Pulse: Deep-Slow-Weak.
This pattern, even more than that of Spleen-Yang deficiency, is characterized by mental
depression together with extreme tiredness. The person feels weary, does not want to leave the
house and lacks will power and initiative.
Bearing in mind that the Kidneys are the origin of the Yin and Yang energies for the whole body,
it is quite possible and indeed frequent, for both the Yang and Yin of the Kidneys to be deficient
simultaneously, albeit with the predominance of one over the other. Thus, for example, a person
suffering from the above condition of Kidney-Yang deficiency, and manifesting many of the
above symptoms, might well also suffer from night sweating which is a symptom of Kidney-Yin
deficiency.
For this reason, when tonifying Kidney-Yang it is necessary to add herbs to tonify the
Kidney-Essence as well (see below), and conversely, when tonifying Kidney-Yin it is necessary
to add a few herbs to tonify Kidney-Yang.
Finally, chronic deficiency of Kidney-Yang deficiency nearly always "includes" deficiency of
Spleen-Yang too. The Spleen and Kidneys are two organs which work in close coordination for
the movement, transformation and excretion of body fluids. In disease, they affect each other and
either a Spleen deficiency leads to Kidney deficiency, or a Kidney deficiency eventually affects
the Spleen, especially in the case of Yang deficiency. Hence the need to tonify the Spleen as well
as the Kidneys in a case of Kidney-Yang deficiency.
Treatment Principle
Warm and tonify Kidney-Yang, nourish Essence and Blood.
Acupuncture
General Prescription
KI-3 Taixi, KI-7 Fuliu, Ren-4 Guanyuan, SP-6 Sanyinjiao, BL-23 Shenshu, BL-20 Pishu. All
with reinforcing method. Moxa must be used.
Explanation
- KI-3 and KI-7, with moxa, tonify Kidney-Yang. KI-7 is particularly indicated if there is
oedema of the ankles. - Ren-4 with moxa tonifies Kidney-Yang.