Heart Yin Deficiency
Heart Yin Deficiency
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
Red or normal tongue with no coating, redder tip with swollen red pointes on tip, deep midline crack
Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Fine (Xi), Floating (Fu)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Other Associated Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
The key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the palpitations, mental restlessness, night sweating and tongue without coating.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Long term anxiety, fear or worry can easily hurt Heart Blood, and eventually the Heart Yin.
Overwork in the sense of working long hour without proper rest can easily harm general Yin. The situation get worse if this prolonged overwork is under stress such as anxiety, resulting in disturbed Mind.
This situation is fairly common nowadays due to our hectic lifestyle.
Prolonged exposure to very hot environment (either in a hot country or a working space) can consume Body Fluids, which is a Yin element. It eventually develops to Heart Yin Deficiency.
Lack of sleep, sleeping too late or getting up too early also consumes general Yin, which eventually develops to Heart Yin Deficiency.
Pathological Mechanism
This pattern often derives from Heart Blood Deficiency. Both patterns share similar symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep, easily scared, poor memory, restlessness and anxiety.
Blood is a type of Yin element. If Heart Blood get insufficient over a long period of time without being treated, it can eventually develop to the Yin Deficiency. Therefore, middle-aged or elderly patients have more tendency to have Heart Yin Deficiency, while Heart Blood Deficiency is more seem among younger patients, especially young women.
Heart Yin Deficiency may also evolve to Empty-Heat pattern, with typical manifestations of malar flush, five-palm heat and feeling of heat especially in the afternoon or evening.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Nourish Heart Yin, calm the Mind, clear Empty-Heat.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Avoid spicy foods. If digestion is good, fruit is beneficial, especially berries and purple grapes. If digestion is impaired, eat all cooked foods. Sufficient protein at each meal is important. Do not skip meals. Include black and adzuki beans, soya, tofu and milk in the diet.
As for other therapies, try oil massage, breathing exercises and cupping over the upper back to relieve Stagnation and Deficient Empty-Heat. Try go to bed as early as 9.30 PM and sleep for at least 8 hours. Try work out the emotional stress by taking some hobbies or works that are interesting and fulfilling.
As for sports, avoid intense aerobic exercises. It is better to do light sports such as Yoga, Tai Chi and Qi Gong. It is because they invite the Mind to participate in the Qi and Blood circulation of the body. Other than that, stretching, walking or swimming can be also beneficial.
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Pattern Relationships
Derives From
Yin DeficiencyCan Develop Into
Related Conditions
This pattern can manifest as: