The Role of the Kidneys in Aging
According to EAM (East Asian medicine) each organ has an anatomical role in the body and a functional aspect related to one’s mental health. When we consider natural aging in EAM theory the kidneys are the organs that are most closely related to the aging process. The kidneys are related to the emotion fear, the bones, bone marrow, ears (hearing aspect), the winter season, the water element and the flavor salty.
The kidneys are the storehouse of prenatal and post natal Jing (essence). Jing corresponds to genetics, such as traits passed down through generations, our DNA; while postnatal Jing relates to our lifestyle: diet, sleep, exercise, environment factors and mindset. Postnatal Jing includes the characteristics of our kidney essence that we have the ability to change and influence.
As we age our kidney essence naturally declines. The ‘rate’ and manner in which it declines is impacted by our prenatal Jing (genetics) and our postnatal Jing (lifestyle). This is why you may hear your acupuncturist advise moderation. When there is too much of something, too little or poor quality (sleep, diet, exercise, pollution, etc), there is an initial imbalance in the other organs (heart, spleen, stomach, liver, etc.). Over time this can lead to kidney deficiency. When there is kidney deficiency it is like the foundation to your house is in disrepair. In order to effectively hold up the whole house (all of the other organs and the healthy functioning of the body), the kidneys need to be nourished and strengthened.
Symptoms of kidney deficiency can include exhaustion, ringing in the ears, brittle bones, frequent urination, low back pain, knees pain, arthritis, infertility, greying/thinning hair, loose teeth and excessive fear.
Any stagnant or ‘stuck’ emotion can impair the kidneys. Too much worry and fright reduces the kidney qi (energy). In order to support the kidneys it is necessary to address the source of the drained kidney qi, which in this example would be the uncontrolled emotion. This is the psycho-emotional aspect of our postnatal essence; one which we have the ability to change by supporting our own mental health needs.
Each of the organs is associated with an emotion whose excessive presence points to an imbalance in that particular organ. Yet, there are also positive psycho-emotional virtues connected to each organ. The kidney is related to fear but it is also connected to the virtue of understanding. This virtue is tied to the degree to which we understand our own depths. Fostering awareness from our own experiences cultivates insight and sagacity. Self-awareness allows for more profound understanding of others. Just as the kidneys govern the physical qualities in the way we age, they are also the source of wisdom and insight.
References:
Larre, C., Rochat de la Vallee, E. The Kidneys. Monkey Press, Cambridge, 2001.
