TCM Kidney System

The kidney channel connects with urinary bladder, with which it is externally-internally related. It opens into the ear.

The kidney stores essence and dominates reproduction, growth and development. The essence in kidney includes two parts: congenital essence inherited from the parents and acquired essence transformed from the essential substances of food. At the age of about 14 for women and 16 for men, the qi of kidney flourishes. Women will start to have menstruation, and men will have seminal emission, both signifying the power of reproduction. When women reach the age of 28 and men around 32, the kidney qi is at its height. When women reach the age of 49 and men around 64, the kidney qi starts to decline, the body begins to wither and the reproduction function gradually fails.

Kidney stores essence which can produce marrow, including spinal cord and bone marrow. The upper part of the spinal cord connects with the brain, while the bone marrow nourishes the bones and manufactures blood.

The part of fluid sent down by the descending function of the lung reaches the kidney. It is divided by kidney yang into two parts: clear and turbid. The clear fluid is retained, and the turbid fluid flows into urinary bladder to be excreted.

Kidney helps through its function of controlling reception of qi.
    
Key words: kidney system