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The kidney is the foundation of congenital essence and the root of the five organs and six bowels. The changes in kidney qi govern a person’s growth and development throughout life. If the body experiences kidney deficiency, it can lead to discomfort in various parts of the body, such as soreness in the lower back and knees, memory decline, insomnia, and premature aging. Therefore, maintaining kidney health is crucial for wellness.
Confused about Kidney Yin Deficiency and Kidney Yang Deficiency?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), “kidney deficiency” is primarily categorized into Kidney Yin Deficiency, Kidney Yang Deficiency, Kidney Qi Deficiency, and Kidney Essence Deficiency, with Kidney Yin and Yang Deficiencies being the most common. Their common characteristics include symptoms such as soreness or pain in the lower back and knees, tinnitus, and increased nocturia. Different types require different treatments and adjustments, so careful differentiation is essential.
Kidney Yang Deficiency: This is a term in TCM that refers to a type of deficiency-cold syndrome characterized by the decline of kidney Yang, leading to insufficient warming and transformation functions. It is often caused by a constitution of Yang deficiency, aging, chronic illness harming the kidneys, or excessive sexual activity.
In TCM, the kidneys govern water, and Kidney Yang plays a role in the vaporization and transformation of fluids. If Kidney Yang is insufficient, the ability to vaporize and transform is weakened, leading to symptoms such as clear and frequent urination. Therefore, Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with pathological changes in the kidneys. Kidney deficiency often accumulates over a long period, and one should not hastily use strong tonics or unclear kidney tonics but should instead adjust slowly. Kidney Yang is also referred to as Yuan Yang, Zhen Yang, or Zhen Huo, and is the root of the twelve meridians, with the foundation of congenital essence residing in the kidneys. The kidneys and Ming Men share the same Qi, serving as the pivot for the balance of Yin and Yang in the body. Kidney Yang governs the Yang energy of the entire body; if the fire is weak, symptoms of Yang deficiency will emerge.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is related to the neuroendocrine immune system (NEIS) in modern medicine. The syndrome of Kidney Yang Deficiency involves various dysfunctions at different levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-target gland (adrenal cortex, thyroid, gonads, thymus) axis, with the primary pathological link being the dysregulation of the hypothalamus (or higher centers).
1Cold Sensitivity
“Yang deficiency leads to external cold.” As mentioned above, when the body’s Yang energy is weak, and Qi and blood are insufficient, the Wei Yang cannot stabilize, failing to warm the muscles to resist external cold pathogens, making one particularly sensitive to cold. Cold hands and feet are often related to the kidneys.
2Unexplained Salty Taste in the Mouth
The salty flavor is closely related to the kidneys, as TCM states, “salty flavor enters the kidneys.” An unexplained salty taste in the mouth is often caused by kidney deficiency. Salty taste can be associated with spleen deficiency and excessive kidney fire. In addition to the salty taste, symptoms such as dry throat, dizziness, tinnitus, soreness in the lower back and knees, five hearts heat, insomnia with vivid dreams may also accompany.
3Unexplained Feelings of Fear
Psychologists have conducted systematic studies on bodily responses to different emotions and found that feelings of shame primarily activate facial muscles, while feelings of disgust are concentrated in the stomach and throat. Fear, however, involves many areas, primarily focusing on the external genitalia. According to TCM, “the kidneys govern fear,” and fear is a manifestation of kidney deficiency. If a person experiences unexplained feelings of fear, it often indicates a kidney deficiency issue.
4Loose Teeth
The kidneys govern the bones, and the bones rely on kidney essence for nourishment. If the kidneys are healthy, the bones will be strong. Therefore, kidney deficiency leads to insufficient nourishment of the bones, resulting in loose teeth.
5Abnormal Saliva Production
Generally, saliva in the mouth is at a moderate level, neither too dry nor too excessive. If there is Kidney Yin Deficiency, the secretion of Yin fluids in the kidneys is insufficient, leading to reduced saliva; if there is Kidney Yang Deficiency, the secretion of Yin fluids is excessive, resulting in increased saliva. Therefore, whether there is too much or too little saliva, it may indicate a kidney deficiency issue.
