Modern individuals often experience mental strain and late nights, leading to a depletion of Yin energy, akin to the ancient saying “when the oil runs out, the lamp goes out.” In this article, Master Luo Dalun discusses what Yin deficiency is and how to recognize if you are affected. With wisdom in your heart, you can achieve health and vitality!Yin deficiency refers to the pathological phenomenon of the depletion of substances such as essence, blood, or body fluids. Since essence, blood, and body fluids are all considered Yin, this condition is termed Yin deficiency, commonly seen in patients who have suffered from prolonged illness or heat-related diseases that lead to internal consumption of Yin fluids.In modern society, due to excessive mental strain and depletion of Yin fluids, there is a higher prevalence of Yin deficiency among white-collar workers. For instance, many night owls belong to this group, and the proportion of those with Yin deficiency is notably high. I have encountered many office workers who sleep after midnight, and among them, a significant number exhibit signs of Yin deficiency.
On another occasion, I visited a foreign enterprise and found a high proportion of employees with Yin deficiency, likely related to their excessive mental strain.
Additionally, diet can contribute to Yin deficiency. I have seen many women who enjoy spicy hot pot or barbecued food suffer from severe Yin deficiency. This may be acceptable in Sichuan, but consuming such foods in dry Beijing could harm Yin.So, how do we determine if one has Yin deficiency? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), diagnosis is primarily based on symptoms. There is a saying, “Yin deficiency leads to internal heat,” as insufficient body fluids mean that Yin cannot control Yang, resulting in symptoms such as five hearts feeling hot, afternoon tidal fever, night sweats, flushed cheeks, weight loss, dry mouth and throat, a desire for cold water, yellow urine, dry stools, and a red tongue with little coating.Among these, the five hearts feeling hot refers to the palms and soles feeling warm, even to the extent that one needs to stick their hands out of the covers while sleeping. Some people feel comfortable only when pressing their palms against a cool wall. The four hearts refer to the palms and soles, while the fifth heart is the heart itself, which feels restless and hot, hence the term five hearts feeling hot.Afternoon tidal fever means that the heat comes in waves, typically with Yin deficiency, where the patient does not feel hot in the morning but starts to feel heat in the afternoon, which is characteristic of Yin deficiency heat.Night sweats are well-known, occurring during sleep, and in severe cases, can soak the pillow and sheets. Daytime sweating is referred to as spontaneous sweating.Among these symptoms, the most significant indicator is a red tongue with little coating, where the red tongue is the primary sign.Additionally, the pulse is thin and rapid; while many may not recognize this, it is important to note that such individuals have a slightly faster pulse than usual.Yin deficiency can be further categorized into various organ-specific deficiencies.For example, lung Yin deficiency (Fei Yin Xu) refers to insufficient lung Yin, leading to internal heat symptoms. This is often caused by prolonged coughing that injures Yin or by the late stages of heat diseases that damage Yin fluids. The specific manifestations include a dry cough with little or sticky phlegm, dry mouth and throat, weight loss, afternoon tidal fever, five hearts feeling hot, night sweats, flushed cheeks, and in severe cases, blood-streaked phlegm, hoarseness, a red tongue with little moisture, and a thin, rapid pulse.Another example is heart Yin deficiency (Xin Yin Xu), characterized by insomnia, vivid dreams, palpitations, forgetfulness, restlessness, night sweats, five hearts feeling hot, dry mouth and throat, a red tip of the tongue, little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. There may also be flushed cheeks, restlessness, dizziness, and other symptoms of internal heat. These conditions are often seen in individuals with chronic liver and kidney deficiency, true Yin depletion, or those who have not recovered from heat diseases. In modern society, due to high work pressure, excessive thinking can deplete heart blood, leading to heart Yin deficiency. Insufficient Yin blood fails to nourish the heart and calm the spirit, resulting in palpitations, insomnia, vivid dreams, and forgetfulness. Internal heat from Yin deficiency manifests as night sweats, restlessness, hot palms and soles, dry mouth and throat, a red tip of the tongue, little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. Flushed cheeks and dizziness are symptoms of internal heat.Another example is stomach Yin deficiency (Wei Yin Xu), which refers to insufficient stomach Yin. This is often caused by chronic stomach diseases, late-stage heat diseases where Yin fluids have not been replenished, excessive consumption of spicy foods, or emotional distress leading to Qi stagnation that burns Yin fluids. The main manifestations include dull pain in the stomach area, lack of appetite, dry mouth and throat, constipation, or discomfort in the stomach area, or nausea, a red tongue with little moisture, and a thin, rapid pulse.In modern society, it is particularly important to note spleen Yin