Traditional Chinese medicine culture in China has a long history. Even today, many people are still enthusiastic about pursuing health through traditional Chinese medicine. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, “men are dominated by yang, and women by yin,” and for males, yang energy is very important!
However, nowadays, people’s life stress is gradually increasing, and some unhealthy habits are gradually depleting the yang energy in the body, leading to insufficient yang energy. So, what kind of abnormalities might occur in the bodies of males with insufficient yang energy?
What is insufficient yang energy?
In traditional Chinese medicine, insufficient yang energy is also known as yang deficiency, mainly referring to the decline in the body’s immune function, leading to a decrease in metabolic activity in the body. Patients may experience symptoms such as aversion to cold, cold intolerance, cold hands and feet, mental fatigue, etc. In addition, patients with insufficient yang energy may experience symptoms such as clear and long urination, loose stools, etc.
It is advisable to pay more attention to rest, balancing work and rest. It is recommended to go outdoors for sun exposure every day or engage in physical exercise. In addition, dietary habits should be reasonable and balanced, avoiding overly greasy, spicy, and stimulating foods.
Do males with “insufficient yang energy” experience any “abnormalities” in the body? Let’s self-check against the following:
1. Palpitations and shortness of breath
If male friends often feel anxious and shortness of breath in their daily lives, it is likely that their body lacks yang energy. This feeling of breathlessness and restlessness can escalate, causing chest discomfort, increasing fatigue, weakness, poor mental state, possibly due to the weakness of the heart and lung functions in the body.
2. Decreased resistance
The body’s immune system acts as a defense mechanism against bacteria and viruses. If the body’s resistance and immunity are low, a large number of bacteria and viruses can gradually invade the body, leading male friends to develop a series of diseases. If a male friend has good physical fitness and physique, it indicates relatively sufficient yang energy within the body. If the physique is relatively weak, many males may experience backache during physical work, breathlessness when climbing stairs, indicating insufficient yang energy.
3. Cold hands and feet
People with insufficient yang energy tend to feel cold or chilled, especially in autumn and winter. With insufficient yang energy, cold air cannot be expelled, similar to when the sun is less intense in winter, and the natural environment becomes colder. In traditional medicine, the circulation of qi and blood in the body requires yang energy to drive it. If the yang energy is insufficient, the power weakens, the ability to transport qi and blood is reduced, and the hands and feet, which are at the end, cannot be nourished by more qi and blood, leading to a lack of warmth, hence feeling cold.
4. Weak urination
Urination is an important way for the body to detoxify. Prolonged insufficient yang energy in males can lead to a severe decline in kidney function, resulting in symptoms such as weak urination, frequent urination, and painful urination. Insufficient yang energy is related to kidney function changes. To alleviate such symptoms, timely adjustment of kidney health is necessary, along with consuming more kidney-health-enhancing foods.
5. Lethargy and exhaustion
Males with insufficient yang energy lack vitality or spirit, speak weakly, feel tired in limbs, unwilling to move, even reluctant to speak. Moreover, they often have trouble sleeping at night, feel drowsy during the day, become irritable, forgetful, making them feel exhausted overall. If these symptoms persist despite medical check-ups showing no issues, it indicates insufficient yang energy in the body, requiring yang energy replenishment.
Do not worry about insufficient yang energy. Stick to these 4 good habits, and yang energy may gradually “rise”:
1. Stick to soaking feet in hot water before bed. Soaking feet can relieve fatigue. Males who want to replenish or protect their yang energy can choose to soak their feet in hot water before bed. The soles of the feet have many acupoints connected to the internal organs. By persistently soaking feet in hot water, these acupoints can be stimulated to expel damp and cold qi from the body.
2. Maintain regular exercise habits. Regular moderate exercise in daily life not only helps improve physical fitness and effectively exercise all muscles in the body but also helps the generation of yang energy in the body. Especially for friends with a cold constitution, engaging in regular exercise helps the whole body feel warm. Outdoor activities and sun exposure also promote the generation of yang energy in the body, aiding in the gradual restoration of yang energy.
3. Sunbathe the back more. The back corresponds to yang, while the abdomen corresponds to yin. Therefore, sunbathing the back more can have a yang-nourishing effect. During back sunbathing, avoid direct exposure to strong sunlight at noon to prevent sunburn. Instead, face the sun in the morning between nine and ten and in the afternoon between three and four to allow the back to be exposed to the sun for over half an hour. This can stimulate the internal yang energy, making it more abundant.
4. Dietary regulation. Since yang energy is the energy in the body, food forms the foundation of this energy. To replenish yang energy, consume more foods that help elevate yang energy. Males can consider eating more lamb, oysters, Chinese yam, beef, leeks, and other foods. Additionally, using mulberries, goji berries, Eucommia bark, and combining them with ginseng, polygonatum, raspberries, and other ingredients to create a tea known as “ginseng nine treasures” can help replenish yang energy, improve kidney energy, and boost male vitality.
The saying goes, “Yang energy is the foundation of longevity.” Men who eat more of these 4 types of foods can replenish yang energy and enhance their physique:
1. Beef and lamb. Meat contains high-quality protein, which is essential for the body, but pork has high fat content, which can lead to weight gain. As the metabolic rate decreases in middle-aged men, consuming fatty meat can lead to weight control issues. Therefore, consuming beef and lamb, which are rich in protein, amino acids, and other nutrients, can help improve the body’s immunity and muscular strength, making male friends stronger.
2. Leeks. If there is already a deficiency in yang energy, it is advisable to eat leeks in moderation. Leeks are common vegetables that contain various nutrients. Consuming leeks moderately helps replenish yang energy, thereby improving the deficiency. Proper dietary habits are essential in promoting physical and mental health.
3. Garlic. If there are signs of insufficient yang energy, attention to a proper diet is necessary. It is wise to consume garlic occasionally. Garlic, a common seasoning, has antimicrobial and disinfectant effects. Eating garlic in moderation provides various nutrients such as allicin and vitamins, which can be beneficial for improving yang deficiency. Therefore, consuming garlic as part of the diet can help control symptoms of yang deficiency and promote health, preventing negative effects of prolonged yang deficiency.
4. Coriander. Though many people may not favor coriander due to its pungent odor, consuming coriander in summer can help replenish yang energy. Coriander contains ample vitamin C, vitamin A, and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which can aid in replenishing yang energy in males. It has high potassium content and low sodium levels, beneficial in preventing hypertension. Males can increase consumption of coriander in summer.
