In Donguibogam, the 'kidney,' one of the vital organs in our body, does not refer simply to the anatomical kidney. Rather, it is viewed as the core organ that stores and manages 'essence,' which is the fundamental energy of our bodyโin other words, our 'life battery' and the 'seed of life.' Much like the deep roots of a tree, only when this kidney essence is robust can energy spread evenly throughout the entire body, allowing growth, development, reproduction, and even the aging process to remain healthy.
However, as we age, this kidney essence begins to gradually deplete. The climacteric in women, in particular, is a period when this kidney essence weakens noticeably, and Donguibogam explains this as a state of 'kidney yin deficiency.' Just as the water inside a boiling kettle decreases and causes the heat to concentrate, when kidney yin (the energy that supplies moisture to the body and cools heat) becomes deficient, yang qi (the energy that warms the body and drives activity) becomes relatively hyperactive, generating unnecessary 'deficiency heat' in the body.
When this deficiency heat rises to the face and upper body, sudden hot flashes and facial redness appear, and cold sweats may break out as the body attempts to cool down. At night, the heart pounds and the mind grows restless, leading to sleepless insomnia. Because kidney essence is also connected to the ears, when kidney qi weakens, tinnitus or dizziness easily occurs. In addition, the kidney is considered to govern the bones and the lower back; depletion of kidney essence was seen as a cause of lower back pain, weakening of the joints, and, in severe cases, osteoporosis. It is truly a complex phenomenon where uncomfortable symptoms appear throughout the entire body as the body's 'roots' become unsettled.
