The Kidneys and Cold

[Guest guest]

Since it's cold in the northern hemisphere, I want to post some on

the Kidneys. These will be primarily posts for those new to TCM and

the beginning students. I hope the advanced students and

professionals on the list will jump in and help those new to TCM and

who are beginning their TCM studies to understand the Kidneys better.

 

First, TCM Organs are not equivalent to anatomical organs. TCM

Organs are collections of functions. Some of the things that the

Kidneys do have to do with functions of the adrenal glands in

Western anatomy and physiology. Some of the funtions of the TCM

Kidneys aren't recognized in Western medicine. Like storing the

Jing. (Don't worry about what Jing is at this point. I just want

readers to know that TCM physiology is different from Western

anatomy and physiology.)

 

So why am I posting on the Kidneys and Cold and posting at this time

of year when it's cold in the northern hemisphere? Because the

Kidneys are very vulnerable to Cold. Because of this vulnerability,

there tends to be an increase in Kidney imbalance, especially Kidney

Yang Deficiency in the winter. People who don't suffer incontinence

of urine in warmer months may do so during cold weather. Or,

incontinence problems may become worse during the winter than they

are during other times of the year.

 

Some people may only be troubled with arthritis during cold weather.

(TCM sees arthritis as being due to Cold, Wind, and/or Damp.) People

may be slower mentally during the winter than during other months.

There tends to be an increase in earaches and ear infections.

Individuals may be more prone to problems with teeth and toothache

during this time of year than at other times of year. People may

tend to lack motivation, resolution, and will power during the cold

months. There may also be an increase in depression in some people

because of this.

 

These things aren't reconized as being related in Western anatomy

and physiology, but they are in TCM physiology. These are all things

that have to do with the effects of Cold and/or Kidney imbalance.

 

One of the first steps in learning TCM is to learn what symptoms

tend to be general to what Organ. For example, if digestion is

messed up, consider the Spleen (and Stomach). If breathing is

affected, consider the possibility of a Lung imbalance (and the

Large Intestine in a few cases). Though there are times when

breathing problems have a Root other than Lung Imbalance (and Large

Intestine imbalance). One first learns the symptoms that tend to be

general to a particular Organ (or pair of Organs). Later on one

learns the symptoms of specific imbalances of an Organ.

 

The 3 most important general symptoms of Kidney imbalance are

problems with urination/ urine, pain and soreness in the back

(espeically the lower back), and painful and sore knees. There are

other things besides Kidney imbalance that can cause these problems,

but as a general rule, if someone reports something abnormal about

urination or urine, pain in the back, and/or pain in the knees,

automatically suspect Kidney imbalance and rule in or rule out.

 

There are some other general symptoms of Kidney imbalance, though

these point a little better toward specific Kidney imbalances than

the big 3 do. If there are problems with the ears and/or hearing,

the bones, the teeth, and will power, automatically suspect and rule

in or rule out Kidney imbalance.

 

Imbalances in TCM are not determined by all possible symptoms being

present. But also, TCM imbalances are usually not diagnosed on the

basis of just one symptom being present. However, the more symptoms

that are present the more likely the imbalance exists AND the worse

the imbalance is. When imbalances first start, there may be one or

two symptoms and signs. As the imbalance gets worse if left

untreated, more will appear. It's why in TCM one treats Roots as

well as symptoms. If one treats just symptoms, one may clear up a

particular symptom, but the underlying Root continues to manifest in

other ways.

 

When a diagnosis of a particular imbalance is made on the basis of

one symptom, it's because no other imbalance can account for the

symptom. For example, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) may be due to

Kidney imbalance. But it also can be due to Liver imbalance or

Blood Stasis. If no other signs or symptoms of possible Kidney

imbalance are present but there are several symptoms of Liver

imbalance, chances are the tinnitus is coming from the Liver

imbalance. Some symptons and signs are more specific than others.

For example, I know of nothing else that can acount for floaters in

the eye other than Blood Deficiency, in particular Liver Blood

Deficiency.

 

Don't worry about memorizing or understanding all of this now.

