Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
Kidney and Spleen Yang Deficiency
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
Pale and wet.
Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
Lower back pain, feeling of cold, loose stools and Deep-Weak pulse are enough in and of themselves to diagnose this pattern.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Excessive consumption of cold and raw foods may weaken Kidney Yang. Kidney depleting substances such as alcohol, coffee or sugar can also be factors.
Excessive physical work or exercise - especially lifting things - weakens Kidney Yang.
Excessive sexual activity in men, particularly masturbation, weakens Kidney Yang.
A chronic illness, especially if it leads to Spleen Yang Deficiency, can over a long period of time lead to Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pathological Mechanism
The Spleen is the Organ that provides the material basis for our acquired constitution (Post-Heaven Essence), while the Kidneys provide the inherited constitution (Pre-Heaven Essence).
A Kidney Yang Deficiency contributes to a depletion of Spleen Yang and vice versa. This pattern results when Kidney Yang is insufficient to warm Spleen Yang or when a long-term Deficiency of Spleen Yang produces Dampness which can eventually injure Kidney Yang. This is always a chronic condition.
As the root of Grain Qi (Gu Qi), a Yang Deficiency in the Spleen leads to many Qi Deficiency (Qi is Yang in Nature) symptoms all over the body: lack of strength, tiredness, lassitude, feeling of cold and a desire to lie down.
Deficient Kidney-Yang cannot transform Water and Fluids accumulate, hence the edema and the abundant urination. It also cannot help the Spleen to transport and transform, resulting in chronic diarrhea and abdominal distension.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Tonify and warm Spleen and Kidney Yang.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Eat only cooked food (nothing raw) and favor foods that are warming in nature such as beef or lamb.
For exercising favor light activities such as walking, swimming, bicycling, Yoga, Tai Chi or Qi Gong.
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