by Chad Johnson, MS, L.Ac | Acupuncture, Adrenal Fatigue, Covid-19, Fatigue, Health and Wellness, Kidneys, Prevention
In Traditional East Asian Medicine, the body’s physiological processes can be viewed through the lens of Five Phase theory.
Each phase relates to a major organ, an emotion and a season.
All things can be viewed through this lens for easy discussion and healing discoveries.
The heart and lungs are relatively higher in the body away from the earth. They process blood and air every second of every day.
The liver and spleen are physically just below the diaphragm in the middle. They process food and blood on a daily or in some cases weekly cycles.
The kidneys are the lowest of these five.
They rule events in life such as birth, puberty, child bearing.
These processes are slow.
In the last 40 or so years the speed of our lifestyles has increased exponentially. Mother Earth is still telling us all to slow down – more.
In 2020 I went from 50 patients per week to 22. It wasn’t by choice. But it was most certainly better for me. More time for conscious breathing, exercise, and hydrating.
Kidney Deficiency usually manifests in the low back and the knees.
This past year has been challenging, heart-breaking, and difficult to varying degrees for each of us. As we press on into this third wave, it is important to understand the stress this has on the kidneys. We are all to some degree in fight or flight. We are in survival mode. Every social pattern we have known has been disrupted and changed. As we move through this transition, the healthiest thing we can do is to acknowledge how this affects the kidneys and support ourselves accordingly.
In the kidneys resides essence or Jing and our will to live.
The connection between the kidneys and the heart is important to understand. If you look at the diagram, you may notice that this is the axis of fear and joy. Water and fire. This is a spectrum. The antidote for fear – is Cultivating Joy. The adrenals and kidneys are directly connected. We want to nourish our kidneys and support our essence. We can do this in the following ways:
- Turn the TV off
- Take a holiday from social media
- Go outside. Make a fire, talk a walk, tend to your yard- connect with the natural rhythms of nature. Feel the wind, see the stars, you get the idea.
- Get plenty of rest at regular intervals
- Hydrate well and often with good quality
- 20 min Gentle movement necessary during the day – yoga, qi-gong or pleasant walk in the park (not a 3 mile run)
- Plan to do less
- Practice self-care
- Drink bone broth or mineral broth if vegetarian
The Kidneys…
- are at the deepest level of all the organs (this operates on the levels of mind, body and spirit)
- control your entire blood pressure system
- regulate Blood cell production
- regulate all the water in the body (regulate the salinity of the water through the advanced filtration system)
- are related to the element of water and are in affinity with the colors black and blue (where these colors to support the kidneys!)
- In the Kidneys we find the will – including the will to live – the will to move forward and conversely, fear. Kidneys out of balance will be an experience of stuckness/frozen in fear. It is like the roots of the tree are all dried out.
Winter is the time of a deep going within, it is the season of the kidneys, so having loving intention in this direction can amplify our process.
If we can find the gifts, the silver linings and perhaps even find the joy in places and moments we can proceed in that direction, slowly, mindfully and heal.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Adrenal Fatigue, Fatigue, Gut Health, Health and Wellness, Immune Health, Kidneys, Nutrition, Prevention, Recipes
Homemade Bone Broth is deeply nourishing to the body.
It supports gut health, skin hair and nails and nourishes our deepest organs- the kidneys. This is food as medicine. Bone broth is a fantastic source of many gut-healing, anti-inflammatory agents. Healthy, pasture-raised and grass-fed animal bones and joints are rich in amino acids, gelatin, collagen. These components support the health of your bones, joints, and skin.
Collagen is an essential building block for a healthy gut lining. With homemade bone broth you can help repair damage by ingesting collagen-rich foods and supplements such as bone broth and hydrolyzed collagen powder.
It is important to source healthy and humanely raised pastured and grass-fed animals – so that you getting the healthy benefits of this traditional food.
Here is the simple recipe for chicken bone broth we make at home. There are other bone broth recipes you can find with a simple search (lamb, beef and fish).
