Yang deficiency refers to the condition where the body’s yang energy is weak, leading to reduced or weakened functions, decreased metabolic activity, and low reactivity, characterized by insufficient yang heat. Due to the lack of yang energy, the body’s ability to resist cold decreases, thus the yang deficiency constitution is generally characterized by “cold” symptoms, primarily manifested as insufficient yang energy, fear of cold, cold hands and feet, etc. Other manifestations often include fatigue, pale lips, shortness of breath, poor digestion, loose stools, a pale and swollen tongue, decreased libido, a weak and deep pulse, preference for warm food, and intolerance to winter. Those who frequently consume cold or cool foods, cool teas, or detoxifying herbs, as well as those who overexert themselves, are prone to yang deficiency.
Individuals with a yang deficiency constitution are particularly sensitive to cold, especially in the abdomen or back. Cold hands and feet do not necessarily indicate yang deficiency; they may also be related to qi and blood deficiency. It is advisable to avoid eating raw or cold foods such as watermelon, bitter melon, winter melon, water spinach, Chinese cabbage, bamboo shoots, kelp, mung beans, seaweed, pomelo, bananas, pears, and sugarcane.
Those with yang deficiency should consume more warming and tonifying foods for kidney yang, such as lamb, beef, dog meat, venison, hairtail fish, sparrow meat, chicken, yellow eel, pig stomach, shrimp, grass carp, ginger, scallions, garlic, leeks, okra, mustard seeds, pepper, fennel, longan, lychee, lotus seeds, chestnuts, and walnuts.
Chinese medicine can include warming and tonifying kidney and liver products, such as lu rong (deer antler velvet), yin yang huo (epimedium), hai gou shen (sea dog kidney), ge jie (gecko), dong chong xia cao (cordyceps), ba ji tian (morinda root), gou qi zi (goji berries), xian mao (curculigo), rou cong rong (cistanche), yi zhi ren (almond), bu guo zhi (psoralea fruit), du zhong (eucommia bark), zi he che (placenta), sha yuan zi (astragalus), and ren shen (ginseng).
In autumn and winter, it is important to dress warmly, avoid staying up late, and consume warm foods to nourish yang energy. In summer, avoid intense exercise to prevent excessive sweating, which can harm yang, and do not indulge in cold drinks.
Individuals with a yang deficiency constitution can select some Chinese patent medicines for conditioning. Below, the Yixian Pharmacist introduces ten Chinese patent medicines for yang deficiency constitution for your reference. Note that the efficacy and indications of the following patent medicines vary, and they should be used according to the diagnosis.
Kidney Yang Deficiency: The main symptoms include soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, fear of cold, fatigue, frequent urination, and edema. The Chinese patent medicines for kidney yang deficiency include Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan (Golden Cabinet Kidney Qi Pill), Gui Fu Di Huang Wan (Cinnamon and Aconite Rehmannia Pill), Si Shen Wan (Four Gods Pill), You Gui Wan (Right Return Pill), Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan (Rescue Kidney Qi Pill), and Suo Yang Guo Jing Wan (Lock Yang and Secure Essence Pill).
1. Jin Kui Shen Qi Wan: Composed of di huang (rehmannia), shan yao (Chinese yam), jiu yu rou (wine-soaked cornel), fu ling (poria), mu dan pi (peony root), ze xie (alisma), gui zhi (cinnamon twig), fu zi (prepared aconite), niu xi (achyranthes), and yan qian zi (plantago seed). It warms and tonifies kidney yang, transforms qi, and promotes urination. It is used for kidney deficiency with edema, soreness in the lower back and knees, and cold limbs.
2. Gui Fu Di Huang Wan: Composed of rou gui (cinnamon), fu zi (prepared aconite), shu di huang (cooked rehmannia), jiu yu rou (wine-soaked cornel), mu dan pi (peony root), shan yao (Chinese yam), fu ling (poria), and ze xie (alisma). It warms and tonifies kidney yang. It is used for insufficient kidney yang, soreness and cold in the lower back and knees, difficulty or excessive urination, and phlegm-damp cough. Not suitable for those with yin deficiency and internal heat.
3. Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan: Composed of shu di huang (cooked rehmannia), shan zhu yu (cornelian cherry), mu dan pi (peony root), shan yao (Chinese yam), fu ling (poria), ze xie (alisma), rou gui (cinnamon), fu zi (prepared aconite), niu xi (achyranthes), and yan qian zi (plantago seed). It warms the kidney, transforms qi, and promotes urination to reduce edema. It is used for kidney yang deficiency with water retention, heavy sensation in the lower back and knees, and difficulty urinating.
4. Si Shen Wan: Composed of rou dou kou (nutmeg), bu guo zhi (psoralea fruit), wu wei zi (schisandra), wuzhu yu (evodia), and da zao (dates). It warms the kidney, dispels cold, and astringes the intestines to stop diarrhea. It is used for diarrhea due to kidney yang deficiency, with symptoms of abdominal rumbling, bloating, early morning diarrhea, poor digestion, and cold limbs.
