Recently, the cold weather has gradually receded, and temperatures in many places are starting to rise, leading to changes in the human body. At this time, those with a Yin deficiency (Yin xu) constitution are most likely to experience problems.
So, what exactly is Yin deficiency?
How can we determine if we have Yin deficiency?
Today, we will discuss Yin deficiency, focusing particularly on liver Yin deficiency (Gan Yin xu).
Let me share a case of body conditioning. A lady was referred to me by a friend for analysis. She said she felt particularly fatigued, had trouble sleeping at night, tossing and turning, and had a rather irritable personality. In short, she felt unwell, but hospital tests showed nothing wrong, so she wanted to adjust her physical condition.
I suggested we check her tongue. When she stuck out her tongue, I immediately recognized it as typical: her tongue was bright red, even a bit crimson, and its shape was pointed. This is a classic sign of liver Yin deficiency.
Thus, I prescribed a simple nourishing Yin formula, which is the well-known TCM formula Yi Guan Jian (One-String Decoction), with the Chuan Lian Zi (Toosendan fruit) removed.
When I saw her again, she reported that her body had basically recovered, and she no longer felt uncomfortable.
This illustrates the advantage of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Some bodily imbalances, such as Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency, do not show up in Western medical tests, so hospitals cannot identify any issues. However, these imbalances can clearly lead to discomfort in the body. When TCM helps patients adjust these imbalances, it can significantly improve their quality of life. Moreover, these imbalances can eventually lead to diseases, and correcting them can prevent patients from progressing towards illness!
So, what is Yin deficiency?
Yin deficiency refers to a lack of the material foundation that governs stillness and moisture in the body, which we call Yin fluids (Yin ye).If a person’s Yin fluids are insufficient, they cannot nourish and contain Yang energy, leading to a series of problems, such as dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia with vivid dreams, forgetfulness, weakness in the lower back and knees, excessive sexual desire, nocturnal emissions, irregular menstruation or amenorrhea, or metrorrhagia, emaciation, dry throat and mouth, tidal fever, five-center heat (heat in the palms and soles), night sweats, flushed cheeks, a red tongue with little or no coating, and a thin, rapid pulse. This condition is termed Yin deficiency.
Yin deficiency can lead to the generation of deficiency heat (Xu re). The Huang Di Nei Jing states: “Yin deficiency leads to internal heat.” This deficiency heat is different from excess heat. Excess heat is caused by external pathogenic heat or internal damp-heat, which is true “excess heat.” In contrast, deficiency heat refers to the relative excess of Yang due to insufficient nourishing Yin. This heat is relative.
I often use this analogy: if a pot is full of water and a small fire is lit underneath, the water remains warm without boiling. This represents a balanced state in our body, where our temperature is stable and warm. The water symbolizes our body’s Yin.
However, if some water is poured out and the pot is nearly empty, while the fire remains the same, you will soon find that the remaining water begins to boil! In terms of the human body, this boiling state represents Yin deficiency. In fact, the fire remains the same; it is just that the water is relatively less, leading to an increase in internal heat!
I also often compare this to a car engine. If the lubricating oil, which represents the “Yin” substance, is insufficient, the engine will heat up more as it operates, resembling the state of “Yin deficiency.”
I hope this explanation helps everyone understand the essence of Yin deficiency.
So, how does Yin deficiency develop?
The causes of Yin deficiency can be summarized as follows:
1. After heat illness, due to exposure to warm pathogens, or chronic diseases that consume Yin fluids over time, leading to Yin deficiency.
2. With aging, the Yin substances continuously deplete, resulting in Yin deficiency. This is why many elderly individuals have a Yin deficiency constitution. The Su Wen: Yin Yang Ying Xiang Da Lun also states: “At forty, Yin energy is already half.”
3. Excessive emotions. Individuals with unrestrained desires may have an overactive fire, leading to excess liver fire, which can burn the liver Yin and cause Yin deficiency.
4. Excessive sexual activity. Those who engage in excessive sexual activity deplete kidney essence, leading to Yin deficiency.
5. Overconsumption of warming and drying foods, such as eating many hot herbs or having a diet rich in spicy foods, can lead to a Yin deficiency constitution.
