Lung 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

Exterior Heat and Dryness can invade the Lungs and exhausts the Body Fluids. If it is not dealt with for a long time, it leads to Lung Yin Deficiency. Typical manifestations are dry cough, throat and mouth, aversion to speak as well as Hoarse voice. 

Other factors can cause this pattern such as the Deficiency of Kidneys or Stomach Yin as well as prolonged Lung Qi Deficiency due to excessive smoking or use of voice.

Empty-Heat symptoms appear if the Lung Yin Deficiency condition is not treated for a while. Patients can feel malar flush, low-grade fever as well as Heat in the palms and chest, especially in the evenings. 

Lung Yin Deficiency generally occurs in middle-aged and elderly patients as a result of overwork, irregular diet and smoking. However, it can also occur in a child after whooping cough.

Causes

Precursor patterns: Lung Yin Deficiency can derive from Kidney Yin Deficiency Lung Qi Deficiency Stomach Yin Deficiency Lung Dryness Lung Heat Dry-Phlegm in the Lungs

Excessive use of voice : Excessive use of the voice over many years have a drying effect, which can eventually develop to Lung Yin Deficiency.

Smoking : Tobacco or cannabis is hot in nature. They can dry the the Lungs and leads to Lung Yin Deficiency.

Emotional stress : Sadness and grief normally deplete Qi. However, when
a person has a pre-existing constitutional tendency to
Yin Deficiency, these emotions may deplete Lung Yin.

Diagnosing Lung 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 Lung Yin Deficiency

Treatment principle

Tonify Lung Yin, nourish Body Fluids, clear Empty-Heat if necessary. 

Herbal formulas used to treat Lung Yin Deficiency

Diet recommendations

Pay attention to avoid foods that are hot, spicy, fried and greasy. Eat grains, protein, vegetables and greens. If digestion function is well, also try some fruits (especially pears) and juices. Some specific foods are recommended such as asparagus, duck, black beans and milk. 

As for other therapies, it is recommended to use oil massage, breathing exercises, cupping over upper back and meditation.

The patients should avoid using saunas or hot tubs. They should also avoid go to bed late and find a way to balance their overloaded work and emotional stress. Resting is very important in replenishing Yin, during the day and at night. 

As for sports, avoid intense aerobic exercises or anything cause extensive sweating. It is recommended to try Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, stretching, light walk and swimming. 

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 Lung 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.

Absence of menstruation Peptic ulcers Hypertension Chronic bronchitis Asthma Pneumonia Pertussis Bronchiectasis Diabetes Laryngitis Lung atrophy Acute bronchitis Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia Radiation therapy side effects

Consequence patterns

Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency

A chronic condition of Lung Yin deficiency may lead to Kidney Yin Deficiency too

Kidney Yin Deficiency

Lung Yin Deficiency frequently derives from Kidney Yin Deficiency. The reverse is also true.