Understanding Kidneys from a TCM Perspective
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the understanding of kidney is more extensive than the Western understanding of the anatomical kidneys, regarding it as the root of life and the origin of our individuality as human beings. It is no wonder that the kidneys are considered to be one of the most important organs in the body in TCM. They perform genital, urinary, endocrine, skeletal, blood, and central nervous system functions as well as store essence (known as primordial yin or kidney yin), and also the power source of body. These aspects make the kidneys attribute to the water and fire elements of the body.
Basically, the TCM kidneys act like an functional system that involves the bladder, bone marrow, brain, hair, ears, urinary tract and anus.
The major functions of TCM kidneys include:
Basically, the TCM kidneys act like an functional system that involves the bladder, bone marrow, brain, hair, ears, urinary tract and anus.
The major functions of TCM kidneys include:
- Storing essence, which is the material basis for reproduction, blood formation, body growth and development, and preventing pathogen from invading the body;
- Controlling water / fluid balance in the body;
- Helping respiratory movement through the grasping of qi;
- Producing strong healthy bones and bone marrow;
- Producing healthy hair;
- Connecting with the ears to control hearing;
- Opening into the urethra and anus.
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