Aunt Wang’s problem is as follows: she often feels cold, has weak limbs, and cannot be without long sleeves even in the scorching summer. Following her neighbor’s suggestion, she visited an experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctor. The terms “yang deficiency,” “yin deficiency,” and “qi and blood deficiency” mentioned in the diagnosis left her somewhat confused. Aunt Wang’s symptoms mainly indicate yang deficiency, meaning her body lacks yang energy, has an excess of yin energy, leading to an inability to maintain the balance between yin and yang, resulting in the phenomenon of cold intolerance.
On the contrary, yin deficiency is characterized by a lack of yin energy in the body, with an excess of yang energy, presenting symptoms such as dry mouth and tongue, constipation, and irritability with heat. If this condition lasts for two to three years, it is likely to be a manifestation of yin deficiency. Dietary preferences can also reflect these constitutional differences: those with yang deficiency tend to prefer hot foods to warm themselves; while those with yin deficiency prefer cold drinks to alleviate the excessive heat in their bodies.
As for qi and blood deficiency, it is generally related to the decline of bodily functions, affecting mental state, and is the root cause of many chronic illnesses in older adults. It can affect important organs such as the heart, brain, liver, and kidneys, leading to issues such as palpitations, memory decline, poor blood circulation, or elevated uric acid levels, requiring timely adjustment. A reasonable diet, such as consuming beef and millet to boost qi, and eating pig liver, black-boned chicken, and longan to replenish blood, is an effective way to enhance physical health.
In fact, significant changes in individual dietary habits can sometimes serve as signal lights for bodily conditions, helping to distinguish between yin deficiency and yang deficiency. Understanding that Aunt Wang’s cold intolerance and fatigue stem from yang deficiency, considering her age, she should also pay attention to preventing potential qi and blood deficiency problems. In daily life, she might consider using food therapy to nourish her health and enhance her vitality.
