Kidney deficiency is a topic of great concern for many people. For instance, when someone experiences lower back pain or leg discomfort, they may wonder if it is due to kidney deficiency. Similarly, individuals with cold extremities might also think about kidney deficiency, and those facing sexual dysfunction often directly associate it with kidney deficiency.
So, what profound knowledge does kidney deficiency conceal?
In fact, it is not that difficult to understand; the key is to distinguish between Kidney Yin Deficiency (Shen Yin Xu) and Kidney Yang Deficiency (Shen Yang Xu).
1. Kidney Yin Deficiency (Shen Yin Xu) – Tongue: Tender Red
Main Symptoms: Frequent urination with a large volume, turbid like grease, and soreness in the lower back and knees.
Upper Jiao:
Insomnia or a desire to sleep; a tender red tongue indicates organ Yin deficiency; forgetfulness indicates insufficient kidney essence.
Middle Jiao:
Poor appetite – a concave tongue in the middle indicates stomach Yin deficiency and spleen weakness.
Lower Jiao:
Fatigue – Qi and Yin deficiency;
Lower back and knee soreness, arthritis – a concave tongue root indicates insufficient kidney Qi, while a plump and tender tongue root indicates insufficient kidney Yin, often associated with arthritis.
Summary of Syndrome Mechanism: Kidney Yin deficiency leads to the inability to secure and contain.
Treatment Method: Nourish Yin and secure the kidneys.
Herbal Formula:
Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Ze Xie (Water Plantain), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Root), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra), Fu Ling (Poria), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries).
7 doses, decocted in water, 1 dose per day.
This formula nourishes kidney Yin and is suitable for symptoms of thirst due to kidney Yin deficiency.
Formula Explanation:
Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Gou Qi Zi, Wu Wei Zi – secure the kidneys and benefit essence;
Huang Shan Yao – nourishes spleen Yin and secures essence; Fu Ling – strengthens the spleen and drains dampness;
Ze Xie, Mu Dan Pi – clear and drain heat.
2. Kidney Yang Deficiency (Shen Yang Xu) – Tongue: Pale and Plump
Main Symptoms: Frequent urination, turbid like grease.
Upper Jiao:
Chest tightness and shortness of breath, Yang deficiency, Qi and blood failing to reach the clear orifices;
Chest tightness and shortness of breath – a plump, pale tongue with white coating indicates Qi and blood deficiency and insufficient lung Qi;
Forgetfulness – indicates insufficient Qi and blood, failing to nourish the clear orifices;
Middle Jiao: Stomach bloating, poor appetite – a concave tongue indicates spleen and stomach weakness;
Lower Jiao: Lower back and knee soreness, cold lower limbs – a concave tongue root and plump tongue indicates insufficient kidney Yang;
Frequent urination – a plump tongue root indicates spleen and kidney Yang deficiency.
Summary of Syndrome Mechanism: Yin damage affects Yang, leading to weakened kidney Yang and inability to secure.
Treatment Method: Nourish Yin, warm Yang, and tonify the kidneys.
Herbal Formula:
Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Gou Qi Zi, Wu Wei Zi, Fu Ling, Rou Gui (Cinnamon), Fu Zi (Aconite) (pre-cooked).
7 doses, decocted in water, 1 dose per day.
This formula uses Fu Zi and Rou Gui to warm and tonify kidney Yang, primarily treating symptoms of dual deficiency of Yin and Yang, frequent urination, lower back soreness, cold limbs, and dark complexion.
Formula Explanation: Shu Di Huang, Shan Zhu Yu, Gou Qi Zi, Wu Wei Zi – secure the kidneys and benefit essence; Huang Shan Yao – nourishes spleen Yin and secures essence; Fu Ling – strengthens the spleen and drains dampness; Fu Zi, Rou Gui – warm the kidneys and assist Yang.
In simple terms, Yang deficiency leads to cold, while Yin deficiency leads to heat. However, both kidney Yin deficiency and kidney Yang deficiency share some common symptoms, such as lower back and knee soreness and fatigue in the limbs. The difference is that kidney Yang deficiency often presents with cold limbs, while kidney Yin deficiency is associated with five hearts heat.
Generally speaking, whether it is kidney Yin deficiency or kidney Yang deficiency, once the deficiency reaches a certain level, it will lead to Yin damaging Yang and Yang damaging Yin. This means that prolonged kidney Yang deficiency can result in symptoms of kidney Yin deficiency, and prolonged kidney Yin deficiency can lead to symptoms of kidney Yang deficiency. Therefore, when tonifying the kidneys, it is essential to maintain balance, seeking Yang within Yin.
Note: Some text and image resources in this article are sourced from the internet. The purpose of reproducing this article is to convey more information. If there are any errors in source attribution or infringement of your legal rights, please notify us immediately, and we will delete it promptly and apologize to you.Related Reading:
What should I do if I have diabetes? This article tells you that there is no need to be so desperate.
How far is “kidney stones” from “kidney dysfunction”?
Can ureteral stones pass on their own? What medications can dissolve stones? Urology doctors answer.
Sudden leg cramps during sleep mean calcium deficiency? Wrong! There are several other causes that should not be ignored.