What is a Yang Deficiency?
Yin and yang are foundational concepts in Traditional Chinese Medicine that help explain the balance of all things. Yang represents masculine energy. This is a more action-oriented energy and is associated with warmth, movement, activity, transformation, etc. It is the counterpart to yin, which is more cooling, nourishing, and restorative in nature. All things, including our bodies, minds, and spirits, contain both yin and yang elements.
From a Western perspective, yang is closely linked to metabolism, hormone regulation, kidney function, and circulation. When yang deficiency occurs—meaning the body lacks sufficient warmth and movement to activate its more yin systems—this can result in symptoms like feeling cold, having pain aggravated by cold temperatures, stagnation, and sluggish, low energy. Common causes include being too sedentary or, inversely, overexertion, leading to depletion of yang. Diet can be another culprit, especially an overconsumption of cold, raw foods or iced drinks, which weaken the body's warming functions. Over time, a slower metabolism can manifest, leading to patterns of dampness and phlegm.
An example would be a person experiencing burnout from prolonged overwork, who regularly eats cold salads and drinks iced beverages and is often sedentary. Over time, they may develop cold hands and feet, poor circulation, low energy, and reduced libido—all classic signs of yang deficiency.
Qi deficiency is a pattern that can sometimes accompany yang deficiency. Nourishing yang energy through diet and lifestyle choices can help restore warmth, energy, and overall vitality.
What Are Signs & Symptoms of a Yang Deficiency?
apathy
aversion to cold
bags under eyes
clear & frequent urine (especially at night)
cold limbs
depression
edema of the legs
feeling cold easily
impotence
infertility
knee/leg pain (worse in cold weather)
lack of thirst
lassitude
lethargy
loose stool
loss of confidence
low libido
low motivation
low sperm count
low backache (worse in cold weather)
preference for warmth
premature ejaculation
puffiness or being overweight
sensation of cold in lower back
sweating without exertion
weak legs/knees
What Causes a Yang Deficiency?
being too sedentary on a daily basis
consuming too many cold, raw or iced foods or drinks
relying heavily on stimulants, which eventually depletes the body’s ability to generate yang energy
not having goals or things that give you a sense of purpose in life
excessive amounts of sex, or, inversely, experiencing sexual rejection or trauma
overexertion, without proper rest/replenishment
long-term exposure to cold weather, without appropriate coverage
intermittent fasting, when the adrenals are already stressed or depleted (especially risky for women)
childbirth and postpartum depression
being excessively fearful (chronically)
Types of Yang Deficiency:
kidney yang deficiency
liver yang deficiency
heart yang deficiency
lung yang deficiency
spleen yang deficiency
How to Treat a Yang Deficiency?
LIFESTYLE ADJUSTMENTS:
→ Exercise & Movement: Movement generates friction in the body, which invigorates heat and circulation. Starting with more gentle, low-impact cardio like walking or hiking can help the body to feel more motivated physically. If the yang deficiency is a result of too much exercise or overburdening/exhausting the body to depletion, then more rest paired with gentle, slow exercises, like yoga, tai chi, or qi gong, can help in recovery.
→ Sunshine: Morning or late afternoon sun is one of the simplest ways to boost your yang energy. Soaking in fortifying rays of sunlight for just 10 minutes helps with the production of vitamin D3, an essential nutrient that supports our energy, immune systems and more.
→ Moxibustion (Moxa): This is a tool in traditional Chinese medicine where an herb called mugwort is burned over specific points to warm and nourish the body, producing more yang energy. Visiting an acupuncturist can be helpful, as they can utilize moxa alongside acupuncture to boost circulation.
→ Warmth: Warm baths (including mugwort baths), hot stones, and warm surroundings are all beneficial in warming the "cold" of a yang deficiency.
DIET + NUTRITION
→ Supplementation: Certain supplements can aid a yang deficiency. It's best to consult a holistic healthcare provider, like an acupuncturist, naturopath or functional medicine doctor to determine if you have any nutrient deficiencies, like vitamin D. We like Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3.
→ Dietary Adjustments: It's important to avoid cold and raw foods and iced beverages. This includes salads, smoothies, and foods taken from the fridge or freezer, all of which can be harder on the body to digest. Also avoid foods and beverages that are heavy, oily, or may disrupt digestion, like refined sugars, fried foods and excessive dairy. Instead opt for warm and nourishing foods and spices, like those listed below.
What Foods are Best for Treating a Yang Deficiency?
Vegetables:
bell peppers, cabbage, garlic, kale, leeks, microalgae (spirulina/chlorella), mustard greens, onions, potatoes, scallions, squash, sweet potatoes, taro, turnips, watercress
Fruit:
cherries, longan, lychee, peaches, raspberries, strawberries
Grains:
quinoa
Nuts & Seeds:
chestnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts
Beans & Legumes:
black beans, lentils
Herbs & Spices:
basil, chives, cinnamon, cloves, dill seed, fennel, fenugreek, (dried) ginger, ginseng (American, Chinese & Korean), nutmeg, (black/white) pepper, rosemary, sage, star anise, thyme, turmeric
Beverages & More:
chai tea, coconut milk, jasmine tea, royal jelly
Animal Protein*:
anchovies, chicken, kidneys, lamb, lobster, shrimp, trout, venison
*Meat is not used in any of our recipes, however, these animal products can be added to any recipe. For yang deficiency patterns, animal protein is recommended for replenishment, if there are no dietary restrictions.
