The common causes of Yin Deficiency constitution are as follows: congenital endowment is the primary reason; long-term emotional repression without proper expression can lead to stagnation and transformation into fire, which in turn consumes Yin essence; prolonged poor heart function or excessive use of diuretics in patients with hypertension; long-term consumption of spicy and warming foods; frequent late nights; and excessive use of diuretics or heat-clearing and damp-drying formulas.
(1) Characteristics of the Constitution
The common causes of Yin Deficiency constitution are as follows: congenital endowment is the primary reason; long-term emotional repression without proper expression can lead to stagnation and transformation into fire, which in turn consumes Yin essence; prolonged poor heart function or excessive use of diuretics in patients with hypertension; long-term consumption of spicy and warming foods; frequent late nights; and excessive use of diuretics or heat-clearing and damp-drying formulas.
The Yin Deficiency constitution is commonly seen in women with a slender physique. Symptoms include a flushed complexion in the afternoon, dry mouth and throat, occasional irritability, heat in the palms and soles, insomnia, dry stools, yellow urine, intolerance to spring and summer, a preference for cold drinks, a red tongue with little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. Individuals with a Yin Deficiency constitution are prone to conditions such as fatigue, seminal emission, and insomnia. If illness occurs, the above symptoms become more pronounced, possibly accompanied by dry cough with little phlegm, tidal fever and night sweats (indicating Lung Yin Deficiency); palpitations, forgetfulness, and insomnia with vivid dreams (indicating Heart Yin Deficiency); lower back pain, dizziness, tinnitus, nocturnal emissions in men, and scant menstruation in women (indicating Kidney Yin Deficiency); or rib pain and blurred vision (indicating Liver Yin Deficiency).
(2) Principles of Health Preservation
The Yin Deficiency constitution primarily manifests as insufficient true Yin in the body, thus the first priority is to nourish Yin. When Yin is insufficient, Yang tends to be excessive, leading to internal heat; therefore, heat-clearing methods should also be employed. Prolonged true Yin deficiency will inevitably lead to dryness. Hence, the health preservation principle for Yin Deficiency constitution is to nourish Yin, clear heat, and moisten dryness.
(3) Methods of Health Preservation
1. Mental Nourishment
Individuals with a Yin Deficiency constitution tend to be irritable and easily angered, which is due to the excess fire disturbing the spirit. Therefore, one should follow the principles of “tranquility and emptiness” and “keeping the spirit within” as stated in the Huangdi Neijing. In daily life and work, avoid unnecessary arguments to reduce anger, and participate less in competitive entertainment activities; enhance self-cultivation by reading books on self-improvement, and consciously develop habits of calmness and composure.
2. Environmental Regulation
Individuals with Yin Deficiency often experience heat in the palms and soles, dry mouth and throat, a preference for coolness, and discomfort in cold winters and hot summers. Therefore, in summer, avoid excessive sun exposure and sweating, and pay attention to cooling off; if possible, travel to coastal or mountainous areas. In autumn, the dry climate can harm Yin and the lungs, while the lungs can descend heart fire and liver fire, nourishing kidney water. Thus, the key to autumn health preservation is to protect the lungs, and one should spend more time in cool air. Avoid staying up late, as it not only damages Yang but also consumes Yin, exacerbating the Yin Deficiency constitution. Additionally, TCM states, “nourish Yang in spring and summer, nourish Yin in autumn and winter,” which aligns with the principle of “nourishing Yin at night.” The living environment should be quiet, preferably in a house facing south.