What's important at this stage of learning is having a general idea

of how things work in TCM. Even if you can't put any of this info in

your own words at this point, you're still starting to get a rough

idea of the subject and starting to consider things that you didn't

consider before.

 

Each Organ is vulnerable to particular weather conditions. The

Kidneys are most vulnerable to cold. This cold can be cold from the

environment that invades the body, cold that arises within the body

because a person consumes too many foods and herbs that cool the

person down, or cold that develops from Yang Deficiency (not enough

Yang to warm the body properly). The Kidneys are particularly

vulnerable to Cold. So is Yang. (Don't worry about what Yang is at

this point.)

 

The thing about Cold invading from the environment is that if not

countered, it will attack the Kidneys and Yang, thus setting up

Deficiency Cold (Cold caused in the Interior by there not being

enough Yang to warm the body properly). Yang warms, activates, and

dries. The Kidneys supply the Yang (and Yin) to the rest of the

body). The Cold not only attacks and decreases the Yang which warms

the body, it weakens the Kidneys so that they no longer can provide

as much Yang as is needed. It's a snowballing situation.

 

The Kidneys also don't like Dryness. " Dry weather or internal

Dryness can injure Kidney-Yin. " (Giovanni Maciocia, The Foundations

of , pp. 100-101.) (Yin calms, cools, and moistens.)

People who live in cold, dry climates can get a double Kidney-

whammy - Cold and Dryness. However, even in damp and cold climates,

Dryness can be a problem during the winter because so many forms of

heating a house will dry it out. Susceptible individuals can get hit

with a double whammy in those cases too. (Note to students: The

Lungs hate Dryness and also are bothered by Cold. So one often sees

an increase in both Kidney and Lung imbalances in the winter.)

 

Each Organ also is vulnerable to one or more emotions. In the case

of the Kidneys, it's fear and fright. Not only can fear and fright

damage the Kidneys, once the Kidneys are weakened from whatever

cause (Cold, Dryness, etc.), the person becomes more prone to

feeling fear and fright. Feelings of fear may be more likely in some

people in the winter than at other times of the year because of the

vulnerability of the Kidneys to Cold. Remember, it doesn't matter

what the initial cause of the Kidney imbalance is - emotional, Cold,

etc. Once the imbalance takes hold, the person is going to be more

prone to feeling the emotions assoicated with the Organ. This is

another snowballing situation.

 

A note for beginning students: Each Element - Wood, Fire, Earth,

Metal, and Water - has a Yin and a Yang Organ. For example, the

Kidneys are classified as Yin Water, and the Urinary Bladder as Yang

Water. The Lungs are Yin Metal, and the Large Intestine is Yang

Metal. This isn't just a nice little classification scheme without

practical applications. Once in a while you will encounter clients

who only have breathing problems or whose breathing problems are

worse when they are constipated than when they're having regular and

proper bowel movements. So if a client comes in and says s/he's only

having breathing problems when constipated or worse breathing

problems when constipated, chances are the person isn't imagining

it. This really can occur. In some cases, the client will not have

caught onto this it, and you will be one who tells the client.

 

Also, when Heat buids up in the Lungs, one way to release it is to

purge the Large Intestine. This is possible because these are

coupled Organs (the same Element). Later on you'll learn about more

of these relationships.

[Guest guest]

Just a short note to say that I really apprecaite the many postings appear

on this list. It has been very informative. Thank You.

 

Wishing you all good health and much happiness in the new year and always.

 

Christine

 

 

> " victoria_dragon " <victoria_dragon

>Chinese Traditional Medicine

>Chinese Traditional Medicine

>[Chinese Traditional Medicine] The Kidneys and Cold

>Sun, 18 Dec 2005 18:40:58 -0000

>

>Since it's cold in the northern hemisphere, I want to post some on

>the Kidneys. These will be primarily posts for those new to TCM and

>the beginning students. I hope the advanced students and

>professionals on the list will jump in and help those new to TCM and

>who are beginning their TCM studies to understand the Kidneys better.

