Article | Luo Dalun Illustration | Eight Years Old Editor | Yun Shao
The cold wave has arrived, and the northern regions are experiencing a general drop in temperature, making people feel that winter has truly come.
I have previously mentioned that each constitution reacts differently in each season, so now let’s discuss how people with a Yin Deficiency (Yin Xu) constitution should spend winter.
People with a Yin Deficiency constitution tend to experience internal heat, making summer particularly difficult for them. The hot weather can easily lead to a deficiency of Yin fluids, causing various heat-related symptoms. However, with the arrival of winter and cooler weather, one might think that those with Yin Deficiency would feel more comfortable.
The answer is: not necessarily. At this time, while those with Yin Deficiency may appear comfortable on the surface, they can still experience issues, particularly the phenomenon of external cold and internal heat.
This situation may seem minor on the surface, but it can be quite uncomfortable.
So, what exactly is Yin Deficiency?
The term “Yin” refers to the material basis in the body that governs stillness and moisture, such as blood and body fluids, which are considered Yin substances.
To illustrate Yin Deficiency, think of it like a car engine running low on lubricating oil or insufficient coolant in the radiator; as the engine operates, it will naturally become hotter.
In the human body, Yin and Yang are balanced and interdependent. However, when Yin is deficient, Yang appears excessive, leading to the manifestation of internal heat. Thus, the ancients said: “When Yin is deficient, internal heat arises.”
This internal heat is different from external excess heat caused by pathogens or phlegm-damp accumulation; the latter needs to be cleared, while internal heat requires nourishing Yin to restore balance between Yin and Yang, thus eliminating the excess heat.
What are the symptoms of Yin Deficiency?
Individuals with Yin Deficiency may experience the following symptoms:
1. Dry and hot sensation in the eyes.
2. Dry mouth, with a constant desire for cold water or beverages to quench thirst.
3. Heat in the palms and soles, sometimes accompanied by discomfort in the hands and feet, leading to a tendency to keep them exposed while sleeping.
4. Irritability and easy anger, often feeling internally restless.
5. Bone steaming heat, with sensations of heat radiating from within.
6. Night sweats, soaking the pillow and sheets.
7. Weakness and soreness in the lower back and knees.
8. Hair loss and tinnitus, with a sharp sound that worsens at night.
9. Dry stools and yellowish urine.
10. Red tongue with thin or no coating, and a rapid pulse.
Below is a typical tongue presentation for Yin Deficiency: a red tongue with no coating.
So, what causes Yin Deficiency?
Firstly, genetic factors play a significant role. For instance, if parents have a Yin Deficiency constitution, their children are likely to develop the same constitution. Additionally, lifestyle factors such as staying up late and excessive consumption of spicy foods or medications can gradually harm Yin.
During winter, the most notable characteristic of individuals with Yin Deficiency is the phenomenon of external cold and internal heat. The external cold arises because individuals with Yin Deficiency lack sufficient body fluids and blood, which are essential for nourishing and warming the body. When these fluids are deficient, the body lacks the means to maintain warmth, leading to cold hands and feet in winter. This can easily be mistaken for Yang Deficiency, but it is not; individuals with Yin Deficiency may feel hot in their palms and soles during summer, yet in winter, they can also experience cold extremities similar to those with Yang Deficiency.
However, due to the severe internal heat and lack of body fluids, individuals with Yin Deficiency can easily become internally congested with heat during winter. Although their surface may feel cool, they experience internal heat, irritability, dry mouth, and a desire for cold water, feeling as if there is a fire within, especially worsening in the evening.
So, what should be done at this time?
Now is the perfect time to nourish Yin. The Huangdi Neijing states, “The Yin and Yang of the four seasons are the root of all things; therefore, sages nourish Yin in autumn and winter to align with its roots.” This can be understood as follows: all things have their natural cycles of rise and fall. In autumn and winter, Yang energy begins to retreat inward, and this requires Yin to support the internal storage of Yang. However, for those with Yin Deficiency, as Yang enters the body, Yin cannot support it due to its insufficiency, leading to internal dryness and heat. Therefore, during autumn and winter, it is crucial to nourish Yin to allow Yang to store effectively, ensuring better growth in the coming spring.
