This week we are going to look at the the emotion Fear and how it can affect the Kidneys and Bladder.

Fear and the Kidneys/Bladder

The feeling of fear is associated with the Kidneys and Bladder in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  Fear is a normal adaptive emotion, but can become chronic when we ignore it.

The kidneys perform many crucial functions, including: maintaining overall fluid balance, regulating and filtering minerals from blood, producing hormones, filtering waste materials from food, medications, and toxic substances.  The ears are also associated with the kidneys. According to TCM, any imbalance occurring with the ears could signify that the kidneys are in need of attention.  The adrenal glands are also considered to be associated with the kidneys.  The adrenal glands produce hormones that help the body in various ways. This includes controlling blood sugar, burning protein and fat, reacting to stressors like a major illness or injury, and regulating blood pressure.  This is how fear can affect the whole body physically and mentally.  This can also affect the ability to make healthy decisions to move forward in life.

The Kidneys are also considered to hold a reserve of energy.    The kidneys will supply the reserve of energy to the organs in need when other organs are void of Qi (life force energy).  The other organs will remain depleted and may not be able to function properly when the kidneys’ reserve is depleted of Qi (possibly from the chronic feeling of fear).  This can show up in the body as many different ailments like fatigue, poor digestion, hormonal imbalances, low immune system, and as well as other symptoms.

Foods to Strengthen the Qi of the Kidneys/Bladder

• Salty Foods or Black Colored Foods
  • Seaweed
  • Beets
  • Black Beans
  • Mushrooms
  • Black Sesame Seeds
  • Black tea

Physical Support 

You can restore Qi to your kidneys by doing abdominal twists. This can help wring out the stagnant kidneys and encourage them to let go of what may be causing the energy blockage– i.e. fear.  You can also release fear from the body by doing a quick whole body shake.  Animals immediately shake their bodies after they are jolted. This helps them adapt and dismiss fear from their bodies almost instantaneously!

Supplements to Strengthen Kidney/Bladder Qi

Nature’s Way Kidney Bladder

Nature’s Way Kidney Bladder formula contains herbs that are known to support the health and vitality of the kidneys as well as the bladder!

Vita Logic Kidney Formula

Vita Logic Kidney Formula is a great herbal formula for the kidneys. It helps cleanse the kidneys so that they may rejuvenate and restore their Qi!

Nature’s Way Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen herb that is geared to help the body deal with stress in a more efficient manner.  This herb is great to help restore the adrenals which are associated with the kidneys as discussed above.

Beneficial Supplements for Fear

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy, Frankincense Essential Oil, and L-Theanine.

Hopefully you have learned more about fear and how it can affect the Kidneys and Bladder.  The positive emotion that helps diminish fear is WISDOM.  The feeling of fear of the unknown can make it difficult to make important life decisions.  A good tip to help employ wisdom in this scenario would be– think of different possibilities of decisions and ask yourself if you are making this choice based off of fear or love.  Always choose LOVE! ?

As always, do what you feel is best for YOUR body — if you aren’t sure, ask your doctor.  We are health ENTHUSIASTS not licensed practitioners.