Kidney Essence is the substance and foundation underlying the entire human life. It is considered the innermost aspect of humans that they genetically inherit from their parents. I like to call it the fabric of who we are. Why is it so important to appreciate this?

For one, Kidney Essence should be considered as the “beginning” point of life. It is the realized force that begins when the sperm meets the egg. From that point on, any and all development is due to this Essence. That is, the underlying foundation of all functions such as growth, development, reproduction, aging in humans is the Kidney Essence.

In TCM clinical terms, the Kidney Essence Kidney QI, which turns into Kidney Yin and Kidney Yang. Again, these are the parameters a TCM practitioner uses to diagnose, document and treat. I must point out that these subset clinical diagnoses are more specific to certain aliments. In addition, they are often part of the greater diagnosis.

Kidney Essence, in itself, can be diagnosed. However, such a diagnosis indicates a more general disorder with the person’s foundational state. It is often diagnosed in children who are developing poorly. For instance, if a child is showing slow physical and mental development or poor skeletal development, a deficiency in Kidney Essence is central.

On the flip side, adults can also be diagnosed with problems of their Kidney Essence. Signs of premature aging, senility, poor memory sexual dysfunction and brittle bones are some of the signs that an adult is experiencing deficiency in their Kidney Essence.

Kidney Essence is the only diagnostic pattern that is truly foundational. The very fact that TCM practitioners treat any ailments that are disposed to any basic developmental issues with Kidney Essence foremost, in their minds, lends credence to this point.

The next time you see your TCM doctor, ask him how your Essence is looking.