Stomach 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.

Pathology

The Stomach is responsible for receiving foods and drinks, ripening them and sending them to the Spleen for further digestion. Therefore, the Stomach is the origin of Body Fluids. It is also an Organ that likes Cold and Dampness which are both Yin characteristics. Stomach Yin Deficiency harms this functions and cause Dryness and Heat. As a result, symptoms such as thirst, dry stools, dry mouth and dry throat appear. It also cause the tongue coating to fall off. 

Due to lack of Body Fluids, there is constipation with dry stools. Retching and hiccups may also occur as Stomach's Qi downward function is impaired. 

If the Yin Deficiency situation last for a long period of time, it can potentially develop Empty-Heat. It's typical manifestations are often quite mild and appears only in the afternoon or evening, such the mild fever or feeling of heat. The patients experiences thirst or hunger but there is no desire to drink or eat, or they only drink in small sips. They also prefer warm liquids and their appetite is poor.

Causes

Precursor patterns: Stomach Yin Deficiency can derive from Stomach Heat or Fire Kidney Yin Deficiency Stomach Qi Deficiency Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach Heat in the Large Intestine Large Intestine Dryness

Diet: Unbalanced diet and bad eating habits are the major reasons for this pattern. The patients may often consume spicy and acrid foods, which deplete Stomach Fluids and Yin. Prolonged irregular eating habits also have similar negative impact, such as eating on the run, skipping meals, eating while working, having late meals or working right after eating.

Chronic diseases: Chronic Stomach disease can consume Stomach Yin.

High fever: A high fever due to an infectious disease can lead to Stomach Yin Deficiency. However, it is usually acute and temporary. The Yin level normally reverses back after a few days or weeks. However, it may also last for a long period of time.

Drugs: Both Stomach Qi and Yin can be harmed by drugs like antibiotics, which causes the tongue coating to disappear. This situation is usually temporary, as the Yin level is normally back to its original level after stopping the drugs.

Weak constitution: For some young people, teenagers and even children, Stomach Yin Deficiency may be a constitutional pattern.

Diagnosing Stomach 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.

Treating Stomach Yin Deficiency

Treatment principle

Nourish Stomach Yin, nourish Body Fluids.

Herbal formulas used to treat Stomach Yin Deficiency

Diet recommendations

Unhealthy eating habit is often responsible for Stomach Yin Deficiency, such as late dinner, skipping meals, short and hectic lunch, working while eating, back to work right after eating.

Also the overconsumption of spicy and acrid food may also lead to this pattern.

Related conditions

Please keep in mind that a Western Medicine condition can be caused by several Chinese Medicine patterns of disharmony and vice versa. As such a patient suffering from one of the conditions below will not necessarily be suffering from Stomach Yin Deficiency, it is just one pattern that's commonly associated with the condition. Click on a condition to learn what other patterns it's associated with.

Chronic gastritis Peptic ulcers Hypertension Chronic bronchitis Asthma Pneumonia Pertussis Bronchiectasis Diabetes Laryngitis Lung atrophy Acute bronchitis Reactive lymphoid hyperplasia Radiation therapy side effects

Consequence patterns

Lung Dryness

Stomach Yin Deficiency is the pattern most likely to happen before Lung Dryness. 

Kidney Yin Deficiency

If Stomach Yin Deficiency lasts for a long time without being properly treated, it can cause Yin Deficiency of other Organs, especially the Kidneys. 

Lung Yin Deficiency

Lung Yin Deficiency is often associated with Stomach Yin Deficiency, which is often caused by an irregular diet, such as eating late at night, or eating in a hurry.