>

>First, TCM Organs are not equivalent to anatomical organs. TCM

>Organs are collections of functions. Some of the things that the

>Kidneys do have to do with functions of the adrenal glands in

>Western anatomy and physiology. Some of the funtions of the TCM

>Kidneys aren't recognized in Western medicine. Like storing the

>Jing. (Don't worry about what Jing is at this point. I just want

>readers to know that TCM physiology is different from Western

>anatomy and physiology.)

>

>So why am I posting on the Kidneys and Cold and posting at this time

>of year when it's cold in the northern hemisphere? Because the

>Kidneys are very vulnerable to Cold. Because of this vulnerability,

>there tends to be an increase in Kidney imbalance, especially Kidney

>Yang Deficiency in the winter. People who don't suffer incontinence

>of urine in warmer months may do so during cold weather. Or,

>incontinence problems may become worse during the winter than they

>are during other times of the year.

>

>Some people may only be troubled with arthritis during cold weather.

>(TCM sees arthritis as being due to Cold, Wind, and/or Damp.) People

>may be slower mentally during the winter than during other months.

>There tends to be an increase in earaches and ear infections.

>Individuals may be more prone to problems with teeth and toothache

>during this time of year than at other times of year. People may

>tend to lack motivation, resolution, and will power during the cold

>months. There may also be an increase in depression in some people

>because of this.

>

>These things aren't reconized as being related in Western anatomy

>and physiology, but they are in TCM physiology. These are all things

>that have to do with the effects of Cold and/or Kidney imbalance.

>

>One of the first steps in learning TCM is to learn what symptoms

>tend to be general to what Organ. For example, if digestion is

>messed up, consider the Spleen (and Stomach). If breathing is

>affected, consider the possibility of a Lung imbalance (and the

>Large Intestine in a few cases). Though there are times when

>breathing problems have a Root other than Lung Imbalance (and Large

>Intestine imbalance). One first learns the symptoms that tend to be

>general to a particular Organ (or pair of Organs). Later on one

>learns the symptoms of specific imbalances of an Organ.

>

>The 3 most important general symptoms of Kidney imbalance are

>problems with urination/ urine, pain and soreness in the back

>(espeically the lower back), and painful and sore knees. There are

>other things besides Kidney imbalance that can cause these problems,

>but as a general rule, if someone reports something abnormal about

>urination or urine, pain in the back, and/or pain in the knees,

>automatically suspect Kidney imbalance and rule in or rule out.

>

>There are some other general symptoms of Kidney imbalance, though

>these point a little better toward specific Kidney imbalances than

>the big 3 do. If there are problems with the ears and/or hearing,

>the bones, the teeth, and will power, automatically suspect and rule

>in or rule out Kidney imbalance.

>

>Imbalances in TCM are not determined by all possible symptoms being

>present. But also, TCM imbalances are usually not diagnosed on the

>basis of just one symptom being present. However, the more symptoms

>that are present the more likely the imbalance exists AND the worse

>the imbalance is. When imbalances first start, there may be one or

>two symptoms and signs. As the imbalance gets worse if left

>untreated, more will appear. It's why in TCM one treats Roots as

>well as symptoms. If one treats just symptoms, one may clear up a

>particular symptom, but the underlying Root continues to manifest in

>other ways.

>

>When a diagnosis of a particular imbalance is made on the basis of

>one symptom, it's because no other imbalance can account for the

>symptom. For example, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) may be due to

>Kidney imbalance. But it also can be due to Liver imbalance or

>Blood Stasis. If no other signs or symptoms of possible Kidney

>imbalance are present but there are several symptoms of Liver

>imbalance, chances are the tinnitus is coming from the Liver

>imbalance. Some symptons and signs are more specific than others.

>For example, I know of nothing else that can acount for floaters in

>the eye other than Blood Deficiency, in particular Liver Blood

>Deficiency.

>

>Don't worry about memorizing or understanding all of this now.

>What's important at this stage of learning is having a general idea

>of how things work in TCM. Even if you can't put any of this info in

>your own words at this point, you're still starting to get a rough

>idea of the subject and starting to consider things that you didn't

>consider before.

