Distinguishing Between Kidney Yin Deficiency and Kidney Yang Deficiency: Do Not Confuse These Kidney Tonifying Medicines!

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Definition

Kidney Yang Deficiency (Shen Yang Xu)	Kidney Yin Deficiency (Shen Yin Xu)
Refers to the deficiency of Kidney Yang, leading to a loss of warmth in the body, primarily manifested by symptoms of coldness such as soreness and coldness in the lower back and knees, decreased libido, and frequent urination at night. Also known as the syndrome of diminished Mingmen Fire.	Refers to the deficiency of Kidney Yin, resulting in a lack of nourishment and internal heat disturbance, primarily manifested by symptoms of heat such as soreness and pain in the lower back, nocturnal emissions, scanty menstruation, dizziness, and tinnitus.

Clinical Manifestations

Kidney Yang Deficiency	Kidney Yin Deficiency
Similarities	Both present similar symptoms, such as dizziness, soreness, and cold pain in the lower back and knees.
Differences	※ In men, impotence and premature ejaculation; in women, cold uterus leading to infertility. ※ Patients may experience persistent diarrhea, undigested food, early morning diarrhea, frequent clear urination, and frequent night urination, indicating cold deficiency symptoms. ※ Patients often have significant soreness in the lower back. ※ The tongue is pale with a white coating. ※ The pulse is deep, thin, and weak, especially the chi pulse.	※ In men, strong libido with easy erection, nocturnal emissions, while in women, scanty or absent menstruation, and abnormal uterine bleeding. ※ Patients may experience dryness of the mouth and throat, emaciation, five hearts heat, tidal fever, night sweats, and afternoon flushes indicating heat deficiency symptoms. ※ Patients often have significant pain in the lower back. ※ The tongue is red with little moisture, and may have little or no coating. ※ The pulse is thin and rapid.

Syndrome Analysis

Kidney Yang Deficiency	Kidney Yin Deficiency
Similarities	Both present similar symptoms, such as dizziness, soreness, and cold pain in the lower back and knees.
Differences	※ In men, impotence and premature ejaculation; in women, cold uterus leading to infertility. ※ Patients may experience persistent diarrhea, undigested food, early morning diarrhea, frequent clear urination, and frequent night urination, indicating cold deficiency symptoms. ※ Patients often have significant soreness in the lower back. ※ The tongue is pale with a white coating. ※ The pulse is deep, thin, and weak, especially the chi pulse.	※ In men, strong libido with easy erection, nocturnal emissions, while in women, scanty or absent menstruation, and abnormal uterine bleeding. ※ Patients may experience dryness of the mouth and throat, emaciation, five hearts heat, tidal fever, night sweats, and afternoon flushes indicating heat deficiency symptoms. ※ Patients often have significant pain in the lower back. ※ The tongue is red with little moisture, and may have little or no coating. ※ The pulse is thin and rapid.

Medication Introduction

Treatment for Kidney Yang Deficiency

You Gui Wan (Right Return Pill)

Functions and Indications: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang, replenishes essence, and stops leakage. Used for insufficient Kidney Yang, diminished Mingmen Fire, soreness and coldness in the lower back and knees, lack of energy, fear of cold, impotence, nocturnal emissions, loose stools, and frequent clear urination.

Contraindications: Not suitable for those with Yin deficiency and excess heat. Not recommended for those with internal dampness. Avoid cold and raw foods.

Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five-Seed Restoration Pill)

Functions and Indications: Tonifies the kidneys and benefits essence. Used for impotence and infertility due to Kidney deficiency and essence depletion, nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, lower back pain, and post-urination dribbling.

Contraindications: Avoid cold, spicy, and stimulating foods, and limit sexual activity. Suspend use in case of cold or flu.

Yang Chun Kou Fu Ye (Yang Spring Oral Liquid)

Functions and Indications: Tonifies the kidneys and strengthens Yang, benefits essence and brain. Used for insufficient Kidney Yang and essence depletion leading to impotence, premature ejaculation, insomnia, forgetfulness, and lower back pain.

Contraindications: Use with caution in those with Yin deficiency and Yang excess, blood heat, excessive stomach fire, phlegm-heat in the lungs, and external heat illness. Start with a small dose and gradually increase; avoid large doses to prevent upward Yang movement, dizziness, and blood movement. Use with caution in pregnant women.

Treatment for Kidney Yin Deficiency

Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill)

Functions and Indications: A combination of Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit), and Shan Yao (Chinese Yam) to nourish the three Yin organs (Kidney, Liver, Spleen), known as the “Three Tonics.” Ze Xie (Alisma), Fu Ling (Poria), and Dan Pi (Moutan Root) are used to drain dampness and clear heat, known as the “Three Drainers.” The tonifying herbs are used in greater quantity than the draining herbs, primarily focusing on nourishing Yin and tonifying the kidneys.

Contraindications: Use with caution in those with Spleen deficiency and diarrhea.

Zuo Gui Wan (Left Return Pill)

Functions and Indications: Nourishes the kidneys and tonifies Yin. Used for true Yin deficiency, lower back soreness, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, fatigue, and dry mouth.

Contraindications: Use with caution in those with Spleen deficiency and diarrhea.

Da Bu Yin Wan (Great Tonify Yin Pill)

Functions and Indications: Nourishes Yin and reduces fire. Used for Yin deficiency with excess heat, tidal fever, night sweats, coughing blood, and tinnitus with nocturnal emissions.

Contraindications: Use with caution in those with Spleen and Stomach deficiency, poor appetite, and loose stools. Not suitable for those with excess heat conditions.

Daily Care

For Kidney Yin Deficiency

• Should avoid or limit consumption of spicy, warming, and drying foods that can harm Yin, such as raw radishes, onions, chili peppers, white liquor, and persimmons.

• If there is heat, choose more cooling foods such as mung beans, white fungus, and lotus seeds.

For Kidney Yang Deficiency

• Can choose more warming foods. In winter, foods like lamb that warm and tonify Kidney Yang are recommended.

(This article is for professional reference only)

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