Jing Insufficiency Symptoms & Treatment

Jing is one of the vital substances of traditional Chinese medicine. Often translated as “essence,” it is considered responsible for fertility, reproduction, growth, development, and ageing.

Jing can be categorised as “pre-heavenly” or “post-heavenly.” Pre-heavenly jing, also known as prenatal jing, is hereditary and is stored by the Kidney. It moves in seven-year cycles for women and eight-year cycles for men, and these determine the phases of our lives and the speed at which we develop, mature, and age.

Post-heavenly, or postnatal, jing is formed after birth and depends heavily upon our lifestyles and diets. It can be nourished by eating well, engaging in appropriate activity and rest, and techniques such as meditation and qi gong. Likewise, it can be depleted by unhealthy eating, unbalanced activity and rest, the use of stimulants, and excessive sexual activity.

Therefore, some people have constitutional weaknesses of the jing (pre-heavenly), while others may acquire jing insufficiency by failing to nourish it appropriately, or depleting it too rapidly with damaging behaviours (post-heavenly).

The symptoms of jing insufficiency are similar, regardless of the cause, and may include:

• Poor bone development in children, brittle bones in adults

• Weak knees and legs

• Back pain

• Loose teeth

• Premature greying of the hair

• Hair loss

• Poor memory

• Dizziness

• TInnitus

Many of these symptoms are a normal part of the ageing process, but should they occur earlier than expected, they may indicate jing insufficiency.

Jing Insufficiency Treatment

Prevention is better than cure, and it is considered most beneficial to preserve our jing by following a healthy lifestyle, nourishing the Kidney, and avoiding extreme diets, depleting activities, and substance abuse.

Acupuncture and herbs may go some way towards helping us to maintain and restore the health of our jing, but making positive lifestyle changes and eating more jing-nourishing foods are among the best ways to take care of this vital substance.

References:

• Maciocia G (1989) The Foundations of Chinese Medicine (first edition) - Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, London

• Wiseman N, Feng Y (2014) A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine - Paradigm Publications, Taos, NM