July 26, Tuesday
Ren Yin Year, June 28
Today is the Mid-Summer Solstice
◎ Hand-drawn by an 8-year-old
Individuals with imbalanced constitutions are like students with uneven academic performance.
Some have innate “deficiencies,” while others develop “shortcomings” over time. To overcome these imbalances, we must exert more effort than the average person.
Good physicians, like military strategists, emphasize the importance of “timing, location, and harmony.” The hot and humid “Dog Days” can be uncomfortable for most people with balanced constitutions, but for those with Yang deficiency, it is an excellent opportunity to address their shortcomings. Below, we will discuss the six characteristics of individuals with Yang deficiency to see if you belong to this group.
What are the characteristics of individuals with Yang deficiency?
1
Pale complexion, rapid weight gain, easy fatigue
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is a straightforward saying: “Fat people have more phlegm, thin people have more heat.” This is a small technique used during the observation phase of diagnosis.
If a person approaches with a slow gait, pale complexion, and a broad physique, they likely have Yang deficiency and phlegm-damp obstruction. By inquiring about their diet and bowel movements, and examining their tongue coating and pulse, one can generally determine if they have Yang deficiency, Spleen and Stomach disharmony, or dampness obstruction. This is an example of TCM’s observational diagnosis.
Individuals with Yang deficiency typically exhibit dark, pale skin, a tendency to gain weight easily, lack of exercise, and easy fatigue.
2
Cold intolerance in winter, excessive sweating in summer
Older generations often say, “Young people have strong Yang and are not afraid of the cold.” This “Yang” corresponds to what TCM refers to as “Yang Qi.” When Yang Qi is abundant, cold cannot invade, and pathogens cannot attack. However, in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure work environment, there are fewer young people who are not afraid of the cold. Even those who claim to be heat-sensitive and prone to mouth sores often have a condition known as “Lung Heat Syndrome.”
Those who experience “cold hands and feet in winter, fear of cold, fatigue, and excessive sweating in summer” are typically classified as having Yang deficiency. Dr. Luo often mentions that in this fast-paced era, many young people experience high consumption and liver stagnation, leading to an increase in Yang deficiency. Therefore, when using medications, one must be cautious and avoid excessive use of cold and cooling substances.
3
Swollen eyelids, enlarged tongue
Do you enjoy looking in the mirror when you wake up? Do you notice swelling in your calves or eyelids in the morning? These are all “small signals” of abnormal water metabolism.
Vital energy relies on the orderly circulation of “Qi, blood, essence, fluids,” and the normal metabolism of these subtle substances is closely related to the physiological functions of the internal organs. Therefore, the “Nineteen Mechanisms of Disease” clearly states that “all dampness and swelling belong to the Spleen.” If there is a disturbance in water metabolism within the body, it can lead to enlarged tongue, swollen eyelids, heavy body aches, and abnormal vaginal discharge in women. This tongue appearance is very typical, resembling “fingers that have been soaked in hot springs” or “a water-logged biscuit,” giving a “puffy and wide” appearance, which is a classic tongue sign of “dampness and phlegm” as described in TCM diagnostics.
Where does this “dampness” come from? It is largely related to the “insufficient Yang Qi” that fails to transform fluids. Therefore, to address this tongue appearance, one should consider the Spleen’s role: is there insufficient Spleen Yang? Is there a need to tonify the Spleen and support Yang, and promote water metabolism?
4
Frequent urination, sticky stools, poor digestion
The “Huangdi Neijing” states: “Food enters the stomach, transforms into essence, is transmitted to the Spleen, where it disperses essence, returns to the lungs, regulates water pathways, and is sent to the bladder, where water essence is distributed throughout the body, harmonizing with the four seasons and the Yin and Yang of the five organs, thus maintaining normalcy.”
From the moment we are born, every “bite of food” relies on the Spleen and Stomach for digestion and absorption to transform it into “energy.” The Spleen transmits this “energy” to the lungs, which then distributes it throughout the body, sending excess “fluids” to the bladder for excretion.
When “Yang Qi is insufficient,” the Spleen and Stomach functions are severely impacted, akin to a “filter malfunctioning at the source.” A large amount of food is inadequately digested and expelled, and the fluids needed for transformation are not utilized, leading to mild diarrhea, “sticky, loose stools, or undigested food” and frequent urination with “small amounts, multiple times, and light-colored urine.”
5
Older individuals should be cautious
When my child was born, my mother-in-law took care of him. While she had many good qualities, one thing we couldn’t control was her fear of the cold. She believed that infants, like her, would also be cold, so she constantly wrapped him up, leading to a case of eczema. It was only then that she realized that infants are different from her.
