Staying up late, sitting for long periods, and using air conditioning… modern people have many minor ailments:
Even when resting on time, one still feels weakness in the limbs;
After walking for ten minutes, one quickly becomes breathless;
Hands and feet are cold all year round, and one is even afraid of the cold;
Speaking is weak, and the body sweats excessively;
……
In modern society, “nine out of ten people have deficiencies,” and these minor ailments are often related to “deficiency.” Over time, the whole body may feel discomfort, potentially affecting daily life.
There are four types of deficiency: Qi deficiency, Blood deficiency, Yang deficiency, and Yin deficiency, which correspond to our five organs, such as Kidney deficiency and Spleen-Stomach deficiency.
So, which type of deficiency do you belong to? How should you adjust your health? Let’s find out!
1. Qi Deficiency: Easily Fatigued
Qi deficiency can easily lead to a loss of vitality in daily work and study, making one feel unable to do anything.
Qi deficiency generally includes three aspects: Kidney deficiency, Spleen deficiency, and Lung deficiency.
Characteristics:
1. Those with Qi deficiency tend to be taciturn and reluctant to speak; even saying a few words can feel exhausting, and they often lack breath when speaking.
2. Abdominal bloating and poor digestion; food intake can easily cause bloating, leading to frequent belching, and even nausea.
3. The tongue may show indentations and a thick coating, indicating Qi deficiency due to the body’s inability to expel dampness in time.
4. Qi deficiency individuals are sensitive to cold, easily catching colds and sneezing, especially children.
Recommended: Yam, Job’s Tears, and Euryale porridge.
Ingredients: Wash Job’s Tears and Euryale, soak for 2 hours; wash rice and soak in clean water for half an hour; peel and slice yam for later use.
Method: Place Job’s Tears and Euryale in a pot, add clean water, and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, then add rice and cook on low heat for 20 minutes; add yam and cook for another 10 minutes.
Recommended: American Ginseng and Goji Berry Pigeon Soup.
Ingredients: Clean and cut the pigeon into pieces; wash and cut the green onion into sections; wash, peel, and slice American ginseng.
Method: In a clay pot, heat water to boiling, add pigeon, green onion, and cooking wine, then simmer on low heat for 1 hour and 30 minutes; add American ginseng and goji berries, simmer for another 20 minutes, and season with salt.
2. Blood Deficiency: Malnutrition
Blood deficiency is a condition characterized by the internal deficiency of Yin blood, often occurring after blood loss or prolonged illness. To improve this condition, it is best to use methods that nourish and tonify the blood.
Characteristics:
1. The edges and tip of the tongue may show bruises and spots.
2. There is a constant feeling of dizziness and dry eyes, which is due to insufficient liver blood.
3. Lips and the area around the eyes appear dull, with a pale and sallow complexion, and nails may be pale.
4. Skin is dry, and the surface may show red or blue blood vessels; the skin bruises easily upon contact.
5. During the day, one may experience palpitations, chest tightness, forgetfulness, and at night, insomnia with vivid dreams, leading to poor sleep quality.
Recommended: Longan and Angelica Chicken Soup.
Use 20 grams of longan meat, 15 grams of angelica, and 500 grams of chicken; simmer the chicken until half-cooked, then add longan and angelica, and continue to simmer until fully cooked.
Recommended: Panax Notoginseng and Pork Rib Soup.
Soak Panax Notoginseng in cold water for half an hour, then wash and crush it to the size of broad beans, wrap it in gauze; in a pot, add water, pork ribs, Panax Notoginseng, and a little salt, and simmer on low heat for 1-2 hours.
3. Yang Deficiency: Cold Pain in the Lower Back and Knees
Yang deficiency refers to insufficient Yang energy, leading to a decreased ability to resist wind and cold, making one more sensitive to cold than others.
