Download PDF - Yang-Sheng

If Kidney Yin reaches a certain level of deficiency, then a Kidney Yang deficiency occurs and this process is known
as “Yin injury disturbing Yang.” Analogously, the process called “Yang injury disturbing Yin” occurs when Kidney
Yang is relatively deficient and also results in both Kidney Yin and Yang becoming deficient.
Kidney Yin deficiency presents with such symptoms as: fever, dizziness, tinnitus, weakness or soreness of the lower
back or knees, spermatorrhea and a red tongue body with a scanty coating.
Kidney Yang deficiency presents with such symptoms as: chills, cold limbs, cold pain and weakness of the lower
back or knees, lassitude, clear and profuse urination or enuresis, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, edema and a
pale, flabby tongue body, with a thin, white coat.
An imbalance of Kidney Yin or Yang can cause a Ying or Yang imbalance in other Organs. For example, if Kidney
Yin doesn’t nourish the Lungs, then there is both a Kidney Yin and Lung Yin deficiency. There will be symptoms such
as sore throat, tidal fever, dry cough and feverish sensations.
c) Produces Marrow
Marrow does not correspond to bone marrow of Western Medicine. Marrow is produced by the Kidney Essence.
Marrow is the common substance of the bones, bone marrow, spinal cord and brain.
The Marrow is said to “fill up” the brain. Hence, in Chinese Medicine the brain is physiologically related to the
Kidney and it states that “the Kidneys are the origin of intelligence and skill”. Strong Kidney Essence nourishes the
brain and if it is strong, concentration, memory, thinking and sight will be sharp. These faculties may be dull if the brain
is inadequately nourished by the Kidney Essence. The spinal cord and brain are designated as the “Sea of Marrow”.
The Kidneys also govern the bone marrow and bones, since the Marrow forms bone marrow, which nourishes the
bones. The bones will be strong and the teeth firm if the Kidney Essence is strong; otherwise, the bones will be brittle
and the teeth loose. In children, a weak Kidney Essence will cause the fontanels to remain open, poor bone development
and other developmental problems.
Chapter 8 in Simple Questions states that the Kidneys are the strong official from whom ingenuity is derived. This
can be interpreted as the Kidneys determine one’s physical and mental strength. They also determine will power, as
explained next.
d) House Will Power (Zhi)
The Kidneys determine will power as stated in Chapter 23 of Simple Questions, “The Kidneys house will power.” If
the Kidneys are weak, then will power will be weak and one will be easily discouraged and swayed from one’s goals.
Will power and motivation are often important factors in mental depressions. Tonifying the Kidneys can often improve
depression.
e) Control Strength and Skill
The Kidneys control the capacity for purposeful, hard work for long periods of time. A Kidney disharmony can
sometimes drive a person to become a “workaholic”. The Kidneys also influence the capacity for skilled and delicate
activities. The Kidneys are responsible for short-term memory.
f) Participate in Blood Production
Blood is produced in two ways: by the Post-Heaven Cycle, as discussed above in Heart Blood, and by the Pre-Heaven
Cycle governed by the Kidneys. The Kidneys produce Marrow, which forms bone marrow. Original (Yuan) or Pre-
Heaven Qi acts on the Kidneys and Marrow causing the bone marrow to produce Blood. Original Qi also aids in the Post
-Heaven Cycle.
It is interesting to note that the Chinese account of the bone marrow forming blood was formulated before the
introduction of Western Medicine in China. During the Qing dynasty, Dr. Lin Pei Qin postulated that the Liver and
Kidneys have the same source and that Blood is formed from the Kidney Essence.
January, 2012 Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) 57