>

>Each Organ is vulnerable to particular weather conditions. The

>Kidneys are most vulnerable to cold. This cold can be cold from the

>environment that invades the body, cold that arises within the body

>because a person consumes too many foods and herbs that cool the

>person down, or cold that develops from Yang Deficiency (not enough

>Yang to warm the body properly). The Kidneys are particularly

>vulnerable to Cold. So is Yang. (Don't worry about what Yang is at

>this point.)

>

>The thing about Cold invading from the environment is that if not

>countered, it will attack the Kidneys and Yang, thus setting up

>Deficiency Cold (Cold caused in the Interior by there not being

>enough Yang to warm the body properly). Yang warms, activates, and

>dries. The Kidneys supply the Yang (and Yin) to the rest of the

>body). The Cold not only attacks and decreases the Yang which warms

>the body, it weakens the Kidneys so that they no longer can provide

>as much Yang as is needed. It's a snowballing situation.

>

>The Kidneys also don't like Dryness. " Dry weather or internal

>Dryness can injure Kidney-Yin. " (Giovanni Maciocia, The Foundations

>of , pp. 100-101.) (Yin calms, cools, and moistens.)

>People who live in cold, dry climates can get a double Kidney-

>whammy - Cold and Dryness. However, even in damp and cold climates,

>Dryness can be a problem during the winter because so many forms of

>heating a house will dry it out. Susceptible individuals can get hit

>with a double whammy in those cases too. (Note to students: The

>Lungs hate Dryness and also are bothered by Cold. So one often sees

>an increase in both Kidney and Lung imbalances in the winter.)

>

>Each Organ also is vulnerable to one or more emotions. In the case

>of the Kidneys, it's fear and fright. Not only can fear and fright

>damage the Kidneys, once the Kidneys are weakened from whatever

>cause (Cold, Dryness, etc.), the person becomes more prone to

>feeling fear and fright. Feelings of fear may be more likely in some

>people in the winter than at other times of the year because of the

>vulnerability of the Kidneys to Cold. Remember, it doesn't matter

>what the initial cause of the Kidney imbalance is - emotional, Cold,

>etc. Once the imbalance takes hold, the person is going to be more

>prone to feeling the emotions assoicated with the Organ. This is

>another snowballing situation.

>

>A note for beginning students: Each Element - Wood, Fire, Earth,

>Metal, and Water - has a Yin and a Yang Organ. For example, the

>Kidneys are classified as Yin Water, and the Urinary Bladder as Yang

>Water. The Lungs are Yin Metal, and the Large Intestine is Yang

>Metal. This isn't just a nice little classification scheme without

>practical applications. Once in a while you will encounter clients

>who only have breathing problems or whose breathing problems are

>worse when they are constipated than when they're having regular and

>proper bowel movements. So if a client comes in and says s/he's only

>having breathing problems when constipated or worse breathing

>problems when constipated, chances are the person isn't imagining

>it. This really can occur. In some cases, the client will not have

>caught onto this it, and you will be one who tells the client.

>

>Also, when Heat buids up in the Lungs, one way to release it is to

>purge the Large Intestine. This is possible because these are

>coupled Organs (the same Element). Later on you'll learn about more

>of these relationships.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I also have enjoyed reading the posts on Kidneys & Cold, was very interesting to

me, just haven't had much time with the holidays here and all to post much

lately.

Wishing you all Happy Holidays & Happy Yule !

Blessings,

Marlene

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for the very helpful information. Would you also be

able to suggest some herbs or patten formulas that are helpful for

kidney qi deficiency?

 

Linda

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " Marlene " <MarleneLawson@p...>

wrote:

>

> I also have enjoyed reading the posts on Kidneys & Cold, was very

interesting to me, just haven't had much time with the holidays here

and all to post much lately.

> Wishing you all Happy Holidays & Happy Yule !

> Blessings,

> Marlene

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " keats65 " <keats65>

wrote:

>

> Would you also be

> able to suggest some herbs or patten formulas that are helpful for

> kidney qi deficiency?

