Type 5 / 6

Yin Deficiency with Ascending Fire

Insufficient liver and kidney Yin fluids allow deficient fire to flare upward, drying and inflaming the throat mucosa and intensifying airway vibration. Common in thin individuals, chronic sleep-deprived people, and menopausal women.

Tongue & Pulse Red tongue with little or dry coating; thin-rapid pulse

Who Is Most Affected

Thin individuals with Yin-deficient constitutionChronically sleep-deprived individualsMenopausal women aged 45–55High-stress, overthinking individuals

Common Symptoms

  • Loud, high-pitched snoring
  • Dry mouth and throat on waking, night sweats
  • Irritability, light and dream-filled sleep
  • Aching and weak lumbar and knees, dizziness and tinnitus
  • Menopausal women: hot flashes, sweating, mood swings

Treatment Focus

1 Nourish Yin, descend fire, moisten dryness and throat
2 Go to bed early, strictly maintain sleep schedule
3 Moist, bland diet; avoid all spicy foods
4 Menopausal women: emotional support and pre-sleep relaxation

Representative Formula

Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan combined with Bai He Gu Jin Tang

Shu Di Huang (nourishes Yin, tonifies kidneys)Shan Zhu Yu (supplements liver and kidneys)Zhi Mu (nourishes Yin, descends fire)Huang Bai (drains fire, consolidates Yin)Bai He (moistens lungs, calms the heart)Mai Dong (nourishes Yin, moistens lungs)Xuan Shen (nourishes Yin, descends fire, benefits throat)

⚠️ Chinese herbs should be used under guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner. Do not self-prescribe.

Recommended Acupoints

Press each point for 1-2 min, 1-2 times daily
1 Tai Xi (KD 3)

📍 Medial foot, in the depression between the medial malleolus and the Achilles tendon

Nourishes Yin, tonifies kidneys, clears deficiency heat — source point of the kidney channel

2 Zhao Hai (KD 6)

📍 Medial foot, in the depression below the medial malleolus

Nourishes Yin, clears heat, moistens throat, regulates sleep

3 San Yin Jiao (SP 6)

📍 Inner leg, 3 cun above the medial malleolus, posterior to the tibia

Nourishes liver, spleen, and kidney Yin; harmonizes Yin and blood; calms the spirit

Dietary Guidance

Recommended
  • Lily bulb, white wood ear fungus (nourish Yin, moisten dryness)
  • Goji berries, mulberries (nourish liver and kidneys)
  • Snow pear, sugar cane (generate fluids, moisten dryness)
  • Rock sugar lily bulb congee, white fungus lotus soup
Avoid
  • Chili and all spicy foods
  • Lamb, lychee, longan and other warming-drying foods
  • Tobacco, alcohol, strong coffee, strong tea
  • Fried and grilled foods

Lifestyle Adjustments

  • 1 Fixed bedtime of 10 pm; maintain consistent sleep rhythm
  • 2 Soak feet in warm water 30 minutes before bed with acupoint massage
  • 3 Practice meditation or abdominal breathing to ease Yin-deficiency anxiety
  • 4 Menopausal women: complement with TCM liver-soothing and Qi-moving therapy

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