Modern individuals often experience mental strain and late nights, leading to a depletion of Yin energy, akin to the ancient saying, “when the oil runs out, the lamp goes out.” In this article, Master Luo Dalun discusses what Yin deficiency is and how to recognize if you are affected. With wisdom in your heart, you can achieve health and vitality!
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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 considered 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 internal consumption of Yin fluids.
In modern society, due to excessive mental strain and the depletion of Yin fluids, there is a higher prevalence of Yin deficiency among white-collar workers. For instance, many individuals who stay up late are found to have a high incidence of Yin deficiency. I have encountered numerous office workers who go to bed after midnight, and many of them exhibit signs of Yin deficiency.
On another occasion, I visited a foreign enterprise and found a very high proportion of employees with Yin deficiency, likely related to their excessive mental strain.
Additionally, diet can also lead to Yin deficiency. I have seen many women who enjoy spicy hot pot or barbecue suffer from severe Yin deficiency. While this may not be an issue in Sichuan, consuming such spicy foods in dry Beijing can harm Yin.
So, how do we determine if one has Yin deficiency? In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), diagnosis is primarily based on symptoms. There is a saying, “Yin deficiency leads to internal heat,” as insufficient body fluids mean that Yin cannot control fire, resulting in symptoms such as five hearts feeling hot, afternoon tidal fever, night sweats, flushed cheeks, weight loss, dry mouth and throat, a desire for cold water, yellow urine, dry stools, and a red tongue with little coating.
Among these symptoms, the five hearts feeling hot refers to the palms and soles feeling warm, to the extent that one may need to stick their hands out of the covers while sleeping. Some individuals constantly seek to press their palms against a cool wall for comfort. The term “five hearts” includes the four extremities and the heart itself, leading to feelings of restlessness and heat.
Afternoon tidal fever refers to a rhythmic increase in temperature, typical of Yin deficiency, where individuals do not feel hot in the morning but begin to feel warm in the afternoon.
Night sweats are well-known, occurring during sleep, and in severe cases, can soak the pillow and sheets. Daytime sweating is referred to as spontaneous sweating.
Among these symptoms, the most significant indicator is a red tongue with little coating, with the red tongue being the primary sign.
Additionally, the pulse may be thin and rapid, which may be difficult for some to identify, but it indicates that the pulse beats slightly faster than normal.
If we further categorize Yin deficiency, we can identify various organ-specific deficiencies.
For example, lung Yin deficiency syndrome is characterized by insufficient lung Yin and the internal generation of heat. This condition often arises from prolonged coughing that damages Yin or from the later stages of heat illness that injures Yin fluids. Symptoms include dry cough with little or no phlegm, dry mouth and throat, weight loss, afternoon tidal fever, five hearts feeling hot, night sweats, flushed cheeks, and in severe cases, blood-streaked phlegm, hoarseness, a red tongue with little moisture, and a thin, rapid pulse.
Another example is heart Yin deficiency, which manifests as insomnia, vivid dreams, palpitations, forgetfulness, restlessness, night sweats, five hearts feeling hot, dry mouth and throat, a red tip of the tongue, little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. Some may also experience flushed cheeks, irritability, and dizziness due to internal heat. These symptoms are often seen in individuals with chronic liver and kidney deficiency, true Yin depletion, or those who have not recovered from heat illness. In modern society, due to high work pressure, excessive thinking can deplete heart blood, leading to heart Yin deficiency. Insufficient Yin blood fails to nourish the heart, resulting in palpitations, insomnia, vivid dreams, and forgetfulness, while internal heat from Yin deficiency leads to night sweats, restlessness, five hearts feeling hot, dry mouth and throat, a red tip of the tongue, little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. Flushed cheeks and dizziness are symptoms of internal heat.
There is also stomach Yin deficiency syndrome, which refers to the symptoms resulting from insufficient stomach Yin. This often arises from chronic stomach illness, the later stages of heat illness where Yin fluids have not recovered, excessive consumption of spicy foods, or emotional distress leading to Qi stagnation and fire that injures stomach Yin. Symptoms include dull pain in the stomach area, lack of appetite, dry mouth and throat, constipation, or discomfort in the stomach area, or nausea, with a red tongue and little moisture, and a thin, rapid pulse.
