deficiency (due to the inclusion of Du Zhong Cortex Eucommiae ulmoidis and Lu Jiao Jiao Colla
Cornu Cervi).
Mental-Emotional Pattern
Fear, shock and guilt may injure the Kidneys and cause this condition. However, it is also often
the result rather than the cause of Kidney-Yang deficiency. Kidney-Yang may be depleted by a
chronic disease, overwork, excessive physical work and lifting and excessive sexual activity.
This person will feel mentally and physically exhausted, will be depressed and will lack
will-power and spirit of initiative. He or she will have almost given up any hope of getting better
or of starting or changing anything in life. Everything is too much effort.
This condition is characterized not only by Kidney-Yang deficiency but also by Essence
depletion. The Kidney-Essence is the material basis for all the Kidney's physiological activities.
The Essence has a Yin and a Yang aspect and, in this case, its Yang aspect is deficient. Because
the Essence is the foundation for the Three Treasures, the Essence, Qi and Mind, a deficiency of
its Yang aspect causes extreme exhaustion and low spirits.
Variations
- In cases of severe depression and exhaustion replace Lu Jiao Jiao with the stronger Lu
Rong Cornu Cervi parvum. - In cases of mixed Yin and Yang deficiency symptoms of the Kidneys (a very frequent
occurrence) halve the dosage of Fu Zi and Rou Gui to 1.5 g each, and replace Shu Di
Huang with Sheng Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae.
Case History 9.12
Mental-Emotional Problems: Kidney-Yang Deficiency-Female, Age 46
A 46-year-old woman complained of nocturia: she had to get up to urinate up to seven times a
night. Her urine was generally pale and she experienced a dry mouth at night when she woke up.
She had a lower backache and felt generally cold although she occasionally also felt hot in the
face.
Her tongue was slightly Pale with a Red tip with red points (Plate 9.7(271)). Her pulse was
Weak on both Kidney positions of left and right.
Diagnosis This is a clear pattern of Kidney-Yang deficiency. Although this is the
predominant condition, there is also the very beginning of some
Kidney-Yin deficiency manifesting with a dry mouth at night and the