Yin Deficiency – Heat, Yang Deficiency – Cold Intolerance, Blood Deficiency – Dryness, Qi Deficiency – Weakness
1. Yin Deficiency – Avoid spicy and dry foods, prefer Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua), Pear (Li)
Symptoms: Palms and soles feel hot and sweaty, irritability, mouth and tongue sores
2. Yang Deficiency – Avoid raw and cold foods (shrimp, crab), prefer Lamb (Yang Rou), Ejiao (Ejiao)
Symptoms: Cold intolerance, diarrhea, fatigue, lack of energy
3. Qi Deficiency – Prefer Chinese Yam (Shan Yao), Ejiao (Ejiao), Poria (Fu Ling), Coix (Yi Yi Ren).
Symptoms: Weakness in limbs, easy fatigue, poor appetite
4. Blood Deficiency – Avoid spicy and dry foods, prefer Red Bean (Hong Dou), Ejiao (Ejiao), Red Skin Peanut (Hong Yi Hua Sheng), Red Date (Hong Zao)
Symptoms: Dull complexion, palpitations, irregular menstruation
1. Qi Deficiency Symptoms
Generally refers to overall weakness, easy fatigue, shortness of breath, low voice, and even reluctance to speak, with excessive sweating. This condition can manifest differently depending on the affected organ:
For Lung Qi Deficiency: Symptoms include low voice cough, weak phlegm, and susceptibility to colds.
For Heart Qi Deficiency: Symptoms include pale complexion, forgetfulness, and palpitations.
For Kidney Qi Deficiency: Symptoms include nocturnal emissions and frequent urination.
For Spleen Qi Deficiency: Symptoms include post-meal bloating, loose stools, poor digestion, and reduced appetite.
2. Yin Deficiency Symptoms
Often manifests as thin body shape, dry mouth, dry nose, dry throat, afternoon fever, or heat in palms and soles. Specifically divided into:
Lung Yin Deficiency: Dry cough, little sticky phlegm, or blood-streaked phlegm, hoarseness, sweating during sleep, and stopping sweating upon waking (commonly known as night sweats).
Spleen Yin Deficiency: Lack of appetite, difficulty digesting food, dry nausea, dry mouth, thirst, dry stools, and weight loss.
Kidney Yin Deficiency: Weakness in the lower back and legs, heel pain, heat in palms and soles, irritability, insomnia with night sweats, nocturnal emissions, hair loss, and loose teeth. Liver Yin Deficiency: Dizziness, headaches, dry eyes, photophobia, blurred vision or night blindness, 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.
3. Yang Deficiency Symptoms
Often characterized by cold intolerance, especially 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: Reduced appetite, preference for warm food, comfort upon abdominal pressure, bland taste, preference for hot drinks, loose stools or undigested food, accompanied by edema, pale complexion, and in women, clear and copious vaginal discharge, even abdominal pain that improves with warmth and worsens with cold.
Kidney Yang Deficiency: Discomfort and coldness in the lower back and knees, cold intolerance in limbs, clear and frequent urination, edema (especially below the waist), impotence, nocturnal emissions, in women, infertility or pain around the navel before dawn, bowel sounds, and abdominal pain that improves after defecation.
Heart Yang Deficiency: 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.
4. Blood Deficiency Symptoms
Pale or yellow complexion, pale lips, dizziness, insomnia, in women, reduced menstrual flow, prolonged cycles, or even amenorrhea, dull skin, dizziness often worsens after exertion, pale nails, mild headaches that worsen with fatigue, often accompanied by Qi deficiency symptoms such as reluctance to speak, fatigue, and excessive sweating.
Heart Blood Deficiency: Palpitations, irritability, insomnia, vivid dreams, forgetfulness, pale complexion, pale lips, often occurring in those with weak constitutions.
Liver Blood Deficiency: Blurred vision, dry eyes, pale, brittle, and thin nails, even deformities, night blindness, blurred vision, tinnitus, numbness in limbs, weight loss, in women, reduced menstrual flow, pale color, or even amenorrhea, insomnia with vivid dreams, and easy awakening.
5. Herbal Treatments for the Five Organs
1. Liver
Tonify Liver Yin: Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), Di Huang (Rehmannia), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti), Ejiao (Ejiao), Sha Yuan Zi (Astragalus Seed), Bai Shao (White Peony).
Restrict Liver Qi: Zao Ren (Jujube Seed), Wu Mei (Black Plum), Mu Guo (Papaya), Long Gu (Dragon Bone).
