The Kidneys are traditionally known for their role in the genitourinary system, filtering blood to form and concentrate urine, keeping our electrolytes regulated as well as maintaining the acid-base balance in the body. Similarly, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Kidney has a part to play in water metabolism, working with the bladder to excrete waste products.

However, the Kidneys in Traditional Chinese Medicine also serve a far greater foundational role. They are considered the “Root of Life” and store Essence which is established at the time of our conception. Essence travels with us during our life and maturation process which help govern growth and developmental stages like puberty, plays a role in our sexual health and libido, reproduction and menopause, and eventually its decline leads to our death. Essence is our basic constitution, our strength, our vitality. Consequently, aging is considered to be a decline of Essence during our lifetime. Fitting enough, the Kidneys open into the ears and manifests in the head hair and produces marrow for the brain – so when you start needing hearing aids due to loss of hearing, your hair starts to turn grey and your memory starts to decline, it is a correlation that your Kidney Essence is dropping or deficient.

In the Kidneys, Essence is also at the root of all the Yin and Yang energies of the body/organs: Yin providing the more material substance and nourishment that helps with birth, growth, reproduction and development and Yang helping with all the physiological processes our body will undergo including the heat and energy it needs to function. It is the “Gate of Life” that provides the heat and Qi (energy) necessary for the body’s functions, which is a point called Mingmen found between both kidneys in the lower back.  And speaking of the lower back, dysfunction of the Kidneys can manifests as pain or issues in the lower back and the knees, both common ailments I see in practice.

Many of us enjoy spending time outdoors and taking in the rays of the sun during the summer, but sometimes our skin might not appreciate it as much. If you are like me, and tend to burn more than tan after a day out in the sun, Aloe vera comes in quite handy to heal and soothe minor sunburns!

Aloe is a flowering succulent plant which is common in Africa. It was used since Ancient times as a skin lotion because of its vulnerary (promotes wound healing) and emollient (topically soothes and soften external tissues) properties. This makes Aloe especially useful in healing the skin. It also has a cooling sensation when it is applied, which no doubt relieves the warm and red sunburned skin.

If you have an aloe plant at home, simply split the aloe leaf in half and the clear gel inside can be applied to the skin. Otherwise, purchasing an organic aloe vera gel from your local health food store can be beneficial to have on hand during your trip to the beach or while on vacation. Apply it as soon as you are out of the sun and notice the reddened skin. Re-apply as needed! The sooner you treat your skin to aloe, the faster it can begin to re-hydrate and soften without too much discomfort.

While I strongly encourage the use of sunscreen while you are out enjoying the sun, use this sunburn first aid tip for you and your family!