Kidneys (Shen)
Relationships of the Kidney
Kidney-Heart: | Kidney and Heart represent Yin and Yang. The Heart is located in the Upper Burner and the Kidneys are in the Lower Burner. Physiologically, the Heart connects with the Lower Burner through the Kidneys and the Kidneys connect with the Upper Burner through the Heart. The two organs are interdependent and counterbalance each other. The Kidneys send water (Yin) to the Heart, to cool the Heart fire (Yang). The Heart sends fire (Yang) to the Kidneys, to warm the Kidney water (Yin). The Kidney Yin is very important for the Yin in the entire body. The Heart requires the Yin of the Kidney in order to be able to house the Spirit. Because the Kidneys have more Yin and little Yang and the Heart has more Yang and little Yin, the interaction of Heart and Kidney is important to root the Spirit.
Kidney-Liver: | The Kidneys store the Essence and the Liver stores the Blood. The Liver and the Kidneys are intimately connected, have manifold connections through the Channels, and are mutually engendering and counterbalancing. The Yin aspect of the Essence is fundamental for the entire Yin and therefore for the entire Blood in the body. Kidney Essence nourishes the Liver and Liver Blood nourishes the Kidney Essence. If the Yin aspect of the Kidney Essence is weak, Liver Blood will be affected as well.
Kidney-Lungs: | The Lungs are the governor of Qi and the Kidneys are the root of Qi. The Lungs control breathing and govern the Qi of the whole body. However, Lung Qi must be combined with the essential Qi of the Kidneys to produce True Qi. The Kidneys must be able to absorb the Qi that is sent downwards by the Lungs. If the Kidney Yang is too weak to absorb the Qi, it will rebel and stagnate in the Lungs. If the Lungs are too weak to send Qi downwards, the Kidneys are weakened.
Kidney-Spleen: | The Kidneys are the source of the Congenital Essence; the Spleen is the source of the Acquired Essence. The Acquired Essence of the Spleen is needed and used to nourish body and spirit. The surplus of the Acquired Essence is sent to the Kidneys in order to replenish and supplement the Congenital Essence. Kidney Yang, the life gate fire, provides the motive force in the digestive process. It influences the Stomach and Spleen in its function transformation and transportation. Insufficiency of Kidney Yang leads to impairment of the digestive function.
Kidney-Small Intestine: | The Small Intestine requires Kidney Yang to maintain its functions.
Kidney-Gallbladder: | The Kidneys govern the willenpower. The willpower relies on the ability to make decisions, which is governed by the Gallbladder.

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