Different types of kidney deficiency require different treatment and adjustment principles. It is crucial not to supplement indiscriminately; only targeted treatment can yield effective results. In fact, it is not that difficult to understand; the key is to distinguish between Kidney Yin Deficiency and Kidney Yang Deficiency.
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Kidney Yin Deficiency: A type of kidney deficiency in TCM, referring to insufficient kidney Yin fluids, also known as insufficient kidney water or true Yin deficiency. It is characterized by the loss of kidney Yin, leading to internal heat due to insufficient nourishment, clinically referred to as Kidney Yin Deficiency syndrome.
It is often caused by prolonged illness, congenital insufficiency, excessive sexual activity, or overconsumption of warming and drying substances. Kidney Yin, based on the essence and Qi of the kidneys, nourishes and moistens various organs and tissues, working in conjunction with Kidney Yang to support the body’s vital activities.
When Kidney Yin is sufficient, the entire body’s Yin is abundant; when Kidney Yin is weak, the entire body’s Yin is weak; when Kidney Yin is lost, the entire body’s Yin is lost, and life ceases. If Kidney Yin is insufficient, the secretion of fluids decreases, leading to manifestations of internal heat and Yang excess, with symptoms such as soreness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia with vivid dreams, five hearts heat, tidal fever and night sweats, nocturnal emissions and premature ejaculation, dry throat and flushed cheeks, red tongue with little moisture and no coating, and thin rapid pulse. The treatment should focus on nourishing Yin and reducing fire. The disease primarily resides in the kidneys but often involves the lungs, heart, and liver.
Ten Characteristics of Kidney Yin Deficiency
1. Soreness and Pain in the Lower Back and Knees
The lower back is the residence of the kidneys. If Kidney Yin is insufficient, it leads to reduced marrow and weak bones, resulting in soreness and pain in the lower back and knees.
2. Dizziness and Tinnitus
Patients with Kidney Yin Deficiency often experience dizziness and tinnitus. This is primarily due to insufficient nourishment of the brain.
3. Insomnia with Vivid Dreams
Patients with Kidney Yin Deficiency often experience insomnia with vivid dreams, which is due to the imbalance of water and fire, with excessive heart fire leading to unrest of the spirit.
4. Frequent and Easy Erection
This phenomenon is often misunderstood as a sign of sufficient kidney Qi, but it is actually a result of Kidney Yin Deficiency causing excessive fire movement. The term “frequent and easy erection” refers to a prolonged erection lasting over 20 minutes without a sexual partner or masturbation, often accompanied by discomfort or pain in the penis and lower abdomen; in severe cases, it may lead to an inability to sit and a feeling of unsatisfaction without reaching orgasm.
5. Nocturnal Emissions and Dream Emissions
Nocturnal emissions or dream emissions are common symptoms of Kidney Yin Deficiency, primarily caused by the instability of the fire disturbing the essence.
6. Irregular Menstruation or Amenorrhea
If Kidney Yin Deficiency occurs in women, in addition to common symptoms, there may be a decrease in menstrual flow or even amenorrhea, primarily due to insufficient kidney Yin leading to inadequate blood source.
7. Uterine Bleeding
For women, Kidney Yin Deficiency may lead to two extremes in menstruation: either scanty menstruation or uterine bleeding. The reason for uterine bleeding in Kidney Yin Deficiency is primarily due to Yin deficiency and Yang excess, leading to false heat forcing blood to flow abnormally.
8. Weight Loss and Dry Throat with Flushed Cheeks
Common manifestations of Kidney Yin Deficiency include weight loss and dry throat with flushed cheeks, primarily due to Kidney Yin deficiency.
