What is Yin Deficiency and How Can We Tonify Our Yin?

 

Dr. Hilda Gonzalez, DACM, L.Ac, MSTOM, CMT

If I were asked to simplify Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); with respect to thousands of years of Chinese culture, millions of TCM practitioners around the world,  ancient and contemporary scholarly works and countless clinical studies; I would define it as a medicine that is simply trying help the body achieve homeostasis or a balance between Yin and Yang. 

Yin Yang Theory

According to TCM scholar, Ted Kaptchuck in a ‘Web that Has no Weaver,’ Yin-Yang theory is based on the philosophical construct of two polar complements. It is a way to describe how things function in relation to each other and the universe and the continuous process of natural change. 

Yin and Yang disharmonies are the most general, all-inclusive patterns in TCM. The symptoms of Yin deficiency vary according to the organ involved but generally they will include similar symptoms.

 
 

Yin Deficiency Signs & Symptoms: 

  • Night-Sweating 

  • Dryness: such as dry throat, dry cough, dry lips, dry eyes, dry mouth

  • Thirst with desire to drink in small sips

  • Low grade fever

  • Feeling hot, especially in the afternoon

  • Hot palms, soles and chest 

  • Red face, especially the cheeks.

  • Constipation with dry stools

  • Insomnia

  • Irritability 

  • Palpitations

 
 
 

Foods to Nourish Your Yin:

 
 
 

  • Oatmeal 

  • Barley 

  • Millet 

  • Cactus (mexican nopales) 

  • Okra 

  • Chia seeds 

  • Seaweed/Kelp

  • Mung beans 

  • Peas

  • Artichokes

  • Asparagus 

  • Sweet Potato 

  • Tomato 

  • Water chestnut 

  • Yams 

  • Zucchini 

  • Alfalfa sprouts 

  • String beans

  • Potato

  • Apple

  • Apricot

  • Avocado

  • Banana

  • Lemon & lime

  • Mango

  • Mulberry

  • Pear

  • Persimmon

  • Pineapple

  • Watermelon

  • Coconut milk

  • Sesame seed

  • black sesame seed

  • Walnut

  • Aduki beans

  • Black beans

  • kidney beans

  • Tofu

 
 
 

Other ways to Tonify Yin: 

HERBS:

There are many herbal formulas that are simple and yet very effective at tonifying yin. These focus on lubricating and creating more fluids in the body, and some also help with reducing excess heat symptoms. These should be prescribed by your Acupuncturist in order to address the root cause of your Yin deficiency. 

REDUCE EXCESS SWEATING:

If you have yin deficiency signs or a yin deficiency diagnosis, then it is important that you also focus on switching up your activities for a while. If you enjoy hot yoga maybe switch to room temperature yoga or trying Qi Gong or Tai Chi for a few weeks. If you are a long distance runner, maybe focus on strength training and interval training for a few weeks instead of focusing on your distance. 

HYDRATION:

Paying close attention to your hydration is also key. Ideally, drinking about 12-18oz of water every 2 hours, which can include unsweetened herbal teas, plain water, or clean, natural hydration supplements. Of course this is dependent on your current physical activity. 

DON’T OVER THINK IT!

Simply eat a variety of plant-foods, rest, stay hydrated, live mindfully, listen to your body, and if you need a bit more help come in for a relaxing appointment and take some herbs home to continue to support you on your journey.

If you are interested in connecting with one of our Doctors of TCM to learn more about Yin and Yang and how to live and eat in balance we recommend booking a Nutritional Therapy Session or Acupuncture Session to dive in deeper.

 
 
 
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