Kidneys are seen as the root and foundation of the body, fueling the lower part of the body, including the sexual organs. Kidneys provide energy and warmth and all hearing is related to the kidneys. A person with healthy vital kidneys is active, yet calm, courageous but gentle, accomplishes a great deal without stress, and balances assertive action with nurture.
Physiology
Designed to balance our fluid and electrolyte levels.(the levels of chemicals and waste in the blood)
Damaged By
Ice cold fluids, excessive salts, coffee, eggs, not enough sleep, stress, cold and damp environments.
Supported By
Deep sleep, keeping warm, hot fluids.
Diagnosis
Tiredness, lethargy, being self-protective, dark area below the eyes.
General Symptoms of Kidney Imbalance
all bone problems, especially those of the knees, lower back and teeth
poor growth and development of the mind and body, premature aging
excessive fear and insecurity
Common Syndromes of the Kidneys
Kidney yin deficiency:
dizziness, ringing in the ears, dry throat, dry mouth, fever, low backache, weak legs, involuntary seminal emission, spontaneous sweating, thin, fast radial pulse and distinctly red tongue. Emotionally; agitation, irritation, nervousness, insecurity and fear. the personality is not rooted or stable and may not be dependable, because of deep, often unacknowledged insecurity, there is a tendency to move from one problem, place or relationship to the next without ever getting down to the root issues.
Dietary suggestions:
millet, barley, tofu, string bean, black bean, black soybean, mung bean and its sprouts, kidney bean and most other beans, kuzu root, watermelon and other melons, blackberry, mulberry, blueberry, huckleberry, water chestnut, wheat germ, potato, seaweeds, spirulina, chlorella, black sesame seed, sardine, crab, clam, eggs, pork and cheese. Herbs are marshmallow root, prepared rehmannia root, mandarin, asparagus root, aloe vera gel, and silver colloid. Rehmannia-Six and Six-Flavor Tea Pills are the 2 most widely used herbal formulas to strengthen kidneys.
Kidney yang deficiency:
aversion to cold, cold extremities, pale complexion, weak knees and lower back, mental lethargy and poor spirit, lack of sexual desire, irregular menses, clear vaginal discharge, sterility, frequent urination, clear urine, inability to urinate, edema, asthma, lack of will power and direction, an enlarged pale tongue. A tendency to be inactive, indecisive and unproductive.
Dietary suggestions:
cloves, fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, anise seeds, black peppercorn, ginger(dried preferred), cinnamon bark, walnuts, black beans, onion family, quinoa, chicken, lamb, trout and salmon. Avoid cooling foods and fruits such as raw foods, excessive salt and use seaweed cautiously.
Deficient kidney qi symptoms:
low back pain, weak knees, pale tongue, weak, thin radial pulse, minor cold signs, frequent urination, incontinence, inability to urinate, dribbling urine, involuntary seminal emission and other problems with urinary/seminal control.
Dietary suggestions:
parsley, wheat berry, sweet rice, herbs include rose hips, oyster shell, schisandra fruit, raspberry and blackberry leaves and gravel root.
Jing deficiency:
Impairs growth and development and can cause birth defects in offspring, retarded physical and mental growth, slow or incomplete maturation, inadequate brain function, weak legs and bones, impotence and other reproductive problems and early senility, dizziness, loose teeth, loss of head hair, tinging in the ears, and weak painful knees and lower back.
Factors that Deplete Jing:
stress, fear, insecurity and overwork
too much semen loss in men greatly reduces jing, particularly when it occurs in old age
women bearing too many children, especially without rebuilding soon after each birth. Too many meaning more than that particular constitution can support.
toxins in food and water, intoxicants such as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, coffee and tobacco, heavy metals such as mercury, lead and aluminum.
Excessive sweet-flavored foods
Too much dietary protein.
Building Jing with foods:
Micro-algae(chlorella, spirulina, wild blue-green), fish liver, kidney, brain, bone and its marrow, human placenta, and cereal grass. These foods are rich in nucleic acids RNA/DNA, which protect the body from degeneration. Contain B12 which initiates growth and development. Vitamin A strengthens sexual development and reproduction as well as protect against congenial birth defects. Omega-3s develop and maintain the nervous system, clean the arteries and provide cellular integrity.
Solomon's Seal, almonds, milk, clarified butter. Builds the bones and act as nutritive tonics.
Nettles, kidney tonic, thickens hair and enrich the blood.
Royal jelly and bee pollen. Promotes physical growth, reproductive ability and longevity.
Foods that tonify the kidneys are beans and dark foods with a salty flavor such as black beans, kidneys, millet, wheat, black sesame seeds, black soybeans, chestnuts, mulberries, raspberries, strawberries and walnuts.
Resources: Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford & Acupressure by Jon Sandifer
Commercial Products Available
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