Functions of the Kidney Flashcards
Describe Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yang using the analogy of an oil lamp.
The oil in the lamp represents Kidney-Yin and the flame represents Kidney-Yang. If the oil decreases, the flame will also decrease; if the oil increases too much, it may smother the flame.
If a patient suffers from tiredness, exhaustion, and oedema, why might it be necessary to tonify the Kidneys?
The Kidneys control the Gate of Life or Minister Fire, which provides heat for all our bodily functions. When Spleen- and Kidney-Yang are depleted, producing symptoms of tiredness, exhaustion and oedema, it is necessary to tonify the Minister Fire of the Kidneys.
What are the smell, colour, taste, climate and sound of the Kidneys?
Putrid, black, salty, cold, groaning.
Why in herbal medicine is it common to tonify both Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yang together?
Because they are fundamentally one and interdependent; deficiency of one necessarily implies deficiency of the other.
List the physiological processes that are governed or influenced by the Kidney-Essence.
Growth, reproduction, development, sexual maturation, 7- and 8-year cycles, conception, pregnancy, menopause and ageing.
Which statement regarding Pre-Heaven Essence is incorrect?
- It is the basis of intellectual life.
- It nourishes the fetus.
- It is the material foundation for the manufacture of sperm, ova and menstrual blood.
- It comes from the parents and can be replenished with food.
- It controls growth, sexual maturation, fertility and development.
- It is the basis of intellectual life.
The colour of the Kidneys is literally black and can be observed on the cheeks or under the eyes.
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F
How might a state of Interior Dryness arise, and how would it affect the Kidneys?
Interior Dryness can come from Stomach deficiency, from profuse loss of fluids (as in sweating or diarrhoea) or from smoking. Internal Dryness would injure Kidney-Yin.
5.Which of the following characteristics of the Gate of Life are correct?
- It is the Root of the Original Qi (Yuan Qi).
- It is the Source of (physiological) Fire for all the Internal Organs.
- It warms the Lower Burner and Bladder.
- It warms the Stomach and Spleen to aid digestion.
- All of the above.
All of the above.
Kidney-Yang is the material foundation for Kidney-Yin, and Kidney-Yin represents the physiological activity that transforms Kidney-Yang.
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F
Describe the development of osteoporosis in older women in terms of Kidney-Essence, Marrow and bones.
The decline of Kidney-Essence in menopausal women means that the Essence does not nourish the Marrow and bones so that they become brittle, leading to osteoporosis.
If there is a correct balance between Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yang, regulation of the opening and closing of the ‘gate’ will also be correct and:
- Urination will therefore be normal in quantity and colour.
- Blood in the urine will not occur.
- Fertility will be good.
- Libido will be healthy.
- None of the above.
Urination will therefore be normal in quantity and colour.
Give three examples of the Kidneys controlling water.
The Kidneys are the ‘gate’ that controls urination; The Kidneys influence the Lower Burner’s excretion of fluids. Kidney-Yang influences the Intestines’ capacity for transforming and separating fluids. The Kidneys receive fluids from the Lungs and send vaporized fluids back up to the Lungs. Kidney-Yang provides heat to the Spleen for the transformation and transportation of fluids.
If the Stomach cannot excrete fluids properly, these will stagnate and affect the Kidneys.
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F
Which of the following is not a function of the Kidneys?
a) They govern Water.
b) They control the reception of Qi.
c) They open into the ears.
d) They manifest in the hair.
e) They control the four upper orifices.
e) They control the four upper orifices.