deficiency (Pi Yin Xu), which refers to insufficient spleen Yin, leading to poor nourishment and weak transformation. This is often due to external heat illnesses that deplete Yin fluids, or individuals with a constitution of Yin deficiency, emotional distress leading to liver Qi stagnation that burns Yin fluids, excessive consumption of spicy foods, or the inappropriate use of warming and drying substances. Based on my observations, the current excessive use of hormones in the rearing of meat animals may lead to many meat-loving individuals, especially children, often having spleen Yin deficiency, possibly due to the heat nature of hormones harming Yin.The manifestations of spleen Yin deficiency include reduced appetite, a preference for meat, bland taste, bloating after eating, weight loss and fatigue, little saliva and dry lips, bright red lips, five hearts feeling hot, constipation, short and yellow urine, a red tongue with dry thin coating or no coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. Such children are often very active, some unable to stay still, and may have a volatile temper.Another example is liver Yin deficiency (Gan Yin Xu), which refers to the depletion of Yin fluids, leading to the liver losing its moistening function, failing to control Yang, and causing internal heat disturbances, primarily manifested as dizziness, dry eyes, rib pain, and restlessness. This condition is also known as liver heat deficiency.Specific manifestations of liver Yin deficiency include dizziness, dry eyes, reduced vision, or dull pain in the ribs, facial flushing or flushed cheeks, or twitching of the hands and feet, dry mouth and throat, five hearts feeling hot, tidal fever and night sweats, a red tongue with little coating, a thin, rapid pulse, irritability, and a tendency to become angry.Another example is kidney Yin deficiency (Shen Yin Xu), which refers to insufficient kidney Yin, leading to weakened nourishing and moistening functions. This is often due to a constitution of Yin deficiency, prolonged illness harming the kidneys, excessive sexual activity, heat diseases harming Yin, or the excessive use of warming and drying substances. Clinical manifestations include dizziness, tinnitus, weakness in the lower back and knees, hair loss, loose teeth, insomnia with vivid dreams, tidal fever and night sweats, five hearts feeling hot, dry throat and flushed cheeks, a red tongue with little moisture, and a thin, rapid pulse. In men, there may be nocturnal emissions, while women may experience scanty menstruation or amenorrhea.So, how should individuals with Yin deficiency adjust their condition?First, dietary control is essential. Those with a Yin deficiency constitution should consume more cooling and nourishing foods, favoring sweet, cool, moistening, and Yin-nourishing foods, as well as fresh vegetables and moistening fruits. They should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, warming and drying foods, fried or roasted items, foods that are excessively hot, and foods high in fat.Here are some recommended foods for individuals with Yin deficiency:Duck meat:It nourishes Yin and supports the stomach. The “Compendium of Materia Medica” states: “Nourishes Yin and eliminates steaming.” Renowned Qing Dynasty physician Wang Mengying noted in his “Dietary Records of Suixi Residence” that duck meat “nourishes the Yin of the five organs, clears the heat of deficiency, and nourishes the stomach and generates fluids.” It is commonly believed that duck is the ideal nourishing food for those with Yin deficiency. Recently, I reviewed the dining records of Emperor Qianlong and found that duck dishes were particularly frequent, almost daily. He lived to eighty-nine, the longest-lived emperor in history, and his attention to dietary nourishment was likely a significant factor.Pork (skin):Pork has the effect of nourishing Yin and moistening dryness. Qing Dynasty physician Wang Mengying observed that blacksmiths working with iron were exceptionally dry and hot, yet remained healthy. When he inquired about the reason, they mentioned drinking broth made from lean pork, leading him to understand the nourishing properties of pork. He stated: “Pork nourishes kidney fluids, replenishes stomach juices, nourishes liver Yin, moistens the skin, and alleviates thirst.” The “Essentials of Materia Medica” states: “Pork has a rich flavor, moistens the intestines and stomach, generates fluids, and benefits the skin.” Therefore, it is suitable for those with Yin deficiency, with pork skin being even more effective. Zhang Zhongjing created the Pork Skin Decoction to benefit the throat and moisten dryness, which is the beginning of this idea.Eggs:They not only benefit Qi and nourish blood but also have the effect of nourishing Yin and moistening dryness, whether from egg whites or yolks. In the past, some Yin-nourishing herbal formulas would include an egg after cooking, as TCM believes that egg yolk has Yin-nourishing properties.Pears:They have the effects of generating fluids, moistening dryness, and clearing heat, making them ideal for lung Yin deficiency or those with Yin damage after heat diseases. The “Compendium of Materia Medica” states: “Cooked pears nourish the Yin of the five organs.” The “Chongqing Tang Essays” states: “For warm and dry diseases, and for those with Yin deficiency and fiery heat, juicing and drinking it is effective.” In old