-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