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Editor’s Note
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Yin deficiency refers to the pathological phenomenon of deficiency in substances such as essence, blood, or body fluids. Since essence, blood, and body fluids are all classified as Yin, this condition is termed Yin deficiency. It is commonly seen in patients who have suffered from prolonged illness or heat-related diseases that lead to the depletion of Yin fluids.
In modern society, due to increased mental stress and late-night activities, many office workers experience Yin deficiency. How does Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) view and treat Yin deficiency? Let’s explore this with Dr. Luo Dalun in this article. |
TCM Diagnostic Approach
Many friends ask me how TCM diagnoses diseases.
Actually, ancient Chinese scholars were very wise; they developed methods to simplify complex issues. This methodological approach focuses on grasping the larger direction and then adjusting from that perspective, allowing the body to restore itself.
For example, consider a tree with a thousand leaves. If the leaves turn yellow, what should we do? There are two approaches to solve this problem: one is to examine each leaf individually to see what went wrong. This is a valid approach, often favored by Western methods.
However, the problem with studying each leaf individually is that one can become so engrossed in the details that they forget the tree is a whole, including its trunk and roots. As a result, while they may understand the microscopic structure of the leaves, they may not know how to resolve the issue.
On the other hand, our ancestors used a different approach. They recognized that the conditions for studying individual leaves were insufficient, and their goal was to prevent the leaves from turning yellow. Thus, they focused on the relationship between the leaves and the roots. They identified that the roots could either have too much or too little water, both of which could lead to yellowing leaves. When they determined that the issue was a lack of water, they simply watered the roots.
Miraculously (though not truly miraculous), all the yellow leaves turned green again without needing to repair each leaf individually.
Of course, it would be better to understand at the molecular level how each leaf turned green, but the key takeaway is that watering the roots is the fundamental solution.
This illustrates an important principle of ancient TCM: when faced with numerous complex problems, we should focus on the larger direction.
Thus, when discussing deficiency syndromes, we see that many diseases are related to deficiency, with hundreds or even thousands of variations, akin to many leaves turning yellow. However, TCM focuses on the root issues, categorizing them broadly into Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Yang deficiency, simplifying the approach to just a few key issues and allowing the body to restore itself, thereby addressing the problem of a thousand yellow leaves.
Two Case Studies of Yin Deficiency Treatment
Today, we are discussing Yin deficiency, which can be likened to the roots of a tree lacking water.
Let me share two examples: one involves a female classmate from my middle school who reached out through another friend because we were not close back then. She said her daughter was unwell, primarily due to an abnormal tongue, which was the reason for her visit. When they came to Beijing, I met them at a modern shopping center in Dawang Road and learned that the child had geographic tongue. Interestingly, she initially mentioned the tongue issue, but upon further discussion, it became clear that the situation was much more serious. The child had allergies and had been tested for numerous allergens, with dozens identified, the most severe being an allergy to rice, which made it nearly impossible for her to attend school. They had tried many antihistamines with no effect.
Upon hearing this, I was perplexed, as allergies are quite complex. In the West, food labels must indicate potential allergens, which helps people avoid them. For instance, in spring, many Japanese people wear masks to avoid pollen.
Once, during a discussion on constitution theory, Professor Wang Qi spoke with an American professor researching allergies. The American suggested that if someone is allergic to something, they should throw it out the window. When asked about allergies to carpets or cats, the response was the same: throw them out. Professor Wang Qi then mentioned that some women might be allergic to their husband’s sperm, to which the American replied, “Then throw the husband out?”
In fact, many Western doctors advocate lifelong avoidance of allergens, indicating that medicine has not yet reached perfection and requires further research.
At that time, I felt lost because skin issues are complex. In the U.S., those who study dermatology are often the elite, as the number of skin conditions is vast and complicated. I had no idea which specific allergy was affecting this child.
This is akin to having a thousand leaves; what should we do? From a TCM perspective, regardless of the skin condition, I simply looked at what was wrong with her body.
I observed clear signs of Yin deficiency in the child, so I prescribed a very simple tonic to nourish Yin, consisting of ingredients like Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Sha Shen (Adenophora), and Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), which are commonly used by Guangdong housewives for soups. I did not focus on the skin allergy issue.
After about two weeks, I was informed by that friend that the child’s tongue coating had returned to normal, and subsequent tests showed all allergens were within normal limits. There were no longer any allergens!
However, it is important to note that not all allergies can be treated with Yin-nourishing methods; in the next case, I might use Qi-tonifying methods. This is why Western statistical methods often fail to yield effective results in TCM, as we categorize diseases into Qi deficiency, blood deficiency, Yin deficiency, and Yang deficiency, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all remedy.
Nevertheless, we can analyze all diseases through the lens of Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency, which simplifies the overall approach.