Simple Homemade Bone Broth (Chicken)
- 1 chicken back
- 6 -12 or more chicken feet (this is an important ingredient as this is where much of the dense gelatin resides)
- 1 bay leaf
- 14 Cups of clean spring water (chlorine and fluoride free)
- 3 TBS of Himalayan salt or Celtic Sea salt
- 1 TBS of raw Apple cider Vinegar
Directions:
- Add all ingredients to Instant Pot or crock pot
- Add in apple Cider Vinegar – let sit for 1 hr – this helps leach all the nutrients and minerals out of the bones
- Instant Pot: Set on High Soup 120 mins
- Crock pot: Cook low and slow for 18-24 hours
- Stock Pot – stove top: Turn to a simmer and put lid on pot and let it simmer for 18-24 hours
When done pour through a tea strainer over the mug or bowl. Add other ingredients as desired. We like the broth just this way. But you can add other ingredients before or after cooking.
- Garlic (crush and let sit for 15 min before adding in or cooking with it as it activates the healing benefits)
- Fresh Ginger
- Squeeze of fresh lemon
- Celery, onion, carrot, etc.
- We will also use it to make soup. We like to sauté the holy trinity of onions, garlic and celery – add diced carrots, beets and broth.
With the instant pot – we keep the broth going on warm for a few days and serve hot from there straining as we serve.
Process from the stove top or out of the Instant Pot or Crock pot:
- Turn off and let cool for 30 min to hour, then lift out all the bones/veggies and set aside
- Pour the broth through strainer to filter out all the grit into another bowl
- Cover and refrigerate. The fat will separate and rise to the top.
- Remove from fridge and you may now skim off the fat with a large metal spoon (some leave the fat on). The broth should be jelly-like which is WHAT YOU WANT – it means it is loaded with collagen and gelatin.
- You can now put a wide mouth funnel over a few mason jars.
- Put up to 3 days worth in the fridge and freeze the rest. It only stays fresh for about 3-4 days. You can freeze it for up to one year. PLEASE NOTE: Only fill mason jars for the freezer 75% when frozen the broth will expand and the jar will crack.
Benefits of Homemade Bone Broth
- Gut Health: The dense gelatin in bone broth is a vital nutrient for healing the gut
- Aids Digestion
- Improves joint health.
- Strengthens your immune system
- Anti-Inflammatory
- Anti-aging
- Makes your hair, nails, and skin glow
- Can improve sleep
Simple Homemade Bone Broth (Chicken)
-
1
Vhicken back
-
6 -12
Or more chicken feet
(this is an important ingredient as this is where much of the dense gelatin resides)
-
1
Bay leaf
-
14
Cups
Clean spring water
(chlorine and fluoride free)
-
3
TBS
or less of Himalayan salt or Celtic Sea salt
-
1
TBS
Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
-
Add all ingredients to Instant Pot, crock pot, or stop top
-
Add in apple Cider Vinegar - let sit for 1 hr - this helps leach all the nutrients and minerals out of the bones
Cooking Method
-
Instant Pot: Set on high/ seal - Soup for 120 mins
Crock pot: Cook low and slow for 18-24 hours
Stock Pot - stove top: Turn to a simmer and put lid on pot and let it simmer for 18-24 hours
When done pour through a tea strainer over the mug or bowl. Add other ingredients as desired. We like the broth just this way. But you can add other ingredients before or after cooking.
- Garlic (crush and let sit for 15 min before adding in or cooking with it as it activates the healing benefits)
- Fresh Ginger
- Squeeze of fresh lemon
- Celery, onion, carrot, etc.
- We will also use it to make soup. We like to sauté the holy trinity of onions, garlic and celery - add diced carrots, beets and broth.
With the instant pot - we keep the broth going on warm for a few days and serve hot from there straining as we serve.
Process from the stove top or out of the Instant Pot or Crock pot:
- Turn off and let cool for 30 min to hour, then lift out all the bones/veggies and set aside
- Pour the broth through strainer to filter out all the grit into another bowl
- Cover and refrigerate. The fat will separate and rise to the top.
- Remove from fridge and you may now skim off the fat with a large metal spoon (some leave the fat on). The broth should be jelly-like which is WHAT YOU WANT - it means it is loaded with collagen and gelatin.
- You can now put a wide mouth funnel over a few mason jars.
