Physiological Characteristics of the Kidney
The physiological characteristics of the kidney consists of two aspects. "Dormancy" is considered to be the first property of the kidney , and forms the basis of the preserving function. The kidney occupies the lowermost position among the five zang-viscera. It main physiological function is to store the essence and dominate the vital gate fire. The kidney-essence is suitable for storage and is susceptible to consumption and impairment,while the vital gate fire lies dormant within water and is unable to be dispersed. Because of this, the physiological characteristics of the kidney was likened to the meaning of dor.mancy in ancient times. This function ensures that the essential substance of the body is retained, and stores the primary yin and yang, so as to maintain vitality and good health,
When the kidney is diseased, it will fail to store and consolidate essence, and disorders arise due to over-consumption and over-excretion of the essences. This manifests as seminal emission, morbid leucorrhea, habitual abortion, turbid urination, sweet urine,etc.
The second characteristic of the kidney is that it corresponds to winter. The kidney! pertains to yin within yin, and the yin-qi flourishes in the winter. Hence, the kidney is associated with the property of winter. Pathological disorders of the kidney may improve in the winter due to a supplement of vital energy from the natural world. However, great climatical changes may also injure the kidney function.