6. Improper lifestyle, staying up late harms Yin. Many people stay up late, which not only harms blood but also depletes Yin, making this a common modern cause of Yin deficiency.
7. Some individuals inherit a Yin deficiency constitution from their parents, such as if the parents have severe Yin deficiency or if the mother consumed excessive spicy foods during pregnancy, harming the Yin.
Generally, when we talk about Yin deficiency, it is usually systemic, but it can also be more pronounced in specific organs. For example, there can be lung Yin deficiency, heart Yin deficiency, stomach Yin deficiency, spleen Yin deficiency, liver Yin deficiency, kidney Yin deficiency, etc. Today, we will mainly discuss liver Yin deficiency.
The condition of liver Yin deficiency is characterized by a prominent deficiency of Yin in the liver. For instance, since the liver opens to the eyes, symptoms may include dizziness, dry eyes, and reduced vision, along with facial flushing or redness in the cheeks; based on the liver meridian’s pathway, there may also be pain in the flanks, and women may experience reproductive heat symptoms; since the liver governs tendons, if liver Yin is insufficient, there may be twitching or trembling in the hands and feet; the liver also regulates emotions, and those with liver Yin deficiency may be prone to irritability and anger. Additionally, other symptoms of Yin deficiency, such as dry throat, five-center heat, tidal fever, night sweats, and a thin, rapid pulse, may still be present.
◆The tongue appearance of those with liver Yin deficiency is often very red, with little or no coating, and the tongue shape is typically pointed.
Individuals with liver Yin deficiency find spring particularly challenging because spring is associated with wood, and at this time, the liver wood is meant to flourish. However, those with liver Yin deficiency are like trees that need water to grow but lack moisture, leading to various problems. The most common issues are dizziness (even leading to elevated blood pressure in Western medical checks) and irritability.
Once, an old TCM doctor said he had never seen a person with Yin deficiency, which I found quite subjective. Many people have Yin deficiency; my mother developed a Yin deficiency constitution as she aged, so every year at this time, I must nourish her Yin; otherwise, she becomes particularly irritable and has difficulty controlling her emotions, often getting angry. Her blood pressure is also unstable during this time, so nourishing Yin in advance helps her pass through this period smoothly.
So, what should be done for liver Yin deficiency?
In TCM, there is a formula called Yi Guan Jian (One-String Decoction), which is found in the Qing dynasty medical text Liuzhou Yihua. The formula consists of: Sheng Di (Rehmannia Root), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Sha Shen (Glehnia Root), Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berries), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon), and Chuan Lian Zi (Toosendan fruit). The Chuan Lian Zi is used to drain liver fire, while the others are nourishing Yin herbs.
This formula is very classic for liver Yin deficiency, and I primarily use it. We can modify it slightly; I often use:
9 grams of Sheng Di, 9 grams of Mai Dong, 9 grams of Shi Hu (Dendrobium), 9 grams of Bai Shao (White Peony), 9 grams of Gou Qi Zi, 6 grams of Dang Gui, and 6 grams of Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice).
Generally, taking it for three to five days can lead to significant improvement, and there is no need to take it for too long. If possible, it is best to consult a local doctor for adjustments based on specific conditions. Pregnant women should use it under the guidance of a doctor.
During liver Yin deficiency, taking Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill) is also acceptable, as Qian Yi, who established this formula in the Song dynasty, primarily used it to regulate liver and kidney Yin deficiency.
Additionally, it is essential to understand that the state of Yin deficiency is also related to our poor lifestyle habits. For example, someone who eats spicy hot pot every day is likely to develop Yin deficiency. Therefore, regular adjustments are crucial.
Moreover, if a person lacks self-cultivation and has a volatile personality, it can easily harm liver Yin. If we can calm our minds and engage in heart-nurturing activities, such as studying calligraphy or practicing Tai Chi, it will greatly benefit the nourishment of liver Yin.
Spring has arrived, and flowers are beginning to bloom everywhere, which is a delightful experience for healthy individuals. However, those with Yin deficiency may feel various discomforts at this time. If we can help everyone understand the principles behind this and self-regulate, we can all enjoy the flowers together in peace, which is my responsibility as Dr. Luo.
— THE END —
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