The Internal Organs are essential to the Menstruation cycles within Chinese medicine. Every organ obtains a different function that aids and creates the menstrual cycle.
The Influence of the Kidneys on Menstruation
Prenatal Essence is necessary because it creates a foundation for menstrual blood. Kidney Essence provides the material foundation for menstrual blood, also known as Tian Gui. Prenatal and Kidney Essence are found within the Kidneys. Ultimately, the Kidneys are responsible for the natal, prenatal, and postnatal physiology of women. Tian Gui and Heavenly Gui aid the flow of the reproductive system; the Directing Vessel/Ren Mai opens and the Penetrating Vessel/Chong Mai nourishes which leads to the act of menstruation. Heavenly Gui is the materialization of Essence into water and appears in both men and women. Qi transforms certain fluids into red and turns to blood. The Directing and Penetrating Vessels both reach Heavenly Water. Men relate to Qi, transform blood to water and excrete sperm. Women relate to Blood, transform water to Blood and secrete menstrual Blood. Kidney-Yin, Heart-Yang, Essence of extreme Yin, and Qi of extreme Yang are the foundation of menstruation. Though the Spleen, Liver and Heart help the transformation of water into blood, it does not help with the creation of Heavenly Gui. Therefore, menstruation blood is NOT considered blood, instead it is the crystalized water from Heavenly Gui.
The Kidneys are organs that play a major role in menstruation as seen by the nourishment that is given by the connections between Blood and Essence, and Liver and Kidneys. Blood restores Essence within Prenatal Qi, while Essence plays a role in creating Blood since it aids the shifting of Gathering Qi/Zong Qi into True Qi/Zhen Qi. Essence is also the origin of Bone Marrow which creates Blood. Nourishing Blood requires the tonification of the Kidneys as well as the Liver. Herbs that tonify the Kidney are Shu Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae preparata, Shan Zhu Yu Fructus Corni, Sheng Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae, Gou Qi Zi Fructus Lycii.
The Fire of the Gate of Life
Within the Five Elements, Kidneys represent water, they are the source of physiological fire, also known as the Fire of Gate of Life. The origin of the Fire of the Gate of Life ascends from between the two Kidneys. Its characteristics warm the Uterus, balances Yin, and encourages the production of ova and maturation of follicles. The Gate of Life also relates to sexual drive. Kidney-Yang is responsible for the shift of color of Tian Gui. The Minister fire originates from this Gate of Life that creates water, therefore, the Kidneys are the source of both water and fire.
The Role of Lungs in Menstruation
The Lungs are the organs that govern Qi and have a small influence on the menstrual functions. The conditions related to the Lungs include the prolapse of the uterus, menorrhagia, Qi deficiency alongside Spleen deficiency. Sadness and grief can deplete Qi and halt the menses.
The Stomach and Menstruation
The Penetrating Vessel rises from the Uterus and passes through the Stomach point ST-30 Qichong. Proof of this connection is morning sickness during pregnancy. The Stomach has to do with breastfeeding since the Stomach channel flows through the breasts, the transformation of blood to breast milk occurs in the Penetrating Vessel, and supplements the Postnatal Qi from food. The Stomach and the Spleen are essential organs when talking about gynecology, since they are the origins of Qi and Blood.
When there is pathology within the Stomach and the Large Intestine channels, there could be impotence in men and amenorrhea in women. These two Yang channels transform food and fluids which are essential for the Heart and the Spleen. If they are in pathology, food is not digested and transformed, and therefore diseases affect the Heart and the Spleen to the point where Qi and Blood cannot be produced. Menstrual problems such as scanty periods and amenorrhoea.
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