The Urinary Bladder

The urinary bladder stores and evacuates the waste filtered out of our bloodstream by the kidneys. In both western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the urinary bladder is closely associated with the kidneys. Breakdowns in urinary bladder function can quickly impact our health as toxins accumulate. 

You can’t talk about the urinary bladder without talking about the kidneys. They are a complementary pair, with the kidneys being a Yin organ system and the urinary bladder being a Yang system. Yin and Yang energy is present in all things, including our bodies. A balance of both is necessary to maintain wellness. That is why Yin and Yang organ systems are partners. 

As the urinary bladder is a Yang organ, it is more active, regularly filling and emptying. That’s why we are more aware of our urinary bladder functioning than we are of our kidneys. 

Both the urinary bladder and kidneys are associated with the water element due to the roles they play in fluid regulation. While the kidneys are responsible for distilling fluids in our bodies, the urinary bladder stores and evacuates fluids. Urination is the very necessary function of removing waste and toxins from our bodies. Without it, we’d quickly become sick.  

As both organs are ruled by the water elements, which in turn is associated with the winter season, it’s especially important to tend to urinary bladder health during the colder months. Experiencing urinary incontinence, frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), frequent urination, or an inability to urinate are all symptoms that you may have a bladder imbalance. 

The urinary bladder plays an important role in our emotions. Experiencing an excess of negative emotions like jealousy and suspicion, as well as an inability to let go of grudges are all signs that your bladder could be out of balance. 

Additionally, the bladder meridian is the longest in the body. As such, it’s particularly good for treating a variety of pain, such as neck, back, sacral, hamstring, calf, and Achilles pain. 

Ensuring that your urinary bladder is functioning optimally is essential to your overall wellness. You can support your urinary bladder by staying hydrated while avoiding alcohol, sugary drinks, and excessive caffeine. It’s also important to shield your urinary bladder from the cold – especially in the wintertime. Foods like eggplant, black beans, plums, and seaweed are also good for supporting your urinary bladder and kidney health.