- Put up to 3 days worth in the fridge and freeze the rest. It only stays fresh for about 3-4 days. You can freeze it for up to one year. PLEASE NOTE: Only fill mason jars for the freezer 75% when frozen the broth will expand and the jar will crack.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Acupuncture, Health and Wellness, Immune Health, Nutrition, Prevention
Transitioning into Autumn
Here we are, late summer is transitioning into fall. The in-breath is changing to the out-breath. This is a Transition Time – an in-between time – and these times can be very powerful for our health if we are paying attention. Transitions are where possibility finds fertile ground.
Each year at this time, Chad and I write and speak about the importance of slowing down, consolidating the big outward energy (yang) of summer and turning towards a more nourishing inward focus (yin). This is a time of Transformation – for the earth and for her stewards (us!).
This time of year from an East Asian Medicine Perspective
The Ancient Taoists studied nature to understand humanity and health. Ayurvedic Medicine also connects our bodies and our processes to the seasons. When we eat seasonal foods, and align with the mood, tone, and impulse of each season and transition time, we bring ourselves into a deeper foundation of living in balance.
- The SPLEEN is the organ of Transformation and Transportation.
- The Element of the Spleen is EARTH
- The Color of Earth and Spleen are Yellow
This time of year cooler breezes arrive and cold and flu season is right behind.
In Chinese Medicine, the cause of the cold is not necessarily due to bacteria or virus directly, but what we call, wind – or exposure to wind and the weakening of our immune system. Exposure to wind can weaken the body’s defenses while carries the pathogens; cold, damp, and/or heat (The symptoms are equal to common infections) into the body through the back of the neck. Wearing a scarf in breezy, cooler weather will do a lot to keep illness at bay.
Transition your diet from cold and/or raw summer-type foods (salads, smoothies, watermelon) into warmer foods that are mostly cooked and seasonal. Fruits like grapes, apples, pears are healthy this time of year in moderation and warm foods like soups, stews, teas, and cooked squashes are highly beneficial.
Japanese Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine use Moxibustion (mugwort) to bring warmth the body via specific acupoints. In our clinic we favor Okyu – a refined Japanse style of direct moxa that is practiced as a standalone medicine in Japan. This is excellent for those of us who tend toward cold. During each treatment we are supporting your body’s immune system, defense layer (Wei Qi) and the organs through a combination of acupuncture and moxibustion. A seasonal tune-up during these transition times support you in keeping your body healthy and resistance level strong.
How deeply are you connecting with Mother Nature? Late Summer through Early Fall connects with the Earth Element – The color Yellow, the Spleen, and is a time of Transformation.
A few ways you can honor transition and transformation: Reconnect with the earth by walking barefoot, Forest bathing and eating and emphasizing yellow and orange foods such as squash, millet, mung beans, peaches (if you have ‘em), sweet potatoes, and more.
Know that you are supporting your spleen and stomach, the earth element within the body. These organs govern Sympathy. The joy of summer leads to Sympathy, Sympathy can also lead to Grief. We want to be sure we are in balance on this spectrum.
“Sympathy is earthy. It arises from the stomach and Spleen in the center of the abdomen. Like humidity in late summer, it is gathering, nourishing and yielding.” ~ Lorie Deschar, Five Spirits
Autumn is a Time of…
- The peak harvest
- Saying goodbye
- The feeling that the “fun is ending”
- Back to the grind
- Getting organized
- Recommitting to health
- Transitional Seasons are a good time to get a “tune up” with Acupuncture
- ALSO– be sure to cover your neck! As the winds pick up, we get colds through the back of our neck. Wear a scarf – even with a T-shirt. Chad does it, it looks suave. 🙂
Keeping Healthy and Boosting Your Immune System During Transitions
This is also a time we can get sick. Here are important ways to keep healthy right now:
1. Sleep. Get enough rest. This cannot be emphasized enough. Your body needs to sleep. It is when it can repair itself. Experiment with how many hours you need. Some do well at 9 or 10 others need only 8. Eight hours of sleep before 10pm is more healing and supportive than the same amount after midnight. This has to do with the circadian rhythm of the body and it’s repair processes. If you are like many people having trouble sleeping right now, book a treatment with Chad – Acupuncture is very helpful with sleep. You may also call Nicole for a health coaching session that will help you make some easy changes and tweaks for promoting better sleep.
2. Disconnect from Technology to Reduce Stress and Anxiety. Yep. We are all feeling it. Commit to your cocoon of safety, love and self-care. Don’t check twitter, take news fasts, take social media breaks, feed your energy towards things that bring you joy. Stress is ravaging our health and well-being.