Frequent consumption of cold foods, excessive sexual activity, and aging can also lead to a Yang deficiency constitution. Yang deficiency generally manifests in the spleen and kidneys, resulting in symptoms such as cold pain in the lower back and knees.
Characteristics:
1. Men may experience impotence, premature ejaculation, and decreased libido.
2. Women may have reduced menstrual flow, low mood, and experience discomfort due to cold in the uterus.
3. Sensitivity to cold and wind, with cold hands and feet; consuming cold foods or exposure to cold air can easily lead to diarrhea.
4. The tongue may appear enlarged and pale, with a pale complexion and a lean body type.
5. During exercise, one may easily feel palpitations and shortness of breath.
Recommended: Cordyceps and Old Duck Stew.
Clean the duck, blanch it in boiling water for a moment, then set aside; place cleaned walnuts and chestnuts inside the duck.
In a pot, add the prepared duck, along with water, yellow wine, and ginger, and steam for 2 hours, then add salt to taste.
Recommended: Angelica and Lamb Soup.
Remove the gamey taste from the lamb, slice it, and slice the ginger and green onion; place the lamb slices, ginger, green onion, and angelica in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, mix in salt, and simmer for 2-3 hours.
Then remove the angelica, ginger, and green onion from the soup, leaving the lamb slices, and continue to boil, adding water and flour to stir until the flour is cooked.
4. Yin Deficiency: Heat and Dryness
Yin deficiency, also known as Yin deficiency with excess fire, is caused by internal heat, most commonly seen in Lung Yin deficiency and Kidney Yin deficiency.
Individuals with Yin deficiency should avoid consuming foods that generate heat, ensure adequate hydration, maintain sufficient sleep, and keep their emotions stable.
Characteristics:
1. Dry mouth and throat, always wanting to drink water, and a preference for heat-generating foods, leading to throat pain.
2. Urine is yellow, and there may be constipation or difficulty in bowel movements.
3. Sensitivity to heat, with warm palms and soles, excessive sweating, and a particular fondness for cold drinks.
4. A short temper, irritability, and easily angered over trivial matters.
5. The tongue is red with little coating, lacking moisture, and the complexion is flushed, with a tendency for skin breakouts.
Recommended: Lily and Tremella Porridge.
Soak Tremella in water until it expands, wash it, and then add it to a pot with rice and lily, adding an appropriate amount of clean water, and simmer until the porridge is cooked, then add rock sugar to taste.
Recommended: Peach Gum, Purple Sweet Potato, and Lily Soup.
Soak peach gum in water overnight, remove impurities, wash it clean, and set aside. In a pot, boil water, add rock sugar, and when the water is boiling, add purple sweet potato and lily, simmer for 10 minutes; when the purple sweet potato is soft, add the soaked peach gum, and boil for 3 minutes.
⊙ The content of this article is for clinical reference only; non-TCM professionals should not attempt to self-medicate.
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Selected Articles
❶ Cold sensitivity and cold hands and feet indicate insufficient Qi and Blood? Here are two simple methods to quickly replenish Qi and Blood and warm the body!
❷ A single herbal soup can sweep away rheumatic diseases, dispel wind and cold, eliminate dampness and relieve pain, applicable for over twenty conditions!
❸ Daoist secret methods can enable the body to naturally absorb energy for strengthening and disease prevention!
❹ Just two herbal ingredients can replenish Qi and Blood without causing heat, and the best part is that everyone can afford it!
❺ Treasures left by our ancestors! Eating this in cool weather relaxes the muscles and joints, alleviating pain, and it can be made at home!
❻ A handful of sesame seeds is better than a pile of tonics; the little-known benefits of sesame!
❼ Daoist cultivation guidance: Following the natural way leads to the ordinary, while going against it leads to the extraordinary, just flipping in between!
❽ A single herbal medicine can regulate all internal and external Qi!
❾ Spleen and Stomach deficiency leads to numerous diseases; the spleen has five fears, how many have you encountered?
