The
Five Elements in Oriental Medicine
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Urinogenital Conditions
Cystitis, incontinence, bladder prolapse, low libido,
impotence, genital herpes, thrush
In Western medicine, the kidney is seen as primarily dealing
with water regulation and electrolyte balance. This is a
dynamic process that involves retaining essential substances
and allowing unwanted materials to be excreted.
In Oriental medicine the kidney is seen as having a sphere
of influence that encompasses many functions that extend
beyond the organ itself. The Five-element theory (LINK at
left side of this page), that forms one of the foundations
of oriental medicine, includes a system of correspondences
that links many different and apparently unrelated qualities
under each element, particularly linking mankind and nature.
Within this framework the Kidney and Bladder systems are
ascribed to the element of Water, which also corresponds
to the season of winter and climatic cold (a time of quiet
potential), the colour black (dark rings under the eyes
often indicate a weakness in the kidney energy), the salty
flavour (too much salt can damage the kidneys and affects
fluid retention), and the emotion of fear (fears and phobias
can be helped by nourishing the kidney energy).
Oriental medicine understands the functions of the Kidney
energy as:
Storing essence - the essence can be likened to our
genetic constitution and is linked to our potential for
birth, reproduction and maturation. It is our core, our
stabilising influence, and the source of our will (our will
to be and our will to create). Without this solid foundation
we have instability, which leads to fears and doubts. It
is also the root of all yin (cooling energy) and yang (warming
energy) within the body.
Governing water - fluid retention, oedema, scanty urine,
copious urine or urinary difficulties are all linked to
the relative levels of Kidney yin or yang energy
.
Ruling Bones and Producing Marrow - The kidneys are
responsible for vitamin D metabolism, which affects calcium
metabolism and thus the bones. The kidneys are also responsible
for stimulating red blood cell production within the marrow.
Oriental medicine considers the brain to be the 'Sea of
marrow' thus thought, memory and concentration can be linked
to the kidney energy.
Controlling the reception of Qi - The kidney energy
grasps and anchors Qi descended by the lungs following inhalation.
Thus the relative balance of the kidney energies can affect
some respiratory disorders.
Opening into the Ears - many ear problems (deafness
and tinnitus) can be linked to a kidney energy imbalance.
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