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.
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Kidney in Chinese Medicine The concept of Yang The concept of Deficiency
Key attributes
Chinese name: 肾阳虚 Pinyin name: Shèn Yáng Xū
Pattern nature: Empty
Pattern hierarchy: Specific pattern under Yang Deficiency
Common combinations: Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency with Empty Cold
Causes
Precursor patterns: Kidney Essence Deficiency Kidney Qi not Firm Spleen Qi Deficiency and eight other possible precursors
Common causes: 1. Chronic diseases, 2. Excessive sexual activity, 3. Physical over-exertion, 4. Over-exercising, 5. Diet, 6. External Cold and Dampness
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Fatigue Tinnitus Dizziness Weak legs Lassitude and sixteen other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue description: Pale tongue
Treatment
Treatment principle: Tonify and warm the Kidneys, strengthen the Gate of Life Fire.
Common formulas: Ba Wei Di Huang Wan You Gui Wan Er Xian Tang and four other formulas
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness. It indicates that the Fire of the Gate of Life, which is located between the two Kidneys and supplies fundamental warmth for the body, is also impaired. Therefore, the Organs lack warmth and cannot fully perform their functions.
Additionally, Essence cannot warm the sexual function and the Uterus, which can lead to infertility and lowered libido. It also causes insufficient Qi to strengthen the bones, making them brittle.
In severe cases, Yang's function of transforming Body Fluids is impaired. Thus Oedema accumulates and it cause water retention in other Organs, especially the Heart and the Lungs. As a result, symptoms such as breathlessness on exertion, cough, asthma with thin, watery and frothy sputum, palpitations as well as cold hands may appear.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often paired with patterns such as Deficient Heart, Deficient Spleen Yang or Deficient Lung Qi.
Precursor patterns: Kidney Yang Deficiency can derive from Kidney Essence Deficiency Kidney Qi not Firm Spleen Qi Deficiency Spleen Yang Deficiency Spleen Qi Sinking Spleen Blood Deficiency Spleen not controlling Blood Cold-Damp invading the Spleen Small Intestine Deficient and Cold Damp-Cold in the Bladder Bladder Deficient and Cold
Chronic diseases: A chronic diseases, especially these come with Spleen Yang Deficiency, can harm Kidney Yang if they are kept untreated for a very long time.
Excessive sexual activity: Excessive sexual activities can also cause this pattern, especially if one is exposed to cold immediately after intercourse. For woman patients, their Kidney Yang can be largely impaired if they happen to have too early, for example, during puberty.
Physical over-exertion: Excessive physical work depletes Kidney Yang.
Over-exercising: Like physical over-exertion, over-exercising is also a cause for consuming Kidney Yang.
Diet: Excessive intake of cold and raw foods and drinks as well as juices, fruits, iced drinks and foods such as ice cream or frozen yogurt create Cold in the Kidneys and injure the Yang. There are other Kidney depleting substances such as alcohol, coffee, caffeinated drinks or foods, tobacco and sugar.
External Cold and Dampness: Overexposure to cold and wet climates and environments can cause this pattern.
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.
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen) or slow (Chi)
Tongue description: Pale tongue
Main symptoms: Fatigue Tinnitus Dizziness Weak legs Lassitude Impotence Depression Loose stools Constipation Oedema of legs Lower back pain Feeling of cold Low sperm count Sore lower back Decreased libido Cold and weak knees Infertility in women Premature ejaculation Bright-white complexion Pale and abudant urination Sensation of cold in the lower back
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the back pain, feeling of cold, profuse clear urination, pale tongue and deep pulse.
Tonify and warm the Kidneys, strengthen the Gate of Life Fire.
The top herbs in You Gui Wan are Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Bark (Rou Gui) and Deer Antler Glue (Lu Jiao Jiao)
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
You Gui Wan is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify.
Besides Kidney Yang Deficiency, You Gui Wan is also used to treat Kidney Qi not Firm or Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang.
The top herbs in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan are Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang), Cornelian Cherries (Shan Zhu Yu) and Yam (Shan Yao)
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify.
