Yin deficiency and excessive fire are common health issues in modern society, stemming from deficiency of yin in the body’s viscera, which fails to adequately nourish the body, leading to the internal generation of deficient heat. This condition may affect multiple organs such as the heart, liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys, with kidney yin deficiency being the most common. Patients may experience symptoms like night sweats, restlessness, insomnia, premature ejaculation or spermatorrhea in males, reduced menstrual flow or even amenorrhea in females, as well as symptoms like sore and weak lower back and knees, and tinnitus.
This condition arises from depletion of essence and blood, resulting in decreased yin fluids, leading to an imbalance of yin and yang, with relative excess of yang qi and the production of internal heat. Clinically, it manifests as generalized deficient heat or may be localized in specific areas like toothache, sore throat, dry mouth and lips, flushed face, constipation, short yellow urine, all results of heat flaming upwards due to deficiency fire. Patients typically exhibit symptoms like five-center heat, insomnia, red tongue with little coating, and thin, wiry pulse. The disease progresses slowly over a long course.
Advancing age, recovery from severe illnesses, or unhealthy lifestyle habits can all lead to impairment of yin, as stated in the Nei Jing
: “When one reaches forty, yin and yang are automatically in decline”. Therefore, nurturing yin, preventing excessive yang, are crucial for maintaining health.
The regulation of yin deficiency and excessive fire emphasizes traditional Chinese medicine, advocating for nourishing yin and clearing heat, while emphasizing a calm mentality to avoid emotional fluctuations. In diet, one can choose foods with yin-nourishing effects such as raw rehmannia glutinosa congee, dwarf lilyturf root congee, lily congee, which are both nourishing and easily absorbed by the spleen and stomach. Additionally, moderation in all things should be observed, avoiding excessive fatigue, reducing the intake of warming and drying foods and stimulating drinks, having a light dinner, all aiding in nurturing the body.
It is important to note that persistent symptoms like frequent dreams, insomnia, and headaches may indicate yin deficiency and excessive fire, and should not be overlooked. Seeking timely medical attention, taking appropriate measures, and preventing the deterioration of the condition are all vital for long-term health maintenance.