For modern society, spleen Yin deficiency syndrome is particularly important, indicating insufficient spleen Yin fluids, leading to poor nourishment and weak transformation. This often results from external warm diseases that consume Yin fluids, or from individuals who are inherently Yin deficient, emotional distress leading to liver Qi stagnation that burns Yin fluids, excessive consumption of spicy foods, or the inappropriate use of warming herbs. Based on my observations, the excessive use of hormones in the rearing of meat animals may lead to many meat-loving individuals, especially children, often having spleen Yin deficiency, as these hormones are heat-inducing and can harm Yin.
Symptoms of spleen Yin deficiency include reduced appetite, a preference for meat, bland taste, bloating after eating, weight loss and fatigue, dry lips with little saliva, bright red lips, five hearts feeling hot, constipation, short and yellow urine, a red tongue with dry thin coating or no coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. Such children are often very active, some unable to stay still, and may have a volatile temper.
There is also liver Yin deficiency syndrome, characterized by Yin fluid depletion, leading to insufficient lubrication of the liver, inability to control Yang, and internal heat disturbance, with symptoms including dizziness, dry eyes, rib pain, and feelings of heat.
Specific manifestations of liver Yin deficiency include dizziness, dry eyes, reduced vision, or dull pain in the ribs, facial flushing or redness in the cheeks, or involuntary movements of the hands and feet, dry mouth and throat, five hearts feeling hot, tidal fever and night sweats, a red tongue with little coating, and a thin, rapid pulse, with a tendency towards irritability and easy anger.
Lastly, there is kidney Yin deficiency syndrome, which indicates insufficient kidney Yin fluids, leading to weakened nourishing and lubricating functions. This often results from inherent Yin deficiency, prolonged illness damaging the kidneys, excessive sexual activity, heat illness harming Yin, or the overconsumption of warming and drying substances. Clinical manifestations include dizziness, tinnitus, weakness in the lower back and knees, hair loss, loose teeth, insomnia with vivid dreams, tidal fever and night sweats, five hearts feeling hot, dry throat and flushed cheeks, a red tongue with little moisture, and a thin, rapid pulse. In men, this may also present as nocturnal emissions, while women may experience scanty or absent menstruation.
So, how should individuals with Yin deficiency adjust their lifestyle?
First, dietary control is essential. Those with a Yin deficient constitution should consume more cooling and nourishing foods, favoring sweet, cool, moistening, and Yin-nourishing foods, as well as fresh vegetables and moistening fruits. They should avoid spicy and stimulating foods, warming and drying foods, fried or overly fatty foods, and foods that are excessively hot or heat-inducing.
Here are some recommended foods for individuals with Yin deficiency:
Duck: Nourishes Yin and supports the stomach. According to the Compendium of Materia Medica: “Nourishes Yin and eliminates steaming heat.” Renowned Qing Dynasty physician Wang Mengying stated in his Dietary Records of Suixi Residence that duck meat: “Nourishes the Yin of the five organs, clears the heat of deficiency, and supports the stomach and generates fluids.” It is commonly believed that duck is the ideal nourishing food for those with Yin deficiency. Recently, I reviewed the dietary records of Emperor Qianlong and found that duck dishes were particularly frequent, almost daily. He lived to eighty-nine, the longest-lived emperor in history, and his attention to dietary health was likely a significant factor.
Pork (skin): Pork has the effect of nourishing Yin and moistening dryness. Qing Dynasty physician Wang Mengying observed that blacksmiths working with iron, despite the extreme heat, remained healthy, and when he inquired about their diet, they mentioned they consumed broth made from lean pork. This led him to understand the nourishing properties of pork, stating: “Pork nourishes kidney fluids, replenishes stomach juices, nourishes liver Yin, and moistens the skin, stopping thirst.” The Essentials of Materia Medica states: “Pork has a rich flavor, moistens the intestines and stomach, generates body fluids, and nourishes the skin.” Therefore, it is suitable for those with Yin deficiency, with pork skin being particularly effective. Zhang Zhongjing created the Pork Skin Soup to moisten the throat and alleviate dryness, which is the beginning of this concept.
Eggs: Not only do they nourish Qi and blood, but both egg whites and yolks also have the effect of nourishing Yin and moistening dryness. In the past, some Yin-nourishing herbal formulas would include an egg after cooking, as TCM believes that egg yolk has Yin-nourishing properties.
