_ the energy of the heart begins to grow weak
_ the individual is often preoccupied and sad
_ blood and energy circulate nonchalantly.
This is why the individual likes to lie down.
• At 70 years of age,
_The energy of rage begins to diminish
_ the skin withers and dries out.
• At 80 years of age,
_ the energy of the lung grows weaker
_ the Hun (vegetative soul) and Po (sensitive soul) separate.
This is why speech is often confused.
• At 90 years of age,
_ the energy of the kidney runs dry
_ the Jingmai of the other 4 organs are in insufficiency.
• And at the age of 100 years,
_ the 5 organs are completely in insufficiency
_ Shen Qi (mental energy) has disappeared.
There remains only the bodily form which waits for death.”
EXPLANATIONS AND COMMENTARIES
I - Zhang Shi describes:
“This paragraph speaks about the birth and growth of the human being.
The energy is born at the bottom and evolves toward the top. This is why it is said:
“When the energy is still located at the lower part of the body, the child walks with rapid steps”, which responds to the energy of the birth of spring and the active energy of summer. 88.
In contrast, at advanced age, the energy evolves from the top downward, from Yang toward Yin. Bodily deficiency starts then by the liver, then the heart, spleen, lung and kidney.
“The individual likes to sit and lie down” in order to conform with the energy of the kidney organ and Yangming (St).
The insufficiency of the energy of these two organs is the cause of “increased scarcity of the sweat gland system” and of the “hair falling and whitening.”
Chi Shi states: “Man is born, then evolves from the Jing of the kidney organ. Wood, Metal and Earth are created from Water and Fire, that is to say, from the “5 Movements a priori”.
In old age, deficiency starts via Wood-Liver, then Heart-Fire, Spleen-Earth, Metal-Lung and Water- Kidney, that is to say, the “5 Movements a posteriori”.”
II - Ma Shi comments:
“This paragraph speaks about the fact that:
_ from 50 to 100 years, he begins to gradually decline.
To speak of “the energy located at the lower part of the body” is to assure the plethoric state of the energy at the level of the 6 channels of the foot.
From 50 years of age, the decline takes effect every 10 years according to the law of the “5 Movements”, beginning by the liver, then the heart, spleen, lung and, finally, the kidney (50 : 5 = 10). That is why:
_ at 50 years of age, the energy of the gallbladder declines _ at 60 years, the energy of the heart grows weaker
_ at 70 years, the energy of the spleen subsides _ at 80 years, the lung diminishes
_ at 90 years, the energy of the kidney becomes exhausted _ at 100 years, the energy of the 5 organs becomes empty.” III - N.V.N.:
Chapter 54 of the Lingshu completes Chapter 1 of the Suwen (“9 Needles and 12 Yuan”).
The Suwen uses the numbers 7 and 8 to explain the duration of the different evolutive phases of bodily transformation in the female and male, while this chapter of the Lingshu employs the number 10 to explain the duration of the different phases of decline in man from 50 years of age.
In relation to old age, recall the question and reply of Huangdi and Qi Bo: 89.
“Huangdi questions:
_ In old age, one cannot have children; is that due to the exhasution of the Jing or is it the fault of the “heavenly numbers” (Tian Xu)?
Qi Bo replies: • In young girls,
At 7 years of age, the energy of the kidneys is plentiful, the milk teeth change, the hair lengthens. At the age “two seven” (2 X 7 = 14 years), “Celestial Gui” (Tian Gui) enters into play, the Renmai (CV) circulates abundantly, the Chongmai is prosperous, menses manifests following a determined cycle, the young girl can create.
At the age “three seven” (3 X 7 = 21 years), the energy of the kidneys is in fullness, the wisdom teeth finish pushing out.
At the age “four seven” (4 X 7 = 28 years), the muscles and bones become solid, the hair reaches its greatest length, the body is more robust.
At the age “five seven” (5 X 7 = 35 years), the Yangming (St) energy begins to weaken, vision to fade, the hair to fall.
At the age “six seven” (6 X 7 = 42 years), the energy of the 3 Yang grows weaker at the top of the body, the face dries out, the hair whitens.
At the age “seven seven” (7 X 7 = 49 years), the Renmai (CV) is empty, the Chongmai grows weaker,“ Celestial Gui” disappears, the “channels of Earth” are obstructed. This is why the body becomes exhausted, the woman is no longer fertile.
