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Editor’s Introduction
Although “Yin Deficiency” is a term often heard in daily life, many may not truly understand the manifestations and treatment strategies for this constitution. If Yang Deficiency can be likened to a body lacking sunlight and warmth, then Yin Deficiency is akin to a body lacking the nourishment of water. “Water” is the source of life; a body that is “lacking water” is naturally dry and devoid of vitality.
So, what are the manifestations of Yin Deficiency? How should one adjust their body? Let’s take a look at what Professor Wang Qi has to say.
The Yin Deficiency constitution primarily refers to a state characterized by a deficiency of bodily fluids, essence, and blood, with manifestations such as internal heat due to Yin Deficiency. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) considers Yin fluids to encompass all nourishing liquids within the body or the Yin essence of the organs. In terms of the nature of these fluids, they are thick and turbid, belonging to Yin, hence referred to as Yin fluids. Blood, sweat, semen, saliva, etc., are all considered Yin fluids. Water is also Yin; if there is insufficient Yin fluid in the body, it is like a spring without rain and dew, akin to land that has lost its irrigation. At this time, the heart, liver, kidneys, and other organs, as well as the eyes, ears, nose, and skin, all lose their moisture, and the source of life’s nourishment dries up, leading to a series of dry and heat-dominant manifestations, resulting in various ailments.
Characteristics of Yin Deficiency Constitution
[Causes] Congenital insufficiency, prolonged illness leading to blood loss, excessive indulgence depleting essence, or overwork damaging Yin. For instance, if family members tend to be thin, if parents were weak during conception, or if there were premature births or previous hemorrhagic diseases.
[Physical Characteristics]
Physical traits: slender body shape.
Common manifestations: heat in the palms and soles, often experiencing dry mouth and throat, slightly dry nose, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, dry stools, red tongue with little moisture and coating.
Other manifestations: flushed complexion with a feeling of heat, dry and gritty eyes, blurred vision, slightly dry red lips, dry skin prone to wrinkles, dizziness and tinnitus, poor sleep, short and scanty urination, thin and rapid pulse.
Psychological traits: irritable temperament, extroverted and active, lively.
Tendency to illness: prone to dry heat changes due to Yin deficiency, or easily exhibiting symptoms of Yin deficiency after illness.
Adaptability to external environments: generally intolerant to heat pathogens, tolerates winter but not summer, and is intolerant to dryness.
Dietary Recommendations for Yin Deficiency
In general, individuals with a Yin Deficiency constitution should consume more foods that nourish kidney Yin, using the method of nourishing Yin and subduing Yang. Foods that can often be consumed include duck meat, bird’s nest, sesame, lotus root, goji sprouts, loofah, white fungus, tofu, sugarcane, peaches, watermelon, lily, yam, soft-shelled turtle, and jellyfish.
1. Duck Meat
According to the “Compendium of Materia Medica”: Duck meat is primarily used to greatly replenish deficiency and fatigue, dispel heat, promote urination, eliminate edema, relieve fullness, benefit the organs, reduce swellings, and calm seizures. It is evident that duck meat is an excellent choice for those with a Yin Deficiency constitution.
2. Bird’s Nest
In the “Wen Tang Collection of Proven Recipes”, there is a small medicinal dish—Autumn Pear Bird’s Nest. Use 2 autumn white pears, cut off the stem end, scoop out the core, and place 5 grams of bird’s nest and 10 grams of rock sugar inside the pear, cover with the stem, secure with a bamboo skewer, and steam with a little water until cooked. Consume every morning. In this medicinal dish, bird’s nest nourishes Yin and moistens the lungs, while the white pear and rock sugar moisten dryness and transform phlegm, making it particularly suitable for those with a Yin Deficiency constitution leaning towards lung Yin deficiency.
Acupoint Massage: Three Effective Points for Nourishing Yin
Among the acupoints that have a nourishing Yin effect, three are commonly used: Tai Xi (Kidney 3), San Yin Jiao (Spleen 6), and Zhao Hai (Kidney 6). Self-massaging these three points can nourish Yin fluids and improve the Yin Deficiency constitution.
Zhao Hai point connects to the Yin Qiao meridian of the eight extraordinary vessels. The Yin Qiao and Yang Qiao meridians are paired, with the saying that they govern the balance of Yin and Yang in the body. To replenish the body’s Yin, Zhao Hai is used, located on the inner side of the foot, in the depression just below the tip of the inner ankle.
