Functions of the Kidneys
The Kidneys store the Essence (Jing).
Commentary: Kidney Essence is formed from Congenital Essence and the Acquired Essence and is stored in the Kidneys in liquid form. Kidney Essence can be supplemented by the Acquired Essence. Kidney Essence determines growth, reproduction, development, sexual maturation, conception and pregnancy. It generates marrow and is the basis for the constitutional strength of the human being. It forms the basis for sexuality and is the material basis for male semen or the female ovum The Kidney Essence also forms the material basis for Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang. The Yang aspect of the Essence provides the basis for the Kidney Yang, also referred to as Mingmen, the source of life. Kidney Yang has the function of warming all other organs. Only with this support, the organs can fulfill their respective functions. The Yin aspect of the Essence provides the basis for the Kidney Yin. This Yin aspect nourishes the Yin of all other organs and is the origin of marrow, therefore also the brain, which is considered to be a sea of marrow. The Kidney Essence controls the different stages in life: Birth, puberty, menopause and death. Aging is a physiological decrease of the Essence. Signs of old age, like bad memory, deafness, hair loss and graying are signs of the decrease in Kidney Essence.