Essence, also known as “Jing”, is derived from a process of refinement. It is a precious substance to be cherished and guarded. The term “Essence” occurs in traditional Chinese medical books in three different contexts with slightly different meanings: “Pre-Natal Essence”, “Post-Natal Essence” and “Essence”.
The Spleen is the root of Post-Natal Essence, and is the origin of Qi and Blood produced after birth, the Kidneys are the root of Pre-Natal Essence; they store the Essence inherited from parents. Pre-Natal Essence is a blending of the sexual energies of man and woman to form a newly conceived human being. It is the only Essence present in the fetus. It nourishes the embryo and fetus during pregnancy and is dependent on nourishment derived from the mother’s Kidneys. It determines basic constitutional make-up, strength and Vitality, and is what makes each individual unique. During the course of adult life, Pre-Natal Essence can be influenced only with difficulty. Some say it is fixed in quantity and quality. However, it can be positively affected; striving for balance in life is the best way to positively affect Pre-Natal Essence; a balanced diet, balance between work and rest, and restraint in sexual activity. Any irregularity or excesses are bound to diminish the Pre-Natal Essence. The most direct ways to influence Essence positively are breathing exercises, Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong.
Post-Natal Essence is refined and extracted after birth from food and fluids by the Stomach and Spleen. After birth, the Lungs, Stomach and Spleen functions produce Qi from food, drink and air. The Stomach and Spleen are responsible for the digestion of food and the transformation and transportation of food essences ultimately leading to the production of Qi.
Essence is derived from both the Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Essence; a hereditary energy that is stored in the Kidneys and also circulates all over the body. It plays an important role in human physiology. It is the organic substance, which forms the basis for growth, reproduction and development and controls the growth of bones in children, teeth, hair, normal brain development and sexual maturation. After puberty, it controls the reproductive function and fertility and forms the basis for successful conception and pregnancy. If the Kidneys are strong, Essence is flourishing and abundant. There will be great Vitality, sexual power and fertility. If the Kidneys are weak, Essence is weak, and there will be lack of Vitality, infertility or sexual weakness. The natural decline of the Essence during our lifetime, leads to the natural decline of sexual energy and fertility, basic constitutional strength and resistance to exterior pathogenic factors. Essence is fluid like, difficult to replenish and is mostly derived from the parents; it changes slowly and gradually over long periods of time and follows very long cycles of seven or eight years, whereas Qi is energy like, replenished daily, is everywhere throughout the body and is formed after birth; it moves and changes quickly from moment to moment and follows shorter cycles, some yearly, some circadian, some even shorter. According to “Simple Questions”, men’s Essence flows in eight-year cycles, and women’s Essence in seven-year cycles.
“The Kidney energy of a girl becomes abundant at the age of 7, her baby teeth are replaced by permanent ones and the hair grows. At the age of14 the dew of Heaven arrives [menstruation], the Directing Vessel begins to flow, the Penetrating Vessel is flourishing, the periods come regularly and she can conceive. At the age of 21 the Kidney Essence peaks, the wisdom teeth come out and growth is at its utmost. At the age of 28, tendons and bones become strong, the hair grows longest and the body is strong and flourishing. At the age of 35, the Bright Yang channels begin to weaken, the complexion starts to wither and the hair begins to fall. At the age of 42, the three Yang channels are weak, the face darkens and the hair begins to turn grey. At the age of 49, the Directing Vessel is empty, the Penetrating Vessel depleted, the dew of Heaven dries up, the Earth Passage [uterus] is not open, so weakness and infertility set in. In a man, at the age of 8 the boy’s Kidney energy is abundant, his hair and teeth grow. At the age of 16 his Kidney energy is even more abundant, the dew of Heaven [sperm] arrives, the Essence is luxuriant and flowing, Yin and Yang are harmonized and he can produce a child. At the age of 24, the Kidney energy peaks, tendons and bones are strong, the wisdom teeth appear, and growth is at its peak. At the age of 32, tendons and bones are at their strongest, and the muscles are full and strong. At the age of 40, the Kidney is weakened, the hair begins to fall out and the teeth become loose. At the age of 48, Yang Qi is exhausted, the face becomes darker and the hair turns grey. At the age of 56, the Liver energy is weakened, the tendons cannot move, the dew of Heaven is dried up, the Kidney becomes weak and the body begins to grow old. At the age of 64, hair and teeth are gone.”
A deficiency of Essence may manifest as stunted growth, poor bone development or mental retardation in children, bone deterioration in adults, infertility, habitual miscarriage, loose teeth, hair falling out or graying prematurely, poor sexual function, impotence, weakness of knees, nocturnal emissions, tinnitus and deafness, poor concentration, poor memory, dizziness or a feeling of emptiness of the head, being constantly prone to colds, influenza and other exterior diseases, chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Essence, Qi and Mind (Shen) are the “Three Treasures”. They are three different states of Qi and are the fundamental physical and psychic substances of a human being and. Essence and Qi are the essential foundation of the Mind. Essence being the densest, Qi being more rarefied, and the Mind being the most subtle and immaterial; a healthy Mind depends on the strength of the Essence. If Essence and Qi are healthy and flourishing, the Mind will be happy and life will be healthy. If Essence and Qi are depleted, the Mind will suffer. The state of the Mind can be observed in the eyes. Eyes with “glitter”, that indefinable shine and Vitality about them, indicate a healthy Mind. Eyes, which look dull as if they have a curtain of mist in front of them, indicate that the Mind is disturbed.
The triad of Essence, Qi and Mind is often expressed in Chinese Medicine as Heaven (the Mind), Person (Qi) and Earth (the Essence), corresponding to the three organs Heart, Stomach/Spleen and Kidneys respectively.
Mind = Heart = Heaven
Qi = Stomach-Spleen = Person
Essence = Kidneys = Earth
Essence is an indication of inherited constitution, Qi is an indication of the state of Qi produced from day to day and the Mind is an indication of the state of the emotional and mental life.