For instance, another example involves the mother of one of my students, a capable woman who sought my help for a severe skin condition. At the time, I was giving a lecture on a program at CCTV, and she arrived early at the studio. She was suffering from numerous hives all over her body, which worsened with scratching, causing her immense pain. She had been suffering for several weeks with no relief from medication.
This woman had previously consulted me for a peculiar issue: severe peeling of the skin on her thumb and index finger, resembling burn scars, especially aggravated by sunlight, while the rest of her hand was unaffected. This was a strange case that had persisted for many years. I believed it was due to liver Qi stagnation and prescribed a formula to soothe liver Qi, which surprisingly cured her. This was a long time ago.
This time, I initially thought it was also due to liver Qi stagnation, but upon examination, I found clear signs of Yin deficiency, with her tongue appearing as red as a strawberry.
Again, I was unsure of the exact cause of her skin condition, so I decided to focus on the fact that the roots were lacking water. Therefore, the first step was to water the roots.
In fact, when the roots lack water, not only do the leaves suffer, but other parts of the tree may also be affected. The leaves are just one manifestation; other aspects such as emotions and thoughts may also be impacted, and a woman’s physiology could be affected as well. Focusing solely on one leaf would be a missed opportunity.
Thus, I prescribed another Yin-nourishing tonic, using ingredients that are generally food-medicinal sources and quite palatable, such as Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Sha Shen (Adenophora), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), Shi Hu (Dendrobium), and Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries). I primarily used these five ingredients, sometimes adding a bit of Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), which is commonly used in soups by Guangdong friends.
I instructed her to drink it freely. A few days later, I asked my student for an update, and he replied that all her skin issues had disappeared, and he texted, “Dr. Luo is amazing!”
In truth, I am not particularly remarkable; I consider myself somewhat clumsy in the TCM field, primarily studying ancient TCM theories. I liken myself to a monk in the Shaolin Temple responsible for preserving ancient texts, while many skilled martial artists are outside. The effectiveness of these two cases is truly due to the wisdom of our ancestors.
So, what exactly is Yin deficiency?
Yin deficiency refers to the pathological phenomenon of deficiency in substances such as essence, blood, or body fluids. Since essence, blood, and body fluids are all classified as Yin, this condition is termed Yin deficiency. It is commonly seen in patients who have suffered from prolonged illness or heat-related diseases that lead to the depletion of Yin fluids.
In modern society, due to increased mental stress and depletion of Yin fluids, many office workers experience Yin deficiency. For example, many night owls exhibit a high proportion of Yin deficiency. I have encountered numerous office workers who sleep after midnight, resulting in a significant number of them experiencing Yin deficiency.
Once, while visiting a foreign enterprise, I found a very high proportion of employees with Yin deficiency, likely related to their excessive mental strain.
Additionally, dietary habits can also lead to Yin deficiency. I have seen many women who enjoy spicy hot pot or barbecued foods suffer severely from Yin deficiency. While this may not be an issue in Sichuan, consuming such foods in dry Beijing can harm Yin.
Furthermore, the beginning of this article compared the approaches of TCM and Western medicine not to suggest that one is superior to the other, but to highlight that both have their strengths and are working towards human health.
If Western methods were combined with a holistic perspective and absorbed TCM principles, progress would be accelerated. Recently, one of President Obama’s healthcare reform advisors visited Beijing, and Dr. He Jian arranged for him to meet many TCM practitioners. He initially planned to have dinner with me, but I was out of town and missed the opportunity. He expressed a strong desire to learn about TCM during discussions with the Minister of Health, and ultimately, the minister arranged for him to visit our TCM Academy, possibly to discuss establishing a collaborative institution. Dr. He Jian informed me that they are rapidly absorbing TCM knowledge, likening this collaboration to a highway.
Moreover, TCM also needs to progress. We must not only focus on inheritance but also research and advancement. Ancient TCM was never conservative; many medicinal substances were introduced from foreign regions. We should not be conservative either; understanding the specific issues within the leaves can also benefit us, as it helps us learn how to better water the roots.
Author’s Biography
Dr. Luo Dalun, born in 1968 in Shenyang, Liaoning, holds a PhD in TCM Diagnosis from Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. He is a health manager and former chief editor of the program “Health Hall” at Beijing Television. Dr. Luo has dedicated himself to introducing ancient TCM culture to modern audiences, widely disseminating TCM knowledge through the internet, television, and print media. He has published over 800,000 words of TCM popular science works, including “Great Doctors of the Nation” and “Ancient TCM: Legends of Seven Great Doctors,” and has written columns for publications like “Health Times,” being recognized as one of the “Top Ten Fashion Figures in Healthy China 2012.” Dr. Luo teaches courses on “Positive Energy: The Dual Cultivation of Body and Mind in Traditional Culture” at various business schools in China, including Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, China Europe International Business School, Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management, and Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.
Source: Luo Dalun’s Blog
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