Thus, individuals with Yin Deficiency particularly need to nourish Yin essence at this time.
So, what should individuals with Yin Deficiency do?
I recommend using Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Glutinosa) to nourish Yin essence during this time.
One can consult a TCM practitioner for a decoction to nourish Yin. A simple recipe I recommend is:
30 grams of Shu Di Huang, 9 grams of Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), 9 grams of Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), 9 grams of Fu Ling (Poria), 3 grams of Rou Gui (Cinnamon), and several sections of pig spine.
This pig spine, along with the ingredients, can be used to make a soup, adding salt and other seasonings. This medicinal dish can be consumed once a week, helping to nourish kidney essence and replenish Yin.
Duck meat can also be used as a substitute for pork. Pregnant women should avoid this.
This recipe primarily uses Shu Di Huang to nourish Yin essence. In fact, in classic TCM formulas like Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, Shu Di Huang is the main ingredient. I believe Shu Di Huang is the supreme remedy for nourishing Yin essence, with no better alternatives. For individuals with kidney essence deficiency, it is hard to find a better choice than Shu Di Huang. This is why the famous Ming dynasty physician Zhang Jingyue often used Shu Di Huang in many treatments, earning him the nickname “Zhang Shu Di.”
There are many similar TCM formulas for replenishing kidney essence, and they typically include Shu Di Huang. Today, I have only discussed one principle, and I will introduce more knowledge about Shu Di Huang in the future.
Related Articles:
“The Best Medicine for Nourishing Kidney Essence – Shu Di”
“Spring Methods for Nourishing Essence – Shu Di Huang”
“During the Winter Solstice, Those with Kidney Essence Deficiency Should Take Care of Themselves”
“Are You Kidney Deficient? Everyone Should Pay Attention!”
“Can Fire-Soothing Soup Regulate Heat Symptoms?”
“This Spring is Not Peaceful – Shu Di Edition – Treatment for Facial Paralysis”
“Audio | Shu Di Huang Greatly Nourishes Kidney Essence”
“What to Do About ‘Heat’? Discussing Chronic Pharyngitis Regulation”
More related articles can be found by entering keywords in the search bar of the menu.
– THE END –
Essay Contest
If you also have a story related to TCM that you must share, please write it down and submit it to us. Articles should be submitted in Word document format to our email.
Submitted articles must be original and include your WeChat nickname, name, phone number, address, and other contact information. After screening, we will obtain authorization from the authors to publish in our channel. Once published, we will send you a signed book by Dr. Luo!
Thank you all for your positive feedback. We look forward to you sharing your stories with us and more people, allowing more individuals to experience the charm of Chinese culture.
Dr. Luo’s official WeChat account has the following four, please long press the QR code to identify and follow. All others are imitations, please do not be deceived!
Dr. Luo Dalun Channel
WeChat ID:
luodalunpd
Dalun Academy
WeChat ID:
Dalun_sy
Dalun Parenting Talk
WeChat ID:
dalun_yes
Dr. Luo Dalun
WeChat ID:
Drluodalun
1. The copyright of original articles in this public account belongs to this account. If you need to reprint, please leave a message to the editor and indicate the source. Commercial use is prohibited.
2. The articles reprinted in this public account are for learning and communication purposes only and fall within the scope of fair use. If there are errors in the attribution of images, data sources, or text copyright, please inform the editor, and they will be corrected or deleted immediately.
3. This public account holds the portrait rights of Dr. Luo Dalun. Any unauthorized use will be pursued legally.
4. This public account is legally supported by Beijing Zhongzhe (Shenyang) Law Firm, and will pursue legal responsibility for any unauthorized reprints, commercial use, and refusal to delete posts after warnings.