Want to know how to nourish your kidneys?

In modern medicine, the kidneys are described as, “two bean-shaped organs that extract waste from blood, balance body fluids, form urine and aid in other important functions.”[1]

Although these actions are imperative to the proper functioning of the body, it is a limited perspective about the full power of the kidneys and why it’s essential to nourish them.

We don’t often think much about our kidney’s health until they don’t function so well anymore. Or, until they stop functioning altogether as is the case with kidney failure which can be fatal.

Supporting the kidneys is crucial to the quality of your life. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys store our “life-force” or our jing essence. And, once that is depleted, deficiency sets in limiting the quality and duration of your life.

According to ancient wisdom, the Kidney and Bladder (KD/BL) systems work together and are responsible for the water element in the body.

On the physical level, water is essential for the circulation of blood, lubricating cells, carrying heat, lymphatic flow, sexual fluids, perspiration, tears, and waste elimination.

The kidneys also govern the bones and it’s marrow. When clients complain of osteoporosis or other bone diseases, I know we need to focus on nourishing their kidneys.

The flavor associated with the kidneys is “salty.” Salt can both nourish and/or injure this vital system. People often discover this when they either eat too much salt and the cells contract leaving the body dehydrated, or they go on a salt-free diet and the cells lose their integrity and ability to retain water (edema).

Using the salty flavor to nourish the kidneys requires a delicate balance: not too much and not too little.

The ears are the sense organ associated with the kidneys and are responsible for the ability to listen and hear. If the ears are chronically wet, itchy, ringing, buzzing, or if someone is suffering from hearing loss, it indicates an imbalance in this system. An example is elderly people experiencing hearing loss as their vitality and essence slowly wanes.

The emotions associated with poorly functioning kidneys are excessive fear, trepidation, and loss of will. While a strong will, ambition, and drive to succeed in all aspects of life (without being overbearing) can indicate a healthy kidney element.

Spiritually, the kidneys are supported when we quietly listen, become receptive, and keep our mind still and clear like the Master Jedi, Yoda, from Star Wars.

The kidney element becomes stronger when we move beyond our fears and not become consumed by them. Fear weakens the kidneys and the bladder system.

It’s one of the reasons why someone will lose their water (urinate) when they get scared. Hence the expression, “I was so scared I peed myself!”

Our kidneys are deeply nourished when we take action on the things that scare us most – think of Luke confronting his father, Darth Vader. It was scary but he had to do it. That classic movie confrontation was the perfect simulation for how to strengthen your kidney element (life force) on a much deeper level.

Below are some indicators that your kidneys need your attention:

• Brittle bones, osteoporosis, tooth loss
• Bladder infections or Prostate infections, difficulty urinating (pain and/or discomfort)
• Kidney stones
• High/low blood pressure
• Black or blue color around the eyes
• Excessive thirst
• Ringing, buzzing, humming in the ears, hearing loss
• Amenorrhea (lack of menstrual cycle)
• Infertility, lack of sex drive
• Frequent urination
• Lower back pain
• Extreme dislike of cold
• Frightened by loud noises
• Intense anxiety, phobias, irrational fears, paranoia
• Depression
• Fanaticism
• Anti-social, emotional withdrawal
• Insecurity, poor self-confidence
• Absentmindedness
• Lack of trust and loss of faith

If you’ve got a few of the above symptoms, your KD/BL system is talking to you. It’s letting you know that it needs to be nourished on some level (physical, emotional, spiritual).

Below are diet and lifestyle suggestions to start rebalancing the Kidney/Bladder system and enhance your lifeforce:

• Reduce overly salted foods; cured meats, sausages, bacon, pretzels, potato chips
• Avoid coffee, chocolate, sugar, drugs, and other stimulants
• Eat cranberries, blackberries, and blueberries as your go-to fruits
• Use mineral-rich herbs like nettles and marshmallow root
• Eat ocean foods; sea salt, sea vegetables, fish, shellfish
• Sleep! Get adequate rest
• Use meditation to calm and clear your mind
• Be fearless and do the thing that scares you most!

The above is a great place to start nourishing the Kidney/Bladder system.

If you are a health coach or wellness practitioner and want to understand the body from this Ancient Healing perspective, get my FREE EBook: Organ and Meridian Assessment. 

As Master Yoda would say… “may the life-force be with you.”

[1] http://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/kidney#seoBlock

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