Kidney Yin Deficiency

The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.

Pathology

This pattern often accompanies Kidney Essence Deficiency, as Kidney Yin includes Essence. When both element are depleted in the Kidneys, not enough Marrow is generated to fill the Brain, thus the symptoms of dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo and poor memory. The dizziness is mild and the tinnitus is often gradual and slow, like a rushing water sound. Marrow is also essential for nourishing the bones, thus the pattern also leads to symptoms like back and bone pain. 

Essence Deficiency also gives rise to symptoms like nocturnal emissions, infertility or little sperm. 

Body Fluids is also a form of Yin, therefore Yin Deficiency causes some degree of Dryness, resulting constipation, scanty dark urine as well as a dry mouth and throat, especially at night. 

When Kidney Yin Deficiency proceed for a long time without being treated properly, it can develop some Empty Heat symptoms such as night sweats, five palm heat, feeling of heat or fever in the afternoon or evening, malar flush, thirst but only with desire to drink in small sips and anxiety in the evening. 

Causes

Precursor patterns: Kidney Yin Deficiency can derive from Kidney Essence Deficiency Liver Blood Deficiency Liver Yin Deficiency Lung Yin Deficiency Stomach Yin Deficiency Stomach and Spleen Yin Deficiency Damp-Heat in the Bladder

Overwork: Prolonged overwork without proper resting, such as several years, can severely consume Kidney Yin.

Excessive sexual activity : Both Kidney Yin and Essence can be largely depleted due to excessive sexual activities.

Loss of Blood : According to TCM, the Liver and the Kidneys share the same rote. It is because the Liver stores the Blood and the Kidneys store Essence and both Elements are inter-transformable. Therefore, prolonged Loss of Blood, such as heavy periods, can cause Liver Blood Deficiency, which eventually develops to Kidney Yin Deficiency.

Chronic disease: Chronic diseases, especially these related to the Liver, Heart and Lungs, can give rise to Kidney Yin Deficiency.

Loss of Body Fluids: A febrile disease consumes Body Fluids, especially in the Heart. It can potentially give rise to Kidney Yin Deficiency.

Over dosage of Chinese herbs: If a patient is given over dosage of Kidney Yang tonifying TCM herbs, Kidney Yin Deficiency can occur.

Diet: Kindy Yang can be depleted due to long term smoking or excessive consumption of foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, and fruit juices.

Physical over-exertion: Physical over-exertion consumes Yin as well.

Diagnosing Kidney Yin Deficiency

Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Treating Kidney Yin Deficiency

Treatment principle

Nourish Kidney Yin, clear Empty Heat 

Herbal formulas used to treat Kidney Yin Deficiency

Diet recommendations

Same as for the Kidney Essence Deficiency pattern, it is recommended to eat a lot of whole grains with protein supplements such as legumes or meat, cooked vegetables and greens to support the Kidneys. Pork, duck, milk and congee are especially useful. Avoid coffee and other caffeinated foods and drinks, alcohol, sugar and tobacco smoking.

Rest is one of the best and most important ways to replenish Yin. Any exercises evolving sweating such as aerobics, should be avoided. Try mild and gentle sports such as swimming, walking, Yoga, Tai Chi or Qi Gong. It is also recommended to try cupping over the back and breathing exercises.

Adopt a balanced lifestyle and avoid late eating or sleep, overwork, mental-exertion and excessive sexual activities. Avoid sauna and hot tubs.

Related conditions

Please keep in mind that a Western Medicine condition can be caused by several Chinese Medicine patterns of disharmony and vice versa. As such a patient suffering from one of the conditions below will not necessarily be suffering from Kidney Yin Deficiency, it is just one pattern that's commonly associated with the condition. Click on a condition to learn what other patterns it's associated with.

Abnormal vaginal discharge Irregular menstruation Prolonged periods Menopausal syndrome Trigeminal neuralgia Stomatitis Periodontitis Glossitis Diabetes Viral myocarditis

Consequence patterns

Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty Heat Blazing

Kidney Yin Deficiency With Empty Heat Blazing always derives from Kidney Yin Deficiency

Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized

If left untreated Kidney Yin Deficiency can lead to Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized

Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency

If left untreated Kidney Yin Deficiency can lead to Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency

Liver Yin Deficiency

Kidney Yin Deficiency facilitates the development of Liver Yin Deficiency on top of Liver Blood Deficiency. The Liver stores the Blood and the Kidneys stores the Essence. Both elements are interdependent. Prolonged Kidney Yin Deficiency can lead to lack of Liver Yin. 

Liver Yang Rising

The Liver and the Kidneys are closely related. Kidney Deficiency, especially the Yin of the Kidneys, can easily effect Liver Yin. If it is not treated for a while, Liver Yang Rising happens. 

Kidney Essence Deficiency

Kidney Essence (Jing 精) Deficiency usually involves Deficiency of Kidney Yin and, to some extent, Kidney Yang as well. Vice versa, Yin or Yang Deficiency of the Kidneys can also cause the lacking of Essence. 

Heart Yin Deficiency

Kidney Yin Deficiency can cause general Yin Deficiency as well as in other Organs, especially the Liver, Heart, Lungs and Stomach.

According to the Five Phases Theory, the Kidneys are water while the Heart is Fire. In case of Kidney Yin Deficiency, the water fails to rise to control and cool the Fire, resulting in flaring up of the Empty-Heat of the Heart. 

Lung Yin Deficiency

Kidney Yin Deficiency can cause general Yin Deficiency as well as in other Organs, especially the Liver, Heart, Lungs and Stomach. 

Stomach Yin Deficiency

Kidney Yin Deficiency can cause general Yin Deficiency as well as in other Organs, especially the Liver, Heart, Lungs and Stomach.