From our perspective, we are living through a slow-moving trauma – still. Be gentle and tender with yourself. Come in for acupuncture for support with any anxiety you are experiencing. From the holistic nutrition perspective avoid or reduce caffeine and sugar – this exacerbates anxiety levels. Nicole had to give up her vice of cold brew coffee this summer because of this. I switched to dark Maté which gives me energy but has a different effect on my nervous system.
3. Use the Breathe to Regulate your Nervous System. To bring yourself into the parasympathetic state (rest and digest) — if you are having an intense reaction or episode work with your breath. There is a simple technique that Chad guides people through everyday in the clinics.
Simple Breath Technique:
- Big breath in and exhale forcefully out
- Then take a relaxing breath: breathe into the abdomen – below the diaphragm- do not engage the neck and the upper chest, 60% inhale and 100% exhale long and slow.
- Do three of the calming breaths (add more if you feel). At night Chad does 10 breaths before bed.
4. Nourish Yourself with healthy foods and immune boosting supplements. Contact the office for our List of Top Immune Supportive Supplements. Now is a great time to make our favorite remedy – The Master Tonic– Find our easy recipe here.
5. Dry brushing your skin before bathing: Skin brushing is an easy routine you can add to your shower time. It’s invigorating and has tremendous health and beauty benefits. A dry brush moves lymph in between the skin and muscles. The lymphatic system is the waste management system of the body. This promotes a healthy immune system, removes toxins, promotes better circulation, smoother skin, better muscle tone, removes dead skin cells, and feels fantastic.
6. Contrast Shower Rinse. Cold rinse after bathing: cool rinse for 1- 3 min at the end of the shower- it closes the pores and prevents external pathogenic factors from entering through the wei qi layer (defensive layer).
7. Wear a Scarf! (Mama Knows Best) This time of year cooler breezes arrive and cold and flu season is right behind. In Chinese Medicine, the cause of the cold is not always bacteria or virus, but can arrive with the wind. The wind carries the pathogens; cold, damp, and/or heat (The symptoms are equal to common infections) into the body through the back of the neck. Wearing a scarf in breezy, cooler weather will do a lot to keep illness at bay.
8. Come into the clinic for immune support via acupuncture and moxibustion. During each treatment we are supporting body’s immune system and organ function. You can book a seasonal supportive treatment here.
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Health and Wellness, Immune Health, Nutrition, Prevention, Recipes
Let Stinging Nettles Help You – In So Many Ways
The Nettles plant – Urtica Dioica (commonly known as Stinging Nettles) is an interesting herbal ally. If you look closely, the needles on the leaves will let you know that it WILL sting you, if you are not mindful when harvesting. However, once the Nettles is dried, blanched, or pulverized, the sting is ameliorated. Best harvested with gloves starting in early spring, Nettles can provide us with a treasure trove of support for many conditions. However, regular use provides the biggest benefit in the long run.
This wonderful plant is safe to use, and is high in calcium, iron potassium, phosphorus, chlorophyll, vitamin C, and other nutrients. Nettles support the kidneys and adrenals making it a potent stress fighter when used regularly. It is alkalizing and anti0inflammatory helping us with joint pain, osteoporosis, PMS, hot flashes and skin conditions like Psoriasis. Nettles contains more Calcium and Magnesium than the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance).
Nettles Works Synergistically with the Body
Nettles has an adaptogenic effect on the body. Nettles can simultaneously
- Bring Healing to Dryness OR Drain Dampness
- Gentle OR Fierce
- Hemostatic OR Circulating
- Nutritive OR Dispersing
- Cooling OR Building Energy
Could Nettles be an Antidote for Coffee?
So much about coffee is alluring. The smell, taste and ritual of morning and/or afternoon coffee. Coffee and conversation with a friend. Coffee is string medicine. Because of this, it takes a toll on us when we consume it regularly.
I would not normally think of using Nettles to replace coffee. When I retreat (yes retreat! ) from my coffee habit, I generally move to Decafe coffee, then black tea, then green tea, and then once I’ve weaned from caffeine and I want that coffee taste, I drink either Dandy Blend or Four Sigmatic’s Mushroom elixir. There are a few to choose from – just don’t choose one with actual coffee in it. These are both fairly good substitutes for the coffee taste. Both are fairly nutritive, especially the mushroom elixir. Yet how can we repair the damage we’ve done with coffee.