 

When considering the Kidneys, it's best to know exactly what is

going on. A person who is Kidney Yang Deficient is also sure to be

Kidney Yin Deficient though to a lesser degree. A person who is

Kidney Yin Deficient is almost certain to be Kidney Yang Deficient

to a lesser degree. As Maciocia points out in The Foundations of

, it's never 50-50. It's best to know which

predominates and by how much, and formulas will need to be adjusted

or changed as the clinical picture changes.

 

Kidney Qi is produced by the warming action of Kidney Yang on Kidney

Yin and Kidney Jing (Essence). It's important to have an idea of

which is predominating in Kidney Qi Deficiency because this will

influence which formula gets chosen and possible modifications to

the chosen formula. I'm going to give two possibles.

 

Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Cabinet (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan). This

is a formula that tonifies both Kidney Yin and Yang while helping to

create Kidney Qi. The pills are to be taken 1 or 2 times per day

WITH warm water. (This is one of the formulas that the way you take

it is important.) The Kidney Qi Pill formula is Six-Ingredient Pill

with Rehmannia plus herbs to warm Yang thrown in. (What a lot of

people don't realize is that the Kidney Qi Pill formula was

developed first, and Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia was

developed from it hundreds of years later.)

 

In their summation remarks, Dan Bensky and Randall Barolet

say, " General formula that is particularly useful for disorders of

water metabolism. " (Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas & Strategies,

p. 286.) Since there are several formulas available for any

imbalance, Bensky and Barolet put summation notes about what the

formula is particularly good for at the end of every chapter. There

are a number of Kidney Yang tonic and Kidney Qi tonic formulas. This

one is particularly good when the " water metabolism " problems are

particularly marked. Trnaslation: There are edema problems in

addition to the usual urination problems. Since Kidney Qi Pills is

classified as a Kidney Yang tonic formula this indicates that it's

for people whose Kidney Yang Deficiency is worse than their Kidney

Yin Deficiency. Indeed, the formula is contraindicated " in cases of

yin deficiency with a dry mouth and throat and a red tongue with

little coating. " (p. 278.)

 

Bensky and Barolet give the following indications for the use of

Kidney Qi Pill: " lower back pain, weakness of the lower extremities,

a cold sensation in the lower half of the body, tenseness in the

lower abdomen, a pale, swollen tonue with a thin, white, and moist

coating, and an empty or frail pulse whih is submerged and faint at

the proximal position. The patient may also be irritable to the

point of having difficulty lying down, and will breathe most

comfortably while leaning against something. These is either

urinary diffiulty with edema, or exessive urination, sometimes to

the point of incontinence. (pp. 275-276.)

 

Another formula is Cuscuta Seed Pill. This one is classified as

Kidney Qi tonic for Kidney Qi Deficiency " with an inability to grasp

the essence. " (p. 286.) This one is better in cases where there are

marked problems with the Kidneys failing to grasp the Jing. It's for

cases when the accent is on the Jing part of the " Kidney Yang warms

Kidney Yin and Kidney Jing to produce Kidney Qi. " In their summation

notes Bensky and Barolet indicate that it, " Simultaniously treats

the manifestaion and the root. " (p. 286.) What they mean by this

will become clearer after looking at the indications.

 

Cuscuta Seed Pill is to be taken WITH " salted water " . (p. 280)

 

Remember how Bensky and Barolet talked about Kidney Qi Pill being

best for " water metabolism " problems? This includes a range of

possible manifestations - urinary difficulty, edema, lots of

colorless urine, frequent urination, and even incontinence. Cuscuta

Seed Pill is indicated when the incontinence problems are

particularly bad. There can even be continuous dribbling. Urination

may even be scanty in part because there is continuous dribbling.

Also the bladder can't hold as much as it ordinarily can before

feeling full.

 

The indications for Cuscuta Seed Pill are, " Exhaustion, aversion to

cold, frail physique, dizziness, lower back pain, weakness of the

lower extremities, frequent, scanty urination with continuous

dripping, and a submerged, thin pulse that is especially frail at

the proximal position. " (p. 281.)

