Diagnosing Patterns: Yang Deficiency

Acupuncture and Chiropractic Health News No Comments
Screen Shot 2020 07 24 at 3.21.25 PM

The opposite of Yin is Yang. Therefore, in TCM, Yang is responsible for warming and activating the body and its functions. Cold symptoms arise when there is a deficiency of Yang in the body. These can be a feeling of cold, preference for warmth, cold limbs, pale and frequent urine, and low energy. Deficiency of Yang can be caused by overwork and excess physical work or dietary factors like excessive consumption of cold foods. 

Screen Shot 2020 07 21 at 11.31.43 AM 1
With a Yang deficiency, one might feel colder than normal and seek warmth. Maybe you like wrapping yourself in blankets like this pug!

Foods to Tonify Yang

Foods to help tonify Yang are usually warming and have a sweet quality. These are very important for people with Yang deficiency. 

  • Grains:  quinoa, rice, wheat germ
  • Vegetables:  sweet potato, squash, leek, mustard greens, onion, radish, scallion, turnip, watercress
  • Fruit:  cherry, logan, peach, raspberry, strawberry
  • Nuts/seeds:  chestnuts, pinenuts, pistachio nuts, walnuts
  • Fish:  anchovy, lobster, mussel, prawn, shrimp, trout
  • Meat:  chicken, lamb, venison, kidneys (both beef and lamb)
  • Herbs/spices:  basil, black pepper, caper, cayenne, chive seed, cinnamon bark, clove, dill seed, fennel seed, garlic, ginger, horseradish, nutmeg, peppermint, rosemary, sage, spearmint, star anise, turmeric, thyme, white pepper
  • Beverages:  chai tea, jasmine tea
  • Supplements:  algae, brown sugar, ginseng, malt sugar, vinegar

Incorporate some of these foods is by roasting chicken and sweet potato with sage and thyme. Roast veggies with ginger and garlic. Make rice porridge with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and cherries. Also, try out veggie and meat stews and soups. Snacking on any of the nuts and fruits listed above is encouraged, and try spicing up your meals by adding some of the herbs and spices. 

Screen Shot 2020 07 23 at 6.06.26 PM
Try making a stew! Fill it with meat and vegetables and give your body the energy it needs to function.

Foods to Avoid…

Avoid cold foods and beverages! They will deplete the Yang energy of the body. This includes foods and beverages taken from the fridge or freezer, along with raw food. Raw foods tend to have cold properties, making it harder for the body to digest. This includes raw veggies, salads, and smoothies which we only recommend eating during the summer. A great way to make cold foods warm is by cooking the veggies and adding yang nourishing ingredients to smoothies such as ginger, cinnamon, and use of non-frozen ingredients.