Kidney and 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.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Kidneys in Chinese Medicine The Lungs in Chinese Medicine The concept of Yin The concept of Deficiency
Key attributes
Chinese name: 肺肾阴虚 Pinyin name: Fèi Shèn Yīn Xū
Pattern nature: Empty combined pattern
Pattern(s) it combines from: Kidney Yin Deficiency Lung Yin Deficiency
Causes
Precursor patterns: Kidney Yin Deficiency Lung Yin Deficiency
Common causes: 1. Emotional problems, 2. Overwork, 3. Excessive sexual activity, 4. Depletion of Body Fluids, 5. Blood loss, 6. Chronic illness, 7. Overdose of Kidney-Yang tonic herbs, 8. Diet lacking in Blood-forming foods
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Tinnitus Dizziness Dry mouth Thin body Dry throat and six other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue description: Normal-coloured without coating or with rootless coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Nourish Lung and Kidney Yin, nourish Body Fluids.
Common formulas: Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Pathology
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.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency can derive from Kidney Yin Deficiency Lung Yin Deficiency
Emotional problems: Anger, frustration and depression may over the long-term lead to this pattern.
Overwork: Working excessively long hours for many years weakens Kidney Yin and may lead to this pattern
Excessive sexual activity: Excessive sexual activity, especially masturbation, depletes Kidney Essence and Kidney Yin.
Depletion of Body Fluids: Depletion of Body Fluids, for instance if they are dried up by Heat after a febrile disease, may lead to Kidney Yin Deficiency.
Blood loss: 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.
Chronic illness: A long chronic illness may lead to Kidney Yin Deficiency.
Overdose of Kidney-Yang tonic herbs: If Kidney Yang is overstimulated by the administration of hot herbal medicine, Kidney-Yin will be injured
Diet lacking in Blood-forming foods: 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
Diagnosing Kidney and 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.
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), empty (Xu) or floating (Fu)
Tongue description: Normal-coloured without coating or with rootless coating
Main symptoms: Tinnitus Dizziness Dry mouth Thin body Dry throat Night sweats Lower back pain Scanty urination Diminished hearing Shortness of breath on exertion Dry cough which is worse in the evening
Diagnosis commentary: 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.
Treating Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
Treatment principle
Nourish Lung and Kidney Yin, nourish Body Fluids.
Herbal formulas used to treat Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Source date: 1615 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Treats Yin Deficiency of the Lungs and Kidneys.
Formula summary
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1615 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that nourish Yin and tonify.
Diet 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.
Consequence patterns
The most common consequence of this pattern is the development of Empty-Heat
If left untreated Kidney and Lung Yin Deficiency can lead to Heat in the Blood