Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
Normal-coloured without coating or with rootless coating
Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Diagnostic Considerations
A dry cough, tinnitus and a tongue without coating are enough in and of themselves to diagnose Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency. Together with night sweats and dizziness they're they main characteristic symptoms of this pattern.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Anger, frustration and depression may over the long-term lead to this pattern.
Working excessively long hours for many years weakens Kidney Yin and may lead to this pattern
Excessive sexual activity, especially masturbation, depletes Kidney Essence and Kidney Yin.
Depletion of Body Fluids, for instance if they are dried up by Heat after a febrile disease, may lead to Kidney Yin Deficiency.
Loss of blood over a long period of time (such as from chronic excessive menstrual bleeding) can cause Liver Blood Deficiency, which, in turn, can lead deplete Kidney Yin.
A long chronic illness may lead to Kidney Yin Deficiency.
If Kidney Yang is overstimulated by the administration of hot herbal medicine, Kidney-Yin will be injured
A diet poor in nourishment or lacking in Blood-forming foods (such as meat and grains) can lead to Liver Blood Deficiency and subsequently this pattern
Pathological Mechanism
The Lungs and Kidneys coordinate to promote movement of respiration. The Lungs rule Qi and respiration, perform the function of respiration and send Qi down to the Kidneys. The Kidneys then hold the Qi down and thus control and promote inspiration.
The Yin Deficiency here means this mechanism is deficient, leading to the symptom of breathlessness on exertion.
The Lungs also send Fluids down to the Kidneys, which evaporates some of it and sends that vapor back up to the Lungs to keep them moist. A dysfunction of either Organ can impair Fluid metabolism in the body, often leading to a Deficiency of Lung Yin from lack of moisture returning to the Lungs.
This is what we see with the symptoms of dry cough, mouth and throat.
All the other symptoms are typical of Kidney Yin Deficiency: night sweats, dizziness, tinnitus, hearing difficulties, scanty urination.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Nourish Lung and Kidney Yin, nourish Body Fluids.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Eat plenty of grains, vegetables and a little meat (preferably white meat). Avoid spicy, greasy and fried foods, caffeinated foods and drinks including coffee, black tea, cocoa, alcohol, drugs, chips of all kinds, turkey and red meats.
Rest is extremely important in nourishing Yin, as is meditation, contemplation and prayer. Avoid excessive mental and sexual activity as well as overwork.
When it comes to exercise stretching and light movement are beneficial, such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, swimming and walking.
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