Generally speaking, the manifestations of Kidney Yang Deficiency (Shen Yang Xu) are primarily characterized by deficiency cold and fear of cold, often accompanied by signs of Qi deficiency. In mild cases, there may be coldness in the lower back and legs, while in severe cases, one can feel cold drafts even in a closed room.In terms of clothing, while others are in summer attire, I am already dressed for spring and autumn; what others consider spring and autumn feels like my winter; and what others experience as winter is akin to the bone-chilling cold I face in the Northeast, necessitating full winter gear including down jackets, pants, and vests.I once treated a patient with severe Kidney Yang Deficiency who felt as if a fan was blowing cold air on their back from the neck to the waist, and even thick clothing could not shield them from the chill.In addition to these external symptoms, the internal organs (Zang Fu) are also frequently affected by Kidney Yang Deficiency.For instance, when Kidney Yang is insufficient, one may experience clear and frequent urination; when Spleen Yang is deficient, it can lead to loose stools.Moreover, Kidney Yang Deficiency may also present with signs of dryness and heat. This phenomenon is related to the concept of Dragon Thunder Fire (Long Lei Huo), which I will explain in detail.The mechanism by which Kidney Yang Deficiency triggers Dragon Thunder Fire differs from that of Kidney Yin Deficiency. The focus of Yin Deficiency is the inability to nourish, leading to uncontrolled Kidney Fire that rises and causes heat. In the case of insufficient Kidney Yang, the lower jiao is cold and clear, eliminating the issue of nourishment; at this time, the deficient Yang rises, rooted in the weakness of Yang Qi, which cannot resist the extreme cold from the depths of water.The Kidney is located at the lowest position among the five Zang organs; its function is to govern water, surrounded by water all day. Being low means that Yin Qi is abundant; when water is deep, it is difficult to dispel the cold. A cup of water can be warmed with a small twig; however, heating a large pot of water requires much more fire. Currently, the water in the Kidney is vast like an ocean; unless there is an incredibly vigorous fire, it is difficult to warm it. This vigorous Kidney Fire is only hidden at the bottom of the sea, restrained by a pool of seawater, preventing it from burning mountains and destroying wood, thus avoiding excessive heat.Now, with Kidney Yang Deficiency, the firepower of this Kidney Fire is significantly diminished, hidden at the bottom of the sea, and cannot warm the seawater. What will be the result?It is said that this Kidney Fire, in nature, resembles a youth. It is full of vigor, seemingly with endless energy. Even in the coldest of winters, it confidently wishes to warm the entire ice mountain. However, when one day this youth’s firepower is no longer so vigorous and faces the cold again, a sense of trepidation may arise within. What choice will it make?The most reasonable action would naturally be to relocate to a warmer place. For Kidney Fire, as long as it leaves the cold Kidney water, anywhere would feel much warmer.Moreover, since fire has a tendency to rise, this Kidney Fire is most likely to travel to the Spleen and Stomach, and then to the Heart and Lungs. Of course, it often makes a stop at the throat as well.It is important to note that, as mentioned earlier, this Kidney Fire is not an ordinary fire but rather a Dragon Fire that flares up when it encounters water. Therefore, even if it appears weak within the Kidney, once it ignites elsewhere, the fire can become uncontrollable.In “Zero Starting Point Acupuncture”, there is a case of Kidney Fire affecting the Stomach, where regardless of winter or summer, although feeling cold and wanting to lie on a heated bed, the person always experiences dryness and heat in the mouth, desiring ice water, which is an example.From a mechanistic perspective, this is the common reaction of Kidney Fire burning the Spleen and Stomach. If it travels to the Lungs, the most common manifestation is frequent thirst and a preference for cold drinks. If it reaches the Heart, it often leads to disturbances of the spirit, causing anxiety and restlessness, with eyes filled with agitation. As for the throat, the sensation is often one of dryness and pain.The above describes the main processes and manifestations of Dragon Thunder Fire arising from Kidney Yang Deficiency.When there are signs of deficiency cold in the body, along with the simultaneous appearance of Dragon Thunder Fire, the heat above and the cold deficiency below create a striking contrast, depicting a common clinical picture of upper heat and lower cold.At this time, not only is the firepower in the Kidney insufficient, but this already deficient fire is also more inclined to rise elsewhere, leading to further depletion of Yang Qi in the Kidney; the deficiency cold below will also become more pronounced.
This article is selected from the “Growth Home for TCM Enthusiasts” organized by the Wujizhe Society. Long press to recognize the QR code below for details. Wujizhe Society, 2023 Learning Theme: Advanced Acupuncture.
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