Anyone with a slight understanding of health preservation knowledge is certainly familiar with the term Yin Deficiency with Excess Heat (Yin Xu Huo Wang).In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), people are classified into nine types of constitutions, and Yin Deficiency (Yin Xu) is one of them.Yin deficiency generates internal heat; the more Yin energy is deficient, the more the internal fire becomes vigorous. Over time, this leads to the condition of Yin Deficiency with Excess Heat.
What are the characteristics of individuals with Yin Deficiency and Excess Heat?
Five Hearts Heat
Individuals with Yin Deficiency and Excess Heat often exhibit symptoms of Five Hearts Heat (Wu Xin Fan Re), which refers to the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and the heart area feeling hot and damp. Those with Yin deficiency may appear fatigued, with a sallow complexion, stomach heat, and lung dryness, leading to a flushed face and the sensation of heat in the five hearts.
Irritability and Restlessness
People with Yin deficiency have abundant fire energy, leading to irritability and emotional turmoil, which can cause liver fire to become excessive. This excess liver fire further depletes kidney water, exacerbating Yin deficiency symptoms and causing mood swings.
Insomnia and Anxiety
While insomnia may not solely be due to Yin deficiency, it is a common consequence. Individuals with Yin deficiency experience excessive liver fire at night, and insufficient kidney Yin fluid fails to nourish the body and mind, leading to anxiety, vivid dreams, difficulty falling asleep, night sweats, and possibly nocturnal emissions, resulting in short sleep duration.
Oral Ulcers
Those with a Yin Deficiency constitution often have lung Yin deficiency (Fei Yin Xu), where insufficient lung Yin leads to the upward movement of virtual fire, causing symptoms such as bad breath, oral ulcers, a red tongue with little moisture, and a thin coating.
Thin and Weak Body
Individuals with Yin Deficiency and Excess Heat tend to have strong Yang energy in their bodies, which fails to be restrained by Yin, resulting in excessive internal fire and accelerated metabolism. Consequently, no matter how much they eat, they struggle to gain weight and often feel hungry.
Dry Skin
People with a Yin Deficiency constitution have insufficient blood and body fluids, making them feel as if they are in a furnace. Severe dehydration leads to dry skin, dry and painful eyes after prolonged use, dry hair that easily generates static electricity, and dry mouth and tongue. Even with regular hydration, these issues are often difficult to resolve, leading to constipation.
How to Regulate Yin Deficiency with Excess Heat?
Yin Deficiency with Excess Heat is a diagnosis based on TCM differentiation, primarily treated with TCM herbal methods aimed at nourishing Yin and clearing heat. It is also essential to adjust one’s mindset, maintaining emotional stability and a calm demeanor.
Symptoms of Yin Deficiency with Excess Heat tend to worsen in dry and hot summer conditions. The following dietary therapies are recommended to nourish Yin and regulate the spleen and stomach:
Asparagus Soup
Ingredients: 60 grams of Asparagus (Tian Men Dong), 100 grams of rice.
Preparation: Boil the asparagus to extract a concentrated juice, strain it, and then add rice to cook into porridge for breakfast.
Rehmannia Soup
Ingredients: 150 ml of fresh Rehmannia juice (or 150 ml of concentrated dried Rehmannia decoction), 100 grams of rice.
Preparation: Cook the rice into porridge, then add the Rehmannia juice when the porridge is ready, stir well, and consume.
Lily Soup
Ingredients: 50 grams of fresh lily, 100 grams of rice, and an appropriate amount of rock sugar.
Preparation: First, cook the rice into porridge, then add the lily when it is cooked, boil until done, and add rock sugar for flavor. If fresh lily is unavailable, 30 grams of dried lily powder can be used and cooked with the rice.
Ophiopogon
Ophiopogon (Mai Dong) is slightly cold and bitter, capable of nourishing Yin and generating fluids. It is effective for symptoms such as Yin deficiency, irritability, insomnia, and sore throat. For individuals with a Yin deficiency constitution, drinking Ophiopogon can have a nourishing effect, and long-term use poses no harm. However, those with Yang deficiency or spleen and stomach cold should use it cautiously.
Goji Berries
Goji berries (Gou Qi Zi) can help tonify the kidneys. Generally, individuals with Yin deficiency and excess heat have kidney issues, and the nourishing effects of goji berries are strong, helping to tonify blood and Qi. Therefore, if you have issues with Yin deficiency and excess heat, consider trying goji berries steeped in water.
For Yin Deficiency Constitution, How to Use Moxibustion!Step 1 First, perform moxibustion on the Eight Crevices (Ba Liao Xue) to replenish the central Qi and open the Yang Qi pathways of the middle burner, allowing the fire energy from the upper burner to descend.
Step 2 Then, perform moxibustion on the Taixi (Tai Xi Xue) and Yongquan (Yong Quan Xue) points to further guide the fire energy down to the soles of the feet, returning the fire to its source!
Precautions: Time management is crucial; start with 10-15 minutes per acupoint and perform moxibustion every other day. For individuals prone to heat due to Yin deficiency, there is a key: Gradually increase the treatment, focusing on the legs! You need to slowly adapt to the external pure Yang energy of moxibustion. Once accustomed, the body will naturally adjust to a normal Yin-Yang cycle, making it less likely to experience excess heat!