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Shaped like a broad bean, there are two, one on the left and one on the right. The right one is Mingmen (Gate of Life), which is where men store essence and women connect to the uterus. It is located inferiorly, corresponding to the fourteenth thoracic vertebra on the back, opposite the umbilicus, attached to the waist.

The Kidney belongs to Water, flourishing in the tenth and eleventh months of winter, with black as its associated color. Salty flavor enters the Kidney. Externally, it connects through the orifice of the ear. Its secreted fluid is called Jinshuo (saliva and body fluids). Among the Seven Emotions, it governs Desire; within the body, it governs bones and teeth. What it stores is Jing (Essence); what it dislikes is Dryness.

A complexion that is dark and haggard indicates Kidney Exhaustion; loose and painful teeth indicate Kidney Inflammation; deafness and tinnitus indicate Kidney Deficiency; dimness of the pupils inside the eyes indicates Kidney Decline; impotence and inability to erect indicate Kidney Weakness.

When the Kidneys are diseased, there is pain in the waist, cold knees and painful legs or Bi Syndrome (obstruction syndrome), dizziness upon squatting and standing, heavy body and sore bones, wind-like pulling sensations below the umbilicus, and a bent lower back that is difficult to straighten.

Humans rely on water and grain for life, so the Spleen and Stomach are the foundation of health preservation. Therefore, Li Dongyuan stated in *Pi Wei Lun* (Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach): Having reviewed various chapters of *Nei Jing* (Inner Canon) and cross-referenced them, the sufficiency of Yuan Qi (Original Qi) depends entirely on the Stomach Qi being unharmed, after which it can nourish Yuan Qi. If harmed even slightly, Yuan Qi cannot be sufficient; this is how various diseases arise. Just as in the pulse signs of all Zang-Fu organs, none lack Stomach Qi; if Stomach Qi is lost, it is an ominous sign. For instance, shortness of breath, loss of voice, hoarseness, and rapid panting indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Lung organ. Loss of spirit and soul control, increasing confusion, and extreme aversion to cold indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Heart organ. Restlessness, severe agitation, retraction of the scrotum and rigidity of the penis, and endless fear indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Liver and Gallbladder organs. Abdominal distension and inability to transport, inability to ingest food, emaciation, phlegm congestion, and ineffectiveness of medication indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Spleen organ. Inability to control the gate (urinary/fecal sphincters), inability to transform urine, persistent steaming heat, and unbearable bone pain that cannot be relieved indicate the failure of Stomach Qi in the Kidney organ. When Stomach Qi is strong, everything is strong; when Stomach Qi is weak, everything is weak. With Stomach Qi, there is life; without Stomach Qi, there is death. Therefore, those who examine diseases must first examine Stomach Qi; those who treat diseases must always protect Stomach Qi. As long as Stomach Qi is not damaged, one need not worry about other matters.

Miao Zhongchun stated in *Jing Shu* (Commentary on the Classics): The Spleen is the Earth organ, and the Stomach is its Fu organ; they are the source of acquired Yuan Qi. The Stomach governs reception, and the Spleen governs digestion. If the Spleen is deficient, it cannot digest; if the Stomach is weak, it cannot receive. If dietary intake is reduced, acquired Yuan Qi has no source to generate, leading to insufficiency of Jing and Blood. The *Classic* states: "If the Spleen is damaged, regulate diet, moderate daily routine, and adapt to temperature changes." This is a supreme principle. However, the key lies in two aspects: First, abstain from violent anger so that the Liver has no stagnant Qi; when Liver Wood is harmonious, it will not attack Spleen Earth. Second, nurture True Fire. Mingmen is the Fire organ, the residence of congenital Yuan Qi, also known as Zu Qi (Ancestral Qi) in Daoism, and Zhen Yang Qi (True Yang Qi) or Zhen Xiang Huo (True Image Fire) in medicine. This True Yang and True Fire generates a surge of Yang every day after Zi hour (11 PM - 1 AM). Upon generation, it rises upward. Passing through the Middle Jiao and traversing the Spleen and Stomach, it can rot and ripen water and grain, steaming dregs into waste and transforming them into fine essences. The Spleen disperses these essences, sending them upward to the Lungs, regulating water passages, and expelling them via Qi transformation in the Bladder. This is called Clear Rising and Turbid Descending, which is the normal state in health. There are three reasons for the robustness of ordinary people: First, original endowment is thick; second, conserving and sparing Spirit, not wasting it recklessly; third, having aspirations free from frustration and depression, so even at an advanced age, one remains robust. If one does not carefully follow the way of health preservation, indulging desires damages the Kidneys, causing the Yang generated after Zi hour to fail to arise on time and rise to rot and transform water and grain. This is Fire failing to generate Earth, causing the Spleen and Stomach to become weaker day by day.

It is also said: Spleen and Stomach produce Phlegm due to Cold-Dampness, or due to excessive drinking and eating, especially a preference for oily noodles and lard, which become thick and sticky, causing Spleen Qi obstruction and stagnation to become pathological. Symptoms include lack of appetite, abdominal distension, or diarrhea, all caused by Phlegm.

It is also said: Spleen deficiency gradually leads to distension. If symptoms worsen at night and are quiet during the day, the disease belongs to Yin, and Spleen Yin should be tonified. If symptoms are quiet at night and worsen during the day, the disease belongs to Yang, and Spleen Qi should be benefited.

The Meridian Chapter states: Cold in the Stomach causes distension.

Chen Wuyue stated: Spleen deficiency often leads to Dampness diseases, internally caused by excessive alcohol consumption, overdrinking soups and liquids, stagnation of greasy foods, and excessive intake of roasted meats and rich grains.