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Therapeutic application of yin yang theory
Resuming yin yang harmony is the universal treatment goal of TCM. The therapeutic strategy is to replenish the deficiency and remove the excess. When one aspect is excessive and the other aspect remains normal, the treatment aims at clearing away the excess. On the other hand, when one aspect is deficient and the other remains normal, the treatment is to replenish the deficiency. If excess and deficiency take place simultaneously, both removing the excess and replenishing the deficiency are necessary. |
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1. Excess of Yang
When the yang aspect is in excess and the yin aspect is normal, disharmony occurs. For example, persons with pneumonia (an infection of the lungs) may have a high fever, red face, coarse respiration and a rapid and big pulse. The physiological signs like fever and a fullness of the pulse are considered to be in relative excess of "heat." Since the yin aspect is still normal, the heat symptoms are an excessive type.
The therapeutic strategy for treating the pneumonia relies on cooling down "excessive heat" with "cold" herbs. (The word "cold" is used to describe the nature of certain herbs that have yin properties.) Once the heat is removed, yin yang balance and health are restored. |
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2. Deficiency of Yin
Normally, yin and yang mutually control and balance each other. If the yin aspect becomes deficient suddenly, a relative excess of yang develops resulting in a relative excess of heat. This type of heat is also called "virtual heat" because it is caused by a yin deficiency and not yang excess. For example, in hyperthyroidism, a state of yin deficiency, people can experience symptoms of insomnia, palpitations, irritability, and have a thin and rapid pulse. Unlike the condition of "excessive heat" described under yang excess, "deficiency or virtual heat" cannot be treated with "cold" herbs. Rather, the disharmony must be treated using yin nourishing herbs.
In TCM, yin deficiency also refers to the deficiency of yin fluids such as blood and body fluids. Without sufficient nourishment, excitatory functions become dominant leading to symptoms of afternoon fevers or night sweats. Table 4 illustrates more detailed symptoms of yin deficiency. In general, virtual heat symptoms will automatically disappear when the deficient yin is replenished, and the body resumes its balance. |
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| Table 4 Signs of Yin Yang disharmony patterns |
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Yin/Yang harmony |
Signs |
Tongue |
Pulse |
| Excess Heat |
Excess Yang |
High and sustaining fever; thirst; abdominal distention and pain that intensifies with pressure, dark urine |
Think yellow moss; red tongue material |
Rapid and flooded;slippery and full |
| Virtual Heat |
Deficient Yin |
Low grade fever; dry mouth; hot feeling in palms; night sweat; thin appearance; malaise |
Little moss; red tongue material |
Rapid and thin |
| Excess Cold |
Excess Yin |
Cold limbs; fear of cold; abdominal pain that intensifies with pressure; constipation |
Pale tongue material; white thick and moist moss |
Sinking; tight or wiry |
| Virtual Cold |
Deficient Yang |
Cold limbs; fear of cold; abdominal pain and pressure relieves discomfort; frail and weak manner; watery stool; copious and clear urine |
Pale or swollen tongue material |
Frail; sinking, slow and weak |
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Herb: DA HUANG
Taste: bitter
Nature: cold
YIN HERB
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Herb: BA JI TIAN
Taste: sweet, pungent
Nature: slightly warm
YANG HERB
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3. Importance of distinguishing disharmony pattern
Distinguishing the disharmony pattern is very important in TCM therapy. As in the previous example, both "virtual" and "excessive" heat have heat symptoms but there are differences in their presentations. "Excessive heat" can lead to a high fever while "virtual heat due to yin deficiency" may cause just a night fever or a low-grade fever. A person with "excessive heat" has a pulse that is rapid and full, while a person with "virtual heat due to yin deficiency" has a rapid and thin pulse.
Herbs and their Yin and Yang Properties
TCM also classifies herbs of different "natures" and "tastes" according to their yin and yang properties. Cold and cool nature herbs belong to yin while hot and warm herbs belong to yang. Yin herbs taste sour, bitter and salty, and yang herbs taste sweet and pungent. The yin yang theory also describes the effects of herbs. Herbs with floating and ascending properties are part of yang while herbs with sinking and descending properties are part of yin. In choosing the correct herbs for treatment using TCM, it is essential to first identify the disharmony pattern and then select herbs with the appropriate nature, taste and effect. By following these simple steps, Traditional Chinese Medicine can help maintain the body's balance and health. |
References
1. 張恩勤：《中醫基礎理論》〈上冊〉，上海 上海中醫藥大學出版社，1990。
2. 劉家義等：《中醫診斷學》，上海 上海中醫藥大學出版社，1990。
3. 北京中醫學院：《中醫學基礎》〈第一版〉，上海 上海科學技術出版社，1978。
4. 印會河：《中醫基礎理論》，上海 上海科學技術出版社，1985。
5. 《黃帝內經素問》，北京 人民衛生出版社，1978。
6. 劉燕池：《中醫基礎理論問答》〈第一版〉，上海 上海科學技術出版社，1982。
Written By:
Dang Yi
Professor, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine
Ph.D. Beijing Union Medical College
Vice Director, Gourmet Food Institute of Health Care and Nutrition of Beijing
Edited By:
Angela Collingwood, MSN, Integrated Chinese Medicine Holdings Ltd.
Angelo Chung, B Pharm., Integrated Chinese Medicine Holdings Ltd.
Translated By:
Michael Yang
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