Yin Deficiency Symptoms & Treatment
Yin deficiency is a common pattern in which the body becomes depleted of its cooling, moistening yin energy, which may or may not result in a relative excess of yang. This may be constitutional or due to dehydration, a lack of rest, or insufficient intake of nutritious, yin-nourishing foods. The general symptoms of yin deficiency include:
Low-grade fever
Heat in the palms, soles, and chest
Dry mouth and throat
Red cheeks
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Insomnia
Scanty, dark urination
In addition, specific organs may be affected by yin deficiency. The most common of these are the Kidney, the Liver, the Lung, the Heart, and the Stomach.
Kidney Yin Deficiency
The Kidney is seen as the source of all yin and yang in the body. Therefore, it is often involved in any case of yin deficiency to a certain degree. In addition to the general yin deficiency symptoms listed above, Kidney yin deficiency can cause:
Backache
Aching bones
Vertigo
Dizziness
Tinnitus
Deafness
Poor memory
Constipation
This can occur as a result of acute or chronic illness, overwork, excessive sexual activity (especially during the teenage years), excessive consumption of tonics or stimulants, or blood loss due to heavy menstruation. This pattern is often seen around the time of menopause due to many years of menstrual cycles depleting the Blood and yin.
Liver Yin Deficiency
In Chinese medicine, it is said that the “Liver and Kidney share the same root.” Therefore, if one of these organs becomes imbalanced, the other can quickly follow suit. Therefore, Liver yin deficiency can often occur alongside Kidney yin deficiency. In addition to the yin deficiency symptoms listed above, Liver yin deficiency can cause:
Sallow complexion
Headaches
Insomnia with dream-disturbed sleep
Numbness of the limbs
Dry eyes
Blurred vision
Angry outbursts
Scanty, late, or absent menstruation
Infertility
The Liver relies on Kidney yin to nourish it, so if Kidney yin becomes deficient, Liver yin is often not far behind. Therefore, the causes of this pattern are very similar to those listed for Kidney yin deficiency above. It is also a common pattern during the menopausal transition.
Stomach Yin Deficiency
In Chinese medicine, the Stomach is said to be the “origin of fluids” and it is necessary to consume adequate fluids in order to keep the whole body healthy. If we do not eat a balanced diet or follow good eating habits (see below), Stomach yin deficiency can occur. In addition to the yin deficiency symptoms listed above, Stomach yin deficiency symptoms include:
Poor appetite
Feelings of fullness after eating
Thirst with no desire to drink
Dry stools
Upper abdominal pain
The main causes of Stomach yin deficiency are an imbalanced diet and irregular eating habits, eating late at night, skipping meals, eating on the go, eating while stressed, and not taking time to relax and digest food after eating.
Lung Yin Deficiency
Like the Stomach, the Lung requires moisture to function properly. If there is not enough moisture in the body to nourish the Lung, this leads to Lung yin deficiency. In addition to the yin deficiency symptoms listed above, Lung yin deficiency can cause:
Hoarse voice
Tickly throat
Dry cough
Coughing blood
Low-grade fever in the afternoon
Lung yin can sometimes be the result of an infectious disease. However, Lung deficiency is often associated with Kidney yin deficiency and/or Stomach yin deficiency. Therefore, it is essential to nourish the yin of these organs and the whole body in order to keep Lung yin healthy.
Heart Yin Deficiency
The Heart is seen as the seat of the emotions in Chinese medicine as it houses what is known as the shen, or spirit/mind. Therefore, Heart yin deficiency can often occur as a result of prolonged emotional issues. Equally, Heart yin deficinecy can cause emotional issues to develop.
Furthermore, the Heart has a close relationship with the Kidney, so if the Kidney is yin deficient, the Heart will often follow. In addition to the yin deficiency symptoms listed above, Heart yin deficiency can cause:
Palpitations
Dream-disturbed sleep
Being easily startled
Poor memory
Anxiety
Restlessness
Low-grade fever in the evening
Prolonged anxiety and worry are particularly injurious to Heart yin, as is being constantly on the go and never taking time to rest. Therefore, this pattern is very common in modern life where many of us have hectic lives and experience chronic stress and overwhelm.
Treatment for Yin Deficiency
Yin deficiency can often be prevented and resolved by balancing activity with rest, avoiding stress and overstimulation, and consuming enough fluids to stay properly hydrated.
More severe yin deficiency can be treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary therapy. The latter can be particularly effective as it is both curative and preventative and can be safely continued over long periods of time.
Learn more about the best foods and cooking methods for yin deficiency in this article on yin-nourishing foods, or book a consultation to discuss the most suitable approach for you.
References
Maciocia G (1989) The Foundations of Chinese Medicine (first edition) - Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, London
Wiseman N, Feng Y (2014) A Practical Dictionary of Chinese Medicine - Paradigm Publications, Taos, NM