According to Chinese medicine, the kidney is the organ in which the essence of the body is believed to reside. It is also related to the water element. These are the reasons why this organ is behind the excretion of toxins through the process of urination. Some traditional Chinese practitioners poetically refer to the kidneys as the “ocean of the body.”
The whole body is afflicted with all sorts of symptoms like obstruction, infection, and inflammation when the kidneys are not in balance. Chinese herbs that have been used throughout millennia that possess balancing and cleansing qualities have proved to be perhaps the most effective and potent way to strengthen the kidneys.
The Theory of Yin and Yang and Its Application
To put it in brief and simple terms, the yin and yang theory is associated do with the feminine and masculine principles respectively. Yin and Yang also represent cool and warm, dark and light, black and white, etc. According to Chinese herbalists when the kidneys are not in balance, it is due to yin and yang being out of sync as a result of incongruous ratio of temperature. Different symptoms that may suggest that the kidneys are not in balance as a result of a Yin deficiency include:
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Lower back pain
• Knee pain
• Night sweats
• Low sperm count
• Insomnia
• Forgetfulness
• Dizziness
• Poor menstrual flow
• Foggy vision
In an out of balance kidney function caused by a Yang deficiency, manifesting symptoms can include:
• Weak lower back
• Weak knees
• Slow and weak pulse
• Impotence
• Frequent urination
• Aversion to cold
These problems can be treated with various Chinese herbs that restore strength and healthful balance to the kidneys.
Deficient Yin
Ho Shou Wu
In traditional Chinese medicine, Flowery Knotweed (Ho Shou Wu) is used to reinforce weak kidneys caused by deficient Yin. Indigenous to Central and Southern China where it has been used for hundreds of years as far back as 713 AD, Flowery Knotweed has been recorded in Chinese medical tomes as a tonifying and balancing herb that helps balance both the liver and kidneys. It functions in the same way as root of Ginseng in terms of boosting stamina and potency and is rich with powerful bioflavinoids. Besides being an herb that cleanses the kidneys of toxins, Flowery Knotweed is also known to help promote longevity and assist in preventing premature graying and restoring hair loss, symptoms that are also related to weak kidneys. Actually, the name Ho Shou Wu literally translates to “healthy head of black hair!”
Shu Di Hyang
Shu Di Hyang is more popularly known as Rehmannia or Chinese Foxglove. It is another important plant that can resolve kidney Yin deficiency. This herb is a very widely used tonic and is found in lots of anti-aging tonics due to its blood-cooling properties that expels unwanted heat, which restores the vital essence in the kidney. Traditional Chinese herbalists utilize Shu Di Hyang to restore balance to Yin/Yang in order to regain general optimum health. It can be taken as a tiny pellet made of the dried and baked roots or as root in either dry or fresh form.
Deficient Yang
Rou Gui
Rou Gui is known in the West as Cassia or Cinnamon bark. Due to its warming properties, it helps enable the kidneys to expel a buildup of cooling energy in the body that usually blocks or slows down blood circulation to the area. Rou Gui can help detoxify the kidneys through its stimulation of energy or Qi. This allows the flow of nutrients to the kidneys that enables them to function optimally.
Important Note:
Throughout the world the world you can find a lot of expert herbalists practicing Chinese herbal therapy. You can ask for referrals from your doctor or healthcare provider, and to avoid any contraindications, make sure to talk to them prior to taking any type of Chinese herbal formulas.
Dominic Sembello is a licensed and board certified acupuncturist and the clinical director of Health Source Acupuncture in Linwood, NJ.