9. Tidal Fever, Night Sweats, Five Hearts Heat, Yellow Urine, and Dry Stools
To differentiate between Yin and Yang deficiency, one can assess cold and heat. In TCM, there is a saying, “Yang deficiency leads to external cold, while Yin deficiency leads to internal heat.” Therefore, Kidney Yin Deficiency often presents with tidal fever, night sweats, five hearts heat, yellow urine, and dry stools as manifestations of internal heat.
10. Red Tongue with Little Moisture and Thin Rapid Pulse
Kidney Yin Deficiency can also be assessed through tongue and pulse diagnosis. Generally, the tongue appearance in Kidney Yin Deficiency is red with little moisture, and the pulse is thin and rapid.
Ten Characteristics of Kidney Yang Deficiency
1. Soreness and Pain in the Lower Back and Knees
In TCM, the lower back is the residence of the kidneys, and the kidneys govern bone marrow. If Kidney Yang is deficient, the lower back and bones will not receive normal warming and nourishment, leading to soreness and pain.
2. Male Impotence and Premature Ejaculation, Female Cold Uterus and Infertility
The kidneys govern reproduction. If Kidney Yang is deficient, it leads to insufficient kidney Yang, declining Ming Men fire, and reduced reproductive function, resulting in male impotence and premature ejaculation, and female cold uterus and infertility.
3. Chronic Diarrhea, Inability to Digest Food, and Nocturnal Diarrhea
Insufficient Kidney Yang leads to declining Ming Men fire, which cannot generate earth. The spleen and stomach are the body’s central earth; if the central earth lacks the source of generation, it will lead to symptoms of spleen dysfunction, clinically presenting as chronic diarrhea, inability to digest food, and nocturnal diarrhea.
4. Clear and Frequent Urination and Nocturia
The kidneys govern urination and are closely related to the bladder. If Kidney Yang is deficient, it will affect bladder Qi transformation, leading to clear and frequent urination and nocturia.
5. Edema, More Pronounced Below the Waist
The kidneys govern water and play a crucial role in regulating the body’s fluid balance. If Kidney Yang is weak, it leads to fluid retention, manifesting as edema, particularly pronounced below the waist.
6. Dark and Dull Complexion
The kidneys correspond to the black color among the five colors. If Kidney Yang is extremely deficient, the body’s turbid Yin will pervade the skin, leading to a dark and dull complexion.
7. Cold Sensitivity in the Limbs, More Pronounced in the Lower Limbs
The body’s Yang energy has a warming effect. If Kidney Yang is weak, the skin will not receive warmth from Kidney Yang, leading to cold sensitivity, particularly in the lower limbs.
8. Mental Fatigue
It is well known that mental fatigue is often due to insufficient Yang energy. If Kidney Yang is weak, it cannot invigorate the spirit, leading to mental fatigue.
9. Pale Complexion and Dizziness
Generally, Kidney Yang Deficiency leads to weak Qi and blood circulation, unable to nourish the clear orifices, often presenting with dizziness and a pale complexion.
10. Pale and Fat Tongue with White Coating, Weak and Slow Pulse
In TCM, tongue and pulse are important diagnostic criteria. In Kidney Yang Deficiency, the tongue is often pale and fat with a white coating, while the pulse is weak and slow.
Once one truly understands the characteristics of Kidney Yin and Yang Deficiency, distinguishing between the two should not be difficult.
Methods for Adjusting Kidney Yang Deficiency
1. Dietary Adjustment Principles
Kidney Yang is the root of the body’s Yang energy. Chronic illness often presents as internal cold and external heat, manifesting as easy heat, especially tooth pain, red lips, yellow hair, bad breath, cold sensitivity in winter, heat sensitivity in summer, and weakness in the limbs. Therefore, it is said, “Kidney Yang is the root, and Spleen Yang is the continuation.” Those with Yang deficiency should eat more warming and Yang-tonifying foods to warm and supplement the Yang energy of the spleen and kidneys. One should avoid cold, greasy, and sticky foods, even in summer, and not overconsume cold foods.
