The kidney is located against the back muscles in the upper abdominal area. There is one on each side, one on the left and one on the right to the spine.
Note: As I mentioned in a previous article, the organs in CM focuses on the physiological functions of a system rather than an anatomical organ. Therefore the “Kidney” in CM does NOT equal to the organ Kidney in Western Medicine.
If you haven’t read the introduction to “Internal Organ Systems in Chinese Medicine”, click HERE.
Physiological Functions of the Kidney
1. Stores Essence
The kidney is responsible for preserving, maintaining and storing the essence within the kidney.
The essence stored in the kidney is used for the following:
a) Growth and Development
The Kidney essence transforms into kidney-qi which is the driving force to the life activities and keeps the body in a healthy state.
b) Reproduction
The kidney essence promotes the development and maturity of reproductive organs as well as functions.
2. Governs Water Metabolism
Kidney is responsible for governing and regulating the body’s water metabolism. It is important in balancing the distribution of body fluids in the body. Water metabolism is shown in the below aspects:
a) Send Clear Fluid Upward
The clear fluid is one that contains nutrients. The kidney ascends the clear fluid and distributes it to the whole body.
b) Send Turbid Fluid Downward
The turbid fluid contains wastes which is sent to the bladder by the kidney for excretion.
Relationship of the Kidney and its Correspondents
| Five Zang Organs | Five Elements | Five Constituents | Five External Manifestations | Five Sensory Organs | Body Fluids | Emotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kidney | Water | Bone | Hair | Ears | Spittle | Fear |
1. The Kidney governs the Bone
The essence that kidney stores generate marrow which lies within the bone to nourish it. Therefore when the kidney essence is sufficient, the bones will be strong and firm.
2. The Kidney opens into the Ears
The normal functioning of the ears relies on the nourishment by the kidney essence. When the kidney essence is sufficient, the hearing will be sharp. However if the kidney essence is deficient, there may be impaired hearing, tinnitus or even deafness.
3. External Manifestation on the Hair
Hair is nourished by essence and blood. Since the kidney stores the essence which further generates blood, when there is sufficient kidney essence, the hair is moist, lustrous and glowing.
4. Kidney and Spittle
Spittle is the thick part of saliva. It is transformed from the kidney essence.
The spittle is responsible for moistening the mouth and tongue.
5. Emotionally Fear is to Kidney
Excessive fear will impair the Kidney. For example, in extreme fear, one might lose the holding function causing incontinence of urine. More will be explained in a later article regarding Emotion & Health.
Up next I will discuss the “Six Fu Organs”.