Besides Kidney Yang Deficiency, Ba Wei Di Huang Wan is also used to treat Yang Deficiency or Empty Yang or Kidney Yin Deficiency.
The top herbs in Shen Qi Wan are Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) and Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang)
Shen Qi Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify.
Besides Kidney Yang Deficiency, Shen Qi Wan is also used to treat Damp-Phlegm or Oedema.
The top herbs in Tu Si Zi Wan are Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi), Pilose Antlers (Lu Rong) and Desert-Living Cistanches (Rou Cong Rong)
Source date: 1253 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Kidneys. Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions.
Tu Si Zi Wan is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1253 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify.
Besides Kidney Yang Deficiency, Tu Si Zi Wan is also used to treat Kidney Essence Deficiency or Kidney Qi not Firm.
The top herbs in Er Xian Tang are Curculigo Rhizomes (Xian Mao), Epimedium Herbs (Yin Yang Huo) and Morinda Roots (Ba Ji Tian)
Source date: 1950 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys. Clears Empty Heat. Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
Er Xian Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1950 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Yin and Yang.
Besides Kidney Yang Deficiency, Er Xian Tang is also used to treat Deficiency of both the Kidney Yin and Yang.
The top herbs in Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan are Cuscuta Seeds (Tu Si Zi), Schisandra Berries (Wu Wei Zi) and Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi)
Source date: 1550 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Kidney Yang. Strengthens the Essence.
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1550 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm Yang and tonify.
Besides Kidney Yang Deficiency, Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan is also used to treat Kidney Essence Deficiency.
The top herbs in Ji Chuan Jian are Desert-Living Cistanches (Rou Cong Rong), Dong Quai (Dang Gui) and Achyranthes Roots (Niu Xi)
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Kidneys . Nourishes the Blood . Strengthens the Essence . Moistens the Intestines. Unblocks bowels .
Ji Chuan Jian is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1624 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that moisten Intestines and unblock bowels.
Eat a balanced diet of all cooked foods and those with a warm energy such as whole grains, legumes (especially aduki beans), meat (especially lamb, beef and pork), cooked vegetables and greens. Drink walnut tea or use walnuts in cooking. Asparagus, black cherry juice, raspberries and millet all aid Kidney Qi.
Avoid any intake of cold and raw foods and drinks, frozen yogurt, ice cream, popsicles, iced and refrigerated drinks, juices, sodas, coffee and other caffeinated foods and drinks, sugar, alcohol, soy milk and tofu.
Avoid excessive sexual activity, exposure to cold (especially over the lower abdomen and back), and excessive use of hot tubs and saunas, being sure to dunk or thoroughly rinse in cool water after they are used.
Wear a harimaki to protect the abdomen from the external Coldness. Apply moxibustion or ginger fomentations over the lower abdomen and Kidney regions. Try also breathing exercises.
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 Yang 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 Menopausal syndrome Late menstruation Anemia Hypertension Chronic bronchitis Chronic rhinitis Rectal prolapse Infertility Cystitis Urticaria Eczema Pyelonephritis Emphysema Asthma Edema Nephrotic syndrome Kidney stones Keratities Hyperaldosteronism Hypothyroidism Chronic nephritis Renal tuberculosis Diabetes mellitus Diabetes insipidus Cataract Glaucoma Neurasthenia Addison's disease Arteriosclerosis Albuminuria Chronic gonorrhea Arthritis Osteoporosis Leukopenia Bronchial asthma Nephritis Benign prostatic hypertrophy Chronic glomerular Renal stones Chronic urethritis Paralysis of the detrusor muscle Urinary retention Vitreous opacity Chronic tonsillitis Neurogenic tinnitus Periodontal disease Premature ejaculation Wheezing Heavy back Heavy knees Knee weakness Weak back Urinary difficulties Coughing Phlegm
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Shen Qi Wan, a formula used for late menstruation caused by Kidney Yang Deficiency
Typical symptoms for late menstruation caused by Kidney Yang Deficiency: Sore back Dizziness Late period Scanty periods Pale color periods Nocturnal emissions
