The Essence That Determines Everything
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, “Jing,” or “essence,” is one of the most fundamental concepts. It represents the basic substance from which life originates and grows. Jing is stored in the kidneys and determines our constitution, growth, development, reproduction, and aging. When someone is born with a deficiency in this innate essence, it has far-reaching consequences for the development of all other organ systems throughout life.
Innate vs. Acquired Jing
TCM distinguishes between innate jing (which we inherit from our parents at the moment of conception) and acquired jing (which we build up through nutrition throughout our lives). Innate jing determines our basic constitution and cannot be replenished—only maintained or depleted more slowly.
A congenital jing deficiency occurs when one or both parents were weak at the time of conception, exhausted, elderly, or when the pregnancy was problematic. This child starts life with lower reserves than average.
Influence on Early Development
The first manifestation of congenital jing deficiency is seen in early development. Children with this pattern often exhibit:
Delayed growth and development (later learning to walk, talk, and get teeth)
Weaker bone structure and smaller body shape
Fragile or underdeveloped teeth and bones
Weak or slow motor development
Low resistance and frequent illnesses
Delayed or incomplete closure of the fontanel
Possible learning or concentration difficulties
These children are often the smallest in the class, tire easily, and always seem to be one step behind their peers in physical development.
The Cascade Effect on Other Organs
Because the kidneys are considered the “root of all yin and yang” according to TCM, a kidney jing deficiency affects the development of all other organs:
Spleen and StomachThe kidneys support the spleen in its transformative function. When kidney jing is weak, digestion is often fragile, with a tendency towards loose stools, poor absorption, and difficulty generating energy from food.
LungsThe kidneys “seize the qi” from the lungs. Jing deficiency often results in shortness of breath during exertion, a weak voice, and a tendency to respiratory infections.
LeverThe kidneys nourish the liver. Jing deficiency often results in poor development of tendons and ligaments, weak nails, and a tendency to joint problems.
HartThe kidneys and heart must be in harmony. With jing deficiency, the mind cannot be properly grounded, leading to restlessness, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.
Puberty and Adulthood
Upon reaching puberty, we see further effects of jing deficiency:
Late or incomplete sexual development
In girls: late first menstruation, irregular cycle, fertility problems
In boys: slow development of secondary sexual characteristics, possibly reduced sperm production
Weak spine and tendency to back problems at a young age
Early gray hair or hair loss
Weak knees and ankles
The Lifelong Pattern
Throughout adult life, the jing deficiency continues to have an effect:
Faster fatigue and longer recovery after illness or exertion
Reduced resilience and stress tolerance
Earlier signs of aging (wrinkles, decreased hearing, tooth decay)
Weak lower back as a constitutional weak point
Decreased libido and sexual energy
In women: earlier menopause
Increased vulnerability to chronic diseases
The Compensation Mechanisms
Interestingly, the body attempts to compensate for jing deficiency by relying more heavily on acquired jing from food. This means that people with congenital jing deficiency often:
Extra reliance on regular, nutritious meals
Rapidly losing energy when fasting or skipping meals
Benefit from tonic herbs and nutrition
Must be careful of energy depletion from overwork or too much sex (which consumes jing)
Prevention of Further Exhaustion
Although innate jing cannot be replenished, further depletion can be prevented:
Regular sleep and rest (lack of sleep depletes jing)
Nutritious food aimed at building acquired jing
Moderate physical and sexual activity (extreme exertion depletes jing)
Stress management (chronic stress depletes kidney energy)
Avoiding alcohol, drugs and exhausting lifestyle
The Intergenerational Dimension
It is crucial that weak jing is passed on to the next generation. When people with jing deficiency have children, especially later in life or in a state of exhaustion, their children again develop reduced innate jing. This explains why weak constitutions sometimes run through families.
This emphasizes the importance of nurturing jing before conception and during pregnancy, to give the next generation a stronger start.