Kidney Yin Deficiency

    This is a common condition for peri-menopausal or menopausal women as it results from a decline in the vital substance known as yin. It is also common in cases of excessive drug or alcohol use, chronic stress and “over achiever” syndrome. Yin represents the nourishing, moistening and calming characteristics of the physiological process. It is representative of the water within the body whereas yang is representative of the fire. A decline in yin leads to an abundance of yang so symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, dry skin and hair, vaginal dryness and frequent thirst with darker colored urine are common. For reproduction, yin represents the ripening of a follicle, the moistening of the fallopian tubes and the replenishing of the endometrium.

Nourishing the yin is essential for balance so quieting activities such as adequate rest, meditation ,yoga, or quiet contemplative prayer can help. Avoid stress and express your emotions peacefully. Get plenty of sleep. Consider the following foods.

FOODS TO EAT: millet, barley, tofu, string beans, black beans, black soybeans, mung beans and sprouts, kidney and most other beans, kudzu root, melons, blackberry, mulberry, blueberry, huckleberry, water chestnut, wheat germ, potato, seaweeds, spirulina, chlorella, black sesame seeds, sardines, crab, clam, eggs, pork and cheese.

FOODS TO AVOID: Warming food such as spices, coffee, alcohol, tobacco, lamb, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and over eating which taxes the liver and leads to the formation of heat.

In addition to chinese herbal therapy one should consider taking vitamin E