Recommended herbal formula: Shen Qi Wan
Kidney Yang is considered the 'primary Yang'. It is the root of Yang for all other Organs and all the Yang energies of the entire body. In the case of Kidney Yang Deficiency, this results in a situation where there is not be enough Kidney Essence to create Blood, nor sufficient Qi to move Blood to the Lower Burner. Then the Directing (Ren Mai 任脉) and Penetrating (Chong Mai 冲脉) Vessels are not nourished and the Sea of Blood fails to fill the Uterus, hence the delayed periods. Long-term Kidney...Read more about late menstruation
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for You Gui Wan, a formula used for menopausal syndrome caused by Kidney Yang Deficiency
Typical symptoms for menopausal syndrome caused by Kidney Yang Deficiency: Chills Pale face Back pain Dizziness Depression Hot flushes Night sweats Poor appetite Sore lower back Premature aging Oedema of ankles Abdominal fullness Cold hands and feet Premature menopause Absence of menstruation Thin body lacking strength
Recommended herbal formula: You Gui Wan
According to Chinese Medicine, both Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency are interlinked reasons behind menopausal syndrome. It is because the Spleen Yang originates from the Kidney Yang so a deficiency in one will cause a deficiency in the other. In turn the Spleen supplies the Kidneys with postnatal Grain Qi and the Blood it transforms from food and drinks.
When the Spleen Yang is deficient due to Kidney Yang Deficiency, its ability to generate sufficient grain Qi, Blood and Post-Heaven Essence...Read more about menopausal syndrome
Since the Kidneys are the origin of all body energies, a severe and chronic Deficiency of Kidney Yang is a mandatory precondition to Heart-Yang Collapsing.
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water overflowing
Long-term chronic Spleen Yang Deficiency may lead to "Water overflowing", especially when there is also Dampness.
If left untreated Kidney Yang Deficiency can lead to Kidneys failing to receive Qi
For the elderly, Kidney Yang Deficiency is often the precursor of Damp-Phlegm in the Lungs. It is because the Kidneys are responsible for Body Fluids transformation, thus the malfunction of Kidneys give rise to Phlegm accumulation.
In the elderly, Kidney Yang Deficiency can impair the Kidney's ability to transform and transport Body Fluids, thus the formation of Dampness and Phlegm, which then gets stored in the Lungs.
In the elderly, Kidney Yang Deficiency can impair the Kidney's ability to transform and transport Body Fluids, thus the formation of Dampness and Phlegm, which then gets stored in the Lungs.
Kidney Yang Deficiency contributes to the formation of Dampness in the Lower Burner. As such, it can coexist as a pattern together with Damp-Heat in the Bladder.
Kidney Yang Deficiency contributes to the formation of Dampness in the Lower Burner.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is the most frequent precursor of Bladder Deficient and Cold.
The Kidneys control water circulation and balance Body Fluids in the body. They are the root of water metabolism in the body, strengthened by the Spleen's function of transforming and raising Fluids and the Lungs' function of circulating and descending Fluids to the Lower Burner.
If this function is impaired, Body Fluids overflows out of their normal channels and settle in the space between skin and the muscles in the lower part of the body, such as the legs and ankles.
Yang Deficiency can happen to various Organs because of Kidney Yang Deficiency, which is the original of all body Heat because the Gate of Life Fire is located between two Kidneys.
Therefore, the lack of Yang in Kidneys can provoke Yang Deficiency in other Organs, especially the Spleen, Stomach, Lungs and Heart.
Yang Deficiency can happen to various Organs because of Kidney Yang Deficiency, which is the original of all body Heat because the Gate of Life Fire is located between two Kidneys.
Therefore, the lack of Yang in Kidneys can provoke Yang Deficiency in other Organs, especially the Spleen, Stomach, Lungs and Heart.
Yang Deficiency can happen to various Organs because of Kidney Yang Deficiency, which is the original of all body Heat because the Gate of Life Fire is located between two Kidneys.
Therefore, the lack of Yang in Kidneys can provoke Yang Deficiency in other Organs, especially the Spleen, Stomach, Lungs and Heart.
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.
Kidney Yang is the origin of all body Yang. When it is lacking, it affects various Organs, including the Uterus.