Beijing, there is a dessert made from autumn pears, which is prepared with some Yin-nourishing herbs, providing a moistening effect. Generally, supermarkets in northern China sell this, and regardless of the season, it can be consumed when experiencing Yin deficiency. Additionally, in past prescriptions for moistening the lungs and stopping coughs, some old TCM practitioners would recommend slicing a snow pear to cook with the herbs for the same effect.Mulberries:They have the function of nourishing Yin and replenishing blood, particularly effective for nourishing liver and kidney Yin. Ming Dynasty physician Miao Xiyong wrote in the “Shennong’s Materia Medica” that it is “a medicine for cooling blood, replenishing blood, and benefiting Yin,” and also stated, “Thirst due to internal heat and insufficient fluids can be alleviated by generating fluids, as all five organs belong to Yin, thus benefiting Yin nourishes the five organs.” Especially for those with liver and kidney Yin deficiency who experience thirst, dim vision, and tinnitus, consuming mulberries is most beneficial. Recently, while traveling by plane, I was pleasantly surprised to see mulberry juice offered among the beverages, as during the mulberry season, they are abundant and delicious, but once out of season, they are hard to find. If they can be produced as a beverage, it would help preserve them.Goji berries:They have the function of nourishing Yin and benefiting essence, especially for those with kidney and liver Yin deficiency who experience lower back pain, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, or those with lung Yin deficiency who have tidal fever, night sweats, or cough due to deficiency, making them even more suitable. During the Republic of China, renowned physician Zhang Xichun experienced thirst every night and placed a bowl of water by his bedside. In the morning, he found that he had drunk most of it. Later, he started eating goji berries before bed, and surprisingly, he no longer felt thirsty at night, demonstrating their nourishing and moistening effects.Bird’s nest:It is neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and has the function of nourishing Qi and Yin, particularly beneficial for lung Yin, making it an excellent nourishing food. For those with Yin deficiency, especially lung Yin deficiency, such as tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary atrophy, elderly bronchitis, and chronic bronchitis, it is most suitable. Qing Dynasty physician Zhang Lu stated that it can “regulate and nourish deficiency and treat cough with red phlegm.” Wu Yiluo stated: “Bird’s nest greatly nourishes lung Yin, replenishing and clearing.” The “Compendium of Materia Medica” also records that it “greatly replenishes original Qi, moistens the lungs, and nourishes Yin.” Nowadays, there is much debate about bird’s nest, especially regarding modern scientific analysis of its simple composition and lack of nutrition. Coupled with counterfeiting issues, bird’s nest has almost lost its former glory. However, this is unnecessary, as bird’s nest is an excellent food-medicine source, which is indisputable. I noted in the dining records of Emperor Qianlong that he frequently consumed bird’s nest dishes, often having several dishes made with bird’s nest daily, particularly dishes made with both bird’s nest and duck. The imperial physicians would not frequently serve something useless to the emperor. A close friend once gifted me a box of bird’s nest drink, which I gave to my elderly mother. That day, she asked me why her skin had become so smooth and radiant lately. After much consideration, I realized it was due to this drink, as there were no other significant changes in her diet, showcasing the nourishing effects of bird’s nest. As for the issue of counterfeiting, it is a societal problem in China, unrelated to the bird’s nest itself.White fungus:It has the effects of nourishing Yin, supporting the stomach, generating fluids, and moistening dryness. White fungus is rich in nutrients and is a commonly used nourishing food, especially suitable for those with lung and stomach Yin deficiency.Donkey-hide gelatin (Ejiao):It can both nourish blood and nourish Yin. The “Compendium of Materia Medica” states: “Ejiao primarily nourishes blood and fluids. For those with insufficient Yin, it replenishes with flavor; Ejiao’s sweetness nourishes Yin blood.” It is especially suitable for those with lung and kidney Yin deficiency. I have previously discussed the effects of Ejiao in earlier blog posts, which you can refer to.In fact, for those with symptoms of Yin deficiency, after reading this, if you feel you have similar symptoms, you can consult a nearby TCM practitioner for analysis. Yin deficiency is relatively easy to diagnose, and if it is confirmed that you are indeed in a state of Yin deficiency, a small prescription can be made using Sheng Di (Rehmannia), Sha Shen (Glehnia), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), and other Yin-nourishing ingredients. You can use these to make soup or drinks, consuming two to three cups a day, and generally, you will adjust quickly, typically recovering fully within a week or two without taking a long time. However, maintaining good lifestyle habits is even more important, such as avoiding late nights, reducing spicy foods, and minimizing mental strain, as these are the true foundations for ensuring our health.