Since going deeper into my studies of Nettles, I am convinced that Stinging Nettles power plant ally that can help heal the imbalances we create with regular coffee use. Take a look.
Coffee Vs. Stinging Nettles
| Coffee |
Nettles |
| Depletes Minerals |
Increases Minerals |
| Acid Forming |
Alkalizing |
| Stress on the Adrenals |
Restores the Adrenals (Especially the seeds) |
| Liver Toxicity – uses the same path that stress needs to clear) |
Liver Supportive |
| Pregnancy Risk |
Pregnancy Supportive |
| Dehydrating |
Helps Hold Hydration |
Regular use of Nettles can repair and restore the acidity and depletion that occurs from regular use of coffee.
Stimulating vs. Energizing – You get to Choose
Coffee and other caffeine products don’t really “give” us energy. They stimulate our system – but this is at the high cost of our adrenal glands. While the effect may be what we want (after all, I can get a lot done after a cup of coffee) the toll on our health is too great. When we tax our body this way, we are depleting our “jing” or essence.
Nettles, on the other hand, energizes our body and it’s many systems. It does this by nourishing our system and working synergistically with it. In fact, Nettles seed is considered an adaptogen – working to support the adrenals by nourishing and strengthening the HPA-axis – this is the Hypothalmic-Pituitary-Adrenal relationship. Adoptogens are herbs that help your body deal with stress. Other wonderful herbs in this category include Ashwaganda, Hawthorn, Schisandra, Rhodiola, Ginseng, Gingko, Astragalus, Holy Basil, and more.
70% of people Suffer with compromised Adrenal function due to stress.
Nettles for Women
Nettles can support us through all phases of the moon cycle including menopause.
- Helps relieve cramps due to stagnation.
- They are loaded with chlorophyl which moves the blood, increasing circulation.
- The Hemostatic action also helps regulate and balance blood flow, lightening heavy flow and nourishing light flow.
- Nettles supports us with pain during ovulation and helps regulate excess water, relieving bloating.
- Excellent for Menopause as they are cooling and anti-inflammatory.
- Great for Pregnancy – it’s like a liquid multi-mineral – Best mixed to use Nettels tea on and off with Red Raspberry Leaf tea (tones the uterus).
Other Amazing properties of Nettles
- Bone Building Nutrients: Nettles carry 15 out the 18 Bone Building Nutrients including Boron which helps maintain and stabilize calcium in the bone.
- High in bio-flavonoids which reduces varicose veins
- Nettles is very supportive to all of the tissues and membranes of the body
- Replenishes energy and builds you back up
You can use the entire plant. Leaf, seed, stalk and root.
Uses of the Seed:
- Supports the kidneys and adrenals
- Builds stamina and lasting energy reserves
- Thyroid support
- Use the seed oil for Alopecia
- Also use for Erectile Dysfunction
- Makes a great hair oil (crush in oil)
Eat the seeds raw or if using daily – dried (as the raw can become overstimulating).
The seed and Root can be tinctured as well as the leaf.
Uses of the Root:
- Anti Inflammatory for Prostatitis
- Great for gout- clears uric acid
Stinging Nettles is a smart plant and it helps your membranes be smart as well. It increases the health of your blood and helps revitalize you and flush out old patterns. It is commonly advised to brew
How to Start using Nettles Daily
You can purchase a tincture at your local health food store. Another easy way to start with Nettles is using it as a tea.
Nettles Tea (Infusion Method)
Nettles tea works best as an infusion
-
2-6
TBS
Dried Nettle Leaf
You can purchase online or directly through us at the office
-
1
Quart
Filtered or Spring water - NO fluoride or Chlorine
Feel free to make more - adjusting the nettle measurement
-
Organic Milk or Non-dairy Alternative
-
A few drops of liquid Stevia
-
Add the nettles in the jar
-
Fill the jar with hot water just off the boil for tea
-
Tightly close the lid and allow to steep for at least 8 hrs up to 24 hrs. - I make this at might and let sit over night. I also make more in the morning for the evening.
