Yin Deficiency: Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Diet Therapy
In traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture theory, Yin represents the nutritional, cooling, calming, and moistening aspects of the body. A deficiency of Yin generally leads to a relative excess of Yang and symptoms which may include a feeling of heat, restlessness, dryness, sweating, anxiety, or insomnia all of which may have a tendency to worsen in the evening or at night. Though acupuncture and herbs help a great deal, dietary modifications are also important to promote the generation of Yin and not worsen the deficiency of more Yang dominant foods. From a western medical perspective Yin may relate to nutritional, hormonal and other elements in the body which may decline as we age or be damaged in times of disease. One of the main goals of an acupuncturist when using herbs and acupuncture to treat a patient is to balance the elemental forces of Yin and Yang.
In general, traditional Chinese medicine diet therapy is aimed at consuming highly nutritious and easily digested foods at regular mealtimes. When diagnosed with a Yin deficiency one should follow a calming lifestyle with regular "early to bed" sleep patterns and a nourishing diet which avoids Yang activating foods like hot spicy foods such as cayenne and ginger and stimulating or drying foods such as coffee, tea, and alcohol. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can also assist in replenishing Yin and subduing Yang in the body.
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, all Yin in the body originates in the Kidneys and then rises to permeate and nourish the rest of the body. Though it's source is kidneys, Yin is also very important for the Heart, Liver and Lungs. Syndromes of Yin deficiency may be associated with just the Kidneys or any one of these organ systems. Diagnosis by an acupuncturist is very important so that one can take the proper approach to rebalance the body using diet, acupuncture, herbal medicine and lifestyle changes.
Recommendations
About 40% of your meals should consist largely of easily digested complex carbohydrates like grains and starchy root vegetables. Another 40% of the diet should cooked vegetables and fruit. Proteins scan make up the remaining 10 - 20% of the diet. This is meant to be a tonifying diet and should be hearty though not overly rich and greasy. We generally advise people to eat as they would if they had been doing hard, physical labour outside in cold weather for 12 hours a day.
Specific foods for Yin deficiency
Grains: rice, oats, millet, barley, wheat germ, tef, quinoa, amaranth, etc
Dairy: milk, goat milk, eggs, yogurt, etc
Beans: Beans in general but specifically tofu, beans, aduki beans, black beans, mung beans, kidney beans, fava beans Nuts and Seeds in general but especially black sesame seeds goji berries
Meat products: pork, beef, chicken, duck, etc
Seafood: fish, clam, abalone, oyster, sardines
Seaweeds: spirulina, chlorella
Vegetables: virtually all vegetables that are not spicy such as onions, especially the starchy and/or green ones
Virtually all fruit
Oils: olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, almond oil
Foods to avoid or eliminate
The following foods are considered hot and drying which aggravated Yin deficiency.
Hot and spicy herbs including chili pepper, cinnamon, ginger, onions, shallots, leeks, basil, wasabi, garlic
Drinks: coffee, tea, and other spicy, stimulating drinks
Pickles, vinegar (excluding apple cider vinegar),
Meats: Lamb, shrimp, prawns, veal, game birds (these meats are considered hot in nature)
Other: cigarettes, alcohol, recreational stimulants
For those interested in learning more about Chinese Diet therapy, you can pick up a great book called "Healing With Whole Foods", by Paul Pitchford usually available at Chapters.
In general, traditional Chinese medicine diet therapy is aimed at consuming highly nutritious and easily digested foods at regular mealtimes. When diagnosed with a Yin deficiency one should follow a calming lifestyle with regular "early to bed" sleep patterns and a nourishing diet which avoids Yang activating foods like hot spicy foods such as cayenne and ginger and stimulating or drying foods such as coffee, tea, and alcohol. Acupuncture and herbal medicine can also assist in replenishing Yin and subduing Yang in the body.
According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, all Yin in the body originates in the Kidneys and then rises to permeate and nourish the rest of the body. Though it's source is kidneys, Yin is also very important for the Heart, Liver and Lungs. Syndromes of Yin deficiency may be associated with just the Kidneys or any one of these organ systems. Diagnosis by an acupuncturist is very important so that one can take the proper approach to rebalance the body using diet, acupuncture, herbal medicine and lifestyle changes.
Recommendations
About 40% of your meals should consist largely of easily digested complex carbohydrates like grains and starchy root vegetables. Another 40% of the diet should cooked vegetables and fruit. Proteins scan make up the remaining 10 - 20% of the diet. This is meant to be a tonifying diet and should be hearty though not overly rich and greasy. We generally advise people to eat as they would if they had been doing hard, physical labour outside in cold weather for 12 hours a day.
Specific foods for Yin deficiency
Grains: rice, oats, millet, barley, wheat germ, tef, quinoa, amaranth, etc
Dairy: milk, goat milk, eggs, yogurt, etc
Beans: Beans in general but specifically tofu, beans, aduki beans, black beans, mung beans, kidney beans, fava beans Nuts and Seeds in general but especially black sesame seeds goji berries
Meat products: pork, beef, chicken, duck, etc
Seafood: fish, clam, abalone, oyster, sardines
Seaweeds: spirulina, chlorella
Vegetables: virtually all vegetables that are not spicy such as onions, especially the starchy and/or green ones
Virtually all fruit
Oils: olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil, almond oil
Foods to avoid or eliminate
The following foods are considered hot and drying which aggravated Yin deficiency.
Hot and spicy herbs including chili pepper, cinnamon, ginger, onions, shallots, leeks, basil, wasabi, garlic
Drinks: coffee, tea, and other spicy, stimulating drinks
Pickles, vinegar (excluding apple cider vinegar),
Meats: Lamb, shrimp, prawns, veal, game birds (these meats are considered hot in nature)
Other: cigarettes, alcohol, recreational stimulants
For those interested in learning more about Chinese Diet therapy, you can pick up a great book called "Healing With Whole Foods", by Paul Pitchford usually available at Chapters.