Due to frequent late nights, prolonged sitting, and air conditioning, modern people often experience various minor ailments:
Despite resting on time, they still feel weakness in their limbs;
After walking for ten minutes, they quickly become breathless;
They have cold hands and feet all year round, and even fear the cold;
They speak with little energy and sweat excessively;
……
In modern society, “nine out of ten people have deficiency,” and these minor ailments are often related to “deficiency.” Over time, the entire body may feel unwell, stress increases, and daily life may be affected.
There are four types of deficiency in the body, namely Qi Deficiency (Qi Xu), Blood Deficiency (Xue Xu), Yang Deficiency (Yang Xu), and Yin Deficiency (Yin Xu), which correspond to our five organs, such as Kidney Deficiency (Shen Xu) and Spleen-Stomach Deficiency (Pi Wei Xu).
So, which type of deficiency do you belong to? How should you adjust your health?
01Qi Deficiency: Easily FatiguedQi deficiency is like insufficient fuel for the body, leading to a lack of energy. People lose vitality in their daily work and studies, feeling that they have the will but lack the strength to do anything.
Qi deficiency generally includes three aspects of deficiency:Kidney Deficiency (Shen Xu), Spleen Deficiency (Pi Xu), and Lung Deficiency (Fei Xu).
▶ Characteristics
① Those with Qi deficiency tend to bequiet and reluctant to speak, feeling tired even after a few words.
② Abdominal bloating and poor digestion, where food intake easily leads to bloating, often resulting in burping, nausea, or vomiting.
③ Teeth marks on the tongue and a thick tongue coating are signs of Qi deficiency, caused by the body’s inability to expel dampness in a timely manner.
④ Weakness in the body,poor physical strength, feeling the need to lean against something while standing or sitting, and becoming breathless when climbing stairs or walking.
④ Those with Qi deficiencyfear the cold, easily catching colds or sneezing, especially in children.
Recommended: Yam, Job’s Tears, and Coix Seed Porridge 
▶ Method
Wash the Job’s Tears and Coix Seed,soak for 2 hours; wash the rice and soak in clean water for half an hour; peel and slice the yam for later use.
Put the Job’s Tears and Coix Seed in a pot, add clean water, and bring to a boil; reduce to low heat and cook for 30 minutes, then add the rice and cook on low heat for another 20 minutes; add the yam and cook for 10 minutes.
Recommended: American Ginseng and Goji Berry Pigeon Soup
▶ Method
Clean the pigeon and cut it into pieces; wash the scallions and cut them into sections; wash and peel the American ginseng, then slice it.
In a clay pot, heat water to boiling, add the pigeon, scallions, and cooking wine, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes; then add the American ginseng and goji berries and simmer for another 20 minutes, seasoning with salt before serving.
02Blood Deficiency: Malnutrition
Qi is responsible for generating blood; prolonged Qi deficiency can lead to blood deficiency.
Blood deficiency is a condition characterized by the internal deficiency of Yin blood,usually occurring after blood loss or prolonged illness. To improve this condition, it is best to useblood tonics and nourishing blood methods.
According to the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” “San Qi is the best for replenishing blood.” San Qi powder can invigorate blood and resolve stasis when eaten raw, and replenish blood when cooked. Those with blood deficiency may consider using San Qi to address their condition.
▶ Characteristics
① The edges and tip of the tongue are prone tobruises and spots.② There is a constant feeling ofdizziness and dry eyes, which is due to insufficient liver blood.③ The lips and eye sockets appear dull,the complexion is pale and dull, and the nails are pale.④ Dry skin, with red or blue blood vessels easily appearing on the skin, and bruising upon contact.⑤ During the day, there may bepalpitations and chest tightness, frequent forgetfulness, and at night, insomnia with vivid dreams, leading to poor sleep quality.Recommended: Longan and Angelica Chicken Soup 
▶ Method
Take 20 grams of longan meat, 15 grams of angelica, and 500 grams of chicken;
Simmer the chicken until half-cooked, then add the longan meat and angelica, and continue to simmer until fully cooked before serving.
Recommended: San Qi Braised Pork Ribs 
▶ Method
Soak the San Qi in cold water for half an hour, then wash it and crush it to the size of broad beans, wrapping it in gauze; add water, pork ribs, San Qi, and a little salt to a pot, and simmer on low heat for 1-2 hours before serving.
03Yang Deficiency: Cold Pain in the Lower Back and Knees
Yang deficiency presents with symptoms of “cold,” also known as a cold-deficient constitution, which refers to insufficient Yang Qi, leading to a decreased ability to resist wind and cold,making them more sensitive to cold than others.
Frequent consumption of cold foods, excessive sexual activity, and aging can also lead to a Yang-deficient constitution. Yang deficiency generally manifests in thespleen and kidneys, resulting in symptoms such as cold pain in the lower back and knees.
▶ Characteristics
① Men are prone toimpotence, premature ejaculation, and decreased libido;
② Women may experience reduced menstruation, low mood, andcold in the uterus;③ Fear of cold and wind,cold hands and feet, and diarrhea from eating cold food or being exposed to cold wind;④ Enlarged tongue, pale color, a pale complexion, and a thin body;
⑤ During exercise, they may easily feelpalpitations and shortness of breath.
Recommended: Cordyceps and Old Duck Stew 
▶ Method
Clean the duck, blanch it in boiling water, and set aside; place cleaned walnuts and chestnuts inside the duck’s cavity;
Put the prepared duck in a pot, add water, yellow wine, and ginger, and steam for 2 hours, then add salt before serving.
Recommended: Angelica Lamb Soup
▶ Method
Remove the gamey taste from the lamb, slice it, and slice the ginger and scallions; place the lamb slices, ginger, scallions, and angelica in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, mix in salt, and simmer for 2-3 hours;
Remove the angelica, ginger, and scallions from the soup, leaving the lamb slices, and continue boiling, adding water and flour to stir until the flour is cooked.
04Yin Deficiency: Internal Heat and Dryness
Yin deficiency, also known as Yin deficiency with excess fire, is caused by internal heat, most commonly seen inlung Yin deficiency and kidney Yin deficiency.
Generally, women are most affected by Yin deficiency, as it can lead toacne and skin deterioration, making one appear less attractive.
Therefore, those with Yin deficiency should avoid consuming heat-inducing foods, drink plenty of water, ensure adequate sleep, and maintain emotional stability.
▶ Characteristics
① Dry mouth and throat, always wanting to drink water, and preferring heat-inducing foods, leading to throat pain;
② Urine tends to beyellow, with symptoms of constipation or difficulty in bowel movements;③ Fear of heat, with warm palms and soles,excessive sweating, and a strong preference for cold drinks;④ Short temper, feeling irritable and easily angered over trivial matters;
⑤ Red tongue with little coating,little saliva, flushed complexion, and a tendency to develop acne.
Recommended: Lily and Tremella Porridge
▶ Method
Soak the Tremella in water, wash it, and add it to a pot with rice and lily, adding an appropriate amount of clean water, and simmer until the porridge is cooked, then add rock sugar to taste.
Recommended: Tremella Soup
▶ Method
50 grams of dried Tremella, 200 grams of rock sugar, and one packet of nutrients.
Soak the Tremella in warm water, remove the stems, pick out impurities, and repeatedly knead the Tremella leaves until shredded, then rinse with clean water; place 2000 milliliters of clean water in a pot, add the Tremella, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 2-3 hours; when the Tremella is soft and the liquid is thick, add the rock sugar, dissolve into the liquid, simmer for 10 minutes, then add the nutrients and serve.
May your health and happiness be nourished through TCM