Yang deficiency is a common issue we encounter. Some individuals, upon experiencing Yang deficiency, directly use Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) to warm and tonify Yang, but end up with symptoms of excess heat. What is the reason for this?
To tonify Yang, it is essential to first understand the differences between warming Yang, tonifying Yang, and unblocking Yang.
Many people often feel cold and suspect they have Yang deficiency, so they self-prescribe Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan, but this leads to excess heat, which is caused by improper tonification of Yang.
In fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has specific distinctions in nurturing Yang. It is not appropriate to randomly choose a Yang tonifying medicine upon discovering Yang deficiency and feeling cold.
Nurturing Yang can be categorized into three situations: warming Yang, tonifying Yang, and unblocking Yang.
If we compare Yang energy to a fire, what factors affect the burning of this fire?
First, we need to consider if the weather is too cold. If it is too cold, you may feel less warmth from the same fire. What should be done? At this point, warming Yang treatment is necessary.
The term “warming” simply refers to using warm-natured medicines to regulate cold symptoms. Representative herbs include Gui Zhi (Cinnamon), Fu Zi (Aconite), Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), and Xiao Hui Xiang (Fennel). A representative TCM formula is Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan (Aconite and Ginseng Pill).
What is tonifying Yang? If you feel that the fire inside your body is getting smaller and occasionally need to add fuel to the fire, this is what we refer to as tonifying Yang.
The term “tonifying” simply means using some sweet-warm or salty-warm medicines to nourish Yang energy, which falls under the category of “supplementing the deficient.””>
Representative herbs include Lu Rong (Deer Antler Velvet), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), and Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta Seed). A representative TCM formula is You Gui Wan (Right Returning Pill).
To elaborate further, if you often indulge yourself, overconsume, or stay up late, leading to excessive consumption of Yang energy and symptoms of Yang deficiency, then it is time to tonify Yang energy.
Now, let’s look at what unblocking Yang means.
Many people have a fear of cold, but not all cold sensitivity is due to Yang deficiency.
Many people experience cold sensitivity due to blocked Yang energy. What does this mean?
If you feel that the fire inside your body is not weak but simply not warm, especially in your hands and feet, then you need to consider that the pathways of Yang energy are obstructed.
Why does this blockage occur? There are two common causes.
One is that the pathways of Qi movement are blocked, and the other is the presence of dampness, phlegm, or blood stasis.
If you often feel pent-up emotions and have cold hands and feet, this indicates Qi stagnation, which affects the flow and transmission of Yang energy.
At this point, Si Ni San (Frigid Extremities Powder) can be used for treatment.
However, if you have cold legs and feet, and even experience swelling in the lower limbs, this is due to Yang deficiency, where the body cannot effectively transform fluids, leading to the accumulation of dampness and phlegm, which in turn affects the transmission of Yang energy, causing coldness in the lower limbs.
In this case, Zhen Wu Tang (True Warrior Decoction) or Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) can be used to warm Yang and promote fluid metabolism.
In summary, the differences between warming Yang, tonifying Yang, and unblocking Yang are outlined above. If you also experience Yang deficiency, you can analyze and compare to determine which type you belong to and adjust your treatment accordingly.
If you have any questions, please feel free to consult, learn, and communicate.
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