In Traditional Chinese Medicine the five primary
Chinese medicine recognizes five yin organs and six yang organs, also known as "zang" and "fu" organs respectively.
As a zàng, the Spleen is considered to be a yin organ. Its associated yang organ is the Stomach. Both Spleen and Stomach are attributed to the Earth element.
In feng shui, yin energy is considered to be slow, cool, wet, and dark. It is related to curves, inactivity, and softness. The energy of the moon is more yin. Other descriptive qualities include invisible and relaxed.
Zang organs: Zang (脏) refers to the five organs that are yin . Collectively, their primary purpose is to produce and store qi, xue (blood), Jinye (body fluids), Jing (essence), and shen (Spirit).
TCM overview
The kidney (Shen) is a Zang organ meaning it is a Yin organ. The other Yin, or Zang, organs are the lungs (Fei), liver (Gan), spleen (Pi), and heart (Xin).
Nourish yourself with clean, whole foods on a daily basis. Ensure your body has enough fuel at all times by eating regularly. Protein helps build yin, so make sure you eat enough good quality protein and plenty of vegetables and fruit at each meal.
A Yin deficiency type is when there is not enough「Yin」to cool the body so the body temperature rises easily. The shortage of「Water」such as liquids, blood, and body fluids, which are the constituents of the body, causes the body to be in a dry state.
Yin characteristics: passive, negative, darkness, earth, north slope, cloudy, water, softness, female, moisture, night-time, downward seeking, slowness, consuming, cold, odd numbers, and docile aspects of things.
Yin deficiency can often be the result of prolonged stress levels and fatigue. A chronic disease, poor dietary habits, and sometimes genetics can also lead to a deficient yin. To keep bodily functions up and running, restoring yin balance becomes inevitable.
Treatment for yin tonification
Drink thin fluids – water, herbal tea, clear soups and watery fruits. Some added salt in food (health permitting) to retain water. Some raw foods, especially vegetables (not in the evenings) to cool the body.
Worry is the emotion of the spleen/stomach/pancreas network, organs associated with the earth element. Too much pensiveness, worrying and insecurity can weaken our ability to digest – simply knot the energy. When we are worried to a state of anxiety, we find it hard to digest and accept a situation or life event.
As a zàng, the Heart is considered to be a yin organ. Its associated yang organ is the Small Intestine. Both Heart and Small Intestine are attributed to the Fire element.
It is yin nature and is stored in the kidneys. It is considered to be the densest physical matter within the body and circulates through the Eight Major Vessels, where it helps to create semen, menstrual blood, and bone marrow. This chart shows the connection between the Qi, Jing, and Shen.
As a zàng, the Liver is considered to be a yin organ. Its associated yang organ is the Gallbladder. Both Liver and Gallbladder are attributed to the Wood element. governs "unclogging and deflation" (Chinese: 疏泄; pinyin: shū-xiè) primarily of qì and emotions.
The Lung is a zang organ meaning it is a yin organ. Situated in the thorax, it communicates with the throat and opens into the nose.
You've probably heard of the yin yang symbol, which is an ancient Chinese symbol for the union of opposites — the masculine and feminine energies that are present in all of life. Yin is the feminine life force of receptivity, while yang is the masculine force of action.
The yin (feminine) energy is a lake or pond, deep still water, or ebbing tide. Yang (masculine) is active water, ocean surf, strong river current, or rising tide. Yang water has a ferocious energy that can be harnessed or can be implacable and destructive.
Some elements nourish each other and some elements control each other. Water is the most yin for example. It's slow, dark, and cold. Fire is the most yang.
Soy products such as tofu and beansprouts, crab (such as the Shanghai hairy crab), most fruits, and vegetables such as watercress, cucumbers, carrots and cabbage are considered yin foods.
At the extreme yin end of the spectrum are alcohol, sweets and oils. Too much of these will cause an imbalance in our bodies; we may become oversensitive to the cold for, example. Yang foods are warming and are things like root vegetables, onions and spices, cooked slowly like in stews or casseroles.
Proteins: aduki beans, black beans, kidney beans, lima beans, mung beans, fish and seafood (except shrimp and prawns), beef, duck, goose, pork, rabbit, chicken and duck eggs. Dairy: cow, sheep and goat dairy products (if tolerated), ghee. Yogurt is considered especially cooling and yin nourishing.
Foods to avoid
It is important to ensure that stimulating foods are not being consumed, as these will only further depleate yin. Caffeine, alcohol, sugar and strong heating/ pungent spices all belong in this category.
Symptoms of too much Yin and not enough Yang are: feeling cold, not thirsty, low energy, edema, frequent urination, looses stools, and slow pulse.
Third, excessive Yin deficiency can cause internal Liver wind. Clinically, twitches in the hands and feet, hot flashes, night sweats, a dry mouth and throat, weight loss, a red and dry tongue, and a thin, wiry, and rapid pulse may occur. Fourth, Liver wind may also occur when Liver blood is deficient.