TCM This Season

The internal organs are much more than mere physical structures in the TCM view. They are complex systems also involving aspects of the mind, emotions and spirit. Not only does each organ have a physiological function, it has functions at the invisible level of vital energy, or Qi. Each organ is uniquely related to a body tissue, a sense organ, emotion, taste, sound, climate, and a direction, among a seemingly endless range of correspondences. These associated qualities are organized in TCM's age-old Theory of Five Elements. Functioning as a template systematizing all phenomena into five universal patterns, this theory provides TCM practitioners with a comprehensive framework to understand, diagnose, and treat health problems.

Winter—The Water Element

The energy of the Kidney and its partner organ, the Urinary Bladder, are predominant in winter. And during each day they reach their peak from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. (Bladder) and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (Kidney). The Kidney performs many energy functions in your body.

Forming Your Energy Foundation

From the TCM perspective, one of the most important functions of the Kidney is storing Kidney essence, or jing, as it is called in Chinese. Twenty-five hundred years ago, Kidney essence was described in the ancient TCM classic, the Nei Jing, as "the most precious substance in the body."  Jing is an energy-essence that transforms into energy (Qi) or blood.

The Kidney organ system is crucial to the health of your body as a whole. The Kidney is your body's energy foundation—it is the primary source of Qi for your body and helps support the function of all the other organs. Inherited from your parents, Inborn Qi is stored in the Kidney along with Acquired Qi (which is created from what you eat and drink). Inborn Qi controls growth and development of the body and supports sexual maturation and function as well as all aspects of reproduction. Problems such as infertility, impotence and repetitive miscarriages, for example, can be an indication of deficient Inborn Qi. It also determines your basic constitution in terms of physical and mental capacity as well as your life span. From the TCM point of view the length of your life is a function of fate and cannot be changed. What does fall under your control is how you manage the constitution you've inherited and how you use your allotted time. The daily choices you make regarding lifestyle can create the basis for a healthy, peaceful life or an unhappy, stressful existence that forms the ground for health problems.

Regulating Water

The Kidney regulates water and fluid metabolism in your body. This function has two aspects: one is to disseminate nutritive body fluids created from food essence to nourish all the organs; the other aspect is to rid your body of any waste fluids produced by the organs and body processes. Difficulties with processing water, such as edema and frequent urination, can be an indication of a Kidney organ system imbalance. Drinking too much water, as suggested by some popular diets, can overtax and unbalance the Kidney, according to TCM. So drink only when you are thirsty.

Supporting the Bones and Teeth

Did you know that the Kidney nourishes the bones, bone marrow, the brain and spinal cord?  Also, in TCM, the teeth are called "the surplus of the bone" and are supported by Kidney Qi.

Governing the Knees

Strong, healthy Kidney Qi is reflected in supple and strong knees. With age, Kidney Qi naturally declines, so it is often common for the knees to weaken with age. Keeping your Kidney energy strong will help to keep this health issue at bay.

Opening into the Ears

The ears are the "opening" of the Kidney, and they are nourished by the Kidney and its essence. Earaches, tinnitus, hearing problems and loss of hearing can signal a Kidney deficiency.

Maintaining Head Hair

Essence stored in the Kidney turns into blood (as well as Qi). Your hair is nourished by blood. Loss of hair, graying, brittle hair can indicate a deficiency of Kidney energy deficiency.

Controlling the Lower Back Area

The actual kidneys are located in the lower back (the lumbar area), so TCM views this part of the body as corresponding to Kidney Qi. Persistent low back pain can result from insufficient Kidney Qi.

Four Ways to Conserve Your Qi

Conservation is the natural principle associated with the Kidney. Think of what happens in its corresponding season, winter: nature takes a rest!

You can conserve Kidney energy, including Inborn Qi, by following these lifestyle suggestions:

• Go with the natural flow of the season. Rest more. Go to bed earlier and sleep later. Keep activity to a minimum. Try not to overwork yourself now and definitely reconsider shopping 'til you drop. (Yes, this does move against the holiday tide.)
• Eat well. By keeping your daily source of energy—Acquired Qi—strong and balanced, energy is saved because a healthy Spleen and Stomach can extract more Qi from food and drink. Choosing food wisely and eating at regular intervals helps accomplish this. What Qi the Spleen and Stomach can't manufacture has to be pulled from the Kidney, an irreplaceable supply.
• Have sex in moderation. Be aware that sex draws heavily on the energy of the Kidney. So moderation in sexual activity, particularly in winter, can help conserve your Kidney Qi.
• Practice energy. Practices like Qigong tune up the organs and balance the entire body, helping to heal health difficulties. By making the organs function more efficiently, Qigong reduces the amount of Qi your body uses on a daily basis.

TCM Health Tip

According to traditional Chinese medicine's Theory of Five Elements, winter is a time of conservation and storage.  Because the Kidney organ system is associated with this particular season, it is now a perfect time to build, conserve and store Kidney Qi.  Over thousands of years, TCM practitioners have created many techniques and energy practices (such as Qigong) to help increase and preserve Kidney Qi.  The following healing technique, while particularly effective when done in winter, can be incorporated into your daily routine and done anytime during the year.

Ear Rub

The ears are considered a microcosm of the physical as well as energy bodies.  This means that by stimulating the ears you are effectively treating all the internal organs and body systems.  Many acupoints are located on the ears and are often used by TCM practitioners to treat a variety of health conditions.  This simple technique is very beneficial for strengthening Kidney Qi and promoting longevity.

Cup each of your hands over your ears (the entire ear) and rub them vigorously.  Continue rubbing until the ears are red and warm.  Do this every day or as often as possible.