-
Strain the plant material out squeezing well
-
Enjoy warm or over ice. We enjoy it With organic milk or non-dairy milk of choice and a few drops of liquid stevia.
-
Refrigerate and drink/use within 24 hours
Other Ways to Take in Nettles
The following are best for fresh spring nettles. Be sure not to eat fresh nettles after it has gone to seed – this can be too taxing on the kidneys.
- Nettles Soup
- Nettles Pesto
- Juicing the Nettles – You can drink the juice or use it directly on the skin
- Add it into Smoothies
- Nettle Chips (make like Kale chips)
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Integrative Therapy, Prevention
There is nothing more important than having a positive attitude. The attitude you display toward your day-to-day activities can make a huge difference in improving the quality of your life. Positivity helps to ensure everything functions harmoniously.
Here’s how to allow the enhancing effects of positivity to start impacting your day as soon as possible. Start your day by letting small amounts of sunlight into your room, enjoying a cup of warming herbal tea and just reflecting on what it is you plan to accomplish today. A simple morning routine such as this can boost productivity and positivity throughout the day. (more…)
by Nicole Johnson, MFA, CHHC | Education, Fatigue, Prevention
The kidney element in Chinese medicine governs water and is associated with the season of winter, where the energies are turning from the hotter
yang months to the more
yin of winter. Each organ has an element associated with it: liver and wood, stomach and earth, kidney and water, for example. There is also an emotion, a color and flavor associated with the organ system. For the kidneys, the emotion is fear, the color is dark or black and the flavor is salty. It also opens to the ear, has the direction of north and is paired with the bladder. The kidney element houses willpower and manifests in the teeth and luster of the hair.
The organs in Chinese medicine are more than just a physical representation. The organs include not only their physiological function, but also mental, emotional, spiritual and elemental qualities that align with nature and the seasons. Let’s explore the kidneys.
The kidneys are the body’s root and contain both yin and yang energies. Yin is associated with what is dark, still, cold, feminine and is inward. Yang is more outward, hot, bright, moving and masculine. The kidneys control reproduction, growth and development and are associated with bones and marrow. The kidneys are said to store jing, which is likened to essence, what you’re born with and what’s inherited from your parents.
There are two types of Essence:
- Pre-natal is from your parents and can be likened to one’s basic constitution and DNA.
- Post-natal is what is transformed from the food you eat and lifestyle.
The second you have more control over health-wise. Ideally, there is a nice balance of kidney yin and yang energies, but if there is yin deficiency, there will be symptoms such as heat, sweating, dryness, irritability, insomnia and low back pain. If there is yang deficiency there are more cold signs such as cold extremities, cold and painful lower back, increased urinary frequency, fatigue, premature graying, water retention and low libido. There can also be an emotional component manifesting as increased phobias and anxieties. Many of the above-mentioned symptoms can be tied to the thyroid and adrenal fatigue in Western medicine.
How to care for your kidney this winter:
Keep warm: The kidneys are affected by exposure to cold. Try a nice scarf to protect your neck from the elements, and keep your feet and low back warm in those frosty winter months. Moxibustion, which is heated mugwort, is a wonderful supplement to acupuncture that warms particular acupuncture points on the body.
Eat warm: Foods that are beneficial to the kidneys (in moderation) tend to be dark in color such as black beans, sesame seeds, seaweed, kelp, lamb and beef. Other beneficial warming foods include ginger, cinnamon, miso soup, soybeans, walnuts, chives and Goji berries. It’s best to see your acupuncturist or other health care professional to get an idea of foods that are good for your particular constitution, as some of these foods can be harmful if taken in large amounts (kelp and seaweed, in particular). It’s also best to not eat too many cold, raw vegetables or cold smoothies. Also try to ingest food and drink at room temperature. There are wonderful herbal formulas to assist the kidneys that your acupuncturist can include in your treatment plan.
Light exercise: Light exercise such as tai qi, qi gong or walking has wonderful health and anti-aging benefits and won’t cause exhaustion.
Avoid overwork, overexertion, high stress: Overdoing it depletes your kidney energy, and you might experience ill effects of burnout that are usually associated with adrenal fatigue. Ancient Chinese medical texts also recommend curbing excessive sexual activity to keep kidney energy strong and vibrant and to increase longevity.