Children have a “tender Yin and Yang” constitution, where “tender Yin has not matured, and tender Yang has not fully developed,” resulting in high energy but not sustained, leading to sudden fatigue. In contrast, older individuals are more sensitive to cold due to age. As one ages, Yang Qi gradually diminishes, as the medicine king Sun Simiao said: “When a person reaches fifty, Yang Qi declines daily, and losses increase daily.”
Most elderly individuals exhibit signs of Yang deficiency, such as fatigue, less sleep at night, daytime drowsiness, clear and frequent urination, and a preference for warmth. Therefore, many older adults find sunbathing very comfortable, as it subtly replenishes Yang Qi.
6
Related to diseases
It is said that “Qi deficiency is the gradual onset of Yang deficiency, and Yang deficiency is the extreme of Qi deficiency.” Those with Yang deficiency often exhibit symptoms of Qi deficiency. Yang deficiency leads to a weakened exterior, making one more susceptible to colds, coughs, and spontaneous sweating. Yang deficiency also results in coldness, reducing warming power, leading to cold intolerance, cold extremities, and pain. Yang deficiency with damp obstruction leads to poor metabolism, resulting in obesity, hypertension, and joint pain. Throughout life, one cannot be separated from Yang Qi; it is like a spark of fire that gives life force. One lives and grows due to Yang Qi, and one perishes when Yang Qi declines.
How can one restore themselves during the Dog Days?
01
Prevent cold and eliminate dampness
During the Dog Days, one must not only guard against the “Qi and blood depletion” caused by high temperatures but also against the invisible “wind, cold, and damp pathogens,” especially for those with insufficient Yang Qi. It could be a blast of cold air from the air conditioning in the office, a cold drink after sun exposure, or a sudden downpour, all of which can sow the seeds of cold and dampness in those with Yang deficiency. If you start to feel slight head heaviness, mild abdominal pain, or decreased appetite, remember to start with a cup of “Xiang Ru Decoction.”
Xiang Ru Decoction:
Xiang Ru (Elsholtzia) 9g, Hou Po (Magnolia Bark) 6g, Bai Bian Dou (Lablab Bean) 6g.
Yang deficiency leads to a weak exterior, with loose pores, making it easy for cold pathogens to invade, resulting in symptoms like chills, fever, and body aches. Excess dampness weakens the Spleen and Stomach, and consuming cold drinks damages Spleen Yang, leading to symptoms like chest tightness, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Xiang Ru, known as the “Huang Qi of summer,” is warm and aromatic, dispersing cold and resolving dampness; Hou Po regulates Qi and alleviates fullness; Bai Bian Dou strengthens the Spleen and eliminates dampness, protecting the Stomach. During the summer Dog Days, if you experience symptoms of cold, crush these three ingredients, boil them in water, and drink as tea to disperse exterior cold pathogens and resolve internal dampness.
02
Warm the Middle Jiao in the Long Summer
The Spleen is the foundation of postnatal health. TCM often states, “Preserve a portion of Stomach Qi to sustain life.” When the postnatal essence is abundant, Yang Qi begins to flourish. The Spleen prefers dryness and dislikes dampness. To stimulate the Spleen’s transformative power, we must create a “dry” environment. How can we warm the Middle Jiao? We can learn from the idea of “Xiao Jian Zhong Tang”—which flexibly utilizes “Ginger.”
Abdominal pain
Yang deficiency leads to cold, and cold causes pain. Therefore, the “Jin Kui Yao Lue” states: “If Yang deficiency is caused by overexertion, Xiao Jian Zhong Tang should be used to establish the Middle Palace and nourish the Ying and Wei Qi fluids.”
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang:
Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig) 9g, Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice) 6g, Shao Yao (Peony) 18g, Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger) 9g, Da Zao (Jujube) 4 pieces, Yi Tang (Malt Sugar) 60g.
Essentially, all these issues stem from cold due to Yang deficiency. Research shows that among sub-healthy populations, Yang deficiency is prevalent, often accompanied by cold, blood stasis, and dampness. For individuals with Yang deficiency, adjusting their imbalanced constitution can quickly restore health. The “Shang Han Lun” mentions Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, which is indicated for “deficiency, urgency, palpitations, abdominal pain, nocturnal emissions, limb soreness, heat in hands and feet, and dry throat.” This indicates that Xiao Jian Zhong Tang can warm Yang Qi, alleviate abdominal pain, and improve palpitations and fever caused by Yin and blood deficiency. Xiao Jian Zhong Tang is derived from Gui Zhi Tang, possessing harmonizing properties, capable of tonifying and moving, warming Yang, nourishing Yin, harmonizing Ying and Wei, and distributing fluids, making it an excellent sub-health regulator.
