Yang deficiency refers to the pathological phenomenon of insufficient yang energy in the body, leading to reduced or weakened functions, decreased metabolic activities, and low reactivity, resulting in insufficient yang heat. Yang energy is responsible for warming the limbs and internal organs. The symptoms of yang deficiency often manifest as signs of internal cold due to weakened bodily functions. So, what are the symptoms of yang deficiency? Let’s take a look below.
Symptoms of Yang Deficiency
1. Cold Hands and Feet
Cold hands and feet are one of the symptoms of yang deficiency, as the lack of heat in the body means it cannot generate warmth, leading to abnormal sensations of cold in the hands, feet, abdomen, back, and lower back, making individuals more susceptible to colds.
2. Lack of Energy
A lack of energy is due to insufficient yang energy in the body, resulting in a decline in life activities, fatigue, lack of interest in activities, and a general sense of laziness. This can also lead to insomnia, headaches, loss of appetite, and digestive issues.
3. Cold Pain in the Lower Abdomen
There are many causes of cold pain in the lower abdomen, one of which is insufficient yang energy. When kidney yang is deficient, the lower abdomen fails to be warmed, leading to symptoms such as lower abdominal distension and pain, clear and cold semen in men, frequent clear urination, excessive leukorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and menstrual irregularities in women, along with a pale white tongue coating. Many people have a habit of consuming cold drinks or setting air conditioning to low temperatures, even wearing thin clothing in winter, which can allow cold pathogens to invade the body, weakening yang energy, especially in women, leading to cold in the uterus and resulting in lower abdominal pain.
4. Decreased Libido
A decrease in libido or sexual coldness is often a signal of yang deficiency. It is known that kidney yang is the original driving force behind sexual desire, meaning that a person’s libido fundamentally depends on the adequacy of kidney yang. When kidney yang is deficient, a decrease in sexual desire often occurs.
5. Cold Sensation in the Stomach
Many people suffer from stomach cold, primarily due to spleen yang deficiency, overconsumption of cold foods, or neglecting to keep warm, which leads to the stagnation of cold in the stomach. Symptoms often manifest as pain triggered by cold weather or the consumption of cold foods, accompanied by a cold sensation in the stomach. Drinking warm water, wearing thicker clothing, or using a heating pad can alleviate the stomach pain.
6. Clear and Frequent Urination, Cold Pain in the Lower Back and Knees
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that insufficient kidney yang and poor qi transformation lead to an inability to vaporize fluids, resulting in clear and frequent urination. The kidneys are the foundation of the lower back, governing bone marrow. When kidney yang is insufficient and the exterior is not solid, wind and cold can easily invade the lower back and knees, leading to symptoms of lower back pain and coldness in the knees.
7. Constipation
People often associate constipation with excess yang fire, believing that only those with yin deficiency experience constipation. However, it is important to note that spleen and kidney yang deficiency, along with the stagnation of cold, can also lead to constipation. The main symptoms include hard stools, cold pain in the abdomen, preference for warmth and aversion to cold, clear and frequent urination, cold extremities, a swollen tongue with a white coating, and a thin, weak pulse.
From this article, we understand that symptoms of yang deficiency include cold hands and feet, lack of energy, and cold pain in the lower abdomen. However, during yang deficiency, consuming foods such as leeks, lamb, and ginger can help provide the nutrients the body lacks and timely replenish kidney and yang energy.