Sooth Liver Qi: Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Xiang Fu (Cyperus), Mu Xiang (Aucklandia), Fo Shou (Buddha’s Hand).
Break Liver Qi: San Leng (Sparganium), Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange), Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel).
Disperse Liver Wind: Gou Teng (Uncaria), Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf), Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), Bo He (Peppermint).
Drain Liver Damp-Heat: Long Dan Cao (Gentian), Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Tu Fu Ling (Smilax).
Disperse Liver Heat: Cao Jue Ming (Cassia Seed), Xia Ku Cao (Selfheal), Ye Ju Hua (Wild Chrysanthemum), Qing Hao (Artemisia).
Cool Liver Blood: Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia), Chi Shao (Red Peony), Zi Cao (Lithospermum), Cè Bǎi Yè (Platycladus), Bai Mao Gen (Imperata), Huai Hua (Sophora), Dan Pi (Moutan), Xiong Dan (Bear Gall).
Break Liver Blood: Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), E Zhu (Curcuma), Wu Ling Zhi (Flying Squirrel Feces), Xue Jie (Dragon’s Blood), Bie Jia (Soft-Shelled Turtle), Gui Wei (Rehmannia), Yi Mu Cao (Motherwort).
2. Heart
Tonify Heart Qi: Long Yan Rou (Longan), Fu Shen (Poria), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra).
Tonify Heart Blood: Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia), Dang Gui (Angelica), Dan Shen (Salvia), Bai Zi Ren (Biota Seed), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Zao Ren (Jujube Seed).
Drain Heart Heat: Huang Lian (Coptis), Mu Tong (Akebia), Deng Xin Cao (Juncus), Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf).
Cool Heart Blood: Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Horn), Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia), Zi Cao (Lithospermum), She Gan (Belamcanda).
Unblock Heart Qi: Chang Pu (Acorus), Yuan Zhi (Polygala), An Xiang (Resina Benzoin), Shun Shou Xiang (Benzoin).
Expel Heart Cold: Gui Xin (Cinnamon Heart), Yuan Hu (Corydalis).
Calm Heart Fear: Zhu Sha (Cinnabar), Zhen Zhu (Pearl), Dai Zhi Shi (Hematite).
Calm Shen: Long Chi (Dragon’s Tooth), Zhu Fu Shen (Red Poria).
3. Spleen
Tonify Spleen: Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Da Zao (Jujube), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice).
Strengthen Spleen: Bai Dou Kou (White Cardamom), Rou Dou Kou (Nutmeg), Sha Ren (Amomum).
Awaken Spleen: Mu Xiang (Aucklandia), Huo Xiang (Agastache), Chang Pu (Acorus), Hong Dou Kou (Cardamom), Sha Ren (Amomum).
Warm Spleen: Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Fu Zi (Aconite), Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia), Cao Guo (Tsaoko), Hu Jiao (Black Pepper).
Eliminate Spleen Qi: Shan Zha (Hawthorn), Shen Qu (Fermented Wheat), Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange), Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel).
Disperse Spleen Damp: Fang Feng (Siler), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark).
Dry Spleen Damp: Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Hong Dou Kou (Cardamom), Fu Long Gan (Fritillaria), Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Pepper), Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), She Chuang Zi (Cnidium).
Drain Spleen Damp: Fu Ling (Poria), Qian Shi (Euryale), Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam).
Lift Middle Qi: Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Wei Ge Gen (Pueraria).
4. Lung
Tonify Lung Yin: Bei Sha Shen (North American Ginseng), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Bai He (Lily).
Tonify Lung Qi: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam).
Descend Lung Qi: Xuan Fu Hua (Inula), Xing Ren (Apricot Kernel), Su Zi (Perilla), Ma Dou Ling (Aristolochia), Ting Li Zi (Lepidium).
Restrict Lung Qi: Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Wu Mei (Black Plum), He Zi (Terminalia), Su Ke (Sorghum Husk).
Disperse Lung Cold: Ma Huang (Ephedra), Zi Su (Perilla), Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), Qing Cong (Green Onion), Ding Xiang (Clove).
Clear Lung Heat: Shi Gao (Gypsum), Bei Mu (Fritillaria), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Sha Shen (Glehnia), Tian Dong (Asparagus), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Di Gu Pi (Lycium).
5. Kidney
Nourish Kidney Yin: Shu Di Huang (Cooked Rehmannia), Ejiao (Ejiao), Gui Ban (Turtle Shell), Nu Zhen Zi (Ligustrum), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), He Shou Wu (Fo-Ti), Sang Shen Zi (Mulberry), He Tao Ren (Walnut).
