May is Mental Health Awareness month and couldn’t come at a better time since the Vital Substance I am talking about today is closely associated with our mental vitality. Earlier this week, I introduced the concept of Qi (energy) as one of the four Vital Substances in our bodies (read about it here). The next Vital Substance, EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo..., also known as “JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f...” in Chinese MedicineTraditional Asian medicine based upon Yin-Yang Theory, Five ..., is essential to life and one of the foundations of mental health.
EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo...
EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... in Chinese is “JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f...” (精). The Chinese character defines it as “something derived (or extracted) from a process of refinement of a larger crude substance.” For example, the essenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... of a perfume is extracted from raw materials such as flowers, grass, spices, fruit, or wood. Hence, EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... is a concentrated and precious substance. It is associated with our genetic potential and the aging process. The quantity of EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... we have dictates our lifespan and vitality.
1) Prenatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... or Original JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... – At conception, the combination of the mother and father’s refined EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... forms Prenatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo.... This blended EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... develops an energy that is the basis of new human life. Before birth, the fetus relies on the mother to protect and nourish its Prenatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo.... After birth, Prenatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... becomes active and helps in transformation of food to energy. A small amount of Prenatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... is constantly released which is used by our bodies to maintain function. Prenatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... determines our constitutional make-up, how long we live, and our individual vitality. This largely depends on the age and health of the parents at conception, and especially the age and health of the mother. This is also what makes each of us unique. Original JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... is fixed in quantity and quality, meaning once it’s used up, it cannot be replenished and we die.
2) Postnatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... or Postnatal JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... – Formed after birth, this EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... is extracted and refined by the Stomach and Spleen (the digestive system) from food and fluids. When Postnatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... is maintained at sufficient levels, our Prenatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... is used more slowly, which in turn slows the aging process. This is why people take JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... tonicA substance that stimulates and increases body tone, chi, or... herbs, to maintain Postnatal JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... levels.
3) The EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... (JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f...) – This EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo..., used for the entire body, is stored in our Kidneys and derived from both Prenatal and Postnatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo.... It is also a hereditary energy that determines our constitutional make-up, but can be replenished through interaction with Postnatal EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo.... It is the root of our vitality and a very concentrated energy. Strong JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... energy will lead to a long and healthful life, whereas loss of JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... will cause physical and mental deterioration, leading to a shortened life.
The difference between EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... and QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo...:
– EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... comes from our parents, while QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is formed after birth
– EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... is fluid-like, QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is energy-like
– EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... is stored in the kidneys, QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... is everywhere
– EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... is difficult to replenish, while QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... can be restored daily
– EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... changes slowly and gradually, whereas QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... moves quickly
So is EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... more yinRefers to relatively passive processes, female element, nurt... or yangRefers to relatively more active processes, male element, en... relative to QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo...?? If you’ve been following, the answer is easy. =)
EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... Functions
- determines growth and development – EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... controls growth of bones, teeth, hair, brain development, sexual maturation, reproductive function and fertility, which are all part of the Kidney’s function in Chinese medicineTraditional Asian medicine based upon Yin-Yang Theory, Five .... Deficiency results in stunted growth, poor bone growth, infertility, frequent miscarriages, mental retardation in children, loose teeth, and premature graying hair.
- forms the foundation for Kidney QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... (Kidney energy) – Deficiency of Kidney QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... results in poor sexual function, impotence, weak knees, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and deafness.
- produces Marrow – This Marrow is not the same as the bone marrow recognized in Western Medicine but a broader term. Marrow not only produces bone marrow but also constitutes the brain and spinal cord, nourishing these areas. This means that Kidney EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... plays a crucial role in brain function and mental health. Weak Kidney EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... may lead to lack of concentration, poor memory, dizziness, and more serious mental problems if severely depleted.
- determines constitutional strength and our resistance to exterior or external pathogenic factorsSix kinds of climatic changes: wind, cold, summer heat, damp.... Our Defensive Qi draws from Kidney EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo.... Weak Kidney EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... results in frequent colds, influenza, susceptibility to exterior pathogenic factors, chronic rhinitis, and allergies.
Factors that Deplete EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... (JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f...)
- chronic and acute stress, chronic pain and illness
- excessive behavior such as overwork, excessive emotions (especially fear, anxiety and shock, emotions which weaken the Kidney), substance abuse, sexual excessSigns of general excess: Yang symptoms - person is robust, e... (especially in men and old age)
- excessive menstrual patterns (heavy periods) and too many pregnancies (more than one’s constitution can adequately support, which is different for everyone)
Foods that Nourish JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f...
In general, foods that nourish the Kidney will also nourish JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f.... However, choosing the appropriate foods and herbs to use as JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... tonics largely depend on each individual’s constitution and condition.
CoolingThe property of clearing toxins and reducing internal heat. JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... Foods – for those who tend to have heat signs and symptoms, yin deficiencyMajor symptoms: minor heat signs - tendency to drink small a..., or excessSigns of general excess: Yang symptoms - person is robust, e...
– chlorella, spirulina, black beans, seaweed, wheat grass, blue-green microalgae, almonds, and bone marrow soup
WarmingA substance that increases the body’s temperature by dispe... JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... Foods – for those who tend to have cold signs or deficiency symptomsMajor symptoms: Yin symptoms - person is frail, weak, withdr...
– royal jelly, bee pollen, milk, clarified butter, placenta, dear antler, walnuts, animal products (chicken, liver, beef or lamb kidney) and warmingA substance that increases the body’s temperature by dispe... seafood (especially mussels; also trout, salmon, anchovy)
For children with severe JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... deficiency, there will be stunted growth, learning disabilities, mental retardation, skeletal weakness and deformities, and failure of the fontanel (skull bones) to close. Deer antler is specifically used for these conditions as well as tortoise shell in failure of fontanel closure.
Note: Did you notice that walnuts and salmon are included in this list? They are both high in Omega-3Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) i... fatty acids making them good for the brain which also means it strengthens EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo.... See how everything is coming together?
The Three Treasures
A final note on EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... and mental health. EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... and QiPronounced chee, is one of the four vital substances that fo... form the foundation of the Mind also known as Shen (神), which is the most immaterial substance in our bodies. Together they form the “Three Treasures” which are the three fundamental physical and psychic substances of human beings. The Chinese word “JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... Shen” 精神 collectively means spirit. The strength of our spirit and mental health ultimately depend on the strength of our EssenceEssence aka Jing is one of the four vital substances that fo... (JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f...). Coming soon, I will discuss some major JingJing, or Essence, is one of the four vital substances that f... tonics that help strengthen and stabilize our mind and spirits keeping us mentally sharp and strong!
In health and wellness,
Dr. Elain
References:
The Foundations of Chinese MedicineTraditional Asian medicine based upon Yin-Yang Theory, Five ... by Giovanni Maciocia
The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese TonicA substance that stimulates and increases body tone, chi, or... Herbs by Ron Teeguarden
Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford