Description of the Yang Deficiency pattern

Yang is as important in our body as the sun is in the sky. Or we could say that it is like the little stove of our organism. Yang is important for the activity and functioning of all our organs, for the movement and circulation of blood, and especially for maintaining warmth in the organism.

Symptoms of the Yang Deficiency pattern

Yang deficiency is very similar to the Qi deficiency pattern. It differs only in more intense feelings of cold, pallor, cold hands and feet, and a feeling of mental and physical exhaustion. If the Yang of the Kidneys and/or Spleen is weakened, digestion slows down and various digestive problems arise, such as bloating, slowed metabolism, weight gain, etc. If the Yang of the Kidneys is weakened, various problems appear, such as frequent or nocturnal urination, reduced libido in both men and women, impotence, fertility problems, prolonged cycles, etc. The body also retains more fluids, and swelling, diarrhoea, or missed periods or a weakened cycle may occur.

General dietary principles for the Yang Deficiency pattern

When treating Yang deficiency by adjusting the diet, the same general principles apply as when treating Qi deficiency. The main goal is to maintain high Spleen performance. The only significant difference is the addition of some specific foods of a warm nature for the Spleen and Kidneys and the complete exclusion of all raw foods, including leafy vegetables. The proportions of food components remain the same as in the case of Spleen Qi deficiency.

Spleen Yang Deficiency

In the case of the Spleen, Yang deficiency is one degree more serious than Qi deficiency; as a result, there is a significant limitation in the efficiency of digestion. The basic composition of the diet does not change, only additional foods of a warm nature and spices are added (see table below).

Kidney Yang Deficiency

Kidney Yang needs to be warmed and strengthened through the Spleen, using a diet that strengthens Spleen Yang. In addition, the addition of some specific foods that warm the Kidneys is also beneficial. If the patient suffers from swelling, the diet can also be supplemented with diuretic foods, such as cooked celery or lettuce.

Preferred method of food preparation: stir-frying, long roasting, long boiling.

In general, warm breakfasts are suitable (cereal porridges, eggs, soups – cereal, vegetable or meat broths). It is not good to strain digestion with raw food, which brings more cold into the organism. In the winter period, we can have slightly spicy food, which will warm up and move the energy.

Recommended foods

Spleen

Along with foods suitable for treating Qi deficiency, it is also necessary to emphasize warming foods, such as rice (especially in the form of porridge), oats, parsnips, sweet potatoes, onions, leeks, broths, lamb, beef, chicken, shrimp, mantis shrimp, fruit compote, sweet chestnut. Furthermore, increase the intake of spices that warm, such as dried ginger, cloves, paprika (spice), cardamom, cinnamon, rosemary, turmeric, star anise and nutmeg.

Kidneys

Cloves, fenugreek seeds, fennel, black pepper, cinnamon, dried ginger, rosemary, star anise, walnut, sweet chestnut, pistachio, lamb, salmon, black beans, onions, leeks, chives, mussels, lamb and beef kidneys.

Forbidden foods

Raw fruit and vegetables, sprouts and salads, spinach, tomatoes, soybeans, tofu, sticky (sweet) rice, millet, seaweed, excessively salty or sweet foods, dairy products, vinegar, nuts and seeds, soy milk and chilled drinks or drinks with ice.

Clinical notes

Everything warm. Completely eliminate cold foods. In the winter period, dress warmly so that Yang energy does not escape from the organism.

Recipes

Ginger and Spring Onion Soup (JING CONG FEN SI TANG)

What we need: 1 tablespoon of finely chopped ginger, 2 tablespoons of finely chopped spring onion, soy noodles, 2 pieces of Wood Ear mushroom, salt.

How to do it: wash and peel the ginger, cut into thin strips. Clean the spring onion and cut into small strips. Pour warm water over the Wood Ear mushroom, let it stand for approx. 15 minutes, then squeeze out the water and chop finely. Put everything in a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Turn down to a minimum and cook for 30 minutes. Season with salt and serve.

The soup is very nourishing for fatigue, feeling cold, digestive problems after diarrhoea or colds, and for loss of appetite.

In the evening, try a foot bath. Add 2 tablespoons of table salt, Epsom salt or herbs or herbal oils (thyme, rosemary, cloves) to hot water. Immerse your feet in the water for 20 to 30 minutes. Prepare a kettle of hot water at the table so you can top up the water. Always take your feet out when topping up the water so you don't get scalded.

The bath will support warming and metabolic activity and will help to warm up the hands and feet as well. After the bath, you can massage the soles of your feet with Alpa or another herbal warming cream. It supports Kidney energy.