2. Dietary Recommendations
Commonly used Yang-tonifying foods include lamb, pig stomach, chicken, hairtail fish, dog meat, sparrow meat, deer meat, yellow eel, shrimp (lobster, prawn, river shrimp, etc.), sword beans, walnuts, chestnuts, leeks, and fennel. According to the principle of “nurturing Yang in spring and summer,” during the summer solstice, one can consume lamb soup once during each of the three hottest days to strengthen the body’s Yang energy. It is advisable to avoid excessive consumption of cold foods such as pears, watermelons, water chestnuts, and persimmons, and to limit overly greasy foods; additionally, green tea, which is cold, should also be consumed in moderation.
3. Examples of Dietary Therapy
Stir-fried Leeks with Fresh Shrimp
【Ingredients】250g leeks, 400g fresh shrimp, appropriate amounts of salt, scallions, ginger, cooking wine, and vegetable oil.
【Method】Wash the leeks, cut them into sections, peel and wash the fresh shrimp, and chop the scallions and ginger. Heat the pan, add vegetable oil, sauté the scallions until fragrant, then add the shrimp and leeks, pour in cooking wine, and stir-fry until the shrimp is cooked through, then serve.
【Effect】Nourishes the kidneys and strengthens Yang.
Walnut Congee (from “Hai Shang Ji Yan Fang”)
【Ingredients】50g walnuts, 100g japonica rice.
【Method】Chop the walnuts into small pieces. Wash the japonica rice. Place the rice in a pot, add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and cook until it becomes congee. Add the walnuts and cook for another two to three boils.
【Effect】This dish has the effects of nourishing the kidneys, solidifying essence, and warming the lungs to relieve asthma. It is more suitable for warming tonics, so it is not recommended for those with Yin deficiency and excessive fire or phlegm-heat cough.
Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome
Kidney Yin Deficiency Syndrome refers to the symptoms resulting from insufficient kidney Yin fluids. It is often caused by prolonged illness harming the kidneys, congenital insufficiency, excessive sexual activity, or overconsumption of warming and drying substances.
The key points for diagnosis are the main symptoms of kidney disease and manifestations of internal heat due to Yin deficiency, with symptoms such as soreness in the lower back, nocturnal emissions, scanty menstruation, dizziness, and tinnitus being the main diagnostic criteria.
Methods for Adjusting Kidney Yin Deficiency
1. Dietary Adjustment Principles
Yin and Yang are opposing and mutually restrictive. Those with a tendency towards Yin deficiency should consume more foods that nourish Kidney Yin to nourish Yin and subdue Yang.
2. Dietary Recommendations
Foods should be light, avoiding fatty, rich, and dry foods. Common choices include glutinous rice, squid, turtle, soft-shelled turtle, sea cucumber, abalone, milk, oysters, clams, sea jellies, duck meat, pig skin, tofu, sugarcane, white fungus, and fish, which are all sweet and cold foods that nourish the body’s Yin energy. Spicy foods such as scallions, ginger, garlic, leeks, and peppers should be consumed in moderation. Following the principle of “nurturing Yin in autumn and winter,” one should consume nourishing congee during the autumn and winter seasons, such as Codonopsis pilosula congee, lily congee, and yam congee, and may also consume warming foods such as beef, lamb, and dog meat in winter to promote the growth of Yin from Yang.
3. Examples of Dietary Therapy
Stewed Polygonatum with Lean Pork
【Ingredients】30-60g Polygonatum, 100-150g lean pork.
【Method】Wash the lean pork, cut it into slices, and place it with Polygonatum in a bowl, cover, and steam it.
【Effect】Nourishes the kidneys, supplements the spleen, and benefits Qi while reducing fat.
Soft-Shelled Turtle Soup for Nourishing the Kidneys
【Ingredients】1 soft-shelled turtle (about 500g), 30g goji berries, 15g cooked rehmannia.
【Method】Cut the soft-shelled turtle into pieces, add goji berries, rehmannia, cooking wine, and an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer until the meat is cooked through.
【Effect】Nourishes the liver and kidneys, nourishes Yin and blood.
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