for the body ‘the fire
of the gate of vitality (Ming Men)’.
The functions of
the Kidneys are:
Store
Essence and govern birth, growth, reproduction, and development
Essence is
inherited from our parents and is constantly replenished to a
certain extent from our food intake or breathing exercises. Essence
nourishes the fetus and after birth governs growth, maturation, and
development. This is the basis for our constitution. It is also
the basis for sexual functioning, i.e. sperm and egg production. If
the Kidney Essence is deficient infertility, impotence, slow growth
in children, and early senility can occur. The Kidneys also store
post-heaven Essence from the Spleen and other organs.
Aging is a natural
decline in the Essence. It is said that Essence has a cycle of 7
years in women and 8 years in men. Kidney Essence is the basis for
Kidney Yin, therefore supplementing the Kidney Yang for warming
purposes. If the Essence is strong the Kidneys are strong.
Produce
Marrow, fill up the brain, and control bones
Essence is the
foundation for the making of Marrow. However, do not be confused
with the western concept of bone marrow, this is only a small part
of how TCM views the marrow. In TCM Marrow is what makes up the
bones, bone marrow, brain, and spinal cord. This is why it is said
that the Kidneys fill up the brain. If the Kidneys are strong the
brain functions will be sharp (i.e. memory, etc.). The Kidneys are
also considered to be the origin of skill and intelligence. The
brain and spinal cord are referred to as the Sea of Marrow. If the
Kidneys are strong the bones and teeth will be strong. The Kidneys
determine both the mental and physical strength of the individual,
and the will power.
Govern water
In the five element
theory the Kidneys correspond to water.
- The Kidneys control the two
lower gates (orifices) for the proper regulation of fluids. If
the Kidneys are strong the urination will be normal in quantity
and colour.
- The Kidneys are in the lower
Jiao, the organs in the lower Jiao are looked at as the drainage
ditch – they excrete waste fluids. The Kidneys provide Qi to
the Bladder to perform its physiological function.
- The intestinal functions of
separating pure and dirty fluids is also under the control of
the Kidney Yang.
- The Kidneys also recienve
fluids from the Lungs. They are then further separated, the
waste excreted and the pure steamed back up to the Lungs.
- The Kidney Yang provides the
Spleen with the heat needed for its function of transforming and
transporting fluids.
Control the reception of Qi
The Lungs direct Qi
down to the Kidneys and the Kidneys hold or grasp the Qi. If the
Kidneys do not perform this function properly it will result in
chest congestion and trouble breathing. This is a very common root
to asthma.
Open up into the ears
The ears need
Essence for their normal functioning. If the Kidneys are weak there
may be trouble hearing or tinnitus.
Show their
health on the hair of the head
The hair needs
Essence to grow and be healthy. It is when the Kidney Essence is
weak that there is premature hair loss or other troubles with hair
health.
Control the two lower gates
(orifices)
The opening and
closing functions of the urethra and spermatic ducts in men, urethra
in women, and the anus in both sexes is dependant on the health of
the Kidney Qi/Yang. If there is weakness there can be urinary
leakage, incontinence, enuresis, spermatorrhea, or nocturnal
emissions. This may also cause diarrhea or prolapse of the anus.
House will power (Zhi)
If the Kidneys are
strong our determination and will power will be strong. Mental
strength, focus, and drive to achieve goals will flourish. Lack of
motivation will respond well to treatment of the Kidneys.
The gate of vitality (Ming
Men)
The fire of the
gate of vitality (Ming Men fire) today is considered to reside
between the two Kidneys. It is the motive force of all functional
activities of the body. It is also referred to as the “minister
fire’. It gives heat for all bodily functions and for the Kidney
Essence. The Kidneys are the root of fire and water in the body,
the Ming Men is considered to be the fire.
Main functions:
- it is the root of Yuan
(original) Qi
- it is the source of fire for
all the internal Zang Fu organs
- it warms the lower Jiao and
Bladder
- it warms the Stomach and
Spleen to facilitate digestion
- t harmonizes sexual activities
and warms the Essence and Uterus
- it assists the Kidney function
of receiving Qi from the Lungs
- it helps the Heart to house
the mind
Effect dreams
“When the Kidneys
are weak, one dreams of swimming after a shipwreck. If the dream
takes place in winter, one dreams of plunging in water and being
scared.” (Simple Questions).
“When the Kidneys
are in excess, one dreams that the spine is detached from the
body…When they are weak, one dreams of being immersed in water.”
(Spiritual Axis).
Links -
Kidney: Water Energy Yin Organ (Bioenergetics)
