Yes, You Can PRODUCE More Stem Cells

So, what are "stem cells" anyway? How can we even relate to them in Chinese Medicine? In Chinese Medicine, shen-jing stands for “kidney-essence” and it is the most well-matching [1]. According to Huang Di Nei Jing, one of the most fundamental doctrinal sources of Chinese medical text that has been around for more than 2000 years, “at the beginning of human development, Jing initially formed, then bone, pulse, tendon, muscle, skin, and hair were developed” [1]. According to many other ancient physicians “Jing, which is essence, is stored in the Kidney, which is called the Shen”, meaning Kidney-Essence plays a particularly important role in maintaining healthy bodily function [1]. For example, if Shen-Jing was getting depleted, such shen-jing deficiency pattern in Chinese medicine would represent pathological changes like weakened reproductive function, premature senility, tinnitus, loosing of teeth, hair loss, and forgetfulness [1]. This usually happens due to either dysplasia induced by multiple damages before birth, prolonged excessive sexual activity, chronic stress or disease, and aging [1].

Some authors claim that shen-jing is the source of information just like DNA and some said it expressed the meaning of “origin and regeneration” (Ren et. al, 2015). In 2004 shen-jing was actually compared to stem cells, which could mean that Chinese medicine therapies are likely activating endogenous stem cells (Ren et. al, 2015). However, the importance of Jing does not stop here. Jing also seems to be associated with neural crest cells which are known to be critical in the formation of our teeth, cartilage, adrenal glands, parathyroid glands, the support cells of the entire brain and nervous system (Keown, D., 2014). Currently there are no embryological or fascial planes to explain the movement of neural crest cells (Keown, D., 2014). Without the existence of neural crest cells, it is said that humans would still be primitive invertebrates like jelly fish (Keown, D., 2014). Jing in Chinese medicine is said to be in charge of that same list of responsibilities as neural crest cells (Keown, D., 2014).

At the moment little is known about the impact of time and age on stem cells and genetics seem to be rather a statistical science. However, through the association of shen-jing and stem cells, as Chinese medicine already involves the patterns of shen-jing, its pathologies, and treatments, we may be able to better understand the molecules and processes that enable stem cells from activation to differentiation. Through this understanding, acupuncturists may find ways to reactivate stem cells and control their target destination, in order to treat degenerative diseases.

The relationship between the concept of shen-jing and stem cells expresses that our body was developed from a small origin and that our adult body possesses the potential to regenerate (Ren et. al, 2015). Shen-Jing nourishing Chinese herbs have been used for thousands of years (Ren et. al, 2015). If stem cells are the counterpart to shen-jing then it is speculated that through shen-jing nourishing formulas, acupuncturists may also regulate stem cell behavior (Ren et. al, 2015).

Now is the best time work on increasing your stem cell count. Contact us to schedule your appointment.

References

[1] Ren, Y.-B., Huang, J.-H., Cai, W.-J., & Shen, Z.-Y. (2015). Shen-Jing as a Chinese medicine concept might be a counterpart of stem cells in regenerative medicine. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 25(1), 64–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2136-z

[2] Keown, D. (2014). The spark in the machine: how the science of acupuncture explains the mysteries of Western medicine. Singing Dragon.