Nowadays, there are more and more postpartum caregivers who enjoy learning about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) health knowledge. During client interviews, they often respond that they will prepare confinement meals based on the mother’s constitution.
At the same time, it is known that TCM generally classifies human constitution into nine types. However, after giving birth, women are typically categorized into three types: balanced constitution, cold constitution, and hot constitution.
Today, let’s discuss one of the nine constitutions: Yin Deficiency Constitution!
Below, I will share a self-assessment table for Yin Deficiency Constitution!
(Feel free to save it if needed!)
1. What is Yin Deficiency Constitution?Yin Deficiency Constitution – the lack of moisture type!The Yin Deficiency Constitution is characterized by a deficiency of bodily fluids, essence, and blood, leading to internal heat and other manifestations.2. Characteristics of Yin Deficiency Constitution· Common manifestations: hot palms and soles, dry mouth and throat, dry stools. Skin tends to be dry, prone to wrinkles, dizziness, tinnitus, and poor sleep.· Facial complexion: flushed complexion with a feeling of heat. Lips are slightly dry, and the spirit is easily irritable and anxious.· Physical characteristics: slender body type.· Urination and defecation: stools tend to be dry, and urination is short and scanty.· Psychological characteristics: irritable, tense, emotional, anxious, and fragile.· Adaptability to the external environment: tolerant to cold but intolerant to heat, and cannot withstand dryness.3. Disease tendencies:Prone to Yin deficiency and dryness-heat diseases, or after illness, may exhibit symptoms of Yin deficiency, such as diabetes.4. How to regulate Yin Deficiency Constitution(1) Diet and lifestyle【Regulation principles】Based on the pathological foundation of Yin fluid deficiency, individuals with Yin Deficiency Constitution need to nourish Yin and moisten dryness, that is, to replenish bodily essence, blood, and fluids to nourish the organs, meridians, and bodily orifices.【Lifestyle adjustments】People with Yin Deficiency Constitution should adapt to the changes of day and night, ensure adequate rest, and avoid staying up late. They should try to avoid stressful work, intense exercise, and hot weather environments;Those with Yin Deficiency Constitution should also quit smoking, as long-term smoking can easily lead to internal heat, resulting in dry mouth and throat or coughing up blood and phlegm.【Dietary adjustments】Consume more foods that nourish Yin and moisten dryness, such as duck meat, bird’s nest, sesame, lotus root, goji berries (gǒuqǐ), loofah, tremella (yín’ěr), sugarcane, peaches, lilies (bǎihé), Chinese yam (shānyào), soft-shelled turtle, and jellyfish.Avoid eating hot foods such as lamb, leeks, chili, chicken, and lychee, and also limit fried, pan-fried, and roasted foods.[Recommended Chinese herbal pieces for Yin Deficiency Constitution] (Best used under the guidance of a physician)Shihu (Dendrobium), Xiyangshen (American ginseng), Gǒuqǐzǐ (Goji berries), Shānyào (Chinese yam)【Lily, Red Date, and Tremella Porridge】 Ingredients: 30g of glutinous rice, 9g of lily, 10 red dates, 20g of tremella, and appropriate amount of white sugar. Efficacy: Clears virtual fire, calms the spirit, and treats insomnia.(2) Physical exercise: Individuals with Yin Deficiency Constitution are suitable for moderate-intensity, intermittent physical exercises, such as swimming. Additionally, they can choose traditional fitness activities that combine movement and stillness, such as Tai Chi, Tai Chi sword, Baduanjin, and Qigong; they should avoid intense exercises that cause excessive sweating.(3) Medication suggestions for Yin Deficiency Constitution (Friendly reminder: Although Chinese patent medicines are good, they still require differentiation and treatment. Only those that are suitable for the individual are good medicines)【Liuwei Dihuang Wan】 Nourishes Yin and tonifies the kidneys. Used for kidney Yin deficiency, dizziness, tinnitus, weakness in the lower back and knees, tidal fever, night sweats, and nocturnal emissions.
【Liuwei Dihuang Wan and Qiju Dihuang Wan】 Nourishes the kidneys and liver. Used for liver and kidney Yin deficiency, dizziness, tinnitus, photophobia, tearing in the wind, and blurred vision.
【Mingmu Dihuang Wan】 Nourishes the kidneys, supports the liver, and brightens the eyes. Used for liver and kidney Yin deficiency, dry eyes, photophobia, blurred vision, and tearing in the wind.
【Zhibai Dihuang Wan】 Nourishes Yin and reduces fire. Used for Yin deficiency with excess heat, tidal fever, night sweats, dry mouth, sore throat, tinnitus, nocturnal emissions, and short, red urination.
【Maiwei Dihuang Wan】 Nourishes the kidneys and supports the lungs. Used for lung and kidney Yin deficiency, tidal fever, night sweats, dry throat, dizziness, tinnitus, and weakness in the lower back and knees.
【Zuo Gui Wan】 Nourishes the kidneys and tonifies Yin. Used for true Yin deficiency, weakness in the lower back and knees, night sweats, and fatigue with dry mouth.
(Medication recommendations are sourced from online materials; please consult a professional doctor for correct usage)
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