Massaging the Zhao Hai point is suitable for those with a Yin Deficiency constitution leaning towards kidney Yin deficiency. Here, a little tip for better use of the Zhao Hai point for body maintenance: when massaging this point, keep your mouth closed and swallow any saliva that appears in your mouth.
Generally, after pressing for 3-5 minutes, you will feel saliva in your throat, and the pain will gradually alleviate.
Tai Xi is the source point of the Kidney meridian, and it nourishes the Yin of the Kidney meridian. It is the transport and source point of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian. The Foot Shaoyin Kidney meridian belongs to the water element, and the kidneys govern water, so stimulating the Tai Xi point can effectively “replenish water”, which is to nourish Yin.
The Tai Xi point is located on the inner side of the foot, in the depression between the Achilles tendon and the heel bone.
Similarly, massage twice a day for 10 minutes each time. Tai Xi is primarily used to nourish Yin, so do not use moxibustion, as moxibustion is a heat stimulus that can easily damage Yin; it is best to press and knead.
Pressing the Tai Xi point can be done year-round, but during the dry seasons of spring and autumn, the massage time should be longer, as dryness easily damages Yin; massaging for a longer time can both nourish Yin and prevent dryness from harming Yin. In summer, the time can be shorter due to the heavier humidity, as prolonged massage can lead to excessive Yin energy, which is not good. However, regardless of the season, it is best to massage between 9 PM and 11 PM, as the body’s Yin energy is stronger at this time, which can be mutually beneficial. Tai Xi has the effect of nourishing kidney Yin and is suitable for those with a Yin Deficiency constitution leaning towards kidney Yin deficiency.
Don’t forget to nourish Yin with San Yin Jiao. San Yin Jiao is the meeting point of the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians, nourishing the Yin of all three meridians. San Yin Jiao is located on the inner side of the lower leg, 3 inches above the tip of the inner ankle, behind the edge of the tibia, taken while sitting with the knee bent at a right angle. Massage twice a day for 5-6 minutes. Pregnant women should avoid this point. Massaging San Yin Jiao is mainly suitable for those with a Yin Deficiency constitution leaning towards lung Yin deficiency and spleen Yin deficiency.
Four Famous Formulas for Treating Yin Deficiency
For those with lung Yin deficiency, who often cough, have dry cough without phlegm or little sticky phlegm, it is advisable to take Bai He Guo Jin Tang (Lily Bulb Decoction).
For those with heart Yin deficiency, who often experience insomnia, vivid dreams, palpitations, poor memory, forgetfulness, and irritability, it is suitable to take Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan (Heavenly Emperor Heart-Supplementing Pill).
For those with kidney Yin deficiency, who often have lower back and knee soreness, insomnia with vivid dreams, and night sweats, it is advisable to take Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill).
For those with liver Yin deficiency, who often experience dizziness, dry eyes, and deteriorating vision, it is suitable to take Yi Guan Jian (Linking Decoction).
“Editor’s Key Points”
Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill is not a “miracle drug” that cures all diseases
In Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, cooked rehmannia nourishes Yin and replenishes the kidneys, filling essence and producing marrow; cornelian cherry nourishes the liver and kidneys and can also astringe essence; Chinese yam tonifies the spleen and benefits Qi while securing essence. These three herbs work together to nourish the liver, spleen, and kidneys comprehensively, with a primary focus on nourishing kidney Yin. Alisma promotes kidney drainage and dampness, preventing cooked rehmannia from being overly cloying; tree peony root can clear liver fire while also moderating the astringent effect of cornelian cherry; poria helps to drain dampness from the spleen, assisting Chinese yam in strengthening the spleen and stomach. Therefore, this formula embodies the characteristics of “three tonics” combined with “three drains”. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan is a foundational formula for nourishing the kidneys and filling essence, and is suitable for those with a Yin Deficiency constitution leaning towards kidney Yin deficiency.
Copyright Statement
Some content of this article is selected from “Manual of Nine Constitutions” (published by China Traditional Chinese Medicine Press, authored by Wang Qi), with all rights reserved by the original author. Recommended for publication by Yue Du Zhong Yi (WeChat ID: ydzhongyi), cover image sourced from the internet. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited!
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