 

Bensky and Barolet also say, " This is Kidney qi defiicency with an

inability to grasp the essence. The exhaustion is due to weakness

of the essence and blood of the Kidneys, while the aversion to cold

stems from insufficient warmth due to yang qi deficiency. The frail

physique, dizziness, lower back pain, and weakness of the lower

extremities are due to the exhaustion of the source qi which is

unable to fill out the flesh and skin externally, or to distribute

the qi and blood internally. When the Kidneys are dificient the

Bladder may lose its power to restrain, which result in frequent and

scanty urination with continuous dripping. " (p. 281)

 

So what does Bensky and Barolet mean by Cuscuta Seed Pill treats

both the manifestation and the Root at the same time? " When the qi-

grasping funiton of the Kidneys is weak, abnormal leakage of urine

may result. Although this is but a manifestation of the underlying

disorder, it is important that it be treated. This formula does

that well by combining astringent ingredients with tonifying

ingredients that work on the root cause of the disorder. This

accelerates the healing process and helps to effect a long-term

cure. If the absorbing and grasping function of the Kidneys is

storng, the recovery from Kidney qi deficiency or injury will be

faster and more complete since it ensures that the full potential of

qi is rooted in the Kidneys. " (p. 281.) There are astringent herbs

(they plug " leaks " ) to treat the manifestation of dripping as well

as tonic herbs to treat the Root of Kidney Qi Deficiency. This

particular manifestation needs to be treated because as long as

there are leaks, Qi is being diminished. It's like trying to bail a

leaky rowboat without also fixing the leak.

 

I want to say something about emaciation being one of the signs of

possible Blood Deficiency. " Emaciate " is defined as " to waste away

physically. " Also as " to cause to lose flesh so as to become very

thin. Some TCM writers will describe the physique of people with

Blood Deficiency as " emaciated " . This is misleading. Even Bensky

and Barolet's term " frail physique " is somewhat misleading as many

readers will take that as another way of saying " thin " . It can mean

thin, but it also can apply to people who are obese. This is hard to

explain with language. It's something that's best seen and compared

and contrasted. There is a difference between a person who is obese

and robust and " filled out " , and a person who is obese but frail.

The skin will " hang " on an obese person who is frail and who has

Blood Deficiency. It will wrinkle like the skin of a very old and

sick person even if the person is young. It's a peculiar kind of

wrinking like the waves in the ocean or very, very minute parallel

hills and valleys. Once you see it - especially on a person who is

obese and young, you'll remember it. It can come and go and be worst

at some times than others. Or, it may remain constant. Even though

the person is obese, there may be an impression of the person not

quite filling out his or her skin. The person may feel better when

they look more " filled out " and worse when this wrinkling is present.

[Guest guest]

I was very interested in reading the deep description

regarding kidney qi deficieny,

 

do you have any advice how to manage a spleen qi

deficiency, I am getting herbs at the moment and

acupuncture, but was wondering if there is anything I

can do extra to improve the situation.

 

Regards,

Brigitte

[Guest guest]

Brigitte:

 

Moxibustion and massage are good complements to

acupuncture and herbs. Often the same points that were

needled can be acumoxed. There is a qualitative

difference between the effects of needle acupuncture

and acumox. You might mention this to your

acupuncturist, sometimes you can alternate between

needles and moxa.

 

A good massage can literally help put things to right

and make you feel more comfortable.

 

Regards, Jack

 

 

--- Brigitte Breithut Stepak <bbreithut

wrote:

 

> I was very interested in reading the deep

> description

> regarding kidney qi deficieny,

>

> do you have any advice how to manage a spleen qi

> deficiency, I am getting herbs at the moment and

> acupuncture, but was wondering if there is anything

> I

> can do extra to improve the situation.

>

> Regards,

> Brigitte

>

>

>

 

 

 

 

 

 

for Good - Make a difference this year.

http://brand./cybergivingweek2005/

[Guest guest]

Becky <bsalibrici> wrote:

> Wouldn't acupressure be effective without insertion

> of needles or burning?

 

There are said to be 4 branches to mainstream TCM;

acupuncture, moxabustion, herbs (which includes foods),

and bodywork.

 

I've heard it suggested that any preference of one over

the other might be due to what one is hoping to accomplish,

regional custom, or the skill limitations of the practitioner.

 

Penel