Yang deficient constitution (Yang Xu)
On this page
- Overview
- Recognising the pattern
- Dietary approach
- Foods to favour
- Foods to limit
- Lifestyle
- Related pages
1. Overview
Yang deficiency (Yang Xu) is a deeper, colder pattern than qi deficiency, where the warming, activating yang fire of the Kidneys (and often the Spleen) is depleted. People with this constitution feel cold to their bones, have low drive, and need consistent warming foods and lifestyle.
2. Recognising the pattern
- Marked aversion to cold; cold hands, feet and abdomen
- Pale complexion, often with a slight blue or grey cast
- Low libido, erectile or fertility difficulties
- Frequent, clear, copious urination, especially at night
- Loose, undigested stools
- Lower back and knee soreness or weakness
- Tongue: pale, wet, swollen, with a white coating
- Pulse: deep, slow, weak
3. Dietary approach
The yang-deficient diet is consistently warm, cooked and warming. Slow-cooked meats, ginger, cinnamon, lamb stews and walnuts rebuild yang. Cold and raw foods are particularly damaging and should be largely eliminated.
4. Foods to favour
- Lamb, beef, chicken, venison — particularly slow-cooked
- Warming spices: ginger (fresh and dried), cinnamon, cloves, fennel, black pepper
- Walnuts, chestnuts, pine nuts
- Leek, onion, spring onion, garlic
- Black beans, kidney beans (Kidney-shaped foods support Kidney yang)
- Prawns, mussels, lobster
- Quinoa, oats, glutinous rice
- Bone broth and Kidney-shaped foods
5. Foods to limit
- Cold drinks, ice in drinks, smoothies, ice cream
- Raw salads, especially in winter
- Cold-natured fruits: watermelon, banana, pear, kiwi (in excess)
- Tofu and bean curd in excess
- Excessive dairy, particularly cold yoghurt
- Bitter and very cooling foods (bitter melon, strong green tea in excess)
6. Lifestyle
Keep the lower back and abdomen warm at all times. Avoid sitting on cold surfaces. Moxibustion on Ren-4 and Du-4 is highly supportive. Moderate aerobic exercise to generate heat. Sleep before 11pm.
