Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized

The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.

Pathology

This disharmony happens when Kidney Yin is Deficient and cannot nourish the Heart Yin, which then also become Deficient. 

There is a strong relationship between Kidneys and Heart because Essence (Jing) housed in the Kidneys is the foundation for the Mind housed in the Heart. If Essence is Deficient, the Mind suffers. Therefore, patients suffer from some emotional symptoms such as anxiety. 

When there is Kidney Yin Deficiency, Heart Yang proportionally becomes excessive and that results in symptoms of Empty-Heat such as mental restlessness, insomnia (waking up several times during the night), dream-disturbed sleep and nocturnal emissions. The feeling of heat in the evening, dark urine, Red tongue and Rapid pulse are also due to the emergence of Empty-Heat.

Poor memory, dizziness, tinnitus and diminished hearing are due to the Deficiency of Kidney Yin and Essence failing to generate Marrow to nourish the brain and to open into the ear.

Causes

Precursor patterns: Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized can derive from Kidney Yin Deficiency Heart Yin Deficiency

Emotional stress: Anxiety, sadness and depression, if felt for a prolonged periods of time or very intensely during a short, can lead to this pattern. The emotional shock and sadness involved in the break-up of relationships are a common cause of Heart Yin Deficiency in this pattern.

Overwork: Working excessively long hours for many years weakens Kidney Yin and may lead to this pattern

Excessive sexual activity: Excessive sexual activity, especially masturbation, depletes Kidney Essence and Kidney Yin.

Depletion of Body Fluids: Depletion of Body Fluids, for instance if they are dried up by Heat after a febrile disease, may lead to Kidney Yin Deficiency.

Blood loss: Loss of blood over a long period of time (such as from chronic excessive menstrual bleeding) can cause Liver Blood Deficiency, which, in turn, can lead deplete Kidney Yin.

Chronic illness: A long chronic illness may lead to Kidney Yin Deficiency.

Overdose of Kidney Yang tonic herbs: If Kidney Yang is overstimulated by the administration of hot herbal medicine, Kidney Yin will be injured

Diagnosing Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized

Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Treating Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized

Treatment principle

Nourish Kidney and Heart Yin, clear Heart Empty Heat, calm the Mind.

Herbal formulas used to treat Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized

Diet recommendations

Avoid spicy and foods that are too hot in nature (such as beef or lamb meat for instance). If digestion is good, fruits are beneficial, especially berries and purple grapes. If digestion is not good, do not eat anything raw. Sufficient protein at each meal is important.

Aerobic exercise is contraindicated since it worsens Yin Deficiency. Favor light exercise such as Yoga, Tai Chi or Qi Gong. Walking and swimming are also not bad.

Consequence patterns

Heat in the Blood

The Empty Heat inherent in this pattern may Heat the Blood and cause bleeding