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).
Tonify Ming Fire: Fu Zi (Aconite), Rou Gui (Cinnamon), Xian Mao (Curculigo), Hu Lu Ba (Trigonella), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Ge Jie (Gecko), Xiong Guo (Cynomorium).
Secure Kidney: Fu Pen Zi (Raspberry), Jin Ying Zi (Cornelian Cherry), Sang Piao Xiao (Mantis Egg Case), He Zi (Terminalia), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Long Gu (Dragon Bone).
Drain Kidney Fire: Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), Huang Bai (Phellodendron), Dan Pi (Moutan), Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia).
Drain Kidney Damp: Tu Fu Ling (Smilax), Ku Shen (Sophora), Fang Ji (Stephania), Mu Guo (Papaya).
6. San Jiao
Tonify Upper Deficiency: Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Long Yan (Longan), Gui Xin (Cinnamon Heart).
Tonify Middle Deficiency: Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-Fried Licorice), Da Zao (Jujube).
Tonify Lower Deficiency: Fu Zi (Aconite), Rou Gui (Cinnamon), Di Huang (Rehmannia), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries).
Drain Upper Fire: Lian Qiao (Forsythia), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia).
Drain Middle Fire: Shi Gao (Gypsum), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), Qing Dai (Indigo), Long Dan Cao (Gentian).
Drain Lower Fire: Huang Bai (Phellodendron), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), Dan Pi (Moutan).
7. Gallbladder
Disperse Gallbladder Heat: Chai Hu (Bupleurum).
Drain Gallbladder Fire: Long Dan Cao (Gentian), Qing Dai (Indigo), Da Qing Ye (Isatis).
Warm Gallbladder: Zao Ren (Jujube Seed), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Ban Xia (Pinellia).
Calm Gallbladder: Long Gu (Dragon Bone).
8. Stomach
Tonify Stomach: Da Zao (Jujube), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Shan Yao (Chinese Yam), Gan Cao (Licorice).
Nourish Stomach Yin: Bian Dou (Hyacinth Bean), Yu Zhu (Polygonatum), Sha Shen (Glehnia), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Shi Hu (Dendrobium).
Lift Stomach Qi: Ge Gen (Pueraria), Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga), Yi Cao (Euphorbia).
Descend Stomach Qi: Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange), Ban Xia (Pinellia), Chen Pi (Aged Tangerine Peel), Gua Lou (Trichosanthes).
Warm Stomach: Liang Jiang (Galangal), Yi Zhi Ren (Alpinia), Sha Ren (Amomum), Wu Yao (Lindera), Bi Ba (Piper), Ding Xiang (Clove).
Clear Stomach Heat: Shi Gao (Gypsum), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), Hua Fen (Pollen), Lu Gen (Reed), Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion), Guo Zong (Corydalis), Da Huang (Rhubarb).
Drain Stomach Damp-Heat: Bian Xu (Polygonum), Mu Guo (Papaya), Yin Chen (Artemisia).
9. Large Intestine
Tonify Large Intestine: Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Jiu Cai (Chives), He Zi (Terminalia), Bai He (Lily).
Warm Large Intestine: Po Gu Zi (Corydalis), Hu Jiao (Black Pepper).
Clear Large Intestine Heat: Huang Bai (Phellodendron), Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena), Sheng Di Huang (Raw Rehmannia), Di Yu (Sanguisorba), Bai Tou Weng (Pulsatilla), Lian Qiao (Forsythia).
Open Large Intestine Heat Blockage: Da Huang (Rhubarb), Mang Xiao (Mirabilite).
Open Large Intestine Cold Blockage: Ba Dou (Croton), Sulfur, Chuan Jiao (Sichuan Pepper).
Moisten Dry Large Intestine: Dang Gui (Angelica), Tao Ren (Peach Kernel), Hu Ma (Sesame), Dong Kui Zi (Malva), Rou Cong Rong (Cistanche), Yu Li Ren (Coffea), Honey.
Secure Large Intestine: He Zi (Terminalia), Yu Mi Ke (Corn Silk), Chi Shi Zhi (Halloysite), Wei Rou Guo (Fleshy Fruit).
10. Small Intestine
Relax Small Intestine Qi: Xiao Hui (Fennel), Ju He (Tangerine Seed), Li Zhi He (Lychee Seed).
Drain Small Intestine Damp-Heat: Mu Tong (Akebia), Hai Jin Sha (Lygodium).