3. Dietary Regulation
Individuals with a Yin Deficiency constitution should avoid warm, dry, and spicy foods, such as hua jiao (Sichuan pepper), hui xiang (fennel), five-spice powder, monosodium glutamate, chili, scallions, ginger, garlic, leeks, xia (wild garlic), lychee, longan, walnuts, cherries, apricots, dog meat, and lamb. They can consume pomegranate, grapes, goji berries, lemons, apples, pears, citrus fruits, bananas, loquat, starfruit, mulberries, glutinous rice, honey, dairy products, luo han guo (monk fruit), watermelon, water chestnuts, sugarcane, winter melon, loofah, bitter melon, cucumber, spinach, fresh lotus root, white fungus, lily, bird’s nest, black sesame, as well as fresh pork, rabbit meat, black fish, turtle meat, oysters, sea cucumbers, abalone, and mussels. Meat can be braised, stewed, steamed, boiled, or simmered, with minimal seasoning to retain the original flavor. Spicy and dry foods should be consumed sparingly. Regularly making jujube and glutinous rice porridge, lily and glutinous rice porridge, white fungus and jujube soup, and lily and lotus seed soup can nourish Yin and replenish Qi, which is beneficial for those with a Yin Deficiency constitution.
4. Physical Exercise
Individuals with a Yin Deficiency constitution should avoid intense activities, focusing on nourishing liver and kidney functions. Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), and internal exercises are suitable, while qigong should emphasize essence retention and health preservation, focusing on throat and saliva techniques. Those with a Yin Deficiency constitution should not practice vigorously in summer or winter, and should avoid excessive sweating.
5. Medicinal Nourishment
One can choose to use herbs that nourish Yin and clear heat, such as nuo zhen zi (Ligustrum fruit), shan zhu yu (Cornus fruit), wu wei zi (Schisandra), han lian cao (Eclipta), mai men dong (Ophiopogon), tian men dong (Asparagus), huang jing (Polygonatum), yu zhu (Polygonatum), xuan shen (Scrophularia), goji berries, mulberries, and turtle shell, all of which have the effect of nourishing Yin and clearing heat, and can be selected based on symptoms.
For those primarily with Kidney Yin Deficiency, it is advisable to tonify the kidney and nourish Yin, using formulas such as Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (Anemarrhena, Phellodendron, and Rehmannia Pill) and Da Bu Yuan Jian (Great Tonifying Original Decoction);
For those primarily with Liver Yin Deficiency, it is necessary to nourish liver Yin, using formulas such as Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium and Chrysanthemum Pill), Sha Yao Gan Cao Tang (Peony and Licorice Decoction), and Yi Guan Jian (Linking Decoction);
For those primarily with Lung Yin Deficiency, it is advisable to nourish lung Yin, commonly used formulas include Sha Shen Mai Dong Tang (Adenophora and Ophiopogon Decoction), Si Yin Jian (Four Yin Decoction), and Bai He Guo Jin Tang (Lily and Rehmannia Decoction);
For those primarily with Heart Yin Deficiency, it is advisable to nourish heart Yin, using formulas such as Zhi Gan Cao Tang (Honey-fried Licorice Decoction) and Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (Heavenly Emperor’s Heart-Supplementing Pill);
For those primarily with Spleen Yin Deficiency, it is advisable to tonify the spleen and nourish Yin, using formulas such as Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (Ginseng, Poria, and Atractylodes Powder) and Liujunzi Tang (Six Gentlemen Decoction).
6. Moderation in Sexual Activity
Excessive sexual desire and significant loss of seminal fluid can lead to kidney deficiency. Semen is Yin; thus, those with Yin Deficiency should conserve Yin and essence, regulating sexual activity to avoid both excessive restraint and indulgence.
7. Musical Nourishment
Individuals with a Yin Deficiency constitution should choose soft music, characterized by gentle, elegant, delicate, and refined styles, with longer phrases, soft tones, and a slow rhythm. Suitable pieces include guqin music such as Mei Hua San Nong (Plum Blossom Three Variations), Ping Sha Luo Yan (Wild Goose Landing on the Sand), Guang Ling San (Guangling Melody), You Lan (Fragrant Orchid), Chun Jiang Hua Yue Ye (Spring River Flower Moon Night), and Xiao Xiang Shui Yun (Xiao Xiang Water Cloud), as well as zheng music such as Yu Zhou Chang Wan (Fishing Boat Singing in the Evening) and Zui Yu Chang Wan (Drunken Fisherman Singing in the Evening), and erhu music such as Han Gong Qiu Yue (Autumn Moon over the Han Palace). If someone is usually irritable and does not enjoy calming and soothing music, they can start with more rhythmic and faster-paced music, gradually introducing softer and more tranquil pieces.
