-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
Chinese physiology
Kidney (Shen)
diagnoses
definition
The Chinese organ Shen is translated as the Kidney
It is classified as a Zang organ, which is Yin in nature
Its channel is named Foot Xiao Yin or Lesser Yin
» The Major Functions of the Kidney include:
Foundation of the body's Yin and Yang; Kidney Yin nourishes Liver Yin.
Stores systemic Jing (Essence) and is the root of the Yuan (Original) Qi.
Grasps and Roots the Qi (controls inhalation).
Rules the Bones.
Produces Marrow (brain, spinal cord and CSF).
Governs birth, growth and reproduction. (reproductive organs and genitalia)
The Root of Life they control the entire life process (birth, growth, maturation, aging and death).
Dominates water metabolism; Kidney warms the Lower Warmer and Bladder.
Kidney Yang controls Minister Fire; Kidney is the source of Fire for all the internal organs.
Activates Spleen and Lung.
Responsible for Heart balance (cools the Heart) and assists the Heart function of Housing the Shen.
Kidney Yin nourishes Liver Yin.
Kidney is the gateway to the Stomach.
Opens to the ear; responsible for hearing.
Controls the two lower Yin orifices (ureter and anus)
» Relationships of the Kidney:
The channel is coupled with the Hand Xiao Yin Heart channel
High tide in the channel occurs between the hours 5 to 7 pm
Its "clock" partner is the Large Intestine (12 hours away)
Its elemental pair is the Urinary Bladder in the Water phase
Their color is black or dark blue
Their season is winter
The direction from which its influence comes is the North
Its climate is Cold
Its power is that of storage, hibernation, dormancy, death
Its flavor is salty
Its odor is putrid
» Expressions of the Kidney:
The Kidney controls the sense of hearing through its sense organ, the ear
The body part or tissue it controls is bones and teeth
The body fluid it secretes is parotid saliva
The Kidney condition is observable in the head hair (esp. quantity)
When the Kidney is out of balance, pain, discomfort or abnormal sensations are commonly experienced and reported in the low back; sensitivity and/or tension may be elicited upon palpation in the lumbar region (also the waist, loins, pelvic area and the vicinity of the 12th rib GB-25)
This organ produces feelings of awe and wonder, fear and apprehension, curiosity, vulnerability
The characteristic sound of the voice is moaning and groaning
» Roles of the Kidney:
If the body were an empire the Kidney would be the Laborer (who works diligently)
It houses the spirit known as the "Zhi", i.e., the Will
It directs Qi both up and down
» Influences upon the Kidney:
This organ is injured by the climatic factor Cold (Dryness)
is "strained" by overwork
is "drained" by too much of the salty flavor
is "overwhelmed" by excessive fear
Is exhausted by too much sexual activity (esp. orgasms, childbirth and/or abortions)
» Foods that are said to benefit the Kidney:
grain: beans and peas
meat: pork
fruit: dates
vegetable: leeks
» Major symptoms of Kidney disharmony include:
Low back pain
Impotence and Infertility
Incontinence (urinary, seminal, etc.)
Urinary frequency, esp. at night
Loss of hearing (deafness - tinnitus)
Edema, esp. lower body
chronic loose stools, esp. in the early morning hours
Problems of growth and development
Signs of aging, esp. prematurely hair loss, loss of hearing and eyesight, loss of teeth
» Shi (Excess) patterns:
the Kidney is rarely in a state of excess
» general symptoms of Shi (Excess): over-decisiveness; dreams of difficulty undoing one's belt; and hot, heavy painful legs (Seem, p. 28); abnormally excessive energy; dark urine; and occasionally tinnitus.
» Xu (Deficiency) patterns:
Kidney Jing Xu (Essence Deficiency)
Kidney Failing to grasp Qi
Kidney Qi Not Firm
Kidney Yang Xu (Deficiency)
Kidney Yang Xu (Deficiency), Water overflowing
Kidney Yin Xu (Deficiency)
Kidney Yin Xu (Deficiency) with Empty Fire blazing
» general symptoms of Xu (Deficiency): indecisiveness; confused speech; dreams of trees submerged under water; cold feet and legs; abundant sweating (Seem, p. 28); fearfulness; apathy; discouragement; scatteredness; lack of will; negativity; impatience; low sex drive; lumbago; sciatica; and musculoskeletal irritation and inflammation, esp. when worse from touch; various Xu (Deficiency) Fire conditions
» combined patterns:
Kidney and Heart not Communicating
Kidney and Liver Yin Xu (Deficiency)
Kidney and Lung Yin Xu (Deficiency)
Kidney and Spleen Yang Xu (Deficiency)
footnotes