Ginger Sugar
If there are no clear symptoms of abdominal pain, fever, or dry throat, but you still want to “nourish Yang in summer,” what should you do? Of course, the saying goes, “Eat radishes in winter and ginger in summer.”
“Eating ginger” in TCM is not just a saying; let me present two data points to illustrate the importance of ginger in TCM. First, to treat cold pathogens, the renowned physician Zhang Zhongjing used ginger in half of the 113 formulas recorded in the “Shang Han Lun” (63 formulas), with 39 using fresh ginger and 24 using dried ginger. This is the first data point. Secondly, as society ages, the diseases and prevention among the elderly are increasingly emphasized. The “Chinese Journal of Geriatrics” published a study analyzing medicinal dietary formulas suitable for individuals with Yang deficiency, identifying the top three herbs as ginger, Huang Jiu (Yellow Wine), and pepper.
◎ Image authorized by Baotu Network
Ginger is spicy and warm, beneficial for the Spleen and Stomach meridians, dispelling cold pathogens, warming the Middle Jiao, stimulating appetite, resolving dampness, and preventing stagnation. If you experience discomfort during the hot summer or have a constitution prone to dampness and Yang deficiency, consider consuming ginger.
03
Stimulate Yang Qi
After “dispelling cold and dampness” and “warming the Spleen and Stomach,” the next step is to stimulate your latent potential and Yang Qi, and “Moxibustion” is an excellent method.
Mugwort leaves are an ancient herb used to dispel evil and impurities, with a fragrant aroma, spicy and slightly bitter taste, and warm nature. It has effects such as warming the meridians, dispelling cold, stopping bleeding, regulating menstruation, and relieving pain. The “Compendium of Materia Medica” states that mugwort is “warm when raw and hot when cooked, pure Yang. Moxibustion can penetrate the meridians and treat various diseases, restoring health to those suffering from chronic illnesses, and its efficacy is significant.” It is said that “for diseases that cannot be treated by medicine or acupuncture, moxibustion must be used,” indicating that moxibustion has unique effects that acupuncture and medicine do not possess, which is to “drive out evil and restore health.” Regular moxibustion on acupoints can warm Yang Qi, open meridians, and promote Qi and blood circulation. How should this be done?
For those with chronic Yang deficiency and cold stagnation, experiencing joint pain and bone aches, and whose constitution is still acceptable, summer is the time to greatly replenish Yang and counteract cold pathogens. The “Suwen: Theory of Vital Energy” states: “Yang Qi is like the sun; if it loses its place, it shortens life and becomes obscure. Therefore, the sun must shine brightly.” Yang Qi governs the vitality of the human body, and the Du Meridian is the sea of Yang Qi. Selecting acupoints along the Du Meridian can stimulate internal Yang Qi, warm Yang, dispel cold, and relieve pain.
For those with chronic Yang deficiency and weakened constitution, this indicates Qi and blood deficiency. One should gradually warm and tonify Yang Qi to dispel Yin shadows and replenish Qi and blood. Such patients often experience fatigue, weakness, and stagnation in the meridians. Wu Qian once said, “For chronic diseases that do not improve, and where all medications are ineffective, only nourishing the Stomach and tonifying the Kidneys will suffice.” Therefore, acupoints should primarily focus on the Spleen and Stomach meridians and the Kidney meridian.
If you are among the sub-healthy Yang deficient population, you may often feel fatigued, have sore lower back and legs, and prefer warmth. You can choose to perform moxibustion on Shenque (CV8) to warm Yang and benefit Qi. In summer, the key to moxibustion is consistency; chronic conditions do not improve overnight, and progress must be gradual. Additionally, the duration should not exceed 15 minutes,as excessive heat can lead to internal heat disturbances, causing irritability and insomnia.
◎ Image authorized by Baotu Network
Well, that concludes today’s article. Perhaps you are now looking out the window at the branches that were battered by yesterday’s wind and rain, or maybe the area you are in is currently being scorched by the blazing sun.
But what does it matter? Life is full of ups and downs, and everyone has their own path.
Only by growing towards the sun and moving towards the light can we cultivate the courage to face hardships and create the possibility of turning the tide.
Keep going, and strive to live well!
— THE END —
Related Articles
❀ Summer is a good time for individuals with Yang deficiency to nourish Yang
❀ In winter, beware of the dangers of Heart Yang deficiency!
❀ Summer is a great season for moxibustion—Ancient physician Luo Tianyi’s “Three Techniques of Moxibustion”
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