Fear and Willpower in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Supporting the Kidneys

Dec 6

black and white image of ocean water with waves — *Image generated using AI.*

The Kidney According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidney is a yin organ that corresponds to the element of water. Regarded as the “root of life,” the kidneys are vital to conception, birth, aging, and decline, as they hold our essence, or jing, and “are the foundation for all the Yin and Yang energies of the body”(Maciocia, 2015, p.155).

The Relationship Between Fear, Willpower, and the Kidney

Within this framework, organs are understood through Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, rather than Western anatomy and physiology. In other words, “the tendency of Chinese thought is to seek out dynamic functional activity rather than to look for the fixed somatic structures that perform the activities“(Kaptchuk, 2000, Chapter 3).

Because of this, mental-emotional phenomena — such as fear and willpower as it relates to the kidney — are embraced as expressions of the organ, along with its other physical and energetic characteristics (Maciocia, 2015).

Fear and Willpower According to Traditional Chinese Medicine

Based on this perspective, fear is the emotion that corresponds to the kidney, while willpower comes from its spirit, known as the Zhi. Therefore, the presence of fear or strength of will can be analyzed through the kidney, and may be indicative of harmony or disharmony of the organ depending on other signs and symptoms a person may have.

As beautifully written, “The Kidneys are associated with both aspects of the Will. . . The Yang Will is the most dynamic assertive aspect of a person. . . The Yin Will is about the inevitable. . . The Yang Will ultimately must accept the Yin Will in order that the Essence bear the fruit of Wisdom. . . When the Will is not intact, a person can have uncontrollable fear. . . Fear and Wisdom share a similar energetic — both are an encounter of the unknown. Fear, however, cannot embrace the unknown with trust. . . Wisdom, on the other hand, acknowledges the profound truth and tranquility of the unknown”(Kaptchuk, 2000, Chapter 3).

ocean water with waves in black and white — *Image generated using AI.*

Supporting the Kidney with Traditional Chinese Medicine

To support the kidney, a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine may use acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition, tuina, or an integration of various techniques depending on the individual needs of the patient. Certain lifestyle and wellness practices may also be recommended.

For example, based on their energetic nature, some of the “foods that strengthen the kidney network” include salmon, tuna, lentils, walnuts, oats, and black sesame (Kastner, 2011, p.91). In addition, “dark foods with the salty flavor, such as black beans cooked with a little seaweed”(Pitchford, 2002, p. 364), may also give them support.

black and white photo of a wave in the ocean — *Image generated using AI.*

Self Care for the Kidney

Because the kidneys are situated in the low back, placing the palms of the hands on both sides of the lumbar spine, referred to as “the home of the kidney”(Cheng, 2012, p.38), and breathing with intention can be part of a meditation. It’s optional to rub the hands together to create warmth or place a heating pad over the area as well.

Taking a seated position with the feet flat on the floor may also be helpful in feeling grounded, as the first point on the kidney meridian, or channel, is located on the sole of the foot (Cheng, 2012, p.78). For this reason, keeping the feet warm is essential.

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Below are Amazon affiliate links, meaning I may earn commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. Some items are general suggestions and may not be products that I personally own or use.

Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Tradition and Modern Nutrition by Paul Pitchford — shop here
Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 4th Edition by Cheng Xinnong — shop here
Chinese Nutrition Therapy: Dietetics in Traditional Chinese Medicine by Jörg Kastner — shop here
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text 3rd Edition Giovanni Maciocia — shop here
The Web That Has No Weaver : Understanding Chinese Medicine by Ted J. Kaptchuk — shop here

References

Cheng, X. (Ed.). (2012). Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion (3rd ed.). Foreign Languages Press.

Kaptchuk, T. J. (2000). The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine (2nd ed.) [Apple Books version]. McGraw-Hill.

Kastner, J. (2011). Chinese nutrition therapy: Dietetics in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) (3rd ed.). Thieme.

Maciocia, G. (2015). The Foundations of Chinese Medicine: A Comprehensive Text (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition (3rd ed.). North Atlantic Books.

Traditional Chinese Medicinekidney systemkidney meridianTCM theorywater elementjing essenceyin and yangacupuncture medicineacupuncture educationorgan systems TCMholistic healthmind body connectionChinese medicine conceptsqi flowwellness bloginternal medicine TCMacupuncture Los Angelesintegrative medicineholistic practitioner

Dr. Amanda Ortiz

Dr. Amanda Ortiz is a licensed acupuncturist certified by the California Acupuncture Board. An artist and writer at heart, she holds both a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her private practice is based in Venice, CA.