Identifying Deficiencies: Yin Deficiency, Yang Deficiency, Qi Deficiency, and Blood Deficiency

Yin Deficiency leads to heat, Yang Deficiency causes cold intolerance, Blood Deficiency results in dryness, and Qi Deficiency manifests as weakness.

1. Yin Deficiency — Avoid spicy and dry foods; beneficial foods include Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) and Li (Pear).Symptoms: hot palms and soles, sweating, irritability, and sores on the tongue.2. Yang Deficiency — Avoid raw and cold foods (like shrimp and crab); beneficial foods include Yang Rou (Lamb) and A Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin).Symptoms: cold intolerance, diarrhea, fatigue, and lack of energy.3. Qi Deficiency — Foods include Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), A Jiao, Fu Ling (Poria), and Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears).Symptoms: weakness in limbs, easy fatigue, and poor appetite.4. Blood Deficiency — Avoid spicy and dry foods; beneficial foods include Hong Dou (Red Bean), A Jiao, Hong Yi Hua Sheng (Red-skinned Peanut), and Hong Zao (Red Date).Symptoms: pale complexion, palpitations, and irregular menstruation.Qi Deficiency Symptomsgenerally refer to overall weakness, easy fatigue, shortness of breath, low voice, and excessive sweating. Clinically, this condition can manifest in different organs depending on the underlying disease:Lung Qi Deficiency: Symptoms include low voice cough, weak phlegm, and susceptibility to colds.Heart Qi Deficiency: Symptoms include pale complexion, forgetfulness, and palpitations.Kidney Qi Deficiency: Symptoms include nocturnal emissions and frequent urination at night.Spleen Qi Deficiency: Symptoms include bloating after meals, loose stools, poor digestion, and reduced appetite.Yin Deficiency Symptomsoften present as thin body shape, dry mouth, dry nose, dry throat, afternoon fever, or heat in palms and soles. It can be further categorized as:Lung Yin Deficiency: Symptoms include dry cough, little sticky phlegm, or blood-streaked phlegm, hoarseness, and night sweats (commonly known as 盗汗 – night sweats).Spleen Yin Deficiency: Symptoms include lack of appetite, difficulty digesting food, nausea, dry mouth, thirst, and constipation.Kidney Yin Deficiency: Symptoms include weakness in the lower back and legs, heel pain, heat in palms and soles, irritability, insomnia, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, hair loss, and loose teeth.Liver Yin Deficiency: Symptoms include dizziness, headaches, dry eyes, photophobia, blurred vision, insomnia with vivid dreams, and poor nail luster.It is worth mentioning that Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency often occur simultaneously; Liver Yin Deficiency can lead to Kidney Yin Deficiency, and Kidney Yin Deficiency can often cause both Liver and Kidney Deficiency.

Yang Deficiency Symptomsoften include cold intolerance, cold hands and feet, lack of taste, no thirst, pale and copious urine, especially at night, overall weakness, and easy fatigue. Yang Deficiency symptoms are milder in summer and worsen in winter, often developing from Qi Deficiency.Spleen Yang Deficiency Symptoms: Symptoms include reduced appetite, preference for warm foods, comfort when pressing the stomach, bland taste, preference for warm drinks, loose stools or undigested food, accompanied by edema, pale complexion, and in women, clear and copious vaginal discharge, even stomach pain that improves with warmth and worsens with cold.Kidney Yang Deficiency Symptoms: Symptoms include soreness and coldness in the lower back and knees, cold intolerance in limbs, clear and frequent urination, edema (especially below the