•In boys,
At 8 years of age, the energy of the kidneys becomes asserted, the hair lengthens, the milk teeth change. At the age “two eight” (2 X 8 = 16 years), the energy of the kidney is plentiful, “Celestial Gui” appears, Jing overflows, Yin is in harmony with Yang, the boy can inseminate.
At the age “three eight” (3 X 8 = 24 years), the energy of the kidneys is in fullness, the muscles and bones become firm and solid, the wisdom teeth finish pushing out.
At the age “four eight” (4 X 8 = 32 years), man is robust, skin and flesh are in full bloom.
At the age “five eight” (5 X 8 = 40 years), the energy of the kidneys slowly grows weak, the hair falls, the teeth begin to lose their brilliance.
At the age “six eight” (6 X 8 = 48 years), the Yang energy wears out at the top of the body, the face fades, the temples gray.
weaken, “Celestial Gui” disappears, Jing diminishes, the kidney organs function poorly, the body is heavy and fatigued.
At the age “eight eight” (8 X 8 = 64 years), the teeth and hair are falling out... . 90.
• The kidneys correspond to Water. They receive and conserve the Jing of the five organs and 6 bowels. This is why, when these organs and bowels are flourishing, the Jing of the kidneys pours out. If they are weak, the muscles and bones become lax, “Heavenly Gui” disappears. Because of this, the hair and beard whiten, the body becomes heavy, the walk becomes labored, man man can no longer have children.”
1 - The “Celestial Numbers” are numbers which determine the duration of the different evolutive phases of bodily transformation in the male and female.
2 - Woman is Yin or, more exactly, Shaoyin. Shaoyin is the little Yin; it can only be placed into motion, therefore put into life, by the Yang root. Yang, at this stage, is the determining factor. Therefore, a Yang, odd, number, 7, is chosen as the basis for the cyclic evolution of women.
3 - It concerns the Jing (Quintessence) of the kidney.
4 - Gui is the 10th Celestial Stem and corresponds to Water (Kidney). Among the Celestial Stems, Ren, 9th, is Yang and Gui, 10th, is Yin.
In the present case, Ren represents the concentration of the energy. that is to say, the movement of Yang going toward Yin (concentration), and Gui represents the manifestation of the energy, that is to say, the movement of Yin toward Yang (manifestation).
According to Qi Bo, Celestial Gui is innate. It is reinforced a posteriori by the digestive Jing represented by the sapors/flavors. These reach the spleen first, then are directly conducted to the corresponding organs. Example: sour toward the liver, spicy toward the lung... .
In the event of excess Jing within the organs, the kidneys absorb it and conserve it in order to distribute it into the entire body, particularly into marrow and brain.
Jing conserved within the kidney reaches the heart via the intermediary of the liver, following the chain of production of the law of the 5 Movements, where it becomes transformed into blood and then reaches the Chongmai and Renmai (CV) to maintain the flesh and act on the roots of the head hair and body hair.
This is why, in males, at the time when the vital energy is strong, Celestial Gui becomes transformed into blood and reaches the Chongmai and Renmai (CV) which end up at the chin and lips, hence beard and moustache.
In contrast, in young girls, when Celestial Gui arrives, menses appears.
In summary, Celestial Gui designates at the same time Jing (quintessence) and blood and not only menses as was supported by the celebrated Wang Bing of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.). The thesis of Wang Bing did not agree with the spirit of the Suwen: “Menses and sperm are manifestations of Celestial Gui.”
91.
Jing (quintessence) energy of the kidney is then at the same time innate (ancestral energy: Ren and Gui) and acquired (dietary energy: sapor and Ying Qi). In the child, it first spreads into the most essential regions of this age to assure growth and development: bone, marrow, blood (kidney) and muscles, blood (liver) following the chain of production of the 5 Movements.
During puberty, the energy is always plethoric (innate and acquired). The need is less great for it to supply growth factors as a matter of priority. A part of this energy is then allocated to the genital organs, to the curious channels on which they depend.
At the time of andropause and menopause, hereditary energy sees its potential dwindle. The relay is then progressively assured by the acquired energy of dietary origin. The essential point is the maintenance of life. The energetic potential being limited, it is distributed into vital areas to the detriment of other areas
(particularly genital).
In this manner, in Oriental spirit, Gui designates at the same time: _ Celestial Stem
_ its maintenance
5 - Renmai (CV) and Chongmai make up part of the group of 8 Curious Channels. They constitute the system of conservation of energy and blood, hence their name “Sea of Energy and Blood”.
In gynecology, the Renmai controls uterine functions and the Chongmai oversees the blood (menses). It is only from 14 years of age that these channels communicate.
