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Scientific Qi Exploration
The K idneys (Shen)
The Kidneys are the foundation of Yin
and Yang of all the other Organs. Kidney
Yin provides the material foundation of
Kidney Yang and Kidney Yang provides
the Heat necessary for all Kidney
functions. Deficiency of one of these
implies the deficiency of the other,
because they rely on each other for their
existence.
The following are the main functions of
the Kidneys.
Scientific Qi Exploration: 17-A - part 2
Meridians and O rgans: Yin O rgans
气的科学探索(17a):经络与脏腑器官
by Marty Eisen Ph.D.
a) Store Essence (Jing)
The Kidneys store both Pre-Heaven
and Post-Heaven Essence.
(i) Pre-Heaven (Congenital,
O riginal) Essence
This is the inherited Essence, which
before birth nourishes the fetus. After
birth, it controls growth and
development. Insufficient Essence may cause physical or mental underdevelopment in children, retarded growth and
premature senility. Chapter 1 of Simple Questions describes the maturation stages of life, which occur every 7 years for
women and every 8 years for men. It also controls sexuality and is the material basis for producing ova in women and
sperm in men. Insufficient Essence can lead to infertility and impotence.
(ii) Post-Heaven (Acquired) Essence
This is the refined essence extracted from food through the transforming function of the internal Organs. After birth,
it is very difficult to replace the Original Essence using the Acquired Essence. There are forms of Qigong, which are
helpful.
b) K idney Yin and Yang
Kidney Yin has the function of nourishing and moistening the body, while Kidney Yang supplies heat to the body.
They are the root and also maintain the relative balance of Yin and Yang in every organ. Conversely, an imbalance of
Yin and Yang in other Organs can cause an imbalance of Yin and Yang in the Kidneys. A Chinese medical saying is that
“Prolonged diseases disturb the Kidneys.”
Kidney Yin and Yang both rely upon Kidney Essence. In fact, both Kidney Yin deficiency and Kidney Yang
deficiency result from Kidney Essence deficiency.
56 Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) Volume 2, Issue No. 1