5. You Gui Wan: Composed of shu di huang (cooked rehmannia), fu zi (prepared aconite), rou gui (cinnamon), shan yao (Chinese yam), shan zhu yu (cornelian cherry), tu si zi (dodder seed), lu jiao jiao (deer antler glue), gou qi zi (goji berries), dang gui (angelica), and du zhong (eucommia bark). It warms and tonifies kidney yang, replenishes essence, and stops leakage. It is used for kidney yang deficiency, declining fire of the mingmen, soreness and cold in the lower back and knees, fatigue, fear of cold, impotence, nocturnal emissions, loose stools, and frequent clear urination.
Spleen Yang Deficiency, also known as spleen deficiency cold syndrome, often manifests as poor appetite, indigestion, belching with sour regurgitation, loose stools, abdominal distension, and pain. The spleen’s normal function is essential for the growth and fullness of yang energy. Those with spleen yang deficiency can choose fu zi li zhong wan (aconite middle-regulating pill) and gui fu li zhong wan (cinnamon and aconite middle-regulating pill).
6. Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan: Composed of fu zi (prepared aconite), dang shen (codonopsis), bai zhu (white atractylodes), gan jiang (dried ginger), and gan cao (licorice). It warms the middle and strengthens the spleen. It is used for spleen and stomach deficiency cold, with symptoms of cold pain in the abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, and cold hands and feet.
Stomach Yang Deficiency, also known as stomach deficiency cold syndrome, often manifests as cold pain in the stomach area, preference for warmth and pressure, cold limbs, and vomiting. The Chinese patent medicines for stomach yang deficiency include xiang sha yang wei wan (fragrant sand stomach-nourishing pill), xiao jian zhong ke li (small jian zhong granules), si ni tang (four reverse soup), an zhong pian (peaceful middle tablet), wei chang san (stomach and intestines powder), and ba wei rou gui jiao nang (eight flavor cinnamon capsules).
7. Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan: Composed of mu xiang (costus), sha ren (amomum), bai zhu (white atractylodes), chen pi (aged tangerine peel), fu ling (poria), ban xia (pinellia), cu xiang (vinegar fragrant), zhi shi (bitter orange), dou kou (cardamom), jiang hou po (magnolia bark), guang huo xiang (patchouli), gan cao (licorice), da zao (dates), and sheng jiang (fresh ginger). It warms the middle and harmonizes the stomach. It is used for stomach yang deficiency with symptoms of stomach pain, fullness, sour vomiting, discomfort, lack of appetite, and fatigue.
8. Xiao Jian Zhong Pian: Composed of bai shao (white peony), da zao (dates), gui zhi (cinnamon twig), jiao gan cao (licorice), and sheng jiang (fresh ginger). It warms the middle, tonifies deficiency, and alleviates pain. It is used for spleen and stomach deficiency cold, with symptoms of abdominal pain, preference for warmth and pressure, sour regurgitation, and alternating diarrhea and constipation in chronic colitis, as well as gastric and duodenal ulcers. Not suitable for those with spleen and stomach damp-heat.
Heart Yang Deficiency: Caused by damage to yang energy, leading to internal cold and deficiency, clinically manifested by chest tightness and pain, palpitations, cold sweat, and cold limbs. The Chinese patent medicines for heart yang deficiency include shen fu qiang xin wan (ginseng and aconite heart-strengthening pill) and qi li qiang xin jiao nang (qi li heart-strengthening capsules).
9. Shen Fu Qiang Xin Wan: Composed of ren shen (ginseng), fu zi (prepared aconite), mu bai pi (white mulberry bark), zhi ling (polyporus), ting li zi (descurainia), and da huang (rhubarb). It tonifies qi, assists yang, strengthens the heart, and promotes urination. It is used for palpitations, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and edema due to chronic heart failure, belonging to heart and kidney yang deficiency.
Liver Yang Deficiency: Refers to insufficient liver yang energy leading to internal cold and stagnation of fire. Symptoms often include dizziness, pain in the flanks, depression, excessive worry, irregular menstruation, abdominal pain, and irritability. The Chinese patent medicines for liver yang deficiency include shi xiang wan (ten fragrance pill) and hui xiang ju he wan (fennel and tangerine seed pill).
10. Shi Xiang Wan: Composed of chen xiang (agarwood), mu xiang (costus), ding xiang (clove), xiao hui xiang (fennel), xiang fu (cyperus), chen pi (aged tangerine peel), wu yao (lindera), ze xie (alism), li zhi he (lychee seed), and zhu ya zhao (pig’s tooth soap). It promotes liver qi, dispels cold, and alleviates pain. It is used for hernias and abdominal pain caused by qi stagnation and cold accumulation. Note that it is not suitable for hernias caused by damp-heat invasion, blood stasis, or qi deficiency. Additionally, pig’s tooth soap is toxic and should not be taken in excess or for prolonged periods.
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