Week 3: Deficiency Flashcards
Qi deficiency can appear in any of the networks but what are the most common ones?
- Spleen qi xu
- Kidney qi xu
- Lung qi xu
What are some common spleen qi xu signs and symptoms?
- lassitude
- loose stools
- lack of concentration
- lack of appetite
- limb weakness
- abdominal distention after eating
- indigestion
- sallow complexion
- tongue: pale and swollen, teeth marks
- pulse: empty
What are some common lung qi xu sn/sx?
- pale complexion (or bright white)
- pale tongue
- low/weak voice
- lassitude/fatigue
- susceptibility to infection
- SOB
- spontaneous sweating
- coughing
- empty pulse
What are some common kidney qi xu sn/sx?
- frequent urination/incontinence
- low back pain
- tinnitus
- dizziness
- heavy periods
- SOB/asthma
- pale tongue
- deep, weak, possibly tight
What are some dietary causes of qi deficiency?
- too much thermally cold food
- raw food
- too much diary
- too many tropical fruits
- frozen foods
- denaturalized foods
- canned foods
- ice cold beverages
- irregular eating habits
- hasty eating
- eating too late in the day
What thermal nature, cooking method and flavour can help with qi xu?
- neutral, warming, sometimes hot
- cooking method: warming
- flavour: neutral to warm-sweet, neutral to warm-pungent, neutral to warm-salty, occasionally hot
What Grains, Meat, Fish, Vegetables can be used as therapy for qi xu?
- Grains: oats, corn, rice, millet
- Meat: poultry, lamb, beef, venison
- Fish: mussels, trout, lobster, salmon
- Vegetables: carrots, leeks
What spices, nuts, legumes can be used for qi xu?
Spices: ginger, garlic
Nuts: hazelnuts, black sesame (warming) walnuts
Legumes: lentils
What is one of the best things to do in the morning for qi xu?
Eat a warming breakfast (porridge).
What are some general yang deficiency sn/sx?
- chills
- cold limbs
- inability to get warm
- loose tools
- profuse clear urine
- spontaneous sweating
- lassitude
- pale tongue with white coat
- slow, deep, weak pulse
Why does yang xu have similar symptoms as qi xu and a similar aetiology? What organs are most affected by yang xu?
Yang xu is always preceded by protracted qi xu and the transition between the two is not always clear.
Spleen, Kidney, Heart
What is the therapy for yang xu?
It is mostly the same as for qi deficiency, however more foods with strong yang character can be used:
- Cooking method: warming, grilled, fried
Meat: beef, poultry, lamb, venison
Extras: fennel, walnuts, chestnuts, corn, raisins, cherries, peaches, leeks, pungent spices, meat and vegetable stews
What are some general yin xu sn/sx?
- agitation or restlessness
- five palm heat
- night sweats
- hot flashes
- rapid pulse
- red tongue with no coat or peeled
What are some dietary causes of yin xu?
- excessive intake of extremely warm foods, especially pungent spices that dry out the body fluids and hut the yin
- excessive intake of coffee, black tea, red wine or alcohol
What are some food therapies for yin xu?
Meat/fish: pork, oyster
Vegetables: cool like spinach, tomato and seaweed
Grains: spelt, corn, rice, wheat
Fruit: apples, pears, blackberries, citrus, bananas, grapes
Dairy: butter, cheese, yogurt, milk
Soy products
Beverages: red fruit juice, citrus juice, wheat beer, green tea
What are some general yin xu causes?
- Chronic illness
- Depletion of BF
- Excessive sexual activity
- Excessive drug use/meds
- Emotional strain
- Overexertion/overwork
- Sleep deprivation
- Stressful lifestyle
- Internal heat?
What are some stomach yin xu lifestyle causes?
Irregular diet/eating habits
i) Eating too late at night
ii) Skipping meals
iii) Hectic lunch hour
iv) Worrying about work etc while eating
Which meridians/organs are most susceptible to yin xu?
Liver, stomach, heart, kidney
What is yin energy?
Yin energy is night energy, quiescent, time to recharge. People get that. Give them little suggestions of things they can do themselves.
Are they taking any time out to just sit and be? Walking meditation, yoga, etc
What deficiency is at the root of many gynaecological problems?
Blood xu
How is the spleen related to blood xu?
- Spleen is in charge of the production of blood
- Produces food qi or gu qi
- Over a long period spleen qi xu will turn into blood xu
How is the heart related to blood xu?
- governs blood
- controls the mind
- anxiety and worry over a long time disturbs the mind
- a disturbed mind can lead to heart blood xu
What are sn/sx of heart blood xu?
palpitations insomnia dizziness dream disturbed sleep dull pale complexion pale tongue pale lips dry hair dry nails dry tongue coating
What happens if the spleen does not produce enough blood?
There will be a lack of blood to be stored by the liver.
What is the most common cause of spleen qi xu and liver blood xu?
Diet
What are the common sn/sx of liver blood xu?
Blurry vision Floaters Dizziness Numbness of limbs Brittle nails Dry hair Scanty menstruation Orange sides of the tongue Muscle cramps esp. Gastrocnemius
Why should you avoid the bitter and pungent flavours with blood xu? Examples?
They dry the blood more.
Eg. Black tea, hot chocolate, pungent spices like garlic, ginger, pepper, curry, cinnamon.
What type of cooking methods should be avoided with blood xu?
Warming cooking methods and thermally hot foods.
Best cooking method and flavours for blood xu?
Cooling
Flavour: sweet-neutral, sweet-warm, sour-neutral, sour-cool