The human being, man or woman, stores Jing in the Kidneys. When a sexual encounter occurs and fertilization is carried out, a combined essence is formed between that of the mother and that of the father of the new being that is now forming within the womb. This is called Pre-Heaven Essence.

• It is the combined essence of father and mother that nourishes the fetus throughout the entire pregnancy.

• Although the nourishment of maternal Kidneys is important, the Pre-Heaven essence is the only essence within the fetus because it does not have independent physiological activity from its mother.

• It determines the constitution, strength and vitality of the new human being that is formed.

It is closely linked to Ming Men, which represents the physiological fire of the body and is used by the internal organs to correctly perform each of their functions (Yang of the Pre-Heaven essence).

• This essence is present from conception. After birth it matures to become Kidney Essence during puberty (sperm and menstruation).

• At the moment of conception this Yang essence concentrates at the point GV-4.

• The Pre-Heaven essence in its entirety represents the Yin and concentrates at the point CV-4 during conception.

Ming Men is the residence of Jing and the mind and is connected with Yuan Qi.

The quantity of Pre-Heaven essence is fixed, but the quality can be improved during life thanks to its interaction with Post-Heaven Qi.

• Emotional and work balance (work - rest), good nutrition, and balance of sexual activity are vital (essence is depleted with excessive sexual activity, especially in men, who expel it in ejaculation).

• Meditation, martial arts, TaiChi, QiGong or respiratory exercises are good ways to help nourish and not deplete as quickly the Pre-Heaven Essence.

See: Post-Heaven Qi