waist), impotence, nocturnal emissions, and in women, infertility or pain around the navel before dawn, bowel sounds, and diarrhea that improves after defecation.Heart Yang Deficiency Symptoms: Symptoms include palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, feelings of emptiness in the heart, easy to be startled, anxiety after being startled, and even pain in the precordial area.Blood Deficiency Symptomsinclude yellowish or pale complexion, pale lips, dizziness, insomnia, reduced menstrual flow in women, prolonged cycles, or even amenorrhea, dull skin, dizziness that often worsens after exertion, pale nails, mild headaches that worsen with fatigue, often accompanied by symptoms of Qi Deficiency, such as low speech, fatigue, and excessive sweating.Heart Blood Deficiency: Symptoms include palpitations, irritability, insomnia, vivid dreams, forgetfulness, and pale complexion.Liver Blood Deficiency: Symptoms include blurred vision, dry eyes, pale, brittle, and thin nails, even deformities, night blindness, blurred vision, tinnitus, numbness in limbs, thin body shape, reduced menstrual flow in women, pale color, or even amenorrhea, insomnia with vivid dreams, and easy awakening.Herbal Treatments for the Five Organs1. LiverTo Nourish Liver Yin: Shan Yu (Cornelian Cherry), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry), Di Huang (Rehmannia), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Shou Wu (Fo-Ti), A Jiao, Sha Yuan Zi (Asparagus Seed), Bai Shao (White Peony).To Astringe Liver Qi: Jujube Seed, Wu Mei (Dried Plum), Mu Guo (Papaya), Long Gu (Dragon Bone).To Soothe Liver Qi: Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Xiang Fu (Cyperus), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia), Fo Shou (Buddha’s Hand).To Break Liver Qi Stagnation: San Leng (Sparganium), Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange), Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel).To Disperse Liver Wind: Gou Teng (Uncaria), Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf), Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), Bo He (Mint).To Drain Liver Damp-Heat: Long Dan Cao (Gentian), Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Tu Fu Ling (Smilax).To Disperse Liver Heat: Cao Jue Ming (Cassia Seed), Xia Ku Cao (Selfheal), Ye Ju Hua (Wild Chrysanthemum), Qing Hao (Artemisia).To Cool Liver Blood: Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia), Chi Shao (Red Peony), Zi Cao (Lithospermum), Ce Bai Ye (Platycladus), Bai Mao Gen (Imperata), Huai Hua (Sophora Flower), Dan Pi (Moutan Root), Xiong Dan (Bear Gall).To Break Liver Blood Stasis: Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), E Zhu (Curcuma), Wu Ling Zhi (Flying Squirrel Feces), Xue Jie (Dragon’s Blood), Gui Wei (Turtle Shell), Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort).2. HeartTo Nourish Heart Qi: Long Yan Rou (Longan), Fu Shen (Poria), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra).To Nourish Heart Blood: Sheng Di Huang, Dang Gui (Angelica), Dan Shen (Salvia), Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed), Wu Wei Zi, Jujube Seed.To Drain Heart Heat: Huang Lian (Coptis), Mu Tong, Deng Xin Cao, Lian Qiao, Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf).To Cool Heart Blood: Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn), Sheng Di Huang, Zi Cao, She Gan (Belamcanda).To Move Heart Qi: Chang Pu (Acorus), Yuan Zhi (Polygala), An Xiang (Resin of Styrax).To Expel Heart Cold: Gui Xin (Cinnamon Heart), Yuan Hu (Corydalis).To Calm the Heart: Zhu Sha (Cinnabar), Zhen Zhu (Pearl), Dai Zhe Shi (Hematite).3. SpleenTo Nourish the Spleen: Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Da Zao (Jujube), Shan Yao, Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice).To Strengthen the Spleen: Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom), Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg), Sha Ren (Amomum).To Awaken the Spleen: Mu Xiang, Huo Xiang (Agastache), Chang Pu, Hong Dou Kou (Cardamom), Sha Ren.To Warm the Spleen: Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Fu Zi (Aconite), Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia), Cao Guo (Tsaoko), Hu Jiao (Pepper).To Resolve Spleen Qi Stagnation: Shan Zha (Hawthorn), Shen Qu (Fermented Wheat), Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange), Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel).To Disperse Spleen Dampness: Fang Feng (Siler), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark).To Dry Spleen Dampness: Bai Zhu, Cang Zhu, Hong Dou Kou, Fu Long Gan (Fritillaria), Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Pepper), Chen Pi, She Chuang Zi (Cnidium).To Drain Spleen Dampness: Fu Ling (Poria), Qian Shi (Euryale), Bian Dou (Lima Bean), Shan Yao.To Raise Middle Qi: Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga), Chai Hu, Wei Ge Gen (Pueraria).4. LungTo Nourish Lung Yin: Bei Sha Shen (North American Ginseng), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Bai He (Lily).To Nourish Lung Qi: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Shan Yao.To Descend Lung Qi: Xuan Fu Hua (Inula), Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel), Su Zi (Perilla), Ma Dou Ling (Aristolochia), Ting Li Zi (Descurainia).To Astringe Lung Qi: Wu Wei Zi, Wu Mei, He Zi (Terminalia), Su Ke (Sorghum Husk).To Disperse Lung Cold: Ma Huang (Ephedra), Zi Su (Perilla), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Qing Cong (Green Onion), Ding Xiang (Clove).To Clear Lung Heat: Shi Gao (Gypsum), Bei Mu (Fritillaria), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Sha Shen, Tian Dong (Asparagus), Mai Dong, Di Gu Pi (Lycium).5. KidneyTo Nourish Kidney Yin: Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia), A Jiao, Gui Ban (Turtle Shell), Nv Zhen Zi (Ligustrum), Gou Qi Zi, Shou Wu, Shang Shen Zi (Mulberry), He Tao Ren (Walnut).To Warm Kidney Yang: Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Ba Jiao (Morinda), Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche), Suo Yang (Cynomorium), Lu Jiao (Deer Antler), Gou Ji (Cibotium), Hai Gou Shen (Sea Dog Kidney).To Tonify Ming Men Fire: Fu Zi, Rou Gui (Cinnamon), Xian Mao (Curculigo), Hu Lu Ba (Trigonella), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Ge Jie (Gecko), Xiong Can (Silkworm), Bu Guo Zhi (Psoralea).To Secure the Kidneys: Fu Pen Zi (Rubus), Jin Ying Zi (Cornus), Sang Piao Xiao (Mantis Egg Case), He Zi, Wu Wei Zi, Long Gu.To Drain Kidney Fire: Zhi Mu, Huang Bai (Phellodendron), Dan Pi, Sheng Di Huang.To Drain Kidney Dampness: Tu Fu Ling, Ku Shen (Sophora), Fang Ji (Stephania), Mu Guo (Papaya).6. San JiaoTo Nourish Upper Deficiency: Ren Shen, Huang Qi, Long Yan, Gui Xin.To Nourish Middle Deficiency: Bai Zhu, Shan Yao, Zhi Gan Cao, Da Zao.To Nourish Lower Deficiency: Fu Zi, Rou Gui, Di Huang, Gou Qi Zi.To Drain Upper Fire: Lian Qiao, Huang Qin, Zhi Zi, Sheng Di Huang.To Drain Middle Fire: Shi Gao, Shi Hu, Qing Dai, Long Dan Cao.To Drain Lower Fire: Huang Bai, Zhi Mu, Dan Pi.7. GallbladderTo Disperse Gallbladder Heat: Chai Hu (Bupleurum).To Drain Gallbladder Fire: Long Dan Cao, Qing Dai, Da Qing Ye (Isatis Leaf).To Warm the Gallbladder: Jujube Seed, Shan Yu, Ban Xia (Pinellia).To Calm the Gallbladder: Long Gu (Dragon Bone).8. StomachTo Nourish the Stomach: Da Zao, Huang Qi, Shan Yao, Gan Cao.To Nourish Stomach Yin: Bian Dou, Yu Zhu (Polygonatum), Sha Shen, Mai Dong, Shi Hu.To Raise Stomach Qi: Ge Gen (Pueraria), Sheng Ma, Yi Cao (Euphorbia).To Lower Stomach Qi: Zhi Ke, Ban Xia, Chen Pi, Gua Lou (Trichosanthes).To Warm the Stomach: Liang Jiang (Ginger), Yi Zhi Ren, Sha Ren, Wu Yao (Lindera), Bi Ba (Piper).To Clear Stomach Heat: Shi Gao, Shi Hu, Hua Fen (Pollen), Lu Gen (Reed), Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion), Guanzhong (Dichroa).To Drain Stomach Damp-Heat: Bian Xu, Mu Guo, Yin Chen (Artemisia).9. Large IntestineTo Nourish the Large Intestine: Yin Yang Huo, Jiu Cai (Chives), He Zi, Bai He.To Warm the Large Intestine: Po Gu Zi (Corydalis), Hu Jiao (Pepper).To Clear Large Intestine Heat: Huang Bai, Zhi Mu, Sheng Di Huang, Di Yu (Sanguisorba), Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatilla), Lian Qiao.To Open Large Intestine Heat Blockage: Da Huang (Rhubarb), Mang Xiao (Mirabilite).To Open Large Intestine Cold Blockage: Ba Dou San (Croton), Sulfur, Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Pepper).To Moisten Dry Large Intestine: Dang Gui, Tao Ren, Hu Ma (Sesame), Dong Kui Zi (Malva), Rou Cong Rong, Yu Li Ren (Bush Cherry), Honey.To Astringe the Large Intestine: He Zi, Yu Mi Ke (Corn Silk), Chi Shi Zhi (Halloysite), Wei Rou Guo (Meat Fruit).10. Small IntestineTo Relax Small Intestine Qi: Xiao Hui (Fennel), Ju Zi He (Tangerine Seed), Li Zhi He (Lychee Seed).To Drain Small Intestine Damp-Heat: Mu Tong, Hai Jin Sha (Lygodium).Herbal Treatment Songs for the Five Organs1. Heart Herbal Treatment SongAssist Yang with Gui (Cinnamon), Fu (Aconite), and Xixin (Asarum), Drain Fire with Huang Lian, Zhi Zi, and Long Yan, Nourish Heart Blood with Sheng Di Huang and Dang Gui, Gao (Gelatin) nourishes Heart Yin,Ginseng and Wu Wei Zi benefit Heart Qi, Zhu Sha and Hu Po calm the spirit, Chang Pu and Su He Xiang open the orifices, Niu Huang and Zhu Li resolve phlegm,To dissolve stasis and unblock urgency, Tao Ren, Chuan Xiong, and Dan Shen.2. Liver Herbal Treatment SongLing Jiao (Antelope Horn) and Gou Teng extinguish Liver Wind, Calm the Liver with Zhi Shi and Jue Ming Zi (Cassia Seed), Drain Liver Fire with Long Dan Cao and Aloe, Nourish Liver Blood with Shou Wu,Chai Hu and Yu Jin soothe Liver Qi, Ruo (Angelica) stops pain, Xiang Fu and Qing Pi regulate Liver Qi, Dan Pi and Jiang Huang unblock blood stasis.3. Spleen Herbal Treatment SongSpleen Qi Deficiency is treated with Ren (Ginseng), Bai Zhu, and Shan Yao, Resolve stagnation with Zhi Shi and Hou Po, Warm the Spleen with Gan Jiang and Wu Zhu Yu,For weak Yang, use Gan Jiang and Fu Zi, Raise clear Yang with Sheng Ma and Chai Hu, Drain with Da Huang and Huang Lian,For dampness, use Cang Zhu and Yi Yi Ren, Awaken the Spleen with Huo Xiang and Pei Lan.4. Lung Herbal Treatment SongMa Huang and Xing Ren disperse wind-cold, Clear Lung Heat with Huang Qin and Di Gu Pi, Ting Li and Bai Qian drain Lung fluids, Gan Jiang and Xiao Feng San transform cold phlegm,Pa Ye and Gua Lou soothe Lung Qi, Huang Qi and Wu Wei Zi benefit Lung Qi, Sha Shen and Tian Dong nourish Lung Yin,Heat phlegm is treated with Bei Mu and Tian Hua Fen, Astringe Lung Qi with Bai He and Yin Xing.5. Kidney Herbal Treatment SongAssist Yang with Rou Gui and Fu Zi, Nourish the source of fire to dispel Yin cloud, Drain Kidney Fire with Zhi Mu and Huang Bai, Strengthen the water master to benefit essence,Wu Wei Zi and Ge Jie nourish Kidney Qi, Strengthen Yang to treat impotence, Yin Yang Huo and Tu Si Zi assist Yang, Jin Ying Zi and Shou Wu secure essence,Strengthen bones and muscles with Lu Rong and Gui Ban.

The above is for reference only; please consult a physician for guidance.

Reviewed by: Pharmacist Lu

Edited by: San Qi Xiao Mei