Heart and Kidney 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.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Heart in Chinese Medicine The Kidney in Chinese Medicine The concept of Yin The concept of Deficiency
Key attributes
Chinese name: 心肾阴虚 Pinyin name: Xīn Shèn Yīn Xū
Pattern nature: Empty
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Anxiety Insomnia Tinnitus Dizziness Poor memory and five other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Red, Red tip
Tongue shape: Cracked
Treatment
Common formulas: Jiao Tai Wan Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan Ci Zhu Wan
Pathology
Also called "Kidneys and Heart not Harmonized", this pattern occurs when Kidney Yin is Deficient and cannot nourish the Heart Yin which thus becomes Deficient. It results in a flaring up of Empty-Heat in the Heart with accompanying symptoms such as mental restlessness, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep and nocturnal emissions. The other symptoms like poor memory, dizziness or tinnitus are due to the Kidney Yin failing to nourish the brain and opening into the ear.
Diagnosing Heart and Kidney 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.
Pulse type(s): Overflowing (Hong), rapid (Shu) or empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Red, Red tip
Tongue shape: Cracked
Main symptoms: Anxiety Insomnia Tinnitus Dizziness Poor memory Palpitations Night sweats Restlnessness Dream disturbed sleep Spontaneous and nocturnal emissions
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the
Treating Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Herbal formulas used to treat Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan
Source date: 16th century
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Key actions: Enriches the Yin. Nourishes the Blood. Clears Heat. Calms the Mind.
Formula summary
Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan is a 14-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 16th century, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind.
Besides Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency, Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan is also used to treat Heart Yin Deficiency or Empty-Heat or Fire caused by Yin Deficiency.
Jiao Tai Wan
Source date: 1522 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Restores the functional communication between the Heart and the Kidneys.
Formula summary
Jiao Tai Wan is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1522 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind.
Besides Heart and Kidney Yin Deficiency, Jiao Tai Wan is also used to treat Kidneys And Heart Not Harmonized or Disharmony between Heart and Kidneys caused by Kidney Yang Deficiency.
Ci Zhu Wan
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Heavily sedates and calms the Mind . Pacifies Rising Yang . Improves the vision and hearing.
Formula summary
Ci Zhu Wan is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 650 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that sedate and calm the Mind.
Diet recommendations
Same as Kidney Essence Deficiency pattern, it is recommended to eat a lot of whole grains with protein complement such as legumes or meat, cooked vegetables and greens to support the Kidneys. Pork, duck, milk and congee are especially useful. Avoid coffee and other caffeinated foods and drinks, alcohol, sugar and tobacco smoking.
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 aduki beans, soya, tofu and milk in the diet.