Pears: They have the effects of generating fluids, moistening dryness, and clearing heat, making them ideal for lung Yin deficiency or those who have suffered from heat illness. The Compendium of Materia Medica states: “Cooked pears nourish the Yin of the five organs.” The Chongqing Tang Essays states: “For warm-dry diseases and Yin deficiency with fiery heat, juicing and drinking it is effective.” In old Beijing, there is a dessert called autumn pear cake, made with autumn pears and some Yin-nourishing herbs, which can help nourish Yin and moisten dryness. Generally, supermarkets in northern China sell this, and regardless of the season, it can be consumed when experiencing Yin deficiency. Additionally, when prescribing remedies for lung nourishment and cough relief, some old TCM practitioners would recommend adding sliced snow pears to the decoction for the same effect.
Mulberries: They have the ability to nourish Yin and replenish blood, particularly effective for nourishing liver and kidney Yin. Ming Dynasty physician Miao Xiyong wrote in the Shennong’s Materia Medica that they are: “A medicine for cooling blood, replenishing blood, and benefiting Yin,” and also stated: “Thirst due to internal heat and insufficient fluids can be alleviated by generating fluids, benefiting all five organs as they are all Yin.” They are especially suitable for individuals with liver and kidney Yin deficiency who experience thirst, dim vision, and tinnitus. Recently, while traveling, I noticed mulberry juice offered on the airplane, which delighted me, as during the season, they are abundant and delicious, but once out of season, they are hard to find. If they can be produced as a beverage, it would help preserve them.
Goji Berries: They have the effect of nourishing Yin and benefiting essence, particularly effective for symptoms such as lower back and knee weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, or tidal fever and night sweats due to lung Yin deficiency, as well as diabetes-related thirst. During the Republic of China, renowned physician Zhang Xichun mentioned that he would place a bowl of water by his bedside at night, and upon waking, he would find it nearly empty. He later started eating a few goji berries before bed, which surprisingly alleviated his nighttime thirst, demonstrating their nourishing and moistening effects.
Bird’s Nest: It is neutral in nature, sweet in taste, and has the function of nourishing Qi and Yin, particularly beneficial for lung Yin, making it an excellent nourishing food. For those with Yin deficiency, especially lung Yin deficiency, such as tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, pulmonary atrophy, elderly bronchitis, and chronic bronchitis, it is most suitable. Qing Dynasty physician Zhang Lu stated that it can “regulate and nourish deficiency and treat cough with red phlegm.” Wu Yiluo stated: “Bird’s nest greatly nourishes lung Yin, replenishing while also clearing.” The Compendium of Materia Medica also records: “Greatly replenishes original Qi, moistens the lungs, and nourishes Yin.” Nowadays, there is much debate about bird’s nest, especially regarding its nutritional content, which modern science has found to be simple. Coupled with issues of counterfeiting, bird’s nest has lost its former glory, but this is unnecessary, as it is indeed an excellent food-medicine source. I noted that Emperor Qianlong frequently consumed bird’s nest dishes, often having several dishes made with it daily, particularly in combination with duck. The imperial physicians would not have frequently used something without value for the emperor. A close friend once gifted me a box of bird’s nest drink, and after my mother consumed it, she remarked on how her skin had become so smooth and radiant, attributing it to the drink, highlighting the nourishing effects of bird’s nest. The issue of counterfeiting is a societal problem in China, unrelated to the bird’s nest itself.
White Fungus: It has the effects of nourishing Yin, supporting the stomach, and generating fluids. White fungus is rich in nutrients and is a commonly used nourishing food, especially suitable for those with lung and stomach Yin deficiency.
Donkey-hide Gel (Ejiao): It can both nourish blood and nourish Yin. The Compendium of Materia Medica states: “Ejiao primarily serves to nourish blood and fluids. For those with insufficient Yin, it replenishes with its sweet flavor, as Ejiao’s sweetness nourishes Yin blood.” It is particularly suitable for individuals with lung and kidney Yin deficiency. I have previously discussed the effects of Ejiao in earlier articles, which you can refer to.
In fact, for those experiencing symptoms of Yin deficiency, after reviewing the numerous symptoms, if you find yourself exhibiting similar signs, you can consult a nearby TCM practitioner for analysis. Yin deficiency is relatively easy to diagnose, and if it is confirmed that you are indeed in a state of Yin deficiency, a small prescription can be made using ingredients such as Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia), Sha Shen (Glehnia), and Mai Dong (Ophiopogon) to nourish Yin. These can be used to make soups or beverages, with two to three cups consumed daily, generally leading to quick adjustments, typically within one to two weeks for full recovery, without requiring a long duration. However, maintaining good lifestyle habits is even more important, such as avoiding late nights, reducing spicy foods, and minimizing mental strain, as these are the true foundations for ensuring our health.
This article is excerpted from Dr. Luo Dalun’s Sina blog.
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