For the yin deficiency constitution: flushing, dryness, trouble sleeping. It may be a sign you are short on moisture

A flushed face, a dry throat, dry skin. Your body is not cold, yet somehow it feels hot inside. Does that sound familiar? Chinese medicine may see symptoms like these as a sign of the constitution called yin deficiency. Yin is the energy that moistens and cools the body from within. When it runs short, moisture and steadiness are lost and the body falls out of balance.

This article covers what marks out the yin deficiency constitution, what lies behind it, and how to settle it with Yasai Yakuzen in daily life.

\ Know your type and look after yourself /
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What is the yin deficiency constitution?

Yin deficiency is a state short on the body's moisture and its power to cool. Signs appear: flushing easily, sweating in your sleep, a dry throat, dry skin and hair. You may look perfectly well from the outside, while inside, the drain quietly goes on.

What marks out the yin deficiency constitution

• The body flushes; heat builds in the hands, feet and face
• A dry throat, a dry mouth
• Dry skin and hair; more grey hair
• A tendency to constipation; little urine, or dark urine

Self-care for the yin deficiency constitution

1. Live so as to replenish moisture and not lose it

For the yin deficiency type, start by adding moisture. Alongside that, it matters to look again at habits that take moisture away.

• Get enough sleep (ideally in bed by 11pm)
• Soak properly in a warm rather than hot bath
• Go easy on spicy food, fried food and alcohol
• Make a point of moisturising, humidifying and drinking enough

2. Shift to a simple life that stops the drain

The body's moisture drains steadily through stress, too little sleep, overwork and stimulants. Do not pack your diary, cut your time on your phone, and live so that you breathe deeply. Quiet time that fills you back up is the foundation for replenishing yin.

Replenishing yin: yakuzen ingredients to try

Chinese medicine puts dry skin and throat, tired eyes and flushing down to a shortage of yin, of moisture. That is exactly when it matters to replenish the power to moisten, gently, through everyday meals.

Replenishing yin: yakuzen ingredients to try

Vegetables, pulses and the like

Komatsuna, asparagus, strawberry, white sesame, black sesame, black soybeans, lily bulb, white wood ear (yin er), pine nuts

Animal protein

Egg, quail egg, milk, cheese, pork, silkie chicken, duck, turtle meat, soft-shelled turtle

Nourishment from the sea

Oyster, razor clam, mussel, ark shell, scallop, abalone

Yakuzen fruits

Goji berry

Category	Example ingredients
Vegetables, pulses and the like	Komatsuna, asparagus, strawberry, white sesame, black sesame, black soybeans, lily bulb, white wood ear (yin er), pine nuts
Animal protein	Egg, quail egg, milk, cheese, pork, silkie chicken, duck, turtle meat, soft-shelled turtle
Nourishment from the sea	Oyster, razor clam, mussel, ark shell, scallop, abalone
Yakuzen fruits	Goji berry

These ingredients are held to moisten a dry body from within and soften the sense of heat. Bring in the ones close to hand, a little at a time, and settle yourself gently from the inside.

Bring moisture back to a dry body, a little at a time

The yin deficiency constitution is a state where moisture is not filled up. Charge it back gently, a little at a time, without pushing. Why not borrow the wisdom of Yasai Yakuzen and start building a body that feels moist and settled?

\ Recommended for the yin deficiency type /
▶ Check in more detail with the Yasai Yakuzen check