In the case of Yin Deficiency, the body is lacking in its cooling, moistening and nurturing aspects. This leads to Heat and Dryness accompanied by weakness and lack of strength and resistance. The Heat of the Yang gets more obvious because Yin is lacking and it cannot control Yang. Fire gets out of hand because water cannot control it.

Empty-Heat, or "false Heat" are the name for these Heat symptoms, because they are not a true Yang Excess conditions. The result is signs of Heat, but without the Yang strength. For example, fever might appear, but it only happens in the afternoon. The feeling of Heat only occurs in the palms, soles and chest region. The patients may talk fast, but cannot maintain it. The Heat waves come and go, with an obvious underlying weakness and Deficiency. Signs of Yin Deficiency, such as night sweats, dry throat and mouth as well as insomnia, become more obvious during night because the Yin is the most active at the time.

Yin Deficiency has some general symptoms, but the symptoms varies based on the Organs involved, such as the Kidneys, Heart, Liver and Lungs. Since the Kidneys are the root of Yin and Yang in the body, anything that impairs the Kidneys can consume their Yin, leading the rest of body Yin to become Deficient as well. When Kidney Yin Deficiency happens, low grade sore throats, dizziness, night sweating or poor memory might occur.

When the Heart Yin is Deficient, insomnia and mental agitation or restlessness can appear. Liver Yin Deficiency causes irritability and headaches. Lung Yin Deficiency leads to dry cough and malar flush.