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, the body’s more ‘yang’ functions are closely tied to things like metabolism, hormone regulation, kidney function, and circulation. When yang becomes deficient — meaning there isn’t enough warmth and movement to activate and balance yin — the result can be symptoms such as feeling cold, pain that worsens in cold weather, sluggish energy, and a general sense of stagnation.
Yang deficiency can develop from both extremes: being too sedentary or pushing the body into overexertion until it becomes depleted. Diet also plays a role, especially with frequent consumption of raw, cold foods or iced drinks, which weaken the body’s warming functions. Over time, this pattern often shows up as a slower metabolism and may progress into dampness or phlegm accumulation.
For example, imagine someone experiencing burnout from long-term overwork. They often eat cold salads, drink iced beverages, and spend long hours sitting. Eventually, they may notice cold hands and feet, poor circulation, low energy, reduced libido, or even infertility — all classic signs of yang deficiency.
Qi deficiency is a pattern that can sometimes accompany yang deficiency. Nourishing qi alongside 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 (on a chronic basis)
How to Treat a Yang Deficiency?
LIFESTYLE ADJUSTMENTS:
→ Exercise & Movement: Movement generates heat in the body, which invigorates 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.