• According to the Lingshu,
“The Chongmai and Renmai (CV) begin at the level of the kidney and are the origin of all principal and secondary channels (Jingluo). They immerge from the abdomen and ascend to the throat to arrive at the chin to encircle the lips.
In individuals whose blood and energy are in equilibrium, the energy of these two channels spreads and reaches the flesh, warming it up.
In individuals whose blood is plethoric, the energy of these two channels reaches the flesh, saturates the skin and gives rise to the body hair.
Generally, in women, the energy is strong and blood weak (due to menses). Buccal branches from the Renmai (CV) Chongmai are imperfect, so she has neither moustache nor beard.”
• The explanation of the Neijing is extremely important. The notion of Blood/Energy is finally clarified: _ man has more blood than energy, hence moustache and beard
_ woman has more energy than blood, hence absence of moustache and beard _ when one speaks of energy and blood, energy is Yang and blood is Yin
_ in women (Yin), blood (Yin) weakens more quickly than energy (Yang), while in men, it is the reverse. 92.
6 - The energy of Yangming (LI and St) goes to the face, goes around the skull and irrigates the roots of the hair via the route of the principle and secondary channels of the large intestine and stomach. This is the reason why, when the energy of Yangming is in emptiness, the face fades and the head hair falls out.
The Foot Yangming (St) has a very important relationship with the two Curious Channels, Renmai (CV) and Chongmai. It receives very numerous branches from these two channels at the level of the point Tianshu (St 25). The energy conducted via these Curious Channels is conveyed by the stomach, then reaches the thorax via the secondary channels, in particular the Longitudinal Luo and the Distinct Channel. This relationship explains that when the energy of Renmai (CV) and Chongmai is in emptiness, that of the Yangming (St) is also empty.
7 - The 3 Yang designate Taiyang, Shaoyang and Yangming which are divided into:
_ 3 Yang channels of the hand: Hand Taiyang (SI), Hand Shaoyang (SJ), Hand Yangming (LI) _ 3 Yang channels of the foot: Foot Taiyang (Bl), Foot Shaoyang (GB) and Foot Yangming (St).
The energy of these channels reaches the head via the route of the secondary channels on the one hand, and globally on the other hand, that is to say, independent of the trajectory of the channels. Also, when their energy grows weak, the face necessarily becomes wrinkled and the hair whitens and falls.
8 - The “channels of Earth” (Ti Dao) designate the channels located at the lower abdomen, particularly the internal vessel of the kidney and “Fuchong” (internal vessel of the Chongmai) (Figure 4).
9 - Males are Shaoyang. This little Yang can only be created and only exist thanks to the Yin Root. Therefore, a Yin, even, number, 8, is chosen as the basis in the cyclic evolution of man (5).
10 - The energy of the liver and energy of the kidney each have very precise functions: _ the energy of the liver maintains the muscles and tendons and controls blood formation _ the kidney energy maintains the bones and marrow and controls energetic function.
The liver and kidney then have key relationships because of the Yin-Yang, Water-Fire, Blood-Energy interactions and especially because of the productive chain of the 5 Movements: Water (Kidney) creates Wood (Liver).
5. See explantion no. 2 above, p. 76.
As a consequence, renal insufficiency always causes a series of insufficiencies of the functions of the other organs, particularly the liver (liver is the “son” of kidney).
11 - In men, Celestial Gui disappears at the age eight-eight” (8 X 8 = 64 years), and in women, at the age “seven-seven” (7 X 7 = 49 years). Such is the approximate duration of the Celestial Gui. But the energy and blood continue to circulate; so, in aged individuals, the bones and muscles remain robust thanks to the good
functioning of the energy of the spleen and stomach.
In some women whose age exceeds the point “seven-seven” (7 X 7 = 49 years), menses takes a long time to disappear via the presence of blood and energy circulating in the “Satisfying Channels” (Jing Dua) (6) which flood the two Curious Channels, Chongmai and Renmai (CV). In women, the face is yellow, the body dry and thinned; they often complain of bone pains (menopausal rheumatism) and muscular fatigue.
Finally, recall that the blood (Ying) belonging to the “satisfying” channels circulates within the channels. The blood (Ying) belonging to the Chongmai and Renmai (CV) spread outside the channels.
93.
Figure 4:
Internal vessel of the Chongmai: Fuchong.
6. It concerns channels which have the ability to retain Ying Qi (nutritive energy) for a longer time than normal.