Download PDF - Yang-Sheng

g) Govern Water
The Kidneys govern the transformation and transportation of Body Fluids in the following ways.
(i) The Kidneys are like a “gate”, which opens and closes to control the flow of Body Fluids. Normally, Kidney
Yin and Yang are balanced and correctly regulate the opening and closing of the “gate” and urination will be
normal in quantity and color. If there is a deficiency of Kidney Yang, this gate will be too open resulting in pale
and profuse urine flow. A deficiency in Kidney Yin causes dark and scanty urination.
(ii) The Kidneys provide Qi to the Bladder for storing, transformation of Fluids and excretion of urine.
(iii) The Lower Burner, containing the Small and Large Intestines, participates in separating clean from dirty
Fluids. This function is controlled by Kidney Yang.
(iv) The Kidneys receive Fluids from the Lungs. Some of the parts of these Fluids are excreted and some are
vaporized and returned to the Lungs to moisten them.
(v) Kidney Yang provides the required Heat to the Spleen for transformation and transportation of Fluids.
h) Control Opening and Closing
The Kidneys function as a “gate”, controlling urination, as described above in g (i). The Kidneys also influence the
anus and defecation. A Kidney Yang deficiency can produce diarrhea. Hence, the Kidneys influence the opening and
closing of both Yin lower orifices – namely, the urethra and anus.
i) A re the Gate of the Stomach
The Stomach receives Fluids, if the Kidneys don’t excrete Fluids properly, they will stagnate in the Stomach. On the
other hand, a lack of Stomach fluids can result in a Kidney Yin deficiency.
j) Control the Reception of Qi
The Kidneys receive the clear Qi inhaled by the Lungs. The Lungs descend the Qi to the Kidneys and the Kidneys
respond by “holding” the Qi down.
If the Kidneys cannot hold the Qi, it “rebels” upward. This decreases the Lungs depth of respiration and shallow
breathing will occur with more exhaling than inhaling. In more severe situations breathlessness and asthma can occur.
Chronic asthma is often caused by the failure of the Kidneys to receive Qi.
k) O pen into the Ears
The proper functioning of the Ears depends on nourishment by Essence and so the Ears are related to the Kidneys.
Weak Kidneys can result in poor hearing or tinnitus.
l) Manifest in the Hair
The growth of the hair depends on the Kidney Essence for nourishment. If the Kidney essence is weak, the hair will
become brittle, lusterless, thin or all fallout.
The color and quality of the head hair also relate to the state of the Kidney Essence. If it becomes weak, the hair will
become gray and thin.
m) The K idneys are the Root of Pre-Heaven or O riginal Qi
The above statement follows from the fact that the Kidneys store Essence, inherited from the parents. Pre- Heaven
Qi is just the Pre-Heaven Essence transformed into Qi.
n) Fluid is Urine
The Kidneys participate in the process of urination.
58 Yang-Sheng (Nurturing Life) Volume 2, Issue No. 1