Patterns of disharmony

Stomach 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 Stomach in Chinese Medicine The Lungs in Chinese Medicine The concept of Yin The concept of Deficiency / Empty

Key attributes

Chinese name: 胃阴虚兼肺阴虚      Pinyin name: Wèi Yīn Xū Jiān Fèi Yīn Xū

Pattern nature: Empty combined pattern

Pattern(s) it combines from: Stomach Yin Deficiency Lung Yin Deficiency

Causes

Common causes: 1. External dry environment, 2. chronic illness, 3. Diet, 4. Prolonged stress

Diagnosis

Common symptoms: Fever Thirst Dry throat Red tongue Scanty sputum and one other symptoms

Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Rapid (Shu)

Tongue coating: Sticky coating

Tongue color: Red

Treatment

Treatment principle: Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach, generate fluids, and moisten Dryness

Common formulas: Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang

Pathology

This pattern occurs in individuals with inherent Yin Deficiency who are exposed to external cool-Dryness, particularly during autumn. In this pattern, the Lungs and Stomach, both crucial for fluid regulation, are adversely affected.

The Lungs, associated with the metal element and vulnerable to Dryness, are easily damaged by Dry external pathogens. This is exacerbated in someone already experiencing fluid damage, leading to symptoms like a dry throat and a hacking cough with scanty sputum. These symptoms indicate not only the Lung's Yin Deficiency but also the obstruction of Lung Qi due to the cool-Dryness invasion.

The Stomach, responsible for generating Body Fluids, also suffers from Yin Deficiency, manifesting as thirst. The combined Deficiency in both the Lungs and Stomach leads to a lack of adequate fluids in these organs.

Additionally, the red tongue with a lack of coating, a thin pulse, fever, and a rapid pulse are indicative of the overall Yin Deficiency and the resultant Internal Heat. This pattern demonstrates the interconnectedness of the Lungs and Stomach in fluid regulation and the impact of external pathogenic factors on pre-existing constitutional weaknesses. Treatment would focus on nourishing the Yin of both the Lungs and Stomach and addressing the dryness to restore balance.

Causes

External dry environment : exposure to external cool-dryness, especially during autumn can cause this pattern.

chronic illness:

Diet:

Prolonged stress:

Diagnosing Stomach 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): Fine (Xi) or rapid (Shu)

Tongue coating: Sticky coating

Tongue color: Red

Main symptoms: Fever Thirst Dry throat Red tongue Scanty sputum Hacking cough

Diagnosis commentary:

a dry throat, thirst, hacking cough with scanty sputum, red tongue with lack of coating

Treating Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency

Treatment principle

Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach, generate fluids, and moisten Dryness

Herbal formulas used to treat Stomach and Lung Yin Deficiency

Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang

Source date: 1798 AD

Number of ingredients: 7 herbs

Key actions: Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach. Generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness.

Formula summary

Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1